CONTACT: DENNIS CONNORS, Curator of History
[428-1864 or djcoha@juno.com]
Onondaga Historical Association Museum & Research Center curator of history Dennis Connors will present an illustrated lecture on Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. in the OHA Museum auditorium that will trace the intriguing story of the community’s efforts in the 19th and early 20th centuries to secure an adequate and appropriately imposing courthouse for the county. The Museum is located at 321 Montgomery Street in downtown Syracuse.
The program will explore the various sites that were used over the decades to house Onondaga County government. The actual locations are directly reflective of the community’s growth as the courthouse moved from locations influenced by turnpike construction, salt manufacturing, canal building and finally, the City Beautiful Movement of the early 20th century.
Along the way, there were intense civic rivalries that had to be faced, conspiring land speculators, shrewd politicians, conniving salt boilers, and secretive arsonists. It is also the story of changing architectural styles, historic preservation battles and visionary citizens. Mr. Connors will discuss some of the lesser-known stories of the courthouses, such as how the putrefying smells from cooking meals for incarcerated prisoners helped lead to the erection of one courthouse. He will also touch upon plans to add historical interpretation to the current Columbus Circle Courthouse on the occasion of its 100th anniversary this year.
Admission for the lecture is $5 at the door, $3 for OHA members.
