During lockdown, OHA continued to connect with our community with virtual tours, insights from our curators, and more. Though our museums are now open once more, we’re leaving our videos up so you can continue to enjoy from wherever you may be!
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Tours
January 27, 2021 – OHA’s observance of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial reminds us of how far we have come, as well as the conflicts that remain regarding voting rights and the balance of power between the states and federal government. This exhibit features garments representative of the movement as well as rare and fragile items including an autograph book from the National Women’s Suffrage Association. Enjoy getting up close and personal with some of the items with OHA curators Tom Hunter and Bob Searing (“Curator Bob”)! Sponsored by Humanities New York.
OHA Bedtime Stories
March 26, 2020 – In honor of Women’s History Month, enjoy the story of one local woman who lived a life of extremes. From poverty-stricken years as a teacher to financial and social freedom as an elderly, wealthy widow, Olivia Slocum Sage used her wealth to give back to her community in order to improve society and create more opportunities for women. She became one of the world’s greatest female philanthropists. OHA is excited to announce our special guest reader for this episode, Laura Hand CNYCentral, one of the nation’s first female TV journalists. Sponsored by M&T Bank.
February 26th, 2021 – An enslaved women from Mississippi gets the chance of a lifetime when she travels to Syracuse with the family that owned her. Listen to the amazing story of the bravery of a young women who made her way to freedom. Special thanks to Michele Jones Galvin for narrating this story and to Syracuse Stage for images from scenes from Possessing Harriet (2018). Sponsored by M&T Bank.
January 15th, 2021 – Ever wonder how some of Disney’s stories came to be? Bet you never thought one originated from right here in Central New York! And that two Syracuse University women were responsible to the little flying elephant’s take off. Watch how two Helens from Syracuse University created the tiny character that had a huge impact and saved the Walt Disney Studios. Sponsored by M&T Bank.
June 28th, 2020 – This week OHA Executive Director, Gregg Tripoli, recounts the story of a young man from Syracuse whose name is not as well known as his songs.
June 20th, 2020 – With the interruption of the Summer Olympics this year because of the novel Coronavirus, OHA’s executive director, Gregg Tripoli, brings us a story of a 4 time Olympic Medalist from Syracuse. Learn about Myer Prinstein and his record breaking long jumps and triple jumps.
June 13th, 2020 – In the midst of the current situation of our country, it is important to highlight those that were trailblazers in their time and helped carve the path of freedom for others, even today.
June 6th, 2020 – Following up on last week’s Bedtime Stories, Gregg Tripoli continues the story of the Shubert brothers and discusses new player, J. Robert Rubin, who worked to create the infamous MGM that has dotted our cinema history.
May 30th, 2020 – For this week’s story, executive director, Gregg Tripoli, tells the tale of TWO Syracusans who made it big in the theatre business at the turn of the century and whose legacies still live on today!
May 23rd, 2020 – In the second of our new series, OHA Bedtime Stories, Gregg Tripoli, dives into the story of Jim Tucker, his 63 year triple-double record, and the Syracuse Nationals NBA team.
May 16th, 2020 – In the first of a new series, OHA Bedtime Stories, executive director, Gregg Tripoli, recounts one of his favorite local stories about a very prominent Syracusan, Mary Elizabeth Evans. This young entrepreneur helped pull her family from poverty and become one of the wealthiest woman in America.
Curator Talks
OHA Curator of Collections, Tom Hunter, discusses one of our collection’s oddest item. This hair picture is made with real human hair taken from President Abraham Lincoln, his first vice president, Hannibal Hamlin, members of his first cabinet, including Secretary of State William Seward (from Auburn, NY), several U.S. senators, as well as his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. It is an example of extreme patience and wonderful intricate hair weaving. In the mid-19th century, hair art was very popular. Human hair was woven into jewelry, other ornaments, and memorial pieces.
OHA Curator of Collections, Tom Hunter, discusses Jean’s Food’s first potato chip from the 1940s, housed in OHA’s collection. This framed potato chip was the first chip made by Jean’s Foods, a subsidiary of Jean’s Beans in Syracuse. Jean’s Beans began in 1924 when Frank J. Childs, “started selling his wife’s beans out of the back of his car.” Jean’s Beans then created a subsidiary company called Jean’s Foods to make and sell potato chips, salads, and fish from a take-out shop on East Fayette Street in Syracuse during the 1940s.
Curator of Collection, Tom Hunter, talks through some of notable Lincoln Collection items. Former President Abraham Lincoln found his way through Syracuse a couple of times during his campaign & presidency. He also crossed the paths of Syracusans that eventually came home with pieces of the President that they held in high value. Over time, these objects eventually found their way to the Onondaga Historical Association’s collection.
With so much history surrounding the former US president, Abraham Lincoln, OHA has more, BIG, objects from the Lincoln Collection. These props were used in a Wide Awake Club parade that took place in Baldwinsville in 1860. Watch the video to learn more!
Curator Q&As
In part one of this two-part Q&A, Curator of Collections, Tom Hunter discusses his job, some of the things he does in a “typical” day, and demonstrates how he marks objects to be put into the collection.
As promised, here is our Curator of History, Robert Searing (aka Curator Bob), as he discusses some of the questions that you submitted, a little bit about his job and some of his “favorite” creepy objects from the OHA collection!
Interviews
A HUGE thank you to everyone who was able to join Ruth & OHA on Zoom for a Q&A session on her new book, “My Travels Through Life, Love, and Literacy – A Memoir.” If you did not get a chance to join us, enjoy some of the highlights of the conversation! Ruth Colvin is a local, living legend who has lived, loved, and learned much over her last 100+ years. Very rarely do we have the ability to talk with someone who has seen and done so much. Take advantage of the amazing opportunity to listen to Ruth’s story and gain some valuable life advice.
Part One – Intriguing characters pumped life into the Village of Liverpool’s veins back in the day. People who pioneered industry, paved political trails and entertained the masses along the shores of Onondaga Lake.
Copyright Liverpool Public Library. Used by Onondaga Historical Association with permission.
Part Two – Intriguing characters pumped life into the Village of Liverpool’s veins back in the day. People who pioneered industry, paved political trails and entertained the masses along the shores of Onondaga Lake.
Copyright Liverpool Public Library. Used by Onondaga Historical Association with permission.
Copyright Liverpool Public Library. Used by Onondaga Historical Association with permission.
Copyright Liverpool Public Library. Used by Onondaga Historical Association with permission.
