Onondaga Historical Association

Walking & Talking Wednesdays are back! Spanning from spring to summer, our Walking & Talking Wednesdays give you the chance to spend your mid-week lunch hour with Curator of History Robert Searing, listening to some local history as you get in a midday walk around town. Tours leave at 12:00 pm from 321 Montgomery Street and last for 45-60 minutes. Tickets are $20 each, or $15 for OHA Members. 2 Different Tours Available this year! Footsteps in Freedom: April 9, May 7, June 4, July 9, and August 6 Tour covers a wide array of topics including abolition, architecture, and the role of the Erie Canal. The Heart of Syracuse: April 23, May 21, June 18, July 23, and August 20 Take a stroll down memory lane of the past downtown businesses, the railroad that traveled through the downtown streets, and some of the city's lost historical treasures. Reserve your spot at shop.cnyhistory.org/events

It takes the legacy of many hands to build a community. Since 1945, the Onondaga Historical Association Medal Award has recognized distinguished contributions to the cause of preserving and interpreting Onondaga County history. The 2025 OHA Medal honorees are the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, professional sculptor Sharon BuMann, and the partnership between Franklin Properties, MacKnight Architects, and MCK Building Associates. The 2025 OHA Medal Breakfast Ceremony is slated for on May 22 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Syracuse Marriott Downtown. Stay tuned for more event details and ticket sales in the coming weeks! For more information, contact OHA Director of Development Lorna Oppedisano at [email protected].

March is Women's History Month! Celebrate the incredible women who shaped New York’s past with "Remarkable Women in New York History" by Marilynn Smiley. From Harriet Tubman’s fight for freedom in Auburn to Linda Tetor’s advocacy for senior citizens, this book uncovers the often-overlooked contributions of women across the state. Find your copy in our Gift Gallery or order online! Order online: https://lnkd.in/grTxJfjx #WomensHistoryMonth #InternationalWomensDay

On the latest "Repeating History" on WCNY, OHA Curator of History Robert Searing sits down with Dr. Kate Masur, Professor of History at Northwestern University and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, to explore what citizenship meant in Antebellum America for free and enslaved people. From the infamous Dred Scott decision to the groundbreaking Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 14th Amendment, they dive into how race shaped law and politics and why birthright citizenship is still being debated today. Don’t miss this deep dive into America’s past and present. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/g4KH9iT3

On this day in 1998, it was announced that Syracuse University graduate and Elmira native, Colonel Eileen Collins would command the next NASA mission aboard the space shuttle Columbia, becoming the first woman to command a space shuttle in American history. Photo Credit: The White House Historical Association.

The first cases of what would become the historic influenza pandemic of 1918, later known as the Spanish flu, were reported on this day in Fort Riley, Kansas. The pandemic would go on to kill roughly 675,000 Americans and between 20 and 50 million people worldwide. During the outbreak, Onondaga County, particularly Syracuse, became an epicenter in the northeast. The outbreak intensified when troops from Boston brought the virus to Camp Syracuse, a military mobilization site established in 1917 at the New York State Fairgrounds. By mid-September, hundreds of soldiers were infected, and despite a quarantine order on September 28, many were transported to city hospitals using public streetcars, facilitating the virus's spread. In early October, Syracuse Mayor Stone shut down public gatherings, including churches and schools, for three weeks, yet the pandemic still resulted in around 9,000 cases and approximately 1,000 deaths in the county within six weeks. By early November, Syracuse began returning to normal as public spaces like theaters and dance halls reopened. Although the 1918 flu remained highly deadly, it led to improvements in public health data collection and government collaboration, as officials struggled with tracking cases. Pictured: Soldiers at Camp Syracuse.

The March 10th Historic Tasting event with Chef Rich Strub at the Salt City Market Teaching Kitchen is officially SOLD OUT! A huge thank you to everyone who grabbed a ticket—we can't wait to share this incredible evening with you. If you missed out, don’t worry— stay tuned for more events in the future! And remember, Salt City Market is open every day, and you can also visit Eden, which is open Wednesday to Saturday from 5-9 PM. Visit edencny.com to learn more and make a reservation!

On Monday, March 10th, from 6-8 PM, the Salt City Market Teaching Kitchen will welcome Chef Rich Strub of the award-winning Eden CNY for a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. He'll bring a 1924 Hotel Syracuse menu back to life for modern tastes! Robert Searing, Curator of History at OHA, will provide fascinating insights into the era’s dining culture and the significance of the Hotel Syracuse. Tickets: $65 per person – space is limited! Proceeds benefit the Onondaga Historical Association and the Kitchen Literacy Project, supporting local history and culinary education. Reserve your spot now! https://lnkd.in/gNWPM-3z

On this day in 1820, Syracuse's first post office opened. However, at the time, the city wasn’t even called Syracuse. It had previously been known as Salt Point, Milan, and Corinth, among other names. Since another Corinth already existed in New York, a name change was necessary. John Wilkinson, a local lawyer and banker, drew inspiration from the geography of Siracusa, Sicily, and proposed the name “Syracuse.” Both places were situated on a body of water, surrounded by hills, and known for salt production. Wilkinson also became the city’s first postmaster. #OHAStories #CNYHistory #Syracuse

On this day in 1998, Syracuse played host to the American Hockey League's All-Star Classic game for the first time. A sold out crowd was on hand at the Onondaga County War Memorial (now the Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial) to witness future NHL stars including Zdeno Chara, Matt Cullen, and Brian Boucher compete. The AHL All-Star Classic would return to Syracuse in 2016. Photo courtesy of the American Hockey League. #OHAStories #CNYHistory #Syracuse