On Wednesday, December 3rd, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. the Friends of Lorenzo will host their annual Christmas Preview Party. The Friends of Lorenzo will showcase the bedecked Mansion at their 50th annual Preview Party. This year our amazing volunteer decorators have chosen a favorite Christmas book, movie or cartoon for their decorating inspiration! Members and their guests are treated to a special evening of live music and seasonal delights. To purchase tickets or become a member visit: friendsoflorenzo.org
On Thursday, December 4th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Chenango Chapter of the NYS Archaeological Association will host their monthly meeting at the Chenango County Historical Society. The event will feature presentations by professional and amateur archeologists, historians, field trips, work on local digs and publications. For more information please call 607-334-9227, ext. 3 or visit www.chenangohistorical.org.
On Sunday, December 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the All Things Oz Museum will be hosting a special guest. Stop by the All Things Oz Museum in Chittenango as they welcome SANTA CLAUS! L. Frank Baum was born in Chittenango, NY and in addition to the Wizard of Oz books, he also wrote The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus and The Kidnapped Santa Claus. Bring the kids to meet Santa. FREE admission, Free Santa Visit and Photos (with your phone or device)! The museum is located at 219 Genesee Street, Chittenango, NY. For more information call the museum at (315) 687-7772 or visit them online at www.allthingsoz.org
On Sunday, December 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Chenango County Historical Society hosts their Holiday Open House. Experience the wonder of the season during this beloved community tradition featuring family activities, interactive presentations, and seasonal exhibits. The annual “Parade of Trees” will debut, with holiday trees decorated by community organizations that highlight the culture, history, and heritage of Chenango County. For more information please call 607-334-9227, ext. 2 or visit www.chenangohistorical.org.
On Wednesday, December 10th, at 6:00 p.m. the Oneida Community Mansion House will be hosting a “Tunnels and Towers” tour. The “Tunnels and Towers” experience takes visitors beyond the radical beliefs and practices of the Community and into the basement to discover the storage rooms, vaults, mechanical rooms, kitchens, and laundry facilities that supported the Community’s unique lifestyle. Visitors will also ascend the towers of the Mansion House to gaze out on the nearly 250 acres of gardens, grounds, and trails! You are not going to want to miss these limited small-group tours! While not required, we recommend this tour for people with some familiarity with the history of the Mansion House–take a self-guided tour or one of our guided or specialty tours to enhance your experience! Admission for the tour is $25 for members and students or $25 for non-members. Space is limited to 20 people so reserve your spot early. Parking is available in the rear of the Mansion House. The tour will include walking, stairs, and entering dark and sometimes tight spaces so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and close-toed shoes. To purchase tickets or for more information please visit https://www.oneidacommunity.org/event.
On Thursday, December 11th at 12:00 p.m. the Erie Canal Museum is hosting a special presentation entitled the Southern Reservoirs of the Erie and Chenango Canals. From the 1830s through the end of the century, over a dozen dams and reservoirs were built to supply water to the Enlarged Erie and Chenango Canals. These included dams that raised the level of natural lakes, such as Cazenovia, and larger earthen dams that impounded creeks creating reservoirs where no water body had existed, such as Erieville Reservoir (Tuscarora Lake) and Madison Reservoir (Lake Moraine). We’ll explore the history of some of these reservoirs including their origin, operation, and effectiveness, and the challenges and benefits they present today having lived on beyond their original purpose. This event will be in person and virtual. To reserve your spot or fore more information please visit https://www.simpletix.com/e/2025-sloan-lecture-series-tickets-196528.
On Thursday, December 11th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the Lorenzo State Historic Site will be open for “Christmas at Lorenzo.” Visit Lorenzo for a Storybook Christmas! This year our amazing volunteer decorators have chosen a favorite Christmas book, movie or cartoon for their decorating inspiration. With support from the Friends of Lorenzo, this annual holiday celebration will feature refreshments, live music, and horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides. Admission to the event is $6 for adults, children 12 and under is $2, cash preferred for tickets. For more information please follow us on Facebook and Instagram or call 315-655-3200.
On Friday, December 12th, at 6:00 p.m. the Morrisville Public Library will host a special presentation by Jim Coulthart entitled The Story of Mohawk Airlines, 1945-1972. This presentation covers the history of Central New York’s Regional Airline. From the early years as Robinson airline through to its demise in the early 1970’s. First headquartered in Ithaca, NY, Mohawk Airlines even operated from the Oneida County Airport in Oriskany, NY. Topics covered are: the evolution of the organization, key personalities, aircraft utilized, routs, some air crash tragedies are covered as well. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call 315-684-9130.
On Friday, December 12th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the Lorenzo State Historic Site will be open for “Christmas at Lorenzo.” Visit Lorenzo for a Storybook Christmas! This year our amazing volunteer decorators have chosen a favorite Christmas book, movie or cartoon for their decorating inspiration. With support from the Friends of Lorenzo, this annual holiday celebration will feature refreshments, live music, and horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides. Admission to the event is $6 for adults, children 12 and under is $2, cash preferred for tickets. For more information please follow us on Facebook and Instagram or call 315-655-3200.
On Saturday, December 13th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Lorenzo State Historic Site will be open for “Christmas at Lorenzo.” Visit Lorenzo for a Storybook Christmas! This year our amazing volunteer decorators have chosen a favorite Christmas book, movie or cartoon for their decorating inspiration. With support from the Friends of Lorenzo, this annual holiday celebration will feature refreshments, live music, and horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides. The Rippleton Schoolhouse will feature holiday crafts for “kids of all ages.” Admission to the event is $6 for adults, children 12 and under is $2, cash preferred for tickets. For more information please follow us on Facebook and Instagram or call 315-655-3200.
On Saturday, December 13th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica will host their annual Holiday house Rosemont Inn Bed and Breakfast (1423 Genesee St., Utica. Decked with holiday cheer, enjoy self-guided tours of this marvelous historic mansion. Enjoy complementary refreshments. Parking available on the street. Admission is $15 at the door. For more information please visit https://uticalandmarks.org/.
On Saturday, December 13th, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum will host it’s opening night of “Lights at the Landing”. All museum buildings will be decorated inside and out with holiday lights and decorations. A food truck will be available and Santa will be here! Regular museum admission fees apply. Note: “Lights at the Landing” will run Monday and Tuesday nights in December from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. For more information visit www.chittenangolanding.org
On Saturday, December 14th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Lorenzo State Historic Site will be open for “Christmas at Lorenzo.” Visit Lorenzo for a Storybook Christmas! This year our amazing volunteer decorators have chosen a favorite Christmas book, movie or cartoon for their decorating inspiration. With support from the Friends of Lorenzo, this annual holiday celebration will feature refreshments, live music, and horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides. The Rippleton Schoolhouse will feature holiday crafts for “kids of all ages.” Admission to the event is $6 for adults, children 12 and under is $2, cash preferred for tickets. For more information please follow us on Facebook and Instagram or call 315-655-3200.
On Wednesday, December 31st, at 4:00 p.m. the Smithfield Community Center will host the annual watch night celebration. Please visit https://www.peterborony.org/events/ for more information.
On Tuesday, January 6th, at 6:30 p.m. the Beauchamp Historical Club will host a special presentation entitled “Preserving History: Caring for Historic Headstones” at the Van Buren Town Hall. Trish Hister will discuss monument and burial marker restoration. Hester is leading a local effort to preserve the rich history of Riverview (and Riverside) Cemetery in Baldwinsville, one headstone at a time. There is no charge for this event. For more information please email Town of Van Buren Historian Steve McMahon at historian@VanBurenNY.gov.