“Floor Burns” Book Talk with Author M.C. Antil
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseJoin OHA as we welcome M.C. Antil, author of Floor Burns: Love, Passion and the 1967 Syracuse All-City Championship. The book has been described as "a sprawling, affectionate...portrait of a city being transformed by the 1960s, the people who lived there, and the game they loved". This work is a non-fiction account of a high school […]
A Pocketful of Progress Exhibit Opening
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseWe're launching a new exhibit, A Pocketful of Progress: A Retrospective Look at the Machines Found in our Smartphones! This new exhibition opens on Thursday, March 3rd at 5:30. Come join us downtown at the Onondaga Historical Museum to explore this fascinating new display of machines from the past 150 years which performed functions that, today, […]
OHA Medal Breakfast 2022 Honoring Playwright Kyle Bass, Jeff & Susan Bastable, and the University Neighborhood Preservation Association
The Oncenter Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center 800 S State St, Syracuse, NY, United StatesThe 2022 Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) Medal will be awarded to Playwright Kyle Bass, Jeff & Susan Bastable, and the University Neighborhood Preservation Association to recognize their outstanding and meritorious service to local history, and to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Onondaga County. We will be honoring this year’s Medal recipients on […]
Recollections from Beyond the Grave Ghostwalk – June 3
Oakwood Cemetery 940 Comstock Avenue, SyracuseCome experience the newest edition of OHA's Historic Ghostwalks! Walk through Oakwood Cemetery and hear the stories of those at rest there, including an early Syracuse mover and shaker, a prominent local family, a pair of star crossed lovers, and a murder victim; all amidst the beauty of the cemetery as a backdrop. The tours are […]
Recollections from Beyond the Grave Ghostwalk – June 4
Oakwood Cemetery 940 Comstock Avenue, SyracuseCome experience the newest edition of OHA's Historic Ghostwalks! Walk through Oakwood Cemetery and hear the stories of those at rest there, including an early Syracuse mover and shaker, a prominent local family, a pair of star crossed lovers, and a murder victim; all amidst the beauty of the cemetery as a backdrop. The tours are […]
Recollections from Beyond the Grave Ghostwalk- June 10
Oakwood Cemetery 940 Comstock Avenue, SyracuseCome experience the newest edition of OHA's Historic Ghostwalks! Walk through Oakwood Cemetery and hear the stories of those at rest there, including an early Syracuse mover and shaker, a prominent local family, a pair of star crossed lovers, and a murder victim; all amidst the beauty of the cemetery as a backdrop. The tours are […]
Recollections from Beyond the Grave Ghostwalk – June 11
Oakwood Cemetery 940 Comstock Avenue, SyracuseCome experience the newest edition of OHA's Historic Ghostwalks! Walk through Oakwood Cemetery and hear the stories of those at rest there, including an early Syracuse mover and shaker, a prominent local family, a pair of star crossed lovers, and a murder victim; all amidst the beauty of the cemetery as a backdrop. The tours are […]
“All Love Comes Home” Book Signing by Gene Fisch
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseOnondaga Historical Association is pleased to invite the community to a free public lecture and book signing by Gene Fisch. Join us at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 16th at the organization’s comprehensive history museum at 321 Montgomery Street in Downtown Syracuse. “All Love Comes Home: A Promise of Truth” is part memoir, part tribute […]
Historic Ghostwalk: We’re Ba-ack!
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseHistoric Ghostwalks presented by the Onondaga Historical Association are led by guides to locations in neighborhoods, buildings, and cemeteries where actors in costume portray individuals from Onondaga County’s past. The “ghosts” reveal their lives in 12 to 15 minute vignettes, giving personal insight to those who have preceded us. Tours leave every 15 minutes and […]
Possessing Harriet Book Talk with Kyle Bass
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseJoin OHA in welcoming Kyle Bass, resident playwright of Syracuse Stage, and recent recipient of OHA's Medal Award! Kyle's OHA commissioned play Possessing Harriet has been adapted into a book by Standing Stone Books. This inspirational chapter of our location history imagines a conversation between an enslaved woman, Harriet Powell, and a young Elizabeth Cady, the fierce advocate for women’s […]
Historic Ghostwalk: Spirits in the City
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseHistoric Ghostwalks presented by the Onondaga Historical Association are led by guides to locations in neighborhoods, buildings, and cemeteries where actors in costume portray individuals from Onondaga County’s past. The “ghosts” reveal their lives in 12 to 15 minute vignettes, giving personal insight to those who have preceded us. Tours leave every 15 minutes and […]
Holiday Open House & Book Talk
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseOHA is hosting a holiday open house! Enjoy an evening of extended hours, complete with refreshments, musical entertainment, a book talk, storewide sales, and a special free gift from OHA! We will be open until 7pm on December 4th, allowing our guests plenty of time to do their holiday shopping. Everything in the Gift Gallery […]
Book Talk: “To Have A Tomorrow” with author Gene Fisch
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseOnondaga Historical Association is pleased to invite the community to a free public lecture and book signing, featuring Gene Fisch and his new book, To Have A Tomorrow: A True Story. Join us at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7th at the organization’s comprehensive history museum at 321 Montgomery Street in Downtown Syracuse. There, you'll […]
Come In From The Cold Exhibit Opening
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseWarm up from the CNY winter at the opening reception for our new exhibit, Come In From The Cold. The exhibit features selections from OHA's collection of winter fashions through the ages, plus artifacts of winter recreation, and artwork and historic photos depicting the snowscapes of our region. Enjoy refreshments, followed by a Curator Talk […]
2023 OHA Medal Breakfast
The Oncenter Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center 800 S State St, Syracuse, NY, United StatesThe 2023 Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) Medal will be awarded to Christine B. Lozner, William P. Burrows, and Sedgwick Farm Neighborhood Association to recognize their outstanding and meritorious service to local history, and to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Onondaga County. We will be honoring this year’s Medal recipients on May 25th at […]
Syracuse Forever Historic Ghostwalk
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseHistoric Ghostwalks presented by the Onondaga Historical Association are led by guides to locations in neighborhoods, buildings, and cemeteries where actors in costume portray individuals from Onondaga County’s past. The “ghosts” reveal their lives in 12 to 15 minute vignettes, giving personal insight to those who have preceded us. Reservations are $15 for the general […]
Aviation Historian James Coulthart: Canadian P-51 Mustangs Over Central New York in the Late 1950s
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseOn Sunday, June 11th from 11am-noon, OHA will be hosting local aviation historian James Coulthart at our downtown museum at 321 Montgomery Street. He will be presenting his talk, Canadian P-51 Mustangs Over Central New York in the Late 1950s, the story of how 70+ WW2-era high-performance fighter planes, whose destinations were supposed to be conflict “hot […]
Walking & Talking Wednesdays: Historical Lunchtime Tours of Downtown Syracuse
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseThis summer and fall, spend your mid-week lunch hour with Curator of History Robert Searing, listening to some local history as you get in a midday walk around town. On select Wednesdays, the tours will leave from OHA's downtown museum at 321 Montgomery Street at 12:05 and end in Clinton Square. Tour dates are June […]
Syracuse: City Life In Watercolors Opening Reception
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseThe opening reception for Syracuse: City Life in Watercolors is on June 28th from 5-7. Join us at our Downtown Museum at 321 Montgomery Street as we officially launch our new exhibit, which celebrates urban environments, plein air painting, and daily city life through the eyes and paintbrushes of three local artists. The work featured is by […]
The Jerry Rescue: 172nd Anniversary Celebration
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseJoin us on Sunday, October 1st at 2:00 in the OHA Auditorium as we celebrate the citywide act of civil disobedience that spoke to Syracuse's abolitionist spirit. Listing to a retelling of the Jerry Rescue Story, view our display of Jerry Rescue memorabilia, and enjoy a screening of Civil Correspondence. This original video centers around […]
Lincoln on the Civil War
Onondaga Historical Association Museum and Research Center is pleased to offer a new installment of “Lincoln on the Civil War,” a reading and discussion series developed and sponsored by Humanities New York. “With its thematic focus, this reading and discussion program offers an unusual twist on the standard book group format by making time for […]
Congress Beer Relaunch 5th Anniversary
Willow Rock 115 Game Road, Syracuse, NYFive years ago, OHA partnered with Willow Rock Brewing Company for the relaunch of Congress Beer. This historical lager was a staple of our city's rich brewing history. Updated by modern brewing practices at Willow Rock, Congress is a light-bodied approachable beer. Now, we're celebrating five years of Congress on October 21 - complete with […]
CNY Strange
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseAs Halloween approaches, enjoy a screening of our stranger Ghostwalk stories, featuring communication with the other side, a local doctor’s macabre house calls, undertakers of the 1800s, the origin of the Jack O’ Lantern, and more! Screenings at 2pm in OHA's auditorium on October 28 & 29.
Holiday Open House
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseJoin us on Thursday, December 7th from 5pm-8pm for the grand opening of our Holiday exhibit, A Peak at Yuletides Past, exploring Victorian Christmas traditions. Spend the evening enjoying our historical and festive offerings, including: -New Exhibits: Through the Magic Lantern: Illuminated Images of Onondaga County and Fernando Carter: The Man & His Artwork -Last […]
Lincoln on the Civil War
Onondaga Historical Association Museum and Research Center is pleased to offer another installment of “Lincoln on the Civil War,” a reading and discussion series developed and sponsored by a grant from Humanities New York. “With its thematic focus, this reading and discussion program offers an unusual twist on the standard book group format by making […]
Exhibits Opening: Look at What We Got and Suit Up
Onondaga Historical Association 321 Montgomery Street, SyracuseIt's a double feature on Wednesday, March 27, as we officially open our two newest exhibits! Suit Up: A Look at Syracuse Sporting Uniforms Through the Years is sure to be a hit with all our local sports fans. Utilizing OHA's extensive collection and the generosity of several local teams and collectors, this exhibition contains […]
Suffragists & Abolitionists: A Look at Some of Central New York’s Reformers & Their Historic Homes
Onondaga Historical Museum 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesJoin us in the downtown museum's auditorium for an in-depth illustrated talk by Beth Crawford of "some well-behaved" 19th century social reformers and their historic houses, featuring Central New York's most prominent suffragists and abolitionists: Harriet May Mills in Syracuse, Isabel Howland in Sherwood, Harriet Tubman in Auburn, Matilda Joslyn Gage in Fayetteville, and the […]
Walking & Talking Wednesdays: Historical Lunchtime Tours of Downtown Syracuse
Onondaga Historical Museum 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesSpanning from spring to fall, our Walking & Talking Wednesdays give you the chance to spend your mid-week lunch hour with Curator of History Robert Searing, listening to some local history as you get in a midday walk around town. The tours will leave from OHA's downtown museum at 321 Montgomery Street at 12:00 and […]
Guest Lecture: Seward House’s Dr. Jeff Ludwig
Onondaga Historical Museum 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesAs we prepare for the 2024 election season, Seward House Museum Director of Education Dr. Jeff Ludwig explores the politics behind William Seward's three campaigns for New York Governor in the late 1830s and early 1840s. These early beginnings of Seward's career as a reformer with a radical reputation are deeply connected to Syracuse and […]
Book Talk: Author Lee Ellen Hickey on “Girl in the Glass Coffin”
Onondaga Historical Museum 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesJoin Oswego-based author Lee Ellen Hickey as she discusses her new book, "Girl in the Glass Coffin: The Tonkin Affairs." This new release is based on the true story of young Virginia Tonkin, known by local legend in Oswego as “the girl in the glass coffin,” whose dead body was kept in her family’s home […]
OHA Medal Breakfast
Marriott Syracuse Downtown 100 E Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesIt takes the legacy of many hands to build a community. Since 1945, the Onondaga Historical Association Medal Award has recognized distinguished contributions to the cause of preserving and interpreting Onondaga County history. The OHA Medal is the highest honor that we can bestow upon an individual or organization for contributions made to the cause of preserving and […]
Book Talk: Roxanne Bocyck Discussing “Catherine’s Dream”
Onondaga Historical Museum 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesOn June 2nd, OHA is pleased to host author Roxanne Bocyck as she discusses her book, Catherine’s Dream. This historical fiction novel is inspired by true events about a young woman, the author's grandmother, who came to America in 1921 from Poland under an arranged marriage. The novel has been touted as a "well-researched" tale, […]
A Grain of Salt
Onondaga Historical Museum 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesA Grain of Salt is a talk by OHA Curator Bob Searing, exploring the history of the Salt City, from the Great Law of Peace to the Erie Canal to the foundation of Syracuse University and the rise of the city's industrial might in the 20th century as one of the 30 largest cities in […]
Strathmore Spirits Historic Ghostwalk
125 Ruskin Avenue 125 Ruskin Avenue, Syracuse, NYEnjoy the latest edition of OHA's Historic Ghostwalks! Stroll the lovely Strathmore neighborhood and encounter stories of people and places from our past that may be new to you. Check-in will be at at 125 Ruskin Avenue, with street parking available. Tickets available now! Historic Ghostwalks presented by the Onondaga Historical Association are led by guides to […]
Book Talk: Michael Miller Discusses “High Bridge”
Onondaga Historical Museum 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesOn July 14th, join OHA as we welcome author Michael Miller for a talk on his recently published book, High Bridge. About High Bridge: Upstate New York in the mid-19th century is a cauldron bubbling with the lure of fast fortunes, religious zealotry, and battles for civil liberties. This fervor centers on the Erie Canal, […]
OHA Away: Tailspins
Nottingham Senior Retirement Community 1301 Nottingham Road, Jamesville, NY, United StatesOHA Away is putting on a touring presentation, Tailspins! Fur trader Ephraim Webster will make an appearance to share legends and stories of early New York State for all ages. This historic performance will take place at the Nottingham Senior Retirement Community, 1301 Nottingham Road, Jamesville, NY 13078, in the main Community Room. All are welcome […]
A Grain of Salt
Onondaga Historical Museum 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesA Grain of Salt is a talk by OHA Curator Bob Searing, exploring the history of the Salt City, from the Great Law of Peace to the Erie Canal to the foundation of Syracuse University and the rise of the city’s industrial might in the 20th century as one of the 30 largest cities in America. […]
Hotel Syracuse Centennial Gala
Marriott Syracuse Downtown 100 E Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesCelebrate 100 years of Hotel Syracuse with a black tie gala to benefit OHA! The Hotel Syracuse, now the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, has been a part of the community's history for a century, and we're celebrating with a historic night of dinner, music, and tales from the hotel's past. The schedule for the evening […]
160th Anniversary Commemoration of Syracuse’s 1864 National Convention of Colored Men
304 E. Onondaga St. Syracuse, NY 13202 304 E. Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY, United StatesPlease join the City of Syracuse and Onondaga Historical Association on the steps of Noble Cellar, the former Wesleyan Church, on October 4 to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Syracuse's 1864 National Convention of Colored Men. When: Friday, October 4 Program begins at 11:30 a.m. Where: Noble Cellar (the former Wesleyan Church) 304 E. Onondaga […]
Exhibit Opening & Lunchtime Lecture on Friday, November 15
201 East Washington Street 201 East Washington Street, Syracuse, NY, United StatesJoin OHA Curator of History Robert Searing for a Lunchtime Lecture "Freedom Fighters: Civil Resistance and the Fight Against Slavery in Antebellum Syracuse" at noon on Friday, November 15, at Art in the Atrium. This presentation examines the work of a small but dedicated group of abolitionists in Syracuse, N.Y., led by Rev. Samuel May and […]