Lunch & Learn: Shores of Solon Pond

An unforgettable Civil War-era coming-of-age saga of family, sacrifice, and the hard-won courage to hope.

Waldo Potter has spent his life in the shadows of Solon Pond—working the fields, tending to chores, and carrying the weight of his family’s expectations on a farm that barely survives. In upstate New York on the brink of the American Civil War, he longs for something more even as the burdens at home grow heavier.

With his father’s farm slipping toward ruin and familial resentments rising, Waldo finds an unexpected mentor in his Uncle Charles—whose steady guidance offers both comfort and challenge. When war calls, Waldo enlists, stepping into a world of battle, hardship, and hard truths that reshape him from the inside out.

From the rich rhythms of rural life to the brutal realities of war, By the Shores of Solon Pond captures one young man’s journey from boyhood innocence to war-worn self-understanding and his enduring devotion to family. It is a story of heroism, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.

This year is our ELEVENTH year of providing lunchtime learning opportunities for our community, and we hope you’ll join us to learn more about local and regional history!

What to know:

~This event will take place at our event center located at 9 Grace Street, Cortland. There is a small parking lot and additional street parking.

~Bring your own lunch if you wish, and we will provide a beverage and dessert.

~Admission is free for members of the Cortland County Historical Society (CCHS) and $5 for CCHS members-to-be. Membership is a fantastic way for you to help CCHS preserve and share local history for just pennies a day! Consider becoming a member today: https://cortland-county-historical-society-inc.square.site/membership. 

~Please call us at 607-756-6071 with any questions, and we’ll be glad to help.