The Beat

Scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 1-2:30 PM

Utica, N.Y. – Join the Utica/Oneida County Branch NAACP to celebrate Black History Month 2021 with its annual program hosted by History Center. This virtual event will follow the 2021 national theme, The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity, which provides a rich tapestry of images for exploring the African American past and present.  The program features a variety of presentations including a speech from Pastor Angela Carter, performances by Jonathan “J Easy” Brooks and Nomadic Voices, and Black History Moments with students from the Mohawk Valley Jr. Frontiers and Young Scholars. Members of the NAACP will also share information about their organization and community announcements.

Utica, N.Y, – Local graphic design firm, IntreXDesign & Associates, received a national graphic design award from Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) for the 2020 Oneida County Travel Guide. The travel guide was designed by Jeannine Papelino, owner of IntreXDesign & Associates, and was published by the Utica Observer Dispatch.

Papelino said, “Designing the Official 2020 Oneida County Travel Guide was a dream come true for me. Utica is my hometown, and this special project gave me an extraordinary opportunity to promote this area's history, attractions and neighborhoods by using my creative talent in a way to benefit the community. One goal was to inspire locals to discover what’s nearby and that became highly relevant with COVID-19. For me, it's my contribution to supporting the region and highlighting the numerous treasures this area has to offer its residents and visitors.”…

Grants from the Endeavor Foundation and the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation will support operations and programming throughout closure

Howes Cave, NY -- The Iroquois Indian Museum has been awarded major grants from two foundations to support its programming and operations. The Endeavor Foundation awarded the Museum a grant in the amount of $50,000, and the Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation awarded the Museum two grants totaling $40,000.

The $90,000 awards will fund general operating expenses and virtual programming so the Museum can continue its mission of challenging stereotypical perceptions of Native Americans and highlighting the artistic and cultural contributions of the Iroquois people.

A Virtual Lecture Scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 11:30 AM

Utica, N.Y. – Poles began to arrive in earnest in Utica in the 1880s. Their numbers grew throughout the next decades, capped only by the onset of World War I. This virtual talk by Patricia Bury Yocum looks at why the immigrants came, what they found, and where they worked. In putting down roots and raising families largely in West Utica, they created a distinct Polish presence and long legacy still extant.

This virtual program takes place on Saturday, January 16, 2021 starting at 11:30 am. This program is free and open to all. Advanced registration is required and can be completed at https://www.oneidacountyhistory.org/programs.html. Registrants will receive a link and instruction on how to join this online event after registration is complete.

Scheduled for Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 6:30 Pm

Utica, N.Y. – Trinkaus Manor was a holiday destination for many in and around Oneida County for almost 40 years.  An annual display featuring over 750,000 lights drew thousands each year from 1955 until 1992.  Join Oneida County Historian Joe Bottini to rediscover this festive part of our local history and rejuvenate your holiday spirit. The presentation will include powerful photos of the Trinkaus decorations, photos and quotes of the fire that destroyed it all, Trinkaus Manor history, and Trinkaus family history.

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.