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To lead and support the advancement of research, education, and enjoyment of Chenango County’s history and historically significant assets.

President's Message

It would be proper to refer to Elinor Troike as the “lynch pin” of the CCHS education program. When efforts began to enhance and expand both the number of topics offered to school groups and the number of individuals able able to take those students on tours, Elinor’s first concern was that she was going to be re- tired. NOT A CHANCE was our answer! The best way to describe how Elinor captivated her audiences would be to describe the reaction to our new recruits, Steve and Joyce Bliss and Pat O’Donnell’s reactions to the first tour they witnessed as soon-to-be-tour givers. Keep in mind all have three years of classroom experience. To say that they were impressed is a gross understatement. They could not say enough about Elinor’s methods of presentation and how she kept the attention of a group of fourth graders longer than anyone thought possible. Steve, Joyce, and Pat seemed more animated than the students at the conclusion of their first tour. We are lucky that Elinor provided years of history education here at the museum and her methods will be used for years to come.

If you wanted to know when the Chapman Turner clock was removed from that closed store’s building or when it was set in placed across South Broad Street in Norwich or if the CCHS really owned that clock your smartest move was to ask Tom Knapp. Tom could be called the Historical Society’s Historian and over his years of involvement with the CCHS he wore many hats. From Tour Guide to Treasurer, Tom was there to do whatever needed to keep the organization on track. Tom’s research of the local newspapers at the Guernsey Library proved invaluable when facts were needed. From a series of newspaper articles about the formation of the Ireland Machine & Foundry Co. in Norwich to the number of auto dealers serving the area, Tom had copies of the articles in both his and our archives. You could even get a handle on the weather from Tom. If he was wearing a coat it had to be really cold. The Chenango County Historical Society is a better organization because of Tom Knapp, Elinore Troike, John Turner, and Mae Smith. We salute your dedication to the CCHS mission. May you rest in peace.

We also welcome volunteers. This can be a great way to meet new friends and learn more about our past, while providing much needed services to the CCHS. Let us know of your interests and we will match you up with an activity. Call Sarah at (607) 334-9227 or e-mail to: s.mahan@chenangohistorical.org. I wish everyone good health and happiness as we enter the fall and winter season.

- Linda Green

Membership

Why not keep in touch? Consider becoming a member of the Chenango County Historical Society. We will keep you informed of upcoming events and exhibits. You will also receive the quarterly newsletter of the Chenango County Historical Society as a benefit of membership.

To join, you must simply...
 - Download this PDF
 - Print the PDF
 - Fill out the form
 - Enclose payment for the level of membership you choose

and return to

Heritage Wall

Secure your family's place on the Chenango County Historical Society's Wall of Honor

...installed as a permanent addition to the Museum's most prominent public display area. Do not miss this exclusive opportunity to honor your family, ancestors, friends, or any individual, living or deceased, who has been, or is now a resident of Chenango County.

Thousands of annual visitors will witness your honoree's name, year of birth (and death if deceased), along with their occupation or lifetime accomplishment, as it is placed on Chenango's Heritage wall, located within the museum's premier presentation area.

Your participation in the significant historical recognition effort will enable the Historical Society to dramatically improve our current presentation methods and techniques in the future.

Through your generous donation of $100 for each name submitted for inclusion on Chenango's Heritage wall, you will help assure that part of Chenango County's history will be preserved for posterity and the benefit of future generations.

The Museum

The Chenango County Historical Society Museum is our local repository of the area's history. The building is the old Ward School No. 2, built in 1896. Experience the life and handicrafts of the county's early settlers. Click on the links above to see our exhibits of past and present industries from all corners of Chenango County. Check out the artifacts and the history of the early railroads and the Chenango Canal.

Enter via the beautiful stained glass doors from the Higley Mansion on North Broad Street.

The reception area has numerous display cases that have ever-changing individual hobbies and old collections. There are numerous paintings by Daniel & Louisa Wagner of Preston, New York City, NY, and Paris, France. From there, our tour continues to all of our outstanding collections. There is a real wealth of information on the county history and artifacts just waiting to be discovered here at the Chenango County Historical Society's Museum.

Museum Hours

January 1st - March 31st: Monday - Friday, 1-5pm
April 1st - December 31st: Monday - Friday, 1-5pm & Sunday 1-4pm

[The Museum is closed most holidays and may close due to severe weather - if in doubt, please call (607) 334-9227 to ensure that we are open.]

Unguided Tours — 9am–4pm, Monday - Friday
Guided Tours and Large Groups — By Appointment

Tour group operators and schools: Please call at least three weeks ahead of your intended visit date so that we may make your visit more memorable.

Additional hours for research or special requests may be arranged by appointment.

Directions

45 Rexford Street
Norwich, New York 13815

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Come see us soon!

Monday - Friday
10am - 4pm
(607) 334-9227
(Please call ahead for tours.)

The 1876 Start of a Chenango County Historical Society

A Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) was started in 1876. The one that we belong to today was organized on February 17, 1938 (Drucker). However, an earlier attempt to form a CCHS was first reported on September 7, 1876, by anonymous authors in The Chenango Telegraph and the Chenango Union. Six progress reports were published in the ensuing weeks. The October 19 article appears as a letter to the editors written in the first person and signed as "K." Of all the names mentioned in the previous three articles, none begins with a "K". K. reveals that he has been a member of a historical society which has been active for over fifty years. Unfortunately, K. not only remains unnamed, he does not disclose the identity of his historical society.

The following quote by K. sounds like what I am preaching today. "They [the society] should collect without delay the statements of the 'oldest inhabitants' ..." Italics are K.'s. K. also advocates the preservation of furniture, utensils, relics, art, and animals.

The CCHS was formally organized on Tuesday September 26, 1876, and a committee was formed, as reported by Worman, the Secretary. H.H. Beecher was President, according to an article signed by him and Worman on January 6, 1877. On January 11, 1877, an anonymous article in the Chenango Union tells the difficulties getting adequate attendance for meetings. That was the last article I could find. What happened? Why did a good idea start but not materialize? Was lack of attendance the problem? Local history was a hot issue in the 1870s and 1880s. In fact, it was a big business then as large books were published for many counties in New York. Smith's History of Chenango County was published in 1880. However, I could not find any mention of a historical society in that book.

Whatever the cause, the 1876 start of the CCHS never got very far. Until more evidence is uncovered, we can only speculate why.

- Donald A. Windsor

Annual Holiday
Open House

December 11^th, 2011 - 12-4pm

Exhibit ended December 11^th at 4pm and will reopen next year. Thank you to everyone who came and made this a special event. See you next year!

Included:

*Exhibit Opening of “Business Districts of Chenango County – Now and Then"

*Preview of Upcoming “Locomotion in Chenango County” Exhibit

*Preview of Next Rotational Exhibit, “Electronics Throughout the 20th Century”

• Cookie Walk
• Gift Shop OPEN
• Tree Decorating Contest
• Refreshments
• Children's Craft-Making
• Potato Latke Tasting
• Christmas Tree Raffle - $5 per person
• And More!

Ballroom Dance Exhibit

This exhibit opened officially with a gala event on November 10, 2011.  The exhibit has been dedicated to the memory of Norwich Dance Club co-founder and musical profesional Bob Arnell.

A collaborative effort between the Chenango County Historical Society and the Norwich Dance Club resulted in the successful upstaging of the Ballroom Dance History Exhibit from the original location at the Guernsey Memorial Library to its new home at the Museum. The exhibit features a historical research of ballroom dancing in Chenango County. It also highlights the artistic contributions of ballroom dance musicians and instructors. The fun showcase of women's ballroom fashions through the decades and our self taught "Jitter Bug Dance Lesson" will be quite entertaining.

The exhibit showcases an historic research conducted by Town of Norwich Historian David Graham who capture dancing venues and affairs around Chenango County. Support for his research was provided by the Chenango Historical Society and the Evening Sun news archives. Graham encouraged community members to come forward and share more stories of dancing in the region to enhance the research project. A "Dancing Fashion Through The Decades" display showcases vintage pictures and replicas of ballroom dancing attire pieces. A beautiful 1940's radio donated by Anderson was adapted to play favorite big band sounds. Retro movies and a tribute to ballroom dance performers like Marv Mackoff, Red Raville and Ballroom Dance Instructors Wilma Mackoff and Burr Harrington enhance the exhibit.

The exhibit honors the memory of Bob Arnell, the co-founder of the Norwich Dance Club, talented musician and music teacher as well as respected veteran. The Norwich Dance Club volunteers supported by a grant from the RC Smith Foundation made this effort possible. More information about the Norwich Dance Club can be found at their website at www.norwichdanceclub.com.

- Martha Ryan (11/21/11)

The primary reason for the Norwich Dance Club's Ballroom Dance and Art Exhibit is to explore the origins of Ballroom Dance in Chenango County, and to celebrate the many ways that ballroom dance has contributed to society from the earliest days of our Republic. It is our hope that as you explore the different facets of the exhibit you will gain an appreciation for the period attire, the incredible assortment of artwork on display, and the music and grace of ballroom dance itself.

We also hope to give a glimpse of one man who quite unknowingly was a major catalyst for the creation of this exhibit. It would be fair to say that without the serendipitous introduction to Bob Arnell and his Big Band 'the Chenangoans,' the Norwich Dance Club would not exist; and the exhibit you see before you would never have been conceived or brought to fruition.

One of the first things one should know about Bob Arnell was that he was a Veteran of World War II. He served his country with distinction aboard the Battleship Alabama. Bob Arnell was a product of a generation that prized hard-work, patriotism and service to country. Bob Arnell was an American.

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“ It is our hope that as you explore the different facets of the exhibit you will gain an appreciation for the period attire, the incredible assortment of artwork on display, and the music and grace of ballroom dance itself. ”

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The second thing one should know about Bob Arnell was that he was a musician of the highest order. He was a graduate of the Julliard School of Music. Julliard is perhaps the most prestigious school of music in the United States. Julliard is an institution that prizes classical training. Bob Arnell was a saxophonist, which has always been considered a jazz instrument. It is indeed a credit to his musical talents that Bob Arnell was one of only fifty-two saxophone players who have ever been accepted into the Julliard School of Music.

Bob was also a graduate of the State University at Albany where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. He taught in the Otselic Valley School system for twenty-three years where he was Director of Bands.

When he retired from teaching Bob redirected his prodigious musical talents towards new endeavors. He became a master at repairing musical instruments and in 1984 opened up Arnell's Music Store. Arnell's Music Store rents, sells and repairs band instruments.

Bob's love of music never strayed beyond the tips of his fingers or the very breath that he took. After retiring from teaching, Bob formed the 'Chenangoans.' The Chenangoans were and are a group of professional musicians who performed under the outwardly grumpy but always benevolent umbrella of Bob Arnell. He treated his musicians well and the group is still performing at the Norwich Dance Club functions.

In his desire to spread culture Bob created an oasis of creativity in downtown Norwich, in a beautifully restored building fittingly named the Renaissance Building. One of the first things Bob did was build a Ballroom that is the equal of any that might be found in larger cities. The Renaissance Building is the home of artists and musicians.

It was in the Renaissance Building, with the blessing of Bob Arnell, that the Norwich Dance Club was created. Bob Arnell was taken from us last year but his memory lives on, and will continue to do so…in the soulful notes of a saxophone solo, the rustle of music sheets being turned, the banter of musicians between songs, the gliding of feet across a Ballroom floor and in the end…the sound of applause for a job well done and a life well lived.

- Martha Ryan (11/3/11)

A Rare Look Into the Archives
By John Antonowicz

This year, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the Chenango County Historical Society opening its doors to the public. In the last article, it was discussed how the museum building was acquired, when certain large estates and collections were given, how the society received a parking lot, and who the assembly room was dedicated to. This second article will span from 1972 – 1981. By searching through old meeting minutes, old correspondences, and newspaper clippings, the Society’s history has once again emerged.

1981

A large collection of scrapbooks are given to the society. The scrapbooks will be used by future researchers to trace the history of Chenango County through newspaper clippings. A collection of photographs from Greene are given. The images show the former main streets in the town.

1980

An outhouse is donated for display next to the newly moved country school house and restored for the museum. The outhouse is placed out back by the schoolhouse. Neighbors complain and the agreement is made that the outhouse will not be used by any persons and that it is just for display. Camp Pharsalia paints the O & W Railroad room light blue and installs more flooring in the attic for collection storage while not on display. Large stain glass doors from the “Higley Mansion” on 99 North Broad Street that now houses the 4-H offices are installed in the front foyer of the museum. The stain glass doors replaced the clear glass doors from the days of the Ward school. The old school doors are placed in the attic storage. The outside trim of the museum is being painted white instead of dark green.

1979

After three years of work, the Ross Corners School from Preston, N.Y. is brought down on truck bed to the museum grounds. The cost of moving the school is $1600.00. The museum cellar is rewired for $2982.00 with new outlets and light sockets. New carpet is installed by Camp Pharsalia in the historians office lobby and the meeting room is painted. New wiring is done throughout the museum at a cost of $2,800.00. This new wiring will replace the old wiring, to prevent hazard to the collection in some areas. 43 Rexford Street is painted red with white trim for $1,543.00.

1978

The First Annual Folk Fest is held on museum grounds. Many vendors show how tools were made and used and set up displays on the new Berry Street lot. A door bell is installed on the front and Silver Street door entrances to hear visitors when they want to tour the museum. A new roof is placed on 43 Rexford Street. An American Bald Eagle Exhibit is on loan from the Smithsonian. The exhibit is set to travel the country, with a stop in Chenango County.

1977

On April 12, Ted Whitney repainted the flower boxes for the museum. On April 17, Smyrna Day is held at the museum and 400 people attend to see the history of Smyrna. The boat shed is completed by “Opportunities for Chenango”, at no cost to the museum and the “Lillie” docks in.

1976

The First Annual Antiques Show is held at the county fairgrounds. An empty lot on Berry Street behind the society’s apartments at 43 Rexford Street is bought for $1.00. A 48 foot boat shed is built to house the “Lillie”, a canal boat replica that was used in community bicentennial parades and community events. The boat house is constructed on the end of the newly paved parking lot. The uncovering of the Ross Corners school house in Preston is sponsored by the Norwich Kiwanis Club who donates $3000.00 for the project. The near future plan in to transport the empty school house to the museum grounds. The project is the Norwich Kiwanis Club’s bicentennial project. A lot is purchased on the North West tip of the parking lot for the school house to be placed on the museum grounds. August 29, 200 clocks are now on display in the museum. Red carpeting is given by the Columbus Church and installed in the first floor hall and one gallery room.

1975

“Manpower youngsters” plant seven maple trees along the parking lot, between the parking lot and 43 Rexford Street. Storm windows are installed on the second floor of the museum to keep the heat in the galleries. 43 Rexford Street is insulated to conserve heat in the apartments for $600.00. On June 4, a dairy exhibit is on display which the history of dairy farmers in the county. Sumner Bennington donates $1000.00 and Joanne Olivard donates $500.00 for the $2,400 needed to pave the parking lot, after the 41 Rexford Street home was razed by the society in 1971.

1974

43 Rexford Street is being renovated by volunteers; the building will stay in apartment form. Ted Whitney rents the second floor apartment of 43 Rexford Street for $75.00 per month and agrees to do maintenance at the museum. A book titled “North Guilford Pioneers” written by Ida Palen is given to the society with permission to reprint the book in the future.

1973

43 Rexford Street is purchased for $16,000.00. The home is currently two apartments. “Opportunities for Chenango” is refurbishing several exhibits, specifically creating exhibits in the cellar. A Wool Day is held, and one of the many objects on display is an 1826 covalent and a living sheep was shaved for wool. “Fashion through the Mirror of Time” is sponsored by the society. The show models textiles from 1778 – 1973 and 1300 people attend the event in 2 nights. On July 15 the 175th birthday party for Chenango County is held with the society being a sponsor. Glenn Cowles and Tracy Law installed the first alarm system for $750.00.

1972

Early dental equipment from Dr. Dunne’s, Windhelm’s, and Ulrich’s offices located in Norwich, is donated. The cellar of the museum building is being converted into offices and new restrooms. These offices will house the Chenango County Historian. The Norwich Shoe Company is renting the parking lot Monday – Friday for $50.00 per month. Employees can then walk from the museum parking lot where the former home once stood, to the State Street plant. The wool room fireplace is constructed by Ted Whitney to display antique hearth cooking techniques. Green Thumb builds shelves in the library for the ever- growing book collection that document to Chenango County’s past.

As we glance back at the Chenango County Historical Society, we understand how the museum grew so large. We can see how and why the collection increased and how the museum grounds spanned from more than just a corner lot of land, to many lots along Rexford Street, and a lot on Berry Street. Along with all of these major accomplishments, the society continued educating people and preserving objects that are important within Chenango County. The next article will include the subsequent 10 years of the Chenango County Historical Society.

This year, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the Chenango County Historical Society opening its doors to the public. Although known as a local corner fixture that most recall visiting in fourth grade, the society does much more than show artifacts. Behind museum doors, the Society holds the truths and greatness of Chenango County from the past. For the year of 2012, the society will publish monthly articles featuring A Rare Look Into the Archives. This first set of articles will span from 1958 – 1971. By searching through old meeting minutes and newspaper articles, the Society’s history emerged.

1971

41 Rexford Street, a former home, is bought for $1.00 and razed for the parking lot. Local troop Boy Scouts plant grass seed on the former house. The permanent projection screen is installed in the Assembly Room which is now available for meeting use. Cement is poured in the cellar. The new floor will allow for a whole extra level of exhibiting and office space. A Chenango Canal exhibit is to be built to explain how the canal influenced local businesses. An auction is to be held with objects donated by members to raise funds for the parking lot. A vacuum cleaner, 16 mm film projector, slide projector, and duplicating machine are needed by the society.

1970

A wooden shed is built onto the museum by Sumner Bennington. The shed is to be used as a work space. Part of a floor is installed in the attic for objects to be placed on while not on display. Wallboard is installed in the Indian Room to replace the cracking plaster walls. Seven storm windows are installed for $414.00.A new furnace is purchased for $1800.00. No smoking is declared for the safety of the collection.

1969

A large telephone collection is given by Chenango & Unadilla Telephone Company to help interpret how telephone calls used to be connected. Ted Whitney has designed a new Native American exhibit which is the largest exhibit yet and is very educational. The first floor kitchen is installed by Sumner Bennington. Hart’s Electrical installs two meeting room lights and an antique chandelier in the Victorian room. The Town and Country Garden Club donate plants and shrubbery with the help from Boy Scouts. On August 21 the Assembly room is named in honor of Albert & Goldie Phillips, for their years of service to the organization. The first coffee maker is purchased with six donated books of S & H Green Stamps, which will be used at upcoming meetings.

1968

On March 27 Ralph Spicer begins the roof fund by collecting money donated by local people. Dr. Barry Beyer, publishes a book on the Chenango Canal and all profits are donated to the roof fund. On June 11 a $3000 grant is given by the county for necessities that need fixing. Thanks to the city engineer, the hole in the front yard that was once covered up by a large rock has since been filled in. Broken glass windows were replaced by Mesko Glass. Giltner’s Paint and Wallpaper Co. donate paint for a train mural which will help give details on the story of Chenango County Railroads. The first Crafters Day is held with 51 vendors and 812 visitors. The day depicts how many common household chores were done in past eras. The first Railroad Day is held, and many old railroad objects from the collection are displayed.

1967

An exhibit on McDonough is now on display at the museum. Eighteen windows are repaired for $127.61. The outside trims on the building are painted by volunteers. The high parts of the building are done for $150.00. On August 14 Ralph Spicer, Society President, raises the new flag on the new flag pole in the front of the museum, with the Norwich Lancers Boys.

1966

Donations are now being accepted for a new heating system which will help preserve the collection and allow for meetings to be held in the winter. The Lyon Brook Bridge corner bridge stone is donated, dating from 1894.

1965

The Old Helen Hill Reed Tuttle estate from McDonough is offered to the society, the estate includes folk art paintings and a four poster curly maple tiger bed. Six new lights are to be put in the “Art Room” for better viewing light. “Annals of Norwich” Volume 2, a book on historic Norwich homes, is printed; profits from the book will go to the roof fund.

1964

To add some curb appeal to the front to the museum building, a new sign is placed on the front of the museum. The Norwich Kiwanis Club purchases the old David Maydole Hammer Company bell that once rung for workers around Norwich, after it was scrapped at a local junk dealer’s site. The bell is soon to be displayed at N. Y. S. E. & G. Co. An old Unguentine Machine is given by the Norwich Pharmacal Company. This machine shows the old ways of making Unguentine, one of the Pharmacal Company’s most famous products used for burns.

1963

Thousands of objects are given to the society with no record of who the objects are from and what the significance of the objects are. Donors are now asked to sign off on all donations given to the museum. Margaret Plumb gives items from the late Plumb home including a charcoal drawing of Isaac Plumb Jr. who died in the Civil War, paintings of the Sherburne area by Henry Grant Plumb, and hardware made by Isaac Plumb Sr. On October 14 a large 18 foot dugout canoe is donated after being found by David Walker while frog hunting at Deer Pond in Pharsalia.

1962

The old school takes four years to look presentable to the public. Since the Society was chartered in 1939, many members donated objects to board members. The objects which had been stored in board members’ barns and garages were brought to the old Rexford Street School. After four years since the building was acquired, the Society opens its doors on July 1st with many local people attending. New York State Senator, Janet Hill Gordon, the first woman Senator in New York State from Chenango County, is quite impressed with what the society has already done. The exhibits include the first floor hall and one old classroom and span from the Revolutionary War to the early 1900s. Programs that were once held in other locations like the court house and the library, are now held at the museum. One hundred and fifty people attend a program on the Chenango Canal.

1958

The society is interested in acquiring the old and empty Ward School #2 to house a future museum. The deal for a museum building almost falls through being voted on by the tax payers. If the school does not go to the Society, it will be sold with its sisters schools at auction. On March 10th the building is sold to the society for $1.00. The school is in poor condition and major renovations begin.

As we look back at the Chenango County Historical Society, we understand the endless amounts of effort that went into the society in order to accommodate and best serve the public. Although, the collection has increased in size, the value of educating people and preserving objects that are important within Chenango County has stayed the same. The next article will include the next 10 years of the Chenango County Historical Society’s history.

Brief Biography on John Antonowicz

John Antonowicz, author of the article series, “A Rare Look Into the Archives,” is our longest-serving youth volunteer at the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS). With over 5 years of volunteer service to the museum, this 16 year-old junior at Norwich High School is dedicated to learning and preserving local history. Upon graduating from high school in 2013, John hopes to pursue a collegiate program in museum or curatorial studies. Look for more remarkable accomplishments from this young man in the near future!

- CCHS Staff

Historical Markers of Chenango County
Online Exhibit

With the help of Google's mapping technology, the Historical Society is excited to announce a new Online Exhibit that will be accessible only-through the internet. We have worked with local historians in mapping historical locations for you to them view online in a new and interactive way. On our "virtual map", we have plotted historical locations throughout the county so you can see where siginificant historical situations happened in relation to you.

The first Online Exhibit will feature Historical Markers of Chenango County, which are the blue signs with yellow or red trims that you may pass along the highway and roads, but never have the chance to read. Now you can! In our map, you will be able to navigate throughout the county and find any markers you were ever curious to see what they say.

Click here to view map

Supported browsers

Firefox 4+
Internet Explorer 8+
Safari 3+
Chrome 2+

Developer

Chris Bishop

Design

Mike Gray

How to Use the Online Mapper

Maple Fest 2012!

Hope to see you next year!

This year on March 11th we held our second annual Maple Sunday from 12pm to 3pm! Reed Baker of Baker’s Maple in Bainbridge will be here again to tap the seven Maple trees on our grounds and give demonstrations of how maple syrup is made. This year attendees will be able to see the shell for the new Sap House that is currently being built by our devoted work crew of Bruce Webster, Stan Weeks, John Graves, and Chris Gibbons. Curtis Lumber kindly provided wood for the project. In an effort to support maple syrup producers in Chenango County, CCHS collaborated with the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s maple syrup workshop and pancake dinner at the Sherburne Firehouse on January 24th. The workshop, facilitated by Rebecca Hargrave, focused on teaching locals to revive the historic art of maple syrup making for supplemental income.

CCHS Educator, Sarah Mahan, created a story board featuring a story kindly sent to us by Mrs. Mary E. Martin. Mrs. Martin sent us a remembered account from her mother, Edith Gertrude Parker of South Plymouth, from when Edith was just four years old in 1922. Mrs. Parker recounts a special journey with her family down to the sugar-bush on their property where they spent the day tapping Maple trees and boiling down the sap. Edith recounts spending a night in the sugar-bush house with her grandfather working with huge pans over a hot fire pit. Finally she tells of the ‘sugaring off’ party at the end of the season where friends and family came to pour the syrup over pans of fresh snow to make maple sugar candy.

Maple Sugar House

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“ The Crew ”
Many thanks to the dedicated volunteer construction crew including, Bruce Webster, Stan Weeks, Chris Given, and John Graves.

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In September and October 2011, plans have been underway to build a functional maple sugar house on the museum grounds. Bruce Webster and Alan Estus submitted a proposal to Curtis Lumber to request that materials be donated for the project in addition to the lumber that will be re-used from the scaffolding from the Research Center building project. Curtis Lumber is generously providing a $2,700.00 credit on the Historical Society’s account to cover the cost of additional needed materials for constructing the structure. There are hopes that the maple sugar house featuring a functional “evaporator”, might be built in time for CCHS’s annual Maple Sunday to be held on March 11, 2012, but it will definitely be operational by the following Maple Sunday held in March 2013. In addition, the building will also feature displays on the history of maple sugar production and the process in Chenango County.

- Sarah Mahan

Lillie Building and Chenango Canal Exhibit

The re-developed Lillie Building Canal Exhibit opening is scheduled for August 4th, 2012, 11A.M. to 4 P.M. This project is proving to be a very exciting collaboration of multiple individuals, organizations, and local schools. We hope to see you in August at the Exhibit premier!

Since Summer, 2011, the Lillie Building & Chenango Canal Exhibit housed on museum grounds has been undergoing different stages of redevelopment. Bruce Webster and the volunteer crew reconstructed much of the interior/exterior of the Lillie Building structure, containing a 2/3 size replica of a canal packet boat. The building is now wheelchair accessible, and the ramp is designed to go inside the building and around the boat to the back of the building, allowing visitors to view the boat from all sides. Throughout Fall 2011 and Winter 2012, CCHS staff, volunteers, the Chenango County History Historian, representatives from Golden Artist Colors, Inc., the Chenango Canal Association, and local historians from Greene, Oxford, Norwich, and Sherburne, have been putting their heads together to create a plan for a visually stimulating and an informative Chenango Canal exhibit. In mid-January, Golden Artist Colors, Inc., Corporate Communications Specialist, Jodi O’Dell, and one of Golden’s Technical Support Personnel, Mike Townsend, visited CCHS and got to meet with Museum staff, historians, and volunteers about the project, and see the Lillie Building first-hand.

During this visit, CCHS staff explained that the goal of this exhibit re-development is to educate the public on why the Chenango Canal was so significant to the history of Chenango County, and what impact it had on the towns it went through, as well as how a canal was designed and how it functioned. Along with storyboards detailing this information and the packet boat replica, exhibit planners decided that murals depicting the canal as it traveled from Sherburne to Greene, hung on the interior walls of the exhibit space, would give visitors the entire Chenango Canal experience. Shortly after Jodi and Mike’s visit, CCHS was contacted by the company, and informed that Golden would be donating ALL of the paint, and technical support throughout the entire process.

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Lillie Building Fundraiser
To help support the Lillie Building and Exhibit renovations, the Museum Art Crew has created an illustrated gift card set, featuring a few of our museum's key attractions - Look for them soon in our Gift Shop!

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In order to help fund the remainder of the canal The next problem to solve was who would be working on murals. Who better to complete this portion of the project than Middle School or High School students from each of the towns the canal went through? Norwich City School District High School Art Teacher, Wayne Franklin, Oxford High School Art Teacher, Joni Eaton, and Greene Central School District Arts in Education Personnel, Sandra Utter were contacted about the project, and are currently working with CCHS to coordinate students from their schools to work on this project. Sherburne-Earlville Central School District has been invited as well to take part in this exciting project. This project is the first of many CCHS hopes to organize to allow the other local school districts in the county to participate, and share their creativity and desire to learn their local history about a montage of subjects.

The process that CCHS will be implementing to help complete the murals for this project will be as follows:

*CCHS will arrange for the historians to come into the art class in each town, respectively, and talk to students about the Chenango Canal and the role it played in their town, as well as show images for the canal for students to use in the composition design for their town’s 4x8’ mural. *Students will come up with one composition to represent the canal in their town. *CCHS will then schedule Golden Technical Support to come in and begin the mural painting process with each class. The murals will be painted on canvas and after the completion of each mural, Golden Technical Support will be mounting the canvas onto a frame, and applying a varnish to the mural surface. The mural would then be ready to hang in the Lillie Building.

During the revitalization process of this building, a couple of local, talented artists, Scott Eggleston and Brandon Cole, have volunteered their talent to help create a painted mural. The mural will feature 5 panels depicting the primary regions in the county where the canal ran, as well as a map of the Chenango Canal system, and a view upstream and downstream. The exhibit will also include story boards to tell the canal’s story. The museum is compiling a project proposal to seek material or monetary donations to assist with the total project cost.

- Sarah Mahan

Loomis Barn Project

When Dick Ridgway purchased the 138-acre property in South Tyner, formerly known as “Loomis Farm” or “the old Ralph Sharpe place” in January of 2011, his plans included saving the carriage/horse barn in some fashion. His main plans were to restore/renovate the stone house, the dairy barn, and other smaller structures on the property.

Word of Ridgway’s intention made its way to the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) and he was asked if the structure might be donated for use as an Agricultural museum.

A dairyman himself for many years with an appreciation for history and its expression through architecture, it was an easy decision for Ridgway to give the building to CCHS. Consequently, the circa 1865 building, constructed under the ownership of Warren Loomis, was dismantled in a methodical manner to facilitate the anticipated reconstruction on the CCHS Norwich campus. Each piece of the 40’ by 50’ two-story structure was cataloged for reconstruction and stored in the dairy barn on the Ridgway (Loomis) farm.

- Dee Lambert

The NPCo Museum

L.F. Moore

Oscar G. Bell

The company was started in 1855 by the Rev. Lafayette F. Moore, a Baptist preacher, who went into business as "L.F. Moore, Pill Manufacturer," in a rented room on Mitchell Street. He formed a partnership with Oscar G. Bell in 1886 and with the increased business they moved to a building on East Main Street.

East Main Street Building

Later that year, Mr. Moore left the company. Then Mr. Bell and two other partners formed the Norwich Pharmacal Company, which was incorporated in 1890. The company improved an old formula for a surgical dressing and "Unguentine"grew to be the mainstay of the company for more than four decades. Around 1901, the company acquired, "Mixture Cholera Infantum" from a doctor who developed it.

This was for treatment of "diarrhea cholera," a serious threat to young children. Adults also found the formula provided a relief of indigestion and diarrhea. The company then renamed the formula Pepto-Bismol with its famous pink color. The company has continued to grow and entered the field of basic research along with manufacturing. It has developed and manufactured Furadantin, Macrodantin, and Norwich Aspirin to name a few.

Through the efforts of numerous individuals, The Norwich Pharmacal company Museum was envisioned and implemented. The Norwich Pharmacal Company Museum contains artifacts from the company's history from its beginning in 1885 to 1994.

View the beautiful paintings that feature dominant themes of early advertising, which was the means of generating advertising for many years. The photographs are arranged chronologically and feature the founder of the company, its presidents, employees, and major events which helped shape the company.

Display cases contain many products which were manufactured by the company over the years. Documents on display are stock certificates, price lists, and early advertising items. Laboratory instruments and glassware are on display, as well as factory equipment such as a tube filler, tablet counter and filling machine, and a revolving tablet coating pan.

Pioneer Room

The Pioneer Room contains numerous items related to working the land. Lumbering, quarrying, and farming artifacts are displayed here. Included is a small general store and post office that were both in use until 1967.

Of particular interest here are locally made products of the Maydole Hammer company of Norwich and Hart Pottery of Sherburne. There is a model of a Guilford farm that demonstrates a horizontal horse treadmill, used to gain access to the hay mow to store crops, and also to power a saw and to churn butter.

In the middle of the room is a large heavy wooden wheeled ox-cart used by a pioneer family in the early 19th century.

Sleigh

U.S. Post Office

General Store

Ox Cart

Victorian Room

The Victorian Room contains numerous victorian era artifacts. Of note are the dolls and doll houses, period dresses, sofas, chairs, and stoves. The most outstanding piece is a poster bed of solid tiger maple reportedly slept in by Lafayette.

The dining area

The parlor area

The kitchen area

Utilitarian items

The living room

Solid tiger maple poster bed

Volunteer Opportunities

The museum is staffed largely with dedicated volunteers. We are in constant need of new people willing to donate a few hours a month and an individual’s duties as a volunteer can be designed to suit his or her interests. Possible duties include such tasks as guiding visitors through the museum, applying one’s artistic or creative talents to assist with exhibit re-designing, assisting with educational programs, or helping with filing of research at the Historian's research facility. The Chenango County Historical Society welcomes volunteers starting at age 14 to work together as part of our team. If you would like to help in any way, please call Alan Estus, Museum Director, at (607) 334-9227, or complete the electronic inquiry form below.

We look forward to you sharing your time, talent, and passion for preserving Chenango County’s rich history and heritage with the museum!

If you would prefer to fill out a volunteer application manually and mail/submit it in person click here.

Bull Thistle Gift Shop

When visiting our beautiful museum, stop by the Bull Thistle Gift Shop for items that are rich with the history of Chenango County.

New Publication of the CCHS Publication Committee Now Available

For many years a book published in 1946 has been out of print. Thanks to a letter found in the basement safe of the CCHS Museum, we are able to now offer the first reprint of North Guilford Pioneers by Ida Palen. The reprint is identical to the original and also includes another forward, an appendix of rare photographs and an index. The color soft cover reprint is perfect bound.

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“ This little book is not a history, a biography, a genealogy, nor a social column, though it may seem, at times, a little bit of both. ”

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Travel with us back in time to the 1800’s to the border of Norwich and Guilford and learn of the New England settlers who lived in this early farming community as seen through the eyes of Josephine Thompson. Josephine died before the completion of the work and it was through her college friend Ida Palen that the book was completed and published. Read the story of the sea captain, Joseph Rhodes and others who developed one of our early farming communities. Travel with our early settlers who arrived in White Store and then moved onto the wilderness in the hills that later would be called North Guilford. Ida Palen wrote in her Forward, “This little book is not a history, a biography, a genealogy, nor a social column, though it may seem, at times, a little bit of both.” We hope that you find this timeless treasure a fascinating journey into the past of Chenango County.

- Tom Gray

Below are select titles from our Museum's Gift Shop.
Stop in to see our entire selection.

(Click on the images for more info.)

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  Wish You Were Here
  The Hotels of Chenango Lake

  
  
  

  Christine Gibson Price$27.00

  This is the book or item synopsis for items within the store. Users should be able to get a good idea within a sentence or two of what the item is and what to expect when purchasing the item.

  
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  Remembering the New York Ontario
  & Western Railway Oswego to Sidney

  
  

  John Taibi Price$3.25

  This is the book or item synopsis for items within the store. Users should be able to get a good idea within a sentence or two of what the item is and what to expect when purchasing the item.

  
  Close
  

  Souvenirs of Yesteryear:
  Exploring Chenango County, Volume 1

  
  

  Donald Windsor Price$27.00

  This is the book or item synopsis for items within the store. Users should be able to get a good idea within a sentence or two of what the item is and what to expect when purchasing the item.

  
  Close
  

  Mr. C and Me

  
  

  Brooks

  Price$5.50

  This is the book or item synopsis for items within the store. Users should be able to get a good idea within a sentence or two of what the item is and what to expect when purchasing the item.

  
  Close
  

  Images of America: Oxford

  
  

  Fred Lanfair

  Price$21.50

  This is the book or item synopsis for items within the store. Users should be able to get a good idea within a sentence or two of what the item is and what to expect when purchasing the item.

Contact Us

Feel free to come see us Tuesday-Friday, 8am-4pm, or call us at (607) 334-9227, fax us at (607) 334-7809, or submit your inquiry electronically by using the form below.

Unguided Tours — 9am–4pm, Monday-Friday
Guided Tours and Large Groups — By Appointment

Alan EstusDirector
a.estus@chenangohistorical.org

Meghan MolloyCurator
m.molloy@chenangohistorical.org

Sarah MahanEducator
s.mahan@chenangohistorical.org

James S. Flanagan
History Research Center

What a difference a year makes!

These two images, taken almost exactly a year apart from nearly the same vantage point, show the dramatic changes to the once two family house on 43 Rexford St. For those of you who have not seen the building in person the rear section in the 2011 picture is an entirely new structure that begins from the rear of the original house in the first picture.

At this point the interior painting is at the end of the priming stage with the color coat the next and final step. Interior doors are installed, trim is going up and we’re anticipating the floor covering will be installed by the time you are reading this.

We have a list of “must do” items to open the facility with some of the final activities to be undertaken after the center is open. We have sidewalk work on the out- side and some built-in cabinet and counter work to done prior to the opening.

We don’t have an exact schedule, but it seems realistic to have the Historian’s Office moved and operational by mid-December.

The James S. Flanagan History Research Center is operated as a joint venture of the Chenango County Historical Society and the Chenango County Historian's Office. The day to day operation of the facility is managed by the County Historian's Office. Hours for the Research Center are Monday through Friday (except for legal holidays) 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM

Resources include:

• Census Records
• Cemetery Records
• Will Directories
• Vital Statistics
• Town Histories
• DAR Records
• Family Files
• Company Records

The Historian's Office can be contacted for appointments at:
countyhistorian@co.chenango.ny.us

Or: (607) 337-1845

For additional information and a fee structure explanation, please click here.

Education

The Chenango County Historical Society is dedicated to educating visitors of all ages about the history of the county. The museum offers a variety of educational programs for school-aged and college groups that can be geared to the age levels of the students and the specific subject matter that teachers and instructors request. Hands-on workshops such as quill-pen and ink writing, 19th century portrait painting, toys and games of the 19th and 20th centuries, and many other topics are available upon request.

Museum exhibits feature a wide range of topics from a historical, artistic, and literary perspective, including the following pertaining to Chenango County starting with:

• 19th Century Early Settlers
• Victorian Era
• Evolution of Transportation in the County
• School Houses of Chenango County
• Industry and Agriculture of the County
• Effect of the Civil War on the Region
• Norwich Pharmacal Company
• Recent Rotational Exhibit, “A Flash from the Past” featuring photographers from throughout the county.

Upcoming exhibits will allow visitors a view into the business districts, “now and then”, locomotion, canal boats and the canal systems, ballroom dancing, and radios and electronics throughout Chenango County and will feature a more interactive and hands-on experience for all ages.

Please contact us to schedule your school or group visit or stop by the museum during our business hours. We look forward to your visit!