OHA Museum Lecture on March 11th: Springs Lakes & Reservoirs: A History of Syracuse’s Water System

Onondaga Historical Association curator of history Dennis Connors will present an illustrated lecture on Sunday, March 11 at 2 p.m. in the OHA Museum auditorium that will trace the intriguing story of Syracuse’s efforts in the 19^th century to secure an adequate and healthy water system. The Museum is located at 321 Montgomery Street in downtown Syracuse.

 

The program will explore some of the various early sources tapped by the citizens of Syracuse before eventually setting their sights on the clear waters of Skaneateles Lake. And the decision to use Skaneateles was not easily transformed into reality, as there was opposition from mill operators who worried about the impact of lower water levels in the Lake and Skaneateles Creek. There was the struggle with the old private water company over acquisition of the existing distribution system. And then there was the engineering challenge of constructing an underground conduit system nearly 20 miles over rough terrain. There was even controversy over the massive construction of the new Woodland Reservoir with charges, tinged with racism, that contractors were importing African-American and Italian laborers from out-of-town who would work for less.

 

The earliest sources for Syracuse water were often natural springs. But even the waters of Onondaga Creek were used for a time, although the high level of polluted effluents flowing into the Creek was a known fact. In addition to the health concerns, a major impetus for finding a better water source was the reoccurring problem in 19^th century Syracuse of enough municipal water to fight the roaring fires that regularly plagued downtown.

 

Admission for the lecture is $5 at the door, $3 for OHA members.

OHAM&RC Presents CNY National History Day Competition!

Syracuse, N.Y. – Central New York National History Day, an annual competition involving teachers, students and parents from Onondaga, Oswego and Cortland Counties, will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2007. The Onondaga Historical Association Museum & Research Center is the regional coordinator for the event that will take place at Syracuse University’s Schine Student Center. The theme for 2007 is Triumph and Tragedy in History.  Using the theme students are encouraged to investigate topics ranging from local history to world history, and from ancient time to the recent past.  For National History Day 2007, students will select an individual, idea or event and demonstrate how and why their topic was a triumph and/or a tragedy in history.

National History Day is the nation’s leading program for history education in the schools. The program annually engages 2 million people in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Students research history topics of their choice related to an annual theme and create exhibits, papers, documentaries, performances, and websites that they may enter at the local, state and national levels.  Students in grades 6-8 compete in the Junior Division and those in grades 9-12 compete in the Senior Division.  Entries chosen at the March event will advance to the state competition held in Cooperstown, NY.  NYS winners will compete at the national level in Maryland.

National History Day also provides educational services to students and teachers, including a summer internship program, curricular materials, internet resources and annual teacher workshops and training institute.

Judges for this competition are chosen from local museums, school districts, colleges and the community. Sponsors for this year’s event include Syracuse University (major sponsor), VIP Structures, Sugarman Law Firm, LLP, Branch Driving School, KARE Foundation, Gaylord Bros., Solvay Bank, Bowers & Company, CPAs, PLLC, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, HSBC Bank, USA/N.A., and The Rosen Publishing Group.  For more information contact Elaine Wisowaty at 428-1864, Ext. 313.