History Happenings 
The History Center's eNewsletter

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Late August 2019
Welcome to the New Executive Director

Historic Ithaca Executive Director Susan Holland & 
o ur new Executive 
Director  Ben Sandberg
Benjamin Sandberg brings over a decade of well-traveled experience working and leading cultural institutions. He received is undergraduate degree from Oberlin College, and a Masters in Public Administration from the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. His strategic vision is grounded in the belief that history - especially local history - is the connective tissue of communities. It is a singularly powerful tool for examining community issues today, and developing equitable solutions for the future. He is passionate about the accessibility of cultural institutions, and strives towards a world where everyone has a right to access and shape their community's cultural output. He is an accomplished industrial artist, pianist, and a fervent advocate of T. Roosevelt's 'Strenuous Life' mantra.

From Ben:
"I'm thrilled to be joining The History Center and its incredible team of staff, volunteers, and board members. There are so many powerful local history stories here in Tompkins County with direct relevance to our current lives. I'm looking forward to exploring them with everyone. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit us in our new space in The Tompkins Center for History & Culture, I hope you drop in soon. I look forward to seeing you soon at The History Center in Tompkins County."
Now Playing:  Discover History

Sachem Sam George on Discover History show
Sachem Sam George on the air

If you enjoyed the "Pegasys Presents" episode about the new location, good news! 

"Discover History" is our new monthly show produced by Lauren Stefanelli for Charter Communications on Channel 13.  The first episode features Rod Howe and Sachem Sam George, of the Bear Clan, Cayuga Nation. Staff also introduce exhibit and archive resources. 

Watch it Sundays at 7:00 PM, Mondays at 1:00 PM, or Tuesdays at 7:00 AM for the next three weeks on channel 13 or anytime online here.
Upcomin g Events

HistoryForge Data Entry Bee
Saturday, August 31, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
To mpkins Center for History & Culture, Large Conference Room, 2nd Floor, 110 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
Come volunteer at our next transcription bee! We make Ithaca history come alive within new open-source software. Learn more and sign up for meeting reminders here. Bring a laptop if possible.



Students at the Eight Square Schoolhouse
Eight Square Schoolhouse Open House & Community Celebration
 Saturday, September 14, Time TBA 
1748 Hanshaw Road, Dryden, NY 13053
Celebrate our local history at the Eight Square Schoolhouse and welcome our new Executive Director, Ben Sandberg. Drop in anytime for games, ice cream, and a lesson in old penmanship!



Photo of Amelia Earhart and photo of Eleanor Stearns as Amelia Earhart
Tommy Talk 2019: A Visit with Amelia
Saturday, September 21
Performance for children ages 7 and up 2:00 PM
Performance for adults at 7:00 PM
T ompkins Center for History & Culture, Ithaca College Gallery/CAP ArtSpace, 1st Floor, 110 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
To commemorate the Tommy plane's centennial flight on September 29, 2018, the Ithaca Aviation Heritage Foundation, in partnership with The History Center, will hold an event each autumn highlighting aviation history through a lecture or performance. "A Visit with Amelia" features local Geneva actor Eleanor Stearns as famed aviator Amelia Earhart. She visited Ithaca in December 1932 after becoming the first woman pilot to complete a solo transatlantic flight in May 1932. Find more details and reserve free tickets by clicking on the performances times above.



Tompkins County Genealogy Society Meeting
 Wednesday, September 25, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Tompkins Center for History & Culture, The History Center's Cornell Local History Research Library, 1st Floor, 110 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
The History Center in  Tompkins  County  and the  Tompkins  County  Public Library support this local  genealogy  society . This meeting will include a tour with The History Center's Director of Archives and Research Services Donna Eschenbrenner of the genealogical resources available here . Individuals wanting email reminders of upcoming meetings of the Society are encouraged to respond to this newsletter or contact community@thehistorycenter.net.
From S eeds to Wisdom: 
Exploring Haudenosaunee Cycles

August_s event including making corn husk dolls.
From August's program
"Creating Corn Husk Dolls"
Mark your calendars for the remaining dates in 2019.

September 15
October 13
November 17
December 15

These FREE programs combine storytelling and hands-on activities for kids ages 6-12 and their caregivers. They are all on Sundays from 12:30 to 2:00 PM at the Tompkins Center for History & Culture.

Watch for more information in the next newsletter. Email community@thehistorycenter.net to recieve week-of reminders. September's program will explore the Haudenosaunee Creation Story!

From Seeds to Wisdom is a new monthly series for kids and families in collaboration with local indigenous persons. It is supported by the  Community  Foundation  and two anonymous donors.
Exhibit Hall Highlights

The exhibit hall is free and open to the public six days a week! 

For more in-depth exploration, the Cornell Local History Research Library is open five days a week. This resource is free of charge for county residents.

Find hours, directions, and accessibility information here.

Need a break from the sun or an adventure on a rainy day with the kids in your life?

Right in the Commons, there's a miniature version of the Eight Square Schoolhouse we steward in Dryden.

Travel back to 1892 with dress-up clothing, desks, chalkboards, and an antique cash register with money inside!


While you're here, use flashlights to see inside the "Tommy" plane's engine and cockpit, explore county history through touchscreen kiosks and artifacts, listen to oral histories in the Story Vault, and much more.
Retail Offerings

Ithaca wrapping paper
The History Center sells books and items through the Downtown Visitor Center's gift shop in the Tompkins Center for History & Culture.

Perfect for any occasion: Ithaca Wrapping Paper.

Available in blue and green, decorate your presents or anything that needs to be spruced up with drawings of local architecture.

A steal at $1.99 plus tax!
Meanwhile on Social Media
 
ICYMI in May:

Read Tompkins County Historian Carol Kammen's editorial on the importance of history and culture in our lives.

Top of Carol Kammen_s op-ed on the importance of history and culture - click to be linked

CONTACT US

Now located within the Tompkins Center for History & Culture
110 North Tioga Street,  Ithaca, NY 14850

Ben Sandberg | Executive Director | Director@TheHistoryCenter.Net | Phone extension 222

Donna Eschenbrenner |   Director of Archives & Research Services |  Archives@TheHistoryCenter.Net | Phone extension 224

Cindy Kjellander-Cantu  |  Curator and Design & Support Specialist  | Design@TheHistoryCenter.Net | Phone extension 223


Dave Dier
 |  Bookkeeper and Office Manager  | Admin@TheHistoryCenter.Net | Phone extension  225

Lucy Walker |  Community & Visitor Outreach Coordinator | Community@TheHistoryCenter.Net | Phone extension 228

Reach the docents anytime the exhibit hall is open at extension 227.
  @TompkinsHistory 

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