Schuyler County is celebrating America 250 with a variety of events over the coming weeks and months, including a big schedule around the July 4 holiday.
July 4 festivities at Celebratin’ America 250 will begin at 9 a.m. with Walkin’ History Tours through Montour Falls and onto the Catharine Valley Trail to visit the site of “Historic Catharine’s Town.”
Heather O’Grady-Evans, Executive Director of Museums at the Schuyler County Historical Society in Montour Falls, said the tours will begin at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Montour Falls Library.
“Along the way, we will discuss some of the history of Montour Falls, but the main focus will be on Catharine’s Town,” O’Grady-Evans said. “We will discuss Queen Catharine Montour and the importance of the Montour family on the colonial frontier, the role of the town in the American Revolution, and its destruction by the Sullivan Campaign in 1779.”
The daylong festival events are organized by the Schuyler County Commission, in partnership with the Schuyler County Historical Society, the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Village of Watkins Glen, ending with fireworks at about 9:45 p.m. at Clute Park in Watkins Glen.
At 11 a.m. July 4, join O’Grady-Evans, the 250th Commission Chair, for “Seneca Lake: Indian Trails & Sullivan.”
“Long before there were roads, turnpikes, and stagecoach routes, the only roads were Indian Trails,” O’Grady-Evans said. “Formed by generations of Haudenosaunee people, using them for a variety of reasons, those trails were narrow and only wide enough for a single person. This made for efficient travel and took many quick turns as the topography of the region changed.”
The walk begins at the launch on Kayak Beach.
“We will examine the route Sullivan and his 4,000 soldiers had to navigate and why they stuck to the Indian trails,” O’Grady-Evans said. “As we walk along the shores of Seneca Lake, we will discuss the Haudenosaunee experience before the Sullivan Campaign and the consequences of the military endeavor on both sides. Join us to see the route, stand where they stood, and imagine climbing these hills in worn-out boots.”
Clute Park in Watkins Glen hosts community block party July 4
O’Grady-Evans said Clute Park in Watkins Glen will be the site of the largest community block party in Schuyler County history on July 4.
There will be food vendors, music, children’s activities, official America 250 swag, and the Celebratin’ America 250 Exhibition located inside the Seneca Lake Events Center from 10 a.m. until dark.
At 2 p.m., “Let Freedom Ring” will take place, O’Grady-Evans said. At that time, all the church bells across America will ring in celebration of this milestone in American history.
The libraries of Schuyler County will continue their civic season with Schuyler County trivia and America 250 trivia held on the patio of the Events Center, O’Grady-Evans said. Trivia will begin at 3 p.m.
Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:45 p.m.
Tours will proceed rain or shine. Walks typically last just over an hour. Walkin’ History! programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Brick Tavern Museum at (607) 535-9741.
Museum exhibits and all operations of the Schuyler County Historical Society are supported by a Tourism Assistance Program grant administered by the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce.
Additional history talks planned in Schuyler County
“Celebratin’ America 250!” July 1
Join Dr. Gary Emerson as he leads “Historic Catharine’s Town” at 6 p.m. This walk will take you through Montour Falls and onto the Catharine Valley Trail to visit the site of Catharine’s Town. Discuss Queen Catharine Montour and the importance of the Montour family on the colonial frontier, the role of the town in the American Revolution, and its destruction by the Sullivan Campaign in 1779.
“Seneca Lake: Indian Trails & Sullivan,” July 2
Led by Heather O’Grady-Evans. Meet at the launch at Kayak Beach in Watkins Glen. During a walk along the shores of Seneca Lake, discuss the Haudenosaunee experience before the Sullivan Campaign and the consequences of the military endeavor on both sides. Join to see the route, stand where they stood, and imagine climbing these hills in worn-out boots.
“Montour Falls Cemetery Tour: Revolutionary War Veterans,” July 3
Led by Dr. Gary Emerson. Meet at the Montour Falls Library. This tour will tell the stories of the Revolutionary War veterans who are buried in the Montour Falls Cemetery. Some of them participated in major events in the Revolution. They were at important battles, and some served under General Washington. Some are well-known in local history, while some are forgotten, but all of them played a role in forging independence for our nation. After the war, they migrated here with their families and helped local towns grow.
“Revolutionary Veterans & British Prison Ships,” July 7
Join Dr. Gary Emerson, Schuyler County Historian, for a talk about one of the unpleasant realities of war and the American Revolution. Learn about the abhorrent conditions on the British prison ships and about one survivor who settled in Schuyler County after the war. This talk will be held at the Watkins Glen Elementary School auditorium.
“Sullivan/Clinton Failed Campaign,” July 11
Military Historian and local history buff Michael Ariano will delve into the Sullivan campaign of 1779. Sullivan’s Campaign was multifaceted and had many moving parts. Michael examines each of these and their success. The military campaign came right through the middle of Schuyler County. Following the Battle of Newtown, the campaign moved into Schuyler County, through Montour Falls and up along the east side of Seneca Lake. This talk will be held at Lake Grove Park’s Red Pavilion.
“Hector Military Lots,” July 26
How does a new nation pay its soldiers for service in a revolution that secured its victory? Join Burdett Historian Marty Evans as she discusses the Hector Military Lots, how they came to be, and who they were awarded to. This talk will be held at the Burdett Fire Department.
“Women and the Revolution,” Aug. 9
Women often play a vital role during wartime, and the American Revolution was no different. This talk by Heather O’Grady-Evans will examine the research and evidence of the past 45-plus years into the roles women had in the 18th century, how those roles changed during the American Revolution, who some of the key players were, and how a patriotic revitalization of the late 19th century brought about the DAR. This talk will be held at the Silver Spoon Cafe.
“Haudenosaunee and the Revolution,” Aug. 18
Schuyler County Historian Dr. Gary Emerson explores the Haudenosaunee experience during the American Revolution. The Haudenosaunee, and the Seneca people specifically, lived on and cultivated the lands of Schuyler County for a millennium or more. Dr. Emerson will explore the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, their tribes, their role in the revolution, and which sides they took. This talk will be held at the Montour Falls Fire Department.
“Historic Markers and the Sullivan Campaign,” Aug. 29
Join Dr. Gary Emerson for a presentation about the historic markers and the memory of the Sullivan Campaign of 1779. This Talkin’ History presentation explores the markers and monoliths dedicated to the campaign, as well as past celebrations about the campaign for the centennial and bicentennial. This talk will be held at the Watkins Glen Elementary School auditorium.
“War Journals: Excelsior to Burdett and Beyond,” Sept. 27
Burdett Historian Marty Evans has spent a significant amount of time this past year studying the journals of the men who participated in the Sullivan Campaign. Her talk explores their initial reactions to seeing the lands that became Schuyler County, and their impressions of their mission. This talk will be held at the Burdett Fire Department.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Block party, fireworks, history talks planned July 4 in Watkins Glen
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Corning Leader / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Smith, Corning Leader | USA TODAY Network
