Oneida County History CenterUtica, N.Y. - The Oneida County Historical Hall of Fame has named four individuals to its 2024 inductee class: Dr. John Cochran, Army Surgeon General and physician to George Washington; Charles Gaetano, founder of Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corporation, entrepreneur and philanthropist; Chauncey Goodrich, Godfather of all modern potatoes; and Carolyn K. Tyler, a barrier-breaking educator. The Hall of Famers will be inducted alongside the 2024 Richard W. Couper ‘Living Legends’ class: Michael Bosak, preservationist; Lucretia Hunt, public servant and educator; Dr. Michael Kelberman, cardiologist and autism advocate; Bonny Niles, historian and community leader; and Michael "Doc" Woods, jazz musician and composer.

The Historical Hall of Fame was started in 1946 and honors individuals from Oneida County who made an impact on our community and the world. Its goal is to ensure that noteworthy people in our community and their achievements are recorded in local history. The Living Legends category was added in 2001 to celebrate our present-day models of people making a difference. Oneida County History Center is excited to continue this tradition and celebrate remarkable individuals from our community.

The inductees will be honored during the annual Historical Hall of Fame and Living Legends awards celebration at the Irish Cultural Center in Utica on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $60 for current History Center members and $70 for the public. Tickets should be purchased before October 2 and are available on-site at the History Center, online through its e-Bookstore, or by calling 315-735-3642.  Proceeds from the event will be used to support facility improvements and technology upgrades. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available. Contact rmclain@oneidacountyhistory.org for more information.

Oneida County History Center is a private 501(c) (3) not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to preserving the history, heritage, and culture of the Greater Mohawk Valley for present and future generations. Please contact the History Center at 315-735-3642 or visit the www.oneidacountyhistory.org for additional information.

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