OXFORD – Friends, students, and family members came out to the Oxford Memorial Library Dec. 4, to enjoy an evening at the Oxford Historical Society’s nostalgic sing-a-long program called, “Seasonal Songfest and Christmas Memories.”

Before the musical portion began, there was a short business meeting. OHS president, Fred Lanfear, pointed out two original framed certificates on display from the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). This fraternal organization was for veterans of the Civil War and was the model for today’s American Legion. Although the antique documents received some water damage from flooding at the Depot-Museum, they are still in great shape and remarkable to see today. One, dated October 1, 1885, certified that Solomon F. McFarland was a member of the Edward E. Breed Post 196. McFarland entered the war in 1862 at Oxford as an assistant surgeon in the 83rd volunteer regiment. The other GAR document was dated January 21, 1881. It was signed at the Department of New York in Albany with twenty names of members penned in script.

OHS member Gray Stevens discussed the current project going on at the OHS Depot-Museum to catalog and organize items starting with the photos. The OHS has been given professional advice on how to do the job properly from Chenango County historian, Patricia Evans and past historian, Dale Storms. It is a very large undertaking which will take much time and resources to complete.