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Happening in the Neighborhood
Conservation and Red Dragons Reading in Cortland
The Cortland County Historical Society, having just hosted their centennial gala, is participating in a philanthropy challenge. CCHS has recently acquired a collection of memorabilia of career trumpeter Charlie Bertini, a Cortland native. The objects, including stunning jackets from his time in the circus, were donated by Bertini himself. Portraits of William and Betsy Randall are now on display at the CCHS Suggett House Museum after receiving conservation treatment at West Lake Art Conservation Center.
Over at SUNY Cortland, librarians worked with student club representatives to purchase hundreds of books for high-traffic locations around campus as part of a program "to support student well-being, encourage screen breaks and foster a strong culture of reading across campus."
Ken Burns in Chenango
Chenango County Historical Society is planning a sneak preview of Ken Burns's newest documentary series beginning this week in Bainbridge. CCHS, the Jericho Arts Council, and WSKG are partnering together to offer a first look at “The American Revolution," part of CCHS's America250 programming.
Retirement Plans and Videos in Otsego
After more than 40 years at its helm, Fenimore Art Museum's President & CEO Paul S. D’Ambrosio has announced his retirement, planned for next summer. His successor has been named: Joshua Campbell Torrance, who has an MA from the Cooperstown Graduate Program and a BA in history from Elmira College, among other achievements. The Swart-Wilcox House Museum, Huntington Memorial Library, and the Greater Oneonta Historical Society have all been featured in videos created by Jimmy Johnson of Oneonta. This one shared by the SWHM folks was posted on a paranormal YouTube channel with 180k subscribers! The Greater Oneonta Historical Society has already begun its online auction, which is paired with its annual live auction to be held in their newly renovated 3rd floor ballroom this Friday.
Humanely Decorated Trees in Delaware
After a very busy October and November, Delaware County Historical Association will host a Fundraising Christmas Tree Decorating event for The Heart of the Catskills Humane Society in early December.
Murders and Pop-up Exhibits in Broome
This Saturday, celebrate the 25th anniversary of Broome County Public Library's Jeffrey P. Kraham building at an exciting Murder Mystery Party fundraiser! Binghamton University Libraries published a lovely piece about Dean of Libraries Andrea Falcone and her ambitious plans for the libraries. BU's Special Collections is partnering with the BU Art Museum to host the third annual #BingCollects, a pop-up exhibition, this year with the theme of Food and Drink.
Ghosts, Votes, and Genealogy in Chemung
It's the last week to see the Smithsonian exhibit, Voices and Votes, at Chemung County Historical Society. On Wednesday, November 12, the Chemung County Board of Elections will present at CCHS's Out to Lunch lecture, all about how local voting works. Purchase tickets for the February 7th program Ghosts in the Museum before December for a 10% discount. Chemung County Library District will be hosting a virtual program tonight (Nov. 10) at 6 pm with a professional genealogist and speaker with a national CV, all about researching and collecting local military veterans' stories.
Conferences, Websites and the Sears Catalog in Steuben
The Steuben County Historical Society has a great new website created by Griffin Bates, the county historian who shares the Magee House with SCHS. On December 5, SCHS will host a program about the Sears Catalog Houses of Steuben County. Southern Tier Library System shared photos of their time at the NYLA conference, where many STLS members and staff presented. Corning Museum of Glass's annual Christmas Tree made of glass ornaments was unveiled last week and is as beautiful as always.
Tuskegee Airmen and Romans in Allegany
Last month, Tuskegee airman and Allegany-county native Wally Higgins was honored with a roadside marker from the Pomeroy Foundation. Alfred University hosts the obituary for Higgins in their institutional repository, as he was a professor at the NYS College of Ceramics. Over at Houghton University (a Christian university), the social media team posted a Bible verse and paired it with a lovely photo of the library: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." As the ALA would say, libraries are transformational!
StarShine in Yates
The Yates County History Center, who just held their annual meeting last week, is already planning their next big event: the 40th annual StarShine event. Tricia has also updated the YCHC blog, Oliver's Travels.
Veterans and Canal Awards in Schuyler
The Schuyler County Historical Society just hosted a Veteran's Day Commemoration for Jane Delano, a late member of the Army Nurse Corps. Schuyler County Historian Gary Emerson's research paper ("The Great Steam Canal Boat Race of 1873") came in third place in the Erie Canal Museum's bicentennial research project contest. The competition was fierce: Jeffrey Ludwig of Seward House Museum came in first place with "Certain Heavy Scales Fell Off My Eyes”: William Seward, the Erie Canal, and the Making of a Whig Identity" and Judith Wellman's “Three fugitives shipped on board: New York State Canals and the Underground Railroad, 1825-1860" came in second.
Pies, Plays and Wonderful Lives in Seneca
The Edith B. Ford Memorial Library has been doing very sweet things lately, like making Christmas cards for residents at Verona Village, donating old pumpkins to some happy cows, and collecting hygiene products for donation. But the sweetest thing yet is their upcoming pie contest! Speaking of sweet, Seneca Falls Library is hosting an Oreo cookie taste test challenge on November 14, which is something every library with young patrons should try hosting at least once!
Seneca Falls Historical Society is getting ready for the It's A Wonderful Life weekend, happening December 11-14. On December 5th, SFHS will host a Christmas-themed fundraiser in the Becker Mansion. Pam Becker, Seneca County Historian, is working with SFHS and other historians on Sullivan-Clinton research and program planning. Waterloo Library & Historical Society is hosting the Waterloo Library Players as they get ready for their holiday plays.
Awards and Opera in Cayuga
Congratulations to Kirsten Gosch of the Cayuga Museum for a 40 Under 40 award! The Cayuga Museum is ramping up for their annual holiday fundraiser, which will have the theme of Old Hollywood. The Seward House Museum is preparing for O Cara Mia, a parlor music concert this weekend in memory of Auburn native and gifted soprano, Rebecca Carr.
New Cards, Cherry Arts and More Scans in Tompkins
We recently spotted former SCRLC intern Sam MacQueen in the video for Tompkin County Public Library's Card design announcement. Those designs are just great, too! Cornell added more books to the HathiTrust Digital Library, tipping the total collection to over 19,000,000! Cornell's Rare and Manuscript Collection has added local digital collections, as well, which are worth a look. The History Center in Tompkins County is hosting a special benefit event for The Cherry Arts on November 22, featuring three short documentaries by retired Ithaca College professor Gossa Tsegaye.
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