Dr. Milton C. Sernett and Scott Hughes, creators of the NAHOF Traveling Abolition Museum, discuss the outreach exhibit with Dr. Carolyn Howe, Worcester, Mass., Women’s History Project in front of one of the installed walls of the mobile exhibit telling the history of American Abolition from the Colonial Period to the Civil War.

Robert Djed Snead portrays Syracuse Underground Railroad station conductor Jermain Wesley Loguen at Loguen’s October 2011 Induction to the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Peterboro.

(Town of Smithfield, NY – Jan. 2012) As Black History month commences, Peterboro is finalizing plans for 2012 programs that explore and explain the 19th Century history of African-Americans in the hamlet and its significance to the history of our nation.

On Jan. 31, the anniversary date of the Thirteenth Amendment that abolished slavery, the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum Traveling Abolition Museum was transported from Case Library at Colgate University to Memorial Library at SUNY Cortland for Black History Month.

The museum had been installed at Colgate for Martin Luther King, Jr., commemorations at the college. Milton C. Sernett, Ph.D., professor emeritus Syracuse University, developed the text and visuals for the traveling museum that cover the history of American Abolition from slavery in the Colonial era to the Civil War.

Sernett, a member of the Cabinet of Freedom for the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum (NAHOF) in Peterboro, will also be presenting at SUNY Cortland on the Abolition Crusade in Upstate New York. Robert Djed Snead, a Jermain Wesley Loguen re-enactor who performed at Loguen’s NAHOF induction in October 2011, will perform and present Loguen at SUNY Cortland.

The History Center in Ithaca will be hosting the John Brown Lives! Timbuctoo exhibit during Black History Month. Timbuctoo explains Gerrit Smith’s plan to gift 3,000 African-American men with 40 acres of land.

The 20th Annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend June 9 and 10 will join in the nation’s commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. Military battles were not waged on Peterboro soil, but Peterboro was the center of human rights activities that waged war against slavery, and those activities led to the ignition of the Civil War.

Sernett will present The Terrible Swift Sword: Abolitionists and the Civil War. Also, Alice Keesey Mecoy, will return to NAHOF to share insights into her great-great-grandfather John Brown.

NAHOF will exhibit a copy of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation gifted by the New York State Library. Lincoln presented his draft of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation to his Cabinet September 22, 1862. The New York State Museum will open an exhibit Sept. 22 about the Proclamation, which was briefly owned by Gerrit Smith of Peterboro.

For more information, visit sca-peterboro.org or AbolitionHoF.org, or call (315) 366-8101.

BHOF News

(Canastota, NY – Jan. 2012) Former undisputed middleweight champion and 1993 Hall of Fame Inductee Marvelous Marvin Hagler will attend festivities planned for the 23rd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend scheduled for June 7 to 10 in Canastota.

“It’s very exciting to have Marvelous Marvin Hagler return to Canastota for the Hall of Fame Weekend,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “He’s a legend and a fan favorite.”

Hagler reigned as world middleweight champion from 1980 until 1987. He won the title with a 3rd round TKO over Alan Minter on September 27, 1980 and over the next seven years he successfully defended the crown 12 times with wins over Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, John Mugabi and Mustafa Hamsho. Now an actor based in Italy, Hagler was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1993.

Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, a heavyweight bash, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2012. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 12 are multi-division champion Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, two-division champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” ring announcerMichael Buffer, trainer Freddie Roach, broadcaster Al Bernstein and journalist Michael Katz.  Posthumous inductees will also be honored.

A list of more than 40 boxing greats from the United States and abroad are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.

Hagler is excited to be in Canastota to witness the induction of Hearns.

“I watched Thomas Hearns grow from amateur status to a professional, until he became a World Champion, who faced his boxing challengers with courage and determination. I am glad that he finally has retired for good! I believe that Boxing Hall of Fame makes a good choice. Thomas Hearns deserves to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and be recognized as one of the best. I have tremendous respect for Hearns. My congratulations!” said Hagler.

For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 23rd Annual Induction Weekend, call 697-7095 or visit ibhof.com.

(Canastota, NY – Feb. 2, 20122) The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of trainer Angelo Dundee. He passed away yesterday in Tampa, Fla. He was 90.

Born in Philadelphia, Dundee moved to New York following World War II and learned from many of the great trainers at Stillman’s Gym. He eventually relocated to Miami Beach and was the chief trainer at the world-renowned 5th Street Gym. Dundee went on to guide 15 world champions including Ralph Dupas, Jimmy Ellis, Michael Nunn and Hall of Famers Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Carmen Basilio, George Foreman, Sugar Ramos, Jose Napoles, Luis Rodriguez and Willie Pastrano.

Dundee served as technical advisor for the film Ali in 2001. He also prepared Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe for his role in the 2005 boxing film Cinderella Man. Dundee was named Manager of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association in 1968 and 1979 and was also the recipient of their James J. Walker Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Boxing in 1996.

“The sport of boxing had no greater ambassador than Angelo Dundee. No matter where he went, he was always promoting the sport he lived and loved his entire life,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy.  “Everyone at the Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning the loss of one of the greats.”

In 1992, Dundee was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

The Erie Canalway Commission and Heritage Fund Board presented grant awards to Central New York recipients on Jan. 25. Pictured from left are

Christine O’Neil, Joan DiChristina of Chittenango Landing, Natalie Stetson and Dan Ward of the Erie Canal Museum, Judy Schmidt-Dean and Tom Blanchard from Erie Canalway and Liz Ayers of WCNY. 

(Jan. 2012) The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission, in partnership with the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, awarded $43,700 in grants to assist organizations with canal-related education, preservation, and tourism projects.

Seven organizations from Albany to Buffalo received funding, including three in Central New York: Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum (Chittenango), Erie Canal Museum (Syracuse), and the Public Broadcasting Council of Central New York/WCNY (Syracuse). Other recipients include: Albany Institute of History and Art (Albany), The Buffalo Zoo (Buffalo), New York Folklore Society (Schenectady), and the Schenectady Museum & Suits–Bueche Planetarium (Schenectady).

Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum received $7,000 to complete a Cultural Landscape Report. The report will document critically-needed repairs and provide recommendations and strategies to preserve and improve Chittenango’s dry-docks and historic character.

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor spans 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York, encompassing the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals and their historic alignments, as well as more than 230 canal communities. Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission, in partnership with the National Park Service, collaborates with government agencies, communities and organizations to protect and promote the canal corridor for all to use and enjoy.  The Erie Canalway Heritage Fund is dedicated to charitable, educational, and civic purposes within the confines of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

Pictured are Victorian Valentines from the Madison County Historical Society’s collection.

Madison County Historical Society News

By Sydney L. Loftus

(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) Make-your-own Victorian Valentine Workshop for children between the ages of 8-12 on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Madison County Historical Society

Valentine’s Day has roots in several different legends that have been observed for centuries. One of the earliest familiar symbols of Valentine’s Day is Cupid, the Roman god of love, who is depicted as a young boy with a bow and arrow.

In the Middle Ages, romantic sentiments were exchanged through verse or melody. The first paper valentine was exchanged between the imprisoned Duke of Orleans in 1415 who passed his time composing romantic verses for his wife. Early valentines were handmade with stylized written verse and decorated with colored inks.

By the 1800s, valentines were manufactured in black and white that were hand painted with hearts and cupids. In the 1850s, fancier valentines were decorated with lace, ribbons, silk, satin, and gold leaf. By the turn of century, valentines were made entirely by machine.

Everyone knows that Valentine’s Day is celebrated on Feb. 14, a day when valentines and gifts are exchanged between loved ones. In the tradition of Valentine’s Day, the Madison County Historical Society will have a make-your-own Victorian Valentine workshop for children between the ages of 8-12 on Saturday, Feb. 11. There is a nominal fee of $5 per child to cover the cost of supplies.

The workshop will be held during two sessions at the historical society located at 435 Main St. The first session is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The second session is from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Reservations are required as space is limited to 12 children per session. The deadline to register for the make your own Victorian Valentine workshop is Feb. 3.

For more information contact the society at 315-363-4136, 315-361-9735, or visit mchs1900.org. An adult must accompany each child attending the workshop.

Sydney Loftus is the executive director of the Madison County Historical Society.

(Georgetown, NY – Jan. 2012) The Georgetown Historical Society has decided to change its meeting day and location for a trial period. We will meet at the Georgetown Town Hall on Saturday Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. We would welcome anyone who would like to learn more about the history of the town. Come and join us.

(Madison, NY – Jan. 2012) A round and square dance with music by the Blue Valley Boys will be held at the Madison Historical Museum on South Street in Madison Saturday, Jan. 21, from 7 until 11 p.m.

There is a donation of $6 per person. Refreshments will be available.

(Morrisville, NY – Jan. 2012) A $20,000 grant from the Central New York Community Foundation was awarded to Madison Hall in Morrisville to support continued renovations on the historic facility. The grant will be used to rebuild the back staircase, handrail, electrical, lighting and ceiling finish.

Madison Hall, a Madison County Landmark since 1817 and the original county courthouse, stands on upper Main Street, State Route 20 in Morrisville. Madison Hall is under continuous renovation. In recent years the front portico pillar foundations were rebuilt, twin matching stairways were refinished and floors in the ballroom and hallways returned to hardwood. This past summer a new roof was built over the handicap ramp, the building repainted, chandelier and hallway lighting installed.

The building became The New York State School of Agriculture (now Morrisville State College) in 1909 when the courthouse moved to Wampsville. In the late 1970′s a group of concerned citizens acquired the building from Morrisville State College and started restoration of the facility. After various grants and community donations, the building has become a multi-cultural, multi-functional building serving communities in Central New York for weddings, dances, concerts, and etc.

Pictures of the building and a calendar of events can be seen at madisonhall.org.

By Matt Urtz, Madison County Historian

On Monday January 9^th at 7 pm the Canastota Public Library will host the talk “1812: New York’s War, New York’s Impetus,” by Robert W. Arnold III of St. Rose College.  The event is co-sponsored by the Canastota Canal Museum with the support of the New York Council for the Humanities.  The presentation examines New Yorkers response to the conflict militarily and otherwise and the how the war exposed serious inadequacies in the state’s infrastructure and the nation’s military capacity.  It also looks at the impact of the war and how the aftermath on the people of New York led to the public improvements of roads and canals.  Robert W. Arnold III is a career public historian who teaches at the College of Saint Rose.  He retired from the New York State Archives and was Albany County Historian and historical archaeologists.  For more information please contact the Canastota Public Library at 697-7030.

On Saturday, January 14, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. the Oneida Public Library will welcome railroad expert John Taibi. Taibi will present “Oneida’s Third Rail,” a show and tell about the Oneida Railway Company and the West Shore electrified third rail that joined Utica with Syracuse in the early 20th century.  For more information please call 363-3050.

On Friday January 20^th from 6 pm to 9 pm the Chittenango Canal Boat Museum will host a Family Fun Night at 4 Seasons in Fayetteville.  Tickets are $15 per person.  Hot Cocoa and Cookies will be served at no charge for those attending.  For more information please call 687-3801.

On Saturday, January 21, at 11 a.m., the Oneida Public Library welcomes historian and author Cheryl Pula.  Pula will  present an illustrated talk called “The Children’s Crusade: The 8th Air Force in World War II.”  She will focus on the young U.S. airmen stationed in Britain who flew B-17s in the famous bombing raids on Germany. She will also sign copies of her new historical fiction novel, The Children’s Crusade.  For more information please call 363-3050.

On Wednesday January 25^th the Morrisville Public Library will host “Madison County and the Civil War” by Madison County Historian Matt Urtz.  Information about regiments, soldiers and honors will be talked about.  There is no admission charge for the event.  For more information please visit midyork.org/Morrisville/Programs.

On Saturday January 28^th at 2 pm the Georgetown Historical Society will host its monthly meeting at the Georgetown Town Hall.  All are welcome.  Come learn more about the history of Georgetown.

On Monday February 13^th at 7 pm the Canastota Public Library will host the talk “How Madison County Changed the United States,” by Madison County Historian Matt Urtz.  The event is co-sponsored by the Canastota Canal Museum with the support of the New York Council for the Humanities.  Madison County was home to some of the most innovative thinkers in American History. Madison County residents have directly affected the movie industry, the development of computers, firearm production, dental science, federal fiscal policy, the development of the tractor, and so much more.  There is no cost for this event.elopment of computers, firearm production, dental science, federal fiscal policy, the development of the tractor and so much more. Come out and learn about who many of these people were and you will see how Madison County impacted American history.elopment of computers, firearm production, dental science, federal fiscal policy, the development of the tractor and so much more. Come out and learn about who many of these people were and you will see how Madison County impacted American history.  For more information please contact the Canastota Public Library at 697-7030.

On Friday February 24^th from 8 am to 5 pm the STUAC Conference Center at Morrisville College will host “Shades of Green in Madison County; A Green Living Experience.”  The goal of the event to help individual, businesses and communities advance green initiatives throughout Madison County to achieve more economically viable, sustainable and healthier places to live, go to school, work, shop and enjoy.  Among the many workshops offered will be one on effective historic preservation by Preservation League of New York Coordinator Amanda R. Lewkowicz.  The event is free but space is limited.  For more information please visit greenmadisoncounty.com.

(Chittenango, NY – Jan. 2012) Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum’s annual Membership meeting is Saturday Jan. 7  at 9 a.m. at the museum, 7010 Lakeport Road, Chittenango. Refreshments will be served.