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Madison County, NY Historian

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Madison County, NY Historian

Madison County was founded in 1806 after being formed from Chenango County. Madison County is a largely rural county in Upstate, NY.

The county is made up of 15 towns and 1 city. It's history is long and rich featuring many exciting and important events. This page is here to help promote the many heritage events and articles that are happening throughout the towns and city. Please note that the comments expressed on this site do not reflect the opinions and position of the Madison Historian, Madison County, or its employees. An

y comments on external social media sites are personal in nature and do no represent the views of the Madison County Historian or Madison County. If you have any questions concerning this social media platform, please contact the Madison County Historian.

08/15/2026

Our August photo of the month is of the former Whipple Bridge in Bouckville. In the background you can Ye Olde Landmark Tavern and the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail Cottage. The bridge collapsed in August of 1925 following a large storm that "...swept through Bouckville and the Village of Waterville leveling trees and poles for 15 miles." No one was seriously injured in the bridge collapse but two cars fell into the canal.

08/13/2026

This is your last chance to chance to complete the Madison County Historic Marker Challenge! All completed entries must be in by Saturday, August 15. We are overwhelmed with the number of people who have not only completed the challenge, but have expressed how much fun they have had. Make sure you get in on the fun and take part today! Thank you again to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, the Madison County Youth Bureau, the Oneida Community Mansion House, Visit Madison County, NY, Canastota Public Library, Cazenovia Public Library & Museum for providing some of our prizes. Thank you also to DeRuyter Free Library, Morrisville Public Library, Sullivan Free Library, Hamilton Public Library, Oneida Library, and New Woodstock Free Library for all their support in this project!

08/11/2026

On Friday educators from Chittenango, Madison Oneida Boces, Camden Central School District, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District and Rome City School District - Rome, NY took part in a special educational program highlighting some of the people and events from the American Revolution that were tied to Madison and Oneida Counties. Attendees visited the Oneida Indian Nation's Mary C. Winder Community Center and Shako:wi Cultural Center, Fort Stanwix National Monument, and the Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site. They learned about some of the local people and stories as well as programs available for students that visit on field trips. This program was made possible by a partnership between Visit Madison County, NY, the Madison County NY Government and Madison-Oneida BOCES. Thank you to all the organizations involved!

08/10/2026

We are very excited to announce our final History Where you Eat of 2026 on Tuesday, September 22nd at 5:30 p.m. at the The Boathouse on the south end of DeRuyter Reservoir in DeRuyter, New York. This former inn has been hosting visitors since the last 19th-century. Madison County Historian Matt Urtz will give a brief history of the former Tioughnioga Inn, it's roots frying up fish caught on the reservoir and more. Enjoy history and a beautiful view for our final event of 2026! Registration is required by September 14th. Seating is limited so be sure to reserve your spot filling out the google form here: https://loom.ly/iYnm8VY or by calling 315-366-2453

08/08/2026

We are down to the final week to complete the Madison County Historic Marker Challenge! All completed entries must be in by next Saturday, August 15. We are overwhelmed with the number of people who have not only completed the challenge, but have expressed how much fun they have had. Make sure you get in on the fun and take part today! Thank you again to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, the Madison County Youth Bureau, the Oneida Community Mansion House, Visit Madison County, NY, Canastota Public Library, Cazenovia Public Library & Museum for providing some of our prizes. Thank you also to DeRuyter Free Library, Morrisville Public Library, Sullivan Free Library, Hamilton Public Library, Oneida Library, and the New Woodstock Free Library for all their support in this project!

08/05/2026

Check out what's happening at the MADISON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ONEIDA, NEW YORK

08/01/2026

Our record of the month comes from the Village of DeRuyter, NY. The records are a map and a bond from the New York & Oswego Midland Railroad, specifically the "DeRuyter Branch" which went from DeRuyter to the City of Norwich, New York. During the late 19th century many small communities bent over backwards to convince railroads to come to their town, the impact it could have on communities was huge. In DeRuyter the NY & Oswego Midland asked the town for $102,300 (almost $2.4 million today) and the village for $20,000 (almost $465,000 today). Construction started at Crumb Hill in June of 1869 and the line officially opened in July of 1871. The line did not do well and was in receivership within 2 years. The construction was significantly more expensive than what was proposed, leading to debt issues. It got so bad that in May of 1876 the Town of Cuyler, New York tax collector actually disconnected a passenger train, WITH PEOPLE ON IT, and held it in lieu of the rail line paying their property taxes. The railroad snuck back in later in the evening and stole it back. For an extended period the trains did not stop in Cuyler. In DeRuyter a passenger coach and four box cars were impounded because the property taxes were not being paid. By 1882 the DeRuyter branch was no longer used, and the rails and ties had been removed (the village was still on what would become the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The town was not able to pay off the original bonds issued for the railroad until 1948, more than 60 years AFTER THE RAILROAD WAS REMOVED!

07/20/2026

Nearly 50 people have completed the Madison County Historic Marker Challenge and we see new people trying to complete the challenge every day. There's less than a month left to complete the challenge and be entered to win an Apple iPad made possible by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. It's a great way to enjoy the weather and learn a little local history!

07/17/2026

We are at Farmstead1868 on authors row with several amazing authors, live music and food until 7 pm. Come out, enjoy the evening and pick up some weekend reading!

07/16/2026

Village of Morrisville declared today (July 16, 2026) to be Sue Greenhagen day today honoring the Town of Eaton and Village of Historian's 80th birthday at the Morrisville Public Library! Assemblyman Joe Angelino presented Sue a citation for years of service (30 years as Town historian and 23 years as village historian). Morrisville Village Mayor Tom Lane and Clerk Amy Will presented Sue with a proclamation highlighting Sue's many presentations, preservation efforts, and work to educate people of their local history. Friends and family told stories of Sue's exploits and then Sue then regaled the audience with some of her favorite stories of historical figures she portrayed, research that was special to her and more. Here's to another 30 years Sue!

Address

138 North Court St. Building #4
Wampsville, NY
13163

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+13153662453

Website

https://www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/202/Historian

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