Imigrant Entrepreneurs in Cortland: The First Two-Hundred Years

Ever wondered who helped build Cortland’s most iconic businesses—from the bakeries and barbershops to the mom-and-pop stores that defined entire neighborhoods? Join the Cortland County Historical Society for a compelling talk with Dr. Diane Vecchio, a historian and former Cortland resident, as she traces the roots of immigrant entrepreneurship that fueled the city’s economic rise.

Through stories of English, Irish, Greek, Italian, and Eastern European Jewish entrepreneurs, Vecchio will spotlight the hardworking families behind some of Cortland’s most enduring businesses—many of which laid the foundation for the community we know today.

It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a celebration of grit, gumption, and the immigrant spirit that built a city.