History

There's no better time to visit the historical museums within Cortland County! Keep reading for the variety of historical hotspots to explore in the area.  Whether you're an out-of-town visitor looking to experience a unique perspective into the past, or you're a local wanting to learn more about the community you live in, Cortland County has much to offer!  Learn about the innovation of…

  Here are five reasons not to miss the new exhibitions reveal at the CNY Living History Center.   The Flying Ace   Levi Chase was an American fighter pilot and double flying ace during World War II. This exhibition, curated and built by his grandson, Bill Chase, will share some incredible stories related to the 512 combat missions that Chase flew during three different wars.  …

Experience Cortland talks with CNY Living History Center Executive Director Luke Biondi about one of the more interesting artifacts on display.   The incredible story of four men's journey from Argentina to Upstate New York is remarkably true. When they finally reached Cortland, New York in May 1960, thousands lined the streets to applaud an adventure that had gripped the imagination of the…

Did you know that there is a wonderful, interactive and immersive exhibition of an impressive train collection left to the Homeville Museum (located at the CNY Living History Center) by Ken Eaton.   When volunteer Doug Deer became involved just over a year ago, his passion for model trains helped to make the incredible collection left by Ken a focal point for the Homeville Museum at the CNY…

Inspired by two women who completed the Experience Cortland GeoTour in only 8 hours, I decided enough with the procrastinating and explore the trail myself. Or at least explore portions of it. The Experience Cortland GeoTour features 20 stops that take you all throughout Cortland County. For my journey, I chose 5 stops that I thought would take me to the more unique, less frequented spots in…

Ever since the Cortland County Historical Society was founded in 1925, it has collected, preserved, and interpreted countless artifacts from all around the county. Their latest exhibition was a major project to help celebrate their 90th anniversary by exhibiting and interpreting 90 unique artifacts from throughout Cortland County.   I spoke with Director Mindy Leisenring and asked a difficult…

It’s why I think we’re so lucky about our museums here [in Cortland].  Even if you’ve lived here your whole life, been here for an event, or you’ve gone around for a tour, there’s always something new to discover.   There are many interesting objects found throughout the 1890 House Museum. There’s a hair wreath in the East Parlor, large brass cranes…

CNY Living History Center Museum Object: 1925 Brockway Fire Truck Brockway Truck Museum Luke Biondi, Executive Director.   ...they [Argentinian firemen] just wanted to bring it up and get it replaces because they used it for so long, almost forty years. I guess that’s part of the reason that I like the truck their perseverance just to get it all the way up here. For us [CNY Living…

This year, 2017, marks the 100th anniversary of the United States entering World War 1. Trench warfare along the Western Front was a brutal life for soldiers who could spend weeks at a time there. Luke Biondi, Executive Director at the CNY Living History Center took us through this full-scale WW1 Trench on exhibit now. Part of his Master's Thesis, Luke with the help of board members and volunteers…