By Megan Molloy
Chenango County Historical Society
Chenango County’s historians and historical societies have teamed up with the Chenango County Historical Society Museum to honor our county’s Civil War legacy during the 150th anniversary.
The project was initiated by Nancy Bromley of the Greene Historical Society in order to discuss how to use a donation of Civil War letters and an 1863 diary of a 114th infantry soldier from Coventryville named Henry Andrews. From there, the decision was made to continue the meetings in order to promote a tribute to the men and women who participated in the Civil War. After several meetings the Chenango County Historical Society joined in to help connect and coordinate the effort. Members include Nancy Bromley of the Greene Historical Society, Chris Buck of the Greene and Smithville Historical Societies, Barbara Avery the historian for Columbus and New Berlin, Charles Decker, town historian of Afton, Nick Caldiero of the Afton Historical Society, Gary Darling, historian of Bainbridge, Tom Gray, town historian of Guilford, Tom and Wilma Felton Gray of the Guilford Historical Society, Sharon Donahe of the Guilford Historical Society, Doug and Joyce Bessemer, Phyllis Lerwick, and Bill Searfoss of the Coventry Town Museum Association, Fred Lanfear of the Oxford Historical Society, Oxford Town Historian Vicky House and Alan Estus, Tom Knapp, Sarah Mahan, and Meghan Molloy of the Chenango County Historical Society.
Any town historians who are not currently involved are invited to join us in preserving our Civil War history. The goal of the Civil War Commemoration Project Team is a cooperative effort across Chenango County Historical organizations for a four-year series of events to commemorate the four years of the Civil War.
Sarah Mahan of the Chenango County Historical Society and Vicky House of the Oxford Historical society have developed a logo for the Civil War Commemoration Project. After several votes the final draft has been approved and will adorn any announcements or project materials produced by the Civil War Commemoration Project Team.
Projects to come over the next four years will include monthly articles in The Evening Sun featuring interesting anecdotes and Chenango Civil War stories, traveling exhibitions, bus tours of historic locales, lectures, events with Civil War Reenactors and more. Topics for projects will include espionage, baseball, Native Americans, African American troops, Civil War prisons, and women in the Civil War.
On Monday, Nov. 7, 2011 the Guilford Historical Society will be hosting a lecture by Sharon Donahe at 7 p.m., at the Guilford Town Hall entitled Andrew Pearsall, Bainbridge Native – Confederate Soldier.
On Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 Smithville Historical Society will have a presentation by Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln (aka David and Eileen Patch, living history performers) at the Smithville Town Hall building .
The Civil War Commemoration Project Team has come together not only to remember Chenango County’s past, but also to unite the various historical entities across the county to provide more and better services to the public. Keep checking back for our articles and take advantage of the fun and informative events that will be taking place as a part of this project!