The Beat

2.4 Mile Addition Helps Close Gaps in Empire State Trail

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of a new 2.4 mile section of the Empire State Trail in Herkimer County between Erie Canal Lock E-18 in Jacksonburg and State Route 167 in Little Falls. This new section fills a gap in the trail allowing users to travel between Fort Herkimer Church to Little Falls on one continuous off-road path.

"Stretching from New York City to both Western New York and the North Country, the Empire State Trail not only allows users to experience New York's natural beauty, but provides a window into the history of many of the state's distinct regions as well," Governor Cuomo said. "Set alongside the iconic Erie Canal, this new section will give New Yorkers and visitors alike the opportunity to experience the rich history, heritage and culture of the Mohawk Valley as they travel through the heart of the region."…

Scheduled for Saturday, October 10 at 11:30 AM

Utica, N.Y. – Storytelling is an important component of Haudenosaunee culture. Oral traditions and legends have been passed from generation to generation, teaching their communities how to live, act, and care for one another, as well as how to manage during the unpredictable seasons. Join Jessica Farmer to listen to her version of a few of these ageless stories and legends, and learn about their meaning and significance.

Jessica Farmer (Father is of the Onondaga Turtle Clan) is the Cultural Programs Coordinator at the Shako:wi Cultural Center.  She also teaches several how-to classes that includes beadwork, cornhusk dolls, regalia, painting, and working with quills.

Scheduled for Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30 PM

Join Oneida County Historian Joseph P. Bottini for a virtual lecture to discover the history behind Utica’s Union Station. He will share details of the station’s history, construction, architectural features, and renovations. This free online presentation takes place on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 6:30- 7:30 pm. Advanced registration is required and can be completed using the link below. A recording of the presentation will be available on the History Center YouTube channel after the event.

Utica, NY (August 18, 2020) — Oneida County Tourism (OCT) is excited to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment (Women’s right to vote) in conjunction with their 2020 Sunflower Selfie Project. The purpose of this project is to educate locals on the history of our state and encourage them to visit Wagner Farms now through mid-September and post a selfie in the sunflower fields with the hashtag #SunflowerSelfieNY.

Completion of Pedestrian Bridge and New Trail Connections in Onondaga County Bring Visionary Plan for Statewide Pathway Closer to Completion  

Project Complements "CNY Rising" - The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy  

(August 6, 2020) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a major milestone in the construction of the Empire State Trail, the state's historic initiative to create a 750-mile pathway from New York City to Canada, and from Albany to Buffalo. Major construction has been completed on a new pedestrian bridge over Interstate 481 and key sections of the trail in the City of Syracuse and the Town of Dewitt in Onondaga County, helping to connect several of the last remaining gaps in the Empire State Trail, which is expected to be completed in 2020.

Scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 12:30 pm

Utica, N.Y. – The Mohawk Valley has produced professional baseball players since the late 1800s from some of the very first professionals in baseball history, to some of the greatest players ever, to those who played only a few games in Major League Baseball. Join Lou Parrotta, the City of Utica Historian, as he shares stories of the local ballplayers who made it to the Major League in this virtual lunchtime lecture. Based on book Glove Along the Mohawk (2012) by Lou Parrott and Scott Fiesthumel.

Scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 12:30 pm

While the Erie Canal took only 8 years to dig, getting to the point where people could start digging was a nearly 100-year long process. This virtual lecture by Erie Canal Museum Educator Derrick Pratt looks at the early efforts to harness New York’s interior waterways and the political wrangling that almost kept the “Eighth Wonder of the World” from happening.

This free online presentation takes place on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 from 12:30- 1:30 pm. To view the stream or for more information, please visit the event Facebook page The Conception of the Erie Canal  or visit the Oneida County History Center website.

Syracuse, NY (July 13, 2020) - The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) will be reopening to the public for weekends only on August 1, 2020.

The MOST will be open every weekday for summer day-camps running until Friday, August 21 with pre-registration. More information here: https://www.most.org/learn/camps/.

Utica, NY (July 9, 2020) — Oneida County Tourism (OCT) is excited to announce an updated version of their 10^th Annual Ambassador (FAM) Tour. The event has gotten a refresh given the circumstances and physical distancing guidelines. OCT typically hosts with local hoteliers and residents to explore all the county has to offer during a one-day tour. This year, OCT has partnered with CNY Kiss, Bug Country, Talk of the Town and Wellnesste Lodge & Sanctuary to showcase attractions that can be visited during the summer while remaining safe.

Howes Cave, NY--The Iroquois Indian Museum announces the outdoor exhibition “Tonto, Tepees, and Totem Poles: Considering Native American Stereotypes in the 21st Century,” which will be displayed in July and August in the open-air pavilion on the museum’s grounds in Howes Cave. The museum also announces a summer series of Facebook Live mini-lessons and demonstrations by Iroquois educators and artists, as well as a virtual raffle.