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| Eight Square Schoolhouse Lino-cut by Cynthia Cratsley Harrington |
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CONTACT US
Rod Howe |
Executive Director | Director@TheHistoryCenter.net | Phone: x 222
Carole West |
Educator, Eight Square Schoolhouse | EightSquare@TheHistoryCenter.net | Phone: x 229
Ksenia Ionova |
Visitor Services Coordinator | Community@TheHistoryCenter.net | Phone: x 227
Karen Binder |
Bookkeeper & Administrative Services | Admin@TheHistoryCenter.net | Phone: x 225
Cindy Kjellander-Cantu | Design & Support Specialist | Design@TheHistoryCenter.net | Phone: x 223
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Employee's Corner
Dear Friends,
This past summer at the Eight Square Schoolhouse was one of our busiest and most prolific! Thanks to a generous grant from the Lane Family Fund we were able to host over 30 campers from the Southside Community Center for a day at our
Digging Into Carrie's Diary summer camp in July. Our week long campers were treated to activities hosted by local artist Christine Finnigan, educator's Raylene Ludgate from Cornell Plantations and Dayna Jorgenson from Cayuga Nature Center. and archaeologists Brant Venables and Loren Sparling. In August we continued our 3rd year of public archaeology for teens and adults on the schoolhouse site at our
Come Dig With Us field school - by changing from a week long event to four weekends in August, we were able to draw a more diverse group of individuals. We uncovered an amazing cache of artifacts, and with great anticipation we are looking forward to continuing our excavations next summer!
One of the participants who joined our dig over several weekends, and then brought her entire family on a Saturday when she couldn't attend, was Cynthia Harrington. Her enthusiasm for the excavation was apparent as she snapped photos of the 'finds' she was unearthing, and she had no qualms about getting muddy and dirty in the process!
Several weeks ago, much to my surprise, a delivery man showed up at The History Center with a package for me. Inside was a wonderful lino-cut print of the 8 Square Schoolhouse (featured above) that Cynthia had made and wanted to present as a gift to The History Center's Eight Square collections. During the time she spent with us on the site, she had never mentioned that she was an accomplished artist!
In her own words:
Cynthia Cratsley Harrington is an artist, high school art teacher, and mother of
three boys. Cynthia graduated from Nazareth College with a B.A. in Art History
and from Marywood University with an M.A. in Illustration. Participating in the
Eight Square Schoolhouse dig was her first foray into archaeology, but she found it
as thrilling as her other hobbies: letterboxing and digging for Herkimer diamonds.
Cynthia is represented by West End Gallery in Corning.
Thank you Cynthia!
Carole West
Eight Square Schoolhouse and Youth Education Director
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Bookstore Highlight
The History Center staff used many different resources to research our new exhibit
Made in Tompkins County: A Timeline of Enterprise including these interesting history books:
The Towns of Tompkins County: From Podunk to the Magnetic Springs,
edited by Jane Marsh Dieckmann
The book draws on historical accounts, public records, newspaper stories, and recollections of residents, especially those who have lived in the county for many years. Illustrated with more then 100 photographs and maps, this volume will make informative, useful, and entertaining reading for residents and friends of the region.
Images of America: Groton,
by Rosemarie Palmer Tucker
The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs this book presents the distinctive stories from Groton's past that shape the character of the community today.
A Short History of Tompkins County
by
Jane Marsh Dieckmann
Drawing on published histories and newspapers, A Short History traces the development of Tompkins County from early times to the present.
Mention this newsletter when purchasing these books and get
20% off!
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Back By Popular Demand, ITHACA KITTY KITS (a limited number) are NOW AVAILABLE for SALE!
The
Ithaca Kitty was inspired by a gray tabby cat named Caesar Grimalkin in Ithaca, New York. The Tabby Cat was sold as a printed pattern on half a yard of muslin for 10 cents and made its nation-wide appearance shortly before Christmas in 1892. From the start, this sew-at-home toy was enormously popular, nearly 200,000 being sold that first holiday season. In 1893 the cat and kittens were displayed at the Chicago World's Fair and filled Wanamaker's Department Store window in Philadelphia.
Purchase yours today for only $12
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Made in Tompkins County
A Timeline of Local Enterprise
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Thomas-Morse Aviation |
October 7th, 2016 - February 18th, 2017
Tompkins County is well known for its educational institutions. What is less known is its rich industrial history. From its earliest days it has been the home of inventors and entrepreneurs - people who laid the commercial foundation of a prosperous community. From grist mills to high tech, local enterprise has encompassed world renowned guns, iron bridges, calendar clocks, steam engines, drive chains, and much more. This broad survey takes a look at the long sweep of enterpri
se in Tompkins County, from its earliest days
to the 21st century.
Sponsored by Tompkins Trust Company
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Replica of ca. 1830-1860 Lawyer's Puzzle Quilt
By Tompkins County Quilters Guild Members
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TCQG members:
Cora Yao, June Silberman, Kathy Carman and Vivian Rose
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The History Center is now hosting hand-quilting, so come take a look!
This replica of a 150+ year old Lawyer's Puzzle quilt will belong to the collections of The
History Center in Tompkins County in 2018.
The original quilt is too fragile to display, and the upcoming county Bicentennial 2017 provides the perfect opportunity for a Bicentennial Quilt showcasing part of th
e
county's history. Tompkins County Quilters Guild quilters are making an authentic reproduction of the ca. 1830-1860 quilt for the bicentennial.
Our Community Photograph Exhibit
Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
On display from September 22nd to January 2017
According to the Library of Congress, "Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and
contributions of American citizens whose anc
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stors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America." The History Center is celebrating local Hispanic heritage in a new photo exhibit
Our Community, featuring local organizations such as the Latino Civic Association and Cornell's Latin American Studies Program. Images of three notable members of Ithaca's Fuertes family will also be on display: Estevan, originally from Puerto Rico, was the first Dean of Cornell's College of Engineering; Louis Agassiz was the renowned bird artist; and James Hillhouse was a prominent and successful civil engineer.
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Upcoming Events
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Wade Davis
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LECTURE: The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in a Modern World
Friday, October 14th, 2016 - 7:30
PM (at The Statler Auditorium)
Every culture is a unique answer to the fundamental question: What does it mean to be human and alive? Of the world's 7,000 languages, fully half may disappear within our lifetimes. At risk is a vast archive of knowledge and expertise, a catalogue of the imagination that is the human legacy. Ethnographer, writer, photographer and filmmaker Wade Davis will lead us on a thrilling journey to celebrate the wisdom of the world's indigenous cultures. From Polynesia to the Amazon, the Andes, Africa, Australia, Nepal and finally the rainforests of Borneo, understanding the lessons of this journey can become our mission for the next century. Rediscovering a new appreciation for the diversity of the human spirit, as expressed by culture, is among the central challenges of our time. For more information visit www.cornellplantations.org.
History Forge Transcription and Data Entry Bee (Volunteers Needed)
Saturday, October 15th, and 22nd, 2016 - 11:00 PM to 1:00 PM (at The History Center)
Come volunteer at our next transcription bee! If you want to participate, please contact Rod Howe at Director@TheHistoryCenter.net and plan on coming at 11:00am. Light refreshments will be served with lots of fun and an educational opportunity that will make Ithaca history come alive. Be sure to bring your laptop.
Read more!
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Jason Koski/University Photography
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Buried Treasure, Highlights from the Cornell University Archives.
Saturday, October 15th, 2016 - 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM (at The History Center)
Join Evan Earle '02, MS '14, the Dr. Peter J. Thaler '56 Cornell University Archivist on a virtual look at some of the highlights of what lies in the vault two stories below Cornell's Arts Quad. From Ezra Cornell's safe to a lock of Charles Dickens Hair, 4000 year old tablets to rare modern first editions, the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections is home to fascinating objects and collections. Learn about these hidden gems, how they assist with teaching and how you can use them in person.
Movie with Wharton Studio Museum
Saturday, October 22nd 2016 - 2:00PM - 3:30PM (at Cinemapolis)
The History Center, in collaboration with Wharton Studio Museum, proudly presents a matinee screening of Richard E. Norman's landmark 1926 silent film The Flying Ace. A rare surviving "race film" created for black audiences and featuring an all-black cast, The Flying Ace is the story of Captain Billy Stokes, a detective and World War One "Flying Ace" who returns from wartime service to solve the biggest mystery of his career. The film will be introduced by film historian and New York State Public Scholar Barbara Tepa Lupack, author of numerous film studies, including Literary Adaptations in Black American Cinema:From Micheaux to Morrison (2010), Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking (2014), and Early Race Filmmaking in America (2016). A Q&A session will follow the film, as well as a reception in the lobby of Cinemapolis. For more information about Silent Movie Month visit www.whartonstudiomuseum.org
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Thank you to Travis Hyde Properties,
Presenting Sponsor of Silent Movie Month.
Tour Historic Alleys of Downtown Ithaca
Friday, October 28th, 2016 (starting at the History Center in Tompkins County)
You walk by them every day but have you stopped to look down those alleys to reflect on their hidden histories? While the alleys on the tour may not be as exotic as Diagon Alley they do hold mystery and intrigue. The magic lies in discovering them and opening yourself up to new mini-perspectives. These 75 minute tours will start at The History Center in Tompkins County and are co-sponsored by Historic Ithaca. Tours will leave at noon, 2:00, 4:00 and 6:00. There is a suggested donation of $5.00/person or $20 for a group of five (could be a collection of both muggles and wizards). Geared to teenagers to elders. Please e-mail director@thehistorycenter.net to reserve a spot by October 24th (each tour will be capped at 15).
Wizarding Weekend
October 28th - October 30th (starting at Press Bay Alley Downtown Ithaca)
For more information visit wizardingweekend.com/
Don't Miss the Last October Silent Movie Month Event: Local Silent Movies to be Screened
Saturday, October 29th, 2:00PM (at the History Center in Tompkins County)
To Celebrate Silent Film Month, Ithaca Made Movies founder Terry Harbin will present some rare Wharton Brothers
flickers.
A recently discovered episode from the 1915 "Wallingford" series will be shown, which has a surprise appearance by Oliver Hardy as a would be burglar; it is entitled "The Lilac Splash" which is the name of a fashionable dress design that is being faked around town.
"The Thought Monster" is the final episode of the 1916 Wharton serial "The Mysteries of Myra"
A creature is conjured from unknown realms by the Master of the Black Order, in an effort to kill "Myra" but Payson Alden the psychic detective turns the tables and returns the monster from whence it came.
"Hollywood on Cayuga" a short music video about the Wharton's movie making will conclude the event.
Showing of "Angela Davis Lecture: Slavery and the Prison Industrial Complex"
Tuesday, November 1st, 5:30PM - 7:00PM (at the History Center)
Hosted by Eric Acree, Trustee and Director of the John Henrik Clarke Africana Library and Coordinator of the Fine Arts and Music Libraries at Cornell University.
Angela Davis provides a lecture comparing slavery in the Americas with the current prison industrial complex. This lecture was part of the "Eric E. Williams Lecture Series" at Florida International University in 2003. Williams was the first Prime Minister of an independent Trinidad and Tobago. Williams is most noted for writing the ground breaking book Capitalism and Slavery. Davis does an excellent job of talking about the economics of the prisons in America, and how prisoners are exploited much like those who were enslaved.
"Campus & Community Organizing for Liberation, Then and Now."
Saturday, November 5th, 2:00PM (at the History Center)
The Dorothy Cotton Institute, The History Center in Tompkins County, and the John Henrik Clark African Library are co-sponsoring another event in a series: Sharing Stories of Action for Social Change. The format will include a panel presentation and then an opportunity to share, in small groups, personal actions for social change.
Speakers:
Kenneth McClane:
W.E.B. DuBois Professor of Literature, Cornell University, acclaimed poet and essayist.
Ms. Lucy J. Brown:
Ithacan activist, community leader, board member of Ithaca Neighborhood Housing.
Rafael Aponte:
Director, Ithaca Youth Farm Project, Black Lives Matter Ithaca activist; owner, Rocky Acres Farm
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Devin Lander, New York State's historian, shared seven ways history is essential during his "Elevating History" talk at The History Center:
1)
Identity-History enables people to discover their own place in the stories of their families, communities, and nation.
2)
Critical Skills-History teaches critical 21st century skills and independent thinking.
3)
Vital Places To Live and Work-History lays the groundwork for strong, resilient communities.
4)
Economic Development-History is a catalyst for economic growth.
5)
Engaged Citizens-History helps people craft better solutions through better understanding the origins of issues.
6)
Leadership-History inspires local and global leaders.
7)
Legacy-History, saved and preserved, is crucial to preserving democracy for the future by explaining our shared past.
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Tompkins County 1853 Map |
From the Collection
A Sense of Place in 1853
One of the History Center's most engaging historic treasures is not stored away in the archives, but is on permanent exhibit. The 1853 Map of Tompkins County is not only rich in geographic and historical detail, it is embellished with illustrations that draw us in to scenes of life in our county nearly 160 years ago.
This large wall map has proved a wealth of information for researchers. One of its most useful features is the labeling of property-owners' names and businesses. The surveyor would have traveled along county roads, probably pushing a wheel odometer, either on foot or by horse and buggy.
The map's charts include data on libraries, taxes, schools, religion, agriculture, and population. A brief look will reveal that Tompkins County had 239 public schools. There were more Methodist churches than any other denomination. Between 1845 and 1850, there had been a sharp increase in most grain and vegetable crops, while fewer animals were being raised on farms.
The most striking aspect of the map is its border of local landmarks. A father is pointing out the beauty of Enfield Falls to his son as they rest on a rock. Patients walk through the grounds of the Forest City Water Cure in Lansing. It is thought that some prominent citizens paid to have their homes and businesses included in the illustrations.
Robert Pearsall Smith of Philadelphia, one of the publishers of our 1853 map, was a leader in the lithographic map industry. From 1847 to 1864, he published over 400 city, town, and county maps. The maps became popular in many communities.
For newcomers to the relatively young Tompkins County, the 1853 map may have been their first comprehensive view of their new home. The land that was rapidly changing under the forces of industry, agriculture, and population growth was, by the 1850 census, home to 38,746 residents. Most moved here from other New York counties, but over 4,000 came from out of state, and more than 1,500 were immigrants from other countries. This map may have helped some of them find a sense of place, just as it may help us, in learning more about our history.
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