Scroll down to learn more about and/or register
for our upcoming fall and winter events and programs!
GOHS Sidewalk Sale & Children's Activities
at the City of the Hills Festival
Saturday, September 14, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Join GOHS at the Third Annual City of the Hills Festival on Saturday, September 14, as we set up a table outside of the History Center (183 Main Street) for a Sidewalk Sale from 10am to 4pm, where we will be selling items donated by GOHS members and friends, including books, housewares, and postcards, in addition to the items in our gift shop!
GOHS will also be offering children’s activities to celebrate the autumn season from 12pm to 4pm, and will be unveiling our new face cutout photo board celebrating our building’s history as the location for Laskaris Restaurant, painted by local artist Emily Falco!
Caboose Centennial Celebration
Sunday, September 22, 12:00pm – 3:00pm
2024 marks the 100th anniversary since the “Little Red Caboose” was installed at its pavilion in Neahwa Park. The caboose holds significance for the foundation of the Brotherhood of Railroad Brakemen (later Trainmen), started in September 1883 here in Oneonta.
Join us on Sunday, September 22, from 12:00 to 3:00 pm for a caboose fundraising event in Neahwa Park. The centennial celebration will be held at the site of the Red Caboose in Neahwa Park. The pavilion will be open so visitors may explore the caboose. We will also hold a special re-enactment of the christening ceremony from the 1924 celebration and hear from various speakers, including Bruce Hodges and Jim Loudon from the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society and Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek. There will be children’s activities and several displays available, with a chance to procure some memorabilia from the day’s events!
GOHS hopes to help fundraise for restoration projects of the caboose pavilion to ensure the longevity of this unique piece of Oneonta history. If you would like to donate, electronic donations can be made here; by mail (PO Box 814, Oneonta, NY 13820); or in person at the History Center. Please include a memo with your donation to specify its use for the red caboose.
This event is organized by GOHS employee Bhanu Gaur with members of the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society (LRHS) and is sponsored by Five Star Subaru
Hops for History!
Saturday, September 28, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Come join us for a night of fun and fundraising! Our annual event, Hops for History, is back on Saturday, September 28 and better than ever.
We are excited to present the return of this popular event in cooperation with Northern Eagle Beverages Inc. and Cooperstown Brewing Co. and seven of your favorite downtown bars and restaurants.
The day begins at 2pm at the History Center with wristband pick-up and a beer sampling preview (between 2pm – 4pm). From 2pm – 6pm, ticket holders can stop in at Wise Guys Sammys, the Autumn Café, NAGS Bar & Kitchen, Roots Public Social Club; the Black Oak Tavern, and the Copper Fox for a tasting of Cooperstown Brewing Co. beer and a food pairing prepared by the venue.
To end the night, ticketholders are invited to enjoy the Autumn Café’s evening entertainment and live music by the Mopar Cams, beginning on the back patio at 6pm.
Tickets are on sale at the History Center* and online** through Eventbrite here. Tickets are $35 per person for GOHS members; $40 per person for non-GOHS members; and $45 per person at the door. Group tickets are also available at a discounted rate (minimum purchase of 6 tickets). Don’t drink beer? Tickets will also be offered at $15 for non-alcoholic beverages and food tasting. Ticket price includes a wristband and a commemorative Hops for History pint glass.
Enjoy an evening of local brews, delicious food, and live music while supporting our mission to preserve and celebrate the history of our community. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to mingle with fellow history enthusiasts and residents and make a difference in preserving our past for future generations. See you there!
All proceeds from this FUNdraiser will benefit GOHS!
*While the History Center is closed for entryway tile renovations (8/12 – 9/2), the Center will be open for ticket purchases on Sat. 8/17, 8/24 & 8/31 by calling 607-432-0960 upon arrival.
**Online ticket purchases subject to taxes and fees.
Remember the Fallen: Oneonta's Civil War Soldiers
a Talk with Frank Antonucci
Saturday, October 5, 2:00pm
Join us at the History Center (183 Main Street) on Saturday, October 5 at 2pm as GOHS Board of Trustee and local historian Frank Antonucci gives a talk on Oneonta’s Civil War Soldiers.
Riverside Cemetery serves as the resting place for numerous Oneontans who fought and died in the Civil War, with 160 having served and 27 memorialized by the Soldiers’ Monument. Remember the Fallen: Oneonta’s Civil War Soldiers will focus on the importance of this monument and Salem Church battle, as well as stories of noted veterans buried at Riverside.
This event is free and open to the public, but to ensure seating for everyone, GOHS is requesting that attendees please consider RSVPing by Friday, October 4, to directormm@oneontahistory.org or by calling the History Center at 607-432-0960, to reserve your seat.
Oneonta Churches Tour
Saturday, October 19, 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Join GOHS for a Tour of Oneonta Churches on Saturday, October 19. From 12pm to 5pm, we will offer tours of some of Oneonta’s most historic churches. Locations will include the First United Presbyterian “Red Door” Church; the Main Street Baptist Church; the Unitarian Universalist Church; the First United Methodist Church; the First Presbyterian Church; Community Gospel Church; and St. James’ Episcopal Church.
At each stop, tour guides representing each church will present a history of their building, lead visitors through their sanctuaries, and answer questions. Each tour is scheduled for half an hour, with visitors having the option to attend as few or as many church tours as they would like. Between each tour, a fifteen-minute interval will be given to allow tour goers time to travel to the next location. This will not be a traditional walking tour, and we will not be traveling as a group from church to church.
The schedule of tours is as follows:
- 12:00pm: First United Presbyterian “Red Door” Church (2 Walling Ave.), led by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Walton-Leavitt
- 12:45pm: Main Street Baptist Church (333 Main St.), led by Wayne Wright
- 1:30pm: Unitarian Universalist Church (12 Ford Ave.), led by Bob Brzozowski
- 2:15pm: First United Methodist Church (66 Chestnut St.), led by Dorothy Scott Fielder
- 3:00pm: Community Gospel Church (12 Grove St.), led by Jackie Yarborough & Amy Kropp
- 3:45pm: First Presbyterian Church Main (296 Main St.), tour guide TBA
- 4:30pm: St. James’ Episcopal Church (305 Main St.), led by Doug Kendall
The Oneonta Churches Tour is by donation and reservations are not required.
GOHS would like to thank all our tour guides for lending their time and expertise, and Carolyn Leon-Palm and Bob Brzozowski for helping to organize such a long-awaited event!
GOHS Annual Dinner & Meeting
Monday, October 21, 5:30pm – 8:00pm
GOHS’ Annual Dinner will be held again in the fall! This year, we will have our annual fundraiser dinner on Monday, October 21, from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm at Toscana Northern Italian Grill of Oneonta (76 Chestnut Street).
Tickets will be available for $60 for GOHS members and $65 for non-GOHS members, and will include tabled appetizers, a plated salad, a choice of an entrée, dessert, and soda and/or coffee. One complimentary house beer or red or white wine will also be included in the ticket price. A cash bar for additional beer, wine, and cocktails will be available. Vegetarian and gluten- free options are available upon request.
This year’s Annual Dinner will double as GOHS’ Annual Meeting. The meeting will be brief and include voting on Trustees and Officers for GOHS’ Board, as well as awarding the Fall 2024 Eduard Hofbauer Outstanding Service Award and the Albert E. Morris Award.
Tickets for this event are limited and sell quickly! Be sure to reserve your seat soon by filling out the registration form and returning it to the History Center in person or by mail (PO Box 814, Oneonta, NY 13820). The deadline for registration is Monday, October 14. Please direct any questions to the History Center (607-432-0960) or to Marcela (directormm@oneontahistory.org).
2024 Live & Online
Annual Benefit Auctions
Live: Saturday, November 1, 5:00pm
Online: Friday, October 25, 5:00pm – Friday, November 1, 7:00pm
GOHS’ Benefit Auctions are our largest fundraiser! The Live Auction will be held Saturday evening, November 2, at the Quality Inn on Route 23 with Kevin Herrick as our auctioneer. Doors open at 5:00pm, and the Live Auction will kick off at 6pm sharp! There will also be a small Silent Auction. Admission is free, and the Quality Inn will have drinks and food available for purchase.
At the close of the Live Auction, GOHS will be drawing raffle tickets for a $50 gift card for next year’s auction, as well as the 50/50 raffle. You must be present to win! We will also be drawing our prize winners for GOHS’ Fundraiser Raffle!
In addition to the Live Auction, GOHS will be offering an Online Auction again this year. This auction will begin online one week prior to the live auction, on Friday, October 25, 5pm, and will remain open through 7pm on Friday, November 1. The Online Auction can be accessed here. Each auction will offer different objects and experiences, so be sure to attend both. There will be plenty of attractive items in both the live and online auctions.
The auctions’ success depends on interesting items to bid on, as well as plenty of bidders! Keep GOHS in mind if you are downsizing, cleaning out the attic or garage, or know someone who is. Quality items for auction include jewelry, arts and crafts, antiques, gift cards, and wines and spirits. Experiences like event tickets, dinners, fieldtrips, and overnight stays also bring spirited bidding. Stop down to the History Center in October to see some of the featured live and online auction items on display. The deadline for donations to this year’s auction is Sunday, October 20.
Auction sponsorships will also be offered again to businesses, organizations, families, or individuals. If you have donations, are interested in a sponsorship, or need more information, please contact the History Center at 607-432-0960, or reach out to Marcela Micucci (directormm@oneontahistory.org); Bob Brzozowski (Brzozowski@oneontahistory.org); or Loraine Tyler (loraine.tyler@oneonta.edu). And of course, if you are interested in getting involved or volunteering for the auction, let Loraine know!
2024 NYS
Historical Marker Initiative
This year, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s New York State Historic Marker Grant Program funded the purchase of five new yellow and blue historical markers in Oneonta.
The markers include the D&H Train Station, built in 1892, at the former site of Stella Luna Ristorante (58-60 Market Street); the Huntington Home, today the Huntington Memorial Library and Park (62 Chestnut Street); Damaschke Field in Neahwa Park, one of the oldest active ballparks in America (15 James Georgeson Avenue); the Wilber Mansion, now home to the Community Arts Network of Oneonta (CANO) (11 Ford Avenue); and the Oneonta Armory, built in 1905 (4 Academy Street). With the help of the Future for Oneonta Foundation, GOHS has also individually funded a historical marker for the Oneonta Ford Sales Building. Each of these locations are a testament to Oneonta’s history of innovation, evolution, and enduring sense of community.
Please join us in celebrating the continued preservation of Oneonta’s rich history.
Thank you to our partners, Mayor Mark Drnek and the City of Oneonta’s Department of Public Works, for installing the markers and for supporting the historical marker project. And a special thanks to our friends and colleagues at Huntington Memorial Library, CANO, Stella Luna’s, and Damaschke Field for helping to make this round of historical markers a success!
2024 Cycle
Hometown Heroes Banner Program
***THE DEADLINE FOR NEW 2024 HOMETOWN HEREOS BANNERS IS NOW CLOSED.
The Hometown Heroes banner program serves as a living tribute and to honor our community’s past and present members of the Armed Forces.
The personalized banners are displayed on the light poles throughout the Town and City of Oneonta to celebrate and remind our community of our local veterans’ historic service, bravery, and dedication to our country.
The banners are on display from Memorial Day (May 27) 2024 to Veterans Day (November 11) 2024.
The 2024 cycle has expanded the locations of banners to not only the City of Oneonta, but the Town of Oneonta as well. In addition to banner locations on Main, River, and Chestnut Streets in the City of Oneonta, the 2024 cycle includes banner locations down Chestnut and Oneida Streets in the Town of Oneonta.
GOHS would of course like to thank our sponsors, veterans, and the City and Town of Oneonta for helping to make the 2024 Hometown Heroes Banner Program another success!
The printed 2024 Hometown Heroes booklets, which include sponsor-submitted biographies, are now available for sale in our gift shop! These booklets are in limited supply and will sell quickly, so be sure to stop in and get your copy today! The electronic listing of 2024 Hometown Heroes and their banner locations is also now available for download on our website’s homepage. The electronic listing does not include hero biographies.
*****The banner applications for the 2025 year will be released in mid-November 2024.
For more information, please contact the History Center by email (directormm@oneontahistory.org), or by phone (607-432-0960).
D&H Special Exhibition - April 22, 2023 - November 2023
This spring, GOHS will open our next special exhibition, to open in April 2023. Released in two parts, the exhibition will commemorate the bicentennial of the D&H Canal Company charter, which provided over 100 years of railroad service to the town and city of Oneonta.
Part I, Building Up Steam: The Rise of the D&H Railroad in Oneonta (April 22 – July) and Part II, Leaving the Station: The Fall of the D&H Railroad in Oneonta (August – November) will explore the rise and fall of the D&H Railroad and its operations in Oneonta from the 1850s through modern day, including the invaluable impact the railroad had on Oneonta’s economic, social, and cultural landscape.
On display in the Brzozowski Special Exhibition Gallery and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni and Buckingham windows, it will feature a variety of local D&H artifacts, documents, and photographs from GOHS’ collection.
The exhibit is curated by GOHS’ Executive Director, Dr. Marcela Micucci, and Associate Curator Bhanu Gaur, with the help of a talented team of exhibition designers, docents, advisors, and collections staff. This exhibition was made possible in part by a 2023 New York State Council of the Arts Support for Organizations grant.
D&H Special Exhibition - April 22, 2023 - November 2023
This spring, GOHS will open our next special exhibition, to open in April 2023. Released in two parts, the exhibition will commemorate the bicentennial of the D&H Canal Company charter, which provided over 100 years of railroad service to the town and city of Oneonta.
Part I, Building Up Steam: The Rise of the D&H Railroad in Oneonta (April 22 – July) and Part II, Leaving the Station: The Fall of the D&H Railroad in Oneonta (August – November) will explore the rise and fall of the D&H Railroad and its operations in Oneonta from the 1850s through modern day, including the invaluable impact the railroad had on Oneonta’s economic, social, and cultural landscape.
On display in the Brzozowski Special Exhibition Gallery and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni and Buckingham windows, it will feature a variety of local D&H artifacts, documents, and photographs from GOHS’ collection.
The exhibit is curated by GOHS’ Executive Director, Dr. Marcela Micucci, and Associate Curator Bhanu Gaur, with the help of a talented team of exhibition designers, docents, advisors, and collections staff. This exhibition was made possible in part by a 2023 New York State Council of the Arts Support for Organizations grant.