History
Events
Gravestone Carvers of Central New York
Virgil Town Hall 1176 Church Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesVirgil Historical Society Presents: On the Trail of Coffin Man with Mary L. Dexter “If you love cemeteries, you’ll want to learn more about the people who carved the unique gravestones. Mary Dexter has brought the stones to life in this compilation that reflects her decades of extensive research. Learn about the lives of the […]
Ghost Hunt at the 1890 House
1890 House Museum 37 Tompkins Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesAttempt to reach through the veil after dark in a haunted Victorian mansion. Spend the evening at the 1890 House Museum for a guided paranormal investigation with the experienced team from Dream Seekers Paranormal group. Bring your own investigation tools or utilize the teams cutting edge technology. You better bring a friend, because no one […]
Glamour, Glitz, Grit
Center for the Arts of Homer 72 S. Main St, Homer, NY, United StatesA fantastical Look at the History of American Burlesque. Every shimmy and shake will reveal another chapter, from the scandalous Victorian origins to the over-the-top Neo-Burlesque we see today. At the heart of our dazzling spectacle is the incomparable Michelle L'Amour, who has been featured on Americas Got Talent, MTV, Showtime and has captivated audiences […]
Spirits of the 1890 House Tour
1890 House Museum 37 Tompkins Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesIn conjunction with Curiosity Trails Cabinet of Curiosity Market, for one day only, the 1890 House will hold a special tour! The 1890 House Museum was the home of Chester Wickwire, his wife Ardell and later his son Fredric and his wife Marion. Guests often wonder if their spirits remain in the home. In 2016 […]
Ghost Hunt at the 1890 House
1890 House Museum 37 Tompkins Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesAttempt to reach through the veil after dark in the haunted Victorian mansion. Spend the evening at the 1890 House Museum for a guided paranormal investigation with the experienced team from Dream Seekers Paranormal group. Bring your own investigation tools or utilize the teams cutting edge technology. You better bring a friend, because no one […]
Folklore and Ghost Stories of Hyde Hall & Beyond.
Virgil Town Hall 1176 Church Street, Cortland, NY, United StatesThe Virgil Historical Society and Marathon Area Historical Society welcome professor of the peculiar, John Aborn. Serving as the program Program Director at Hyde Hall, Mr. Aborn weaves torrid tales of wonder with his talk “Folklore and Ghost Stories of Hyde Hall and Beyond.” Haunted Hyde Hall sits on Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, and was […]
115 Years of Boy Scouts in CNY
CNY Living History Center 4386 US Route 11, Cortland, NY, United StatesJoin CNY Living History Center as they celebrate 115 years of Boy Scouts in Central NY with a captivating photographic overview and an incredible display of scouting artifacts, on February 8. From whacky campfire tales to spooky stories under the stars, this exhibit is a tribute to the spirit of scouting! Calling all scouts […]
The Loomis Gang of Nine Mile Swamp
CNY Living History Center 4386 US Route 11, Cortland, NY, United States“The Loomis Gang of Nine Mile Swamp” Saturday, March 15, 2025, 1:00 pm at the CNY Living History Center, 4386 US Rte. 11, Cortland, NY. Vicky House, Oxford Town/Village Historian, will share her PowerPoint presentation on the “Gang” that dominated upstate New York for decades. From counterfeiting, horse stealing, witness intimidation, and even murder, this […]
Hauntingly Historic Fashion Challenge
The Cortland County Historical Society is hosting a Hauntingly Historic Fashion Challenge! Calling all stitch witches and time-traveling tailors: we dare you to craft your very own Bloomer Ensemble based on a pattern inspired by CCHS’s own historic piece. Will you haunt the halls in a faithful reproduction or give your bloomers a bewitching, […]
Shellback: A Journey Through War, Survival & Forgotten History
Cortland County Historical Society 25 Homer Avenue, Cortland, NY, United StatesHistory isn’t just dates and dusty pages—it’s drama, struggle, and the fight to survive. Step into the past on April 24 at noon, as Karen Foresti Hempson brings the Great Depression and World War II roaring back to life with her gripping novel, Shellback. Inspired by real people from Utica, Shellback follows a young boy, […]
Stagecoaches, Saloons & the Strange Side of Travel: A Talk with Richard F. Palmer
CNY Living History Center 4386 US Route 11, Cortland, NY, United StatesBefore GPS and gas stations, there were muddy turnpikes, bumpy coaches, and taverns where you might hear a ghost story and get a hot meal—if you were lucky. Join author and history-sleuth Richard F. Palmer for a deep dive into the dusty days of stagecoaches and roadside inns in 19th-century Cortland County. With rare photographs, […]
Immigrant Entrepreneurs of Cortland
United Unitarian Church 3 Church St, cortland, NY, United StatesYou’ve seen the names, walked past the storefronts, and maybe even uncovered a few stories on the Cortland Curiosities trail—but do you know the people who built them? Join the Cortland County Historical Society for a special talk with historian and former Cortland resident Dr. Diane Vecchio, as she reveals the real lives behind the […]