History
Events
The Girl in the Glass Coffin
Cortland County Historical Society 25 Homer Avenue, Cortland, NY, United StatesStep back in time to Oswego, NY, during the fabulous Gilded Age and witness the fascinating true story of ten-year-old Virginia Tonkin, whose tragic death ignited a legend that has been passed down for generations. Virginia made history when her parents refused to inter her body and kept her inside their home in a glass-covered […]
Lunch & Learn: Sigsautelle & Brockway
Cortland County Historical Society 25 Homer Avenue, Cortland, NY, United StatesHomer Historian Martin Sweeney will discuss two of Homer’s more prominent businessmen of the 19th and early 20th century. Both William Brockway and Sig Sautelle focused on the need for transportation and can lay claim to activities occurring at the former Crozier’s Gun Shop on South Main Street in Homer. Today the building has become […]
Main Street’s Secrets Unlocked
Cortland County Historical Society 25 Homer Avenue, Cortland, NY, United StatesStep into the heart of downtown Cortland and discover the stories hidden in plain sight. On this captivating walking tour, City Historian Kate O’Connell will lead you through the business district’s storied streets, peeling back the layers of history to reveal tales of ambition, scandal, and resilience. From architectural marvels to the unforgettable characters who […]
Lunch & Learn: Amelia Bloomer
Cortland County Historical Society 25 Homer Avenue, Cortland, NY, United StatesAuthor Sara Catterall provides a fascinating look at an underappreciated woman in American history whose newspaper fostered a national conversation on women’s issues.Those who recognize the name Amelia Bloomer usually do so because of bloomers, the clothing item named after her. While she was a rational dress advocate for a time—calling on women to abandon […]
Paranormal Investigation at The 1890 House
1890 House Museum 37 Tompkins Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesDare to explore the dark side of history? Step beyond the velvet ropes and into the shadows of the 1890 House Museum for an exclusive after-dark public paranormal investigation led by Empirical Paranormal. This immersive evening invites you to become an active part of the investigation as you explore the mansion’s eerie halls and candlelit […]
Cortland Curiosities Market
The Vault Grand Venue on Main 35 Main Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesSomething Wicked This Way Comes: The Cortland Curiosities Market Returns ...at a New Haunt CORTLAND, NY — Shadows stir and spirits whisper… the Cortland Curiosities Market is back for its third annual celebration of the strange and spectacular and this time haunting an all-new lair. On Friday, October 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the market will […]
Halloween Graveyard Tour
Virgil Town Hall 1176 Church Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesMark the calendar for a spine-tingling stroll with the Virgil Historical Society’s annual Halloween Graveyard Tour. Town Historian Marsha Powell will guide guests through Virgil Rural Cemetery, sharing eerie tales of notable residents and the ways they met their end while highlighting the artistry of historic stonecarvers. After the walk, warm up with Hollenbeck’s cider […]
Spirits of the Past: Centennial Soiree
Center for the Arts of Homer 72 S. Main St, Homer, NY, United StatesThe Cortland County Historical Society has spent a century digging up stories, preserving artifacts, and keeping the past very much alive. Now, they’re inviting you to step straight into history itself at the Centennial Soirée, a one-night celebration on October 25 at the historic Center for the Arts in Homer. This won’t be your average […]
1890 House Halloween Family Fun
1890 House Museum 37 Tompkins Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesPut on your boo-tiful costumes and bring the whole family for a spook-tacular day of fun at the 1890 House Museum! On this frightfully festive visit, you’ll meet VIP guests straight out of your favorite fairy tales and comics—perfect for magical photo ops. Kids can enjoy ghoulishly good games, haunted scavenger hunts, creepy-cute crafts, and […]
Death at the Wickwire Speakeasy
1890 House Museum 37 Tompkins Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesStep back in time for an evening of intrigue at “Death at the Wickwire Speakeasy”, a thrilling Murder Mystery experience taking place Friday, November 14, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m at the 1890 House. Guests will enjoy a lavish buffet featuring Flapper Fare and Libations while uncovering clues and mingling with fellow detectives in this 1920s-themed whodunit. […]
Lost Souls Paranormal Investigation
1890 House Museum 37 Tompkins Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesThe 1890 House Museum invites guests to step into the shadows for Lost Souls Paranormal Investigations’ first-ever public investigation on Friday, November 22. Known for their collaboration with September’s Empirical Investigation, Beth and her team from Lost Souls are returning to the museum’s storied halls...this time, opening the experience to the public. Each two-hour session […]
More Stories from the Heart of Central New York.
Phillips Free Library 37 S. Main St., Homer, NY, United StatesVillage of Homer historian Martin Sweeney returns with more strange and fascinating tales from Central New York’s past! Join him at Phillips Free Library on Saturday, November 22 at 11 am for a pre-release talk on his newest book, More Stories from the Heart of Central New York. You never know what forgotten stories might […]