Madison County, NY Historian

05/14/2026

This is your last chance to sign up for our first History Where you Eat of the season at the Columbus Public House this Monday May 18th. We are partnering with our friends at the Chenango County Historical Society and Museum to celebrate International Museum Day - ICOM with this event. This inn has been feeding Central New Yorker's for over 230 years! The early time slot is already full and the second time slot is close so you better sign up ASAP to hear the story of the inn from current and past owners, as well as see some of the unique historical features the building houses. Learn a little bit more about the institution with this article from 2020. Reserve your spot now by calling 607-847-8422.

https://loom.ly/VM_e2bk

The long closed Columbus Hotel just outside of Sherburne, New York, is back.

05/12/2026

Order up!!! On Thursday, May 14, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., visit the Hamilton Public Library's stately fireplace room for the official opening of the Village Museum's latest exhibit, Hamilton's Historic Diners. Learn all about three of Hamilton's oldest diner establishments: the Pullman Diner, The Sugar Bowl, and Blue Bird Restaurant; afterwards, feel free to share memories, take vintage-diner selfies, and enjoy a sample-size root beer float on us at nearby Maxwell's Chocolates and Ice Cream ! Brought to you by the Hamilton Historical Commission.

05/06/2026

Have your reserved your spot for our first History Where you Eat of the season at the Columbus Public House on Monday May 18th? We are partnering with our friends at the Chenango County Historical Society and Museum to celebrate International Museum Day - ICOM with this event. This inn has been feeding Central New Yorker's for over 230 years! The early time slot is already full and the second time slot is close so you better sign up ASAP to hear the story of the inn from current and past owners, as well as see some of the unique historical features the building houses. This is sure to be one you will not forget. Reserve your spot now by calling 607-847-8422.

05/04/2026

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, your public libraries of Madison County, the Oneida Community Mansion House, & Visit Madison County, NY have partnered together to create the "Madison County Historic Marker Challenge."

This scavenger hunt highlights historic markers funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, across Madison County and the amazing stories they tell.

The event is free to the public and will be open from tomorrow, April 24, through August 15, 2026. Participate by picking up a paper copy at your local Madison County public library, the Oneida Community Mansion House, in the Madison County Office building or by visiting the Madison County Historian website.

Use the clues to locate each of the 12 markers throughout Madison County (for help you may want to check out the William G. Pomeroy Foundations historic marker map, located on their website.

* When you find them take a selfie with the marker and check the off your site on the clue list.

* When you have completed your hunt, send all the photos and your contact information via email to [email protected] by August 15
* OR, Drop off your photos and your contact information to your local Madison County library, the Madison County Historian's Office or the Oneida Community Mansion House by August 15, 2026.

Anyone who submits the completed challenge will be entered to win prizes, like the ones below, made available by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, Madison County Tourism, Madison County public libraries and the Oneida Community Mansion House. The grand prize is an Apple iPad. Additional prizes include special t-shirts highlighting historic markers, free museum passes and local history books.

For more information: https://loom.ly/3i-SmdI

Canastota Public Library, Cazenovia Public Library & Museum, Earlville Free Library, DeRuyter Free Library, Hamilton Public Library, Morrisville Public Library, New Woodstock Free Library, Oneida Library, Sullivan Free Library

05/02/2026

Today nearly 50 historians from across Central New York came together for the Region 9 (Cayuga, Cortland, Madison and Onondaga Counties) Association of Public Historians (APHNYS) historians meeting at the Cortland County Historical Society's Harris Hall. Representatives from the NY State Parks & Historic Sites, the Preservation Association of Central New York, and EDR of Syracuse talked about preservation opportunities, potential partnerships and more.

05/01/2026

Our record of the month are a little unique, they are called "Horse Pedigrees." in the late nineteenth and early 20th century the county kept ledgers documenting the lineage of horses. These records could be used for racehorses and trotters but also were utilized to show the lineage of working horses. They were basically a genealogical history of the horse.

04/29/2026

We are very excited to announce our next History Where you Eat event. On Tuesday, June 9th at 5:30 p.m. we will be highlighting The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed in the town of Nelson-ny. This family owned business started in in the 1970's as an apple orchard, shifted to a furniture store and in 2017 was reborn as a vendor mall which today features over 65 vendors. In 2018 they opened the Apple Kitchen which serves lunch and desserts on Saturday and Sunday. Come and hear the story of this unique Madison County business, try some of Chef Patrick Gilmore's specialties and and enjoy shopping at one of our most unique retail outlets! Reservations are required. To reserve your spot or for more information please call 315-235-9451.

04/23/2026

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, your public libraries of Madison County, the Oneida Community Mansion House & Visit Madison County, NY have partnered together to create the "Madison County Historic Marker Challenge."

This scavenger hunt highlights historic markers funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, across Madison County and the amazing stories they tell.

The event is free to the public and will be open from tomorrow, April 24, through August 15, 2026. Participate by picking up a paper copy at your local Madison County public library, the Oneida Community Mansion House, in the Madison County Office building or by visiting the Madison County Historian website.

Use the clues to locate each of the 12 markers throughout Madison County (for help you may want to check out the William G. Pomeroy Foundations historic marker map, located on their website.
* When you find them take a selfie with the marker and check the off your site on the clue list.
* When you have completed your hunt, send all the photos and your contact information via email to [email protected] by August 15
* OR, Drop off your photos and your contact information to your local Madison County library, the Madison County Historian's Office or the Oneida Community Mansion House by August 15, 2026.

Anyone who submits the completed challenge will be entered to win prizes made available by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, Madison County Tourism, Madison County public libraries and the Oneida Community Mansion House. The grand prize is an Apple iPad. Additional prizes include special t-shirts highlighting historic markers, free museum passes and local history books.

For more information: https://loom.ly/3i-SmdI

Sullivan Free Library, Canastota Public Library Oneida Library, Hamilton Public Library, Morrisville Public Library, Earlville Free Library, New Woodstock Free Library, DeRuyter Free Library, Cazenovia Public Library & Museum

04/21/2026

One week from tonight, April 28th, at 7:00 p.m. the Vernon Historical Society-NY will host a special presentation of “Madison County Exposed, Part I” at the Town of Vernon- NY Office (4305 Peterboro St., Vernon). Come and hear Madison County Historian Matt Urtz tell newsworthy stories from the 19th century in Madison County. Stories of murders including a black widow murderer, prominent abolition meetings, mysterious fires and so much more. There is no charge for this event. For more information please email [email protected] or visit their page.

04/20/2026

Have you reserved your spot for our first History Where you Eat of the season yet? Time slots are starting to fill up so if you plan to enjoy some good food with our friends from the Chenango County Historical Society and Museum you better sign up ASAP!

On Monday, May 18, in observance of International Museum Day, we will be hosting our first event of 2026 at the Columbus Public House just outside the Village of Sherburne, NY. The Columbus Public House dates back over 230 years, starting as a stagecoach stop. The building has a unique history which will be told by current owner Edsall Hodges and former owner and Town of Columbus Historian Kay Winton. There will be two seating's at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Registration is required. To reserve your spot or for more information please call 607-847-8422.

04/16/2026

One week from today, April 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail and the Hamilton Historic Commission present “Chenango Canal Living History,” at the Hamilton Public Library. Come and hear stories of the canals history in the area told by reenactors in celebration of the Chenango Canal Association’s 25th anniversary. Refreshments will be available following the presentation. There is no charge for this event. For more information please call Diane at 315-729-8323 or Joan Prindle, Wednesday afternoons a the Public Library 315-824-3060.