history

Happy 248 Birthday to the good ol' US of A. She sure looks good for her age. And what better way to celebrate than small-town style, where our flavors, fun, and fireworks are extra large! Here a just a few of the places you can spend a summer day celebrating with the family before the grand finale. CINCINNATUS HOMETOWN DAYS & FIREWORKSJune 29-30 (8am-9pm)Throughout Downtown Cincinnatus Are you…

Join Experience Cortland at She Shines, a toast to Cortland County's leading ladies on March 7, 5-8pm at Homer Hops Brewing. Click here for event info. She Shines promises to be an evening filled with inspiration, camaraderie, and the chance to support and discover the diverse talents of women in various industries, including retail, health and wellness, and local arts. The festivities will…

On January 11, 1958, Greek Peak officially opened the mountain for skiing. Boasting four trails and two short rope tows, guests could ski all day for just $7. Skiers enjoyed picnic lunches in the A-frame lodge and warmed up cold fingers and toes around a crackling fireplace. Locals were more than excited to embrace what New York Governor Averill Harriman called "a first-class development." Greek…

You haven't experienced Christmas in Cortland until you've sipped on the Community Restaurant's signature holiday drink. A staple of historic downtown Cortland, the Community Restaurant swung open its doors in 1929 during the height of prohibition. Behind the sparkle of the restaurant's elaborate holiday decor is a nod to its over 90-year history captured in black and white photos lining the wall.…

We invite you to join Cortland Curiosities for a frighteningly fun evening unearthing our curious and paranormal past on October 26 at the Center for the Arts of Homer. This free event will leave you spellbound and ready for your next misadventure on the Cortland Curiosity Trail. So pack your rucksack, all you curious travelers. In the words of the great Vincent Price, we're "going to give the…

Feeling creepy? Kooky? All together spooky? October 13, Cortland Couty has the cure, and Friday the 13th has never felt so lucky! So call in sick and tell Lurch to pull the car around- the strange and unusual has taken over historic downtown Cortland. Spend the day shopping at an oddity & curiosity market, communing with the undead and unlocking the mysteries of your future. Here in Cortland, we…

Experience Cortland, the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), will be honored with a Tourism Excellence Award for the Cortland Curiosities: A Strange & Forgotten History Trail. The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) acknowledges and recognizes the outstanding work of New York State's destination marketing organizations, attractions, and other tourism-related…

The Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), along with many local Cortland County tourism partners, are pleased to announce the launch of Cortland Curiosities: A Strange and Forgotten History Trail. The trail tells the history and lore behind the County’s interesting, wacky and occasionally spooky past. The launch features nine county-wide themed driving paths and…

The Cortland County Historical Society has created a new, interactive children's exhibit! The grand opening of Then & Now Children's Room is August 27, from 1-3 pm at The Suggett House Museum (25 Homer Ave, Cortland). The Then & Now Children's room emulates an old-fashioned town, with a general store, barn, and cabin in the woods. Hands-on activities and historically accurate reproductions…

The Warbirds will take to the skies over Cortland this Saturday, which can only mean one thing! It's time for the 12th Annual Cortland Airfest which celebrates flight in a variety of ways. Gear up for a high-flying day of history, plane rides, firetrucks and good eats. Keep reading to know what to expect at the Cortland Airfest. WHEN Saturday, July 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. WHERE The Cortland…

"Have I gone mad? I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I will tell you a secret, all the best people are." -Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll) Celebrate May Day in style at the 1890 House Mad Hatter Tea Party! Don your zaniest, frilliest, silliest, mad hat and promenade about the Victorian mansion in all your finest. Sip tea, pinkies up, while swaying to the serenade of the Underground…

Plan a visit to the 1890 House Museum on a sunny afternoon and find yourself bathed in a kaleidoscope of rainbows. The architectural treasure is located in the heart of downtown Cortland, built for the late 19th-century inventor and industrialist, Chester Wickwire. Those who venture in will be treated to ornate decorative stenciling, parquet flooring, and oak and cherry woodwork, but it is the…

Standing under the only stop light in town, you'll often hear a distant clip clop as an Amish horse and buggy makes it's way down Main Street. Comprised of a patchwork of buildings, both historic and new, hemmed in by the Tioughnioga River, Marathon is radiating quintessential small town charm, perfect for a wandering day trip. FIRST STOP BREAKFAST Reilly's Cafe It's been said that breakfast is…

If you’re a history buff, visiting Cortland County is a no-brainer. Just a few days spent in the county is enough to give you a taste of the area’s very diverse history. We promise adventure, a little beauty, and a whole lot of history in two days in Cortland County. DAY ONE Start your trip with a locally roasted caffeine boost at Coffee Mania; then venture to Cortland County’s…

Travel Responsibly: In an effort to limit the impact of COVID-19, please wear your mask and practice social distancing in all public spaces per official guidelines. Advance tickets or RSVPs are highly recommended or necessary at many spots. Your best bet: plan ahead. The CNY Living History Center is open with safety protocols put in place, but the fun of exploring and learning is still…

While Cortland County is known as a winter destination with its three ski resorts, there's much more to the county than its snowy slopes.  Whether you need a break from the powder or just aren't that into skiing, here are eight other awesome things to do on your winter vacation in Cortland County. 1. STRAP ON SNOWSHOES There are plenty of alternatives to skiing and snowboarding that offer…

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women’s suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. The legendary crusade for women's suffrage began in 1848 at a historic meeting in Seneca Falls, New York. Following the convention, the demand for the vote became a centerpiece of the women’s rights…

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women’s suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. The legendary crusade for women's suffrage began in 1848 at a historic meeting in Seneca Falls, New York. Following the convention, the demand for the vote became a centerpiece of the women’s…

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women’s suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. The legendary crusade for women's suffrage began in 1848 at a historic meeting in Seneca Falls, New York. Following the convention, the demand for the vote became a centerpiece of the women’s…