Check it out in video form:

You can also download a PDF version of the presentation here (39 MB).

Untold stories of the 18th-century Susquehanna Valley

Join the Sidney Historical Association for a special program on Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 am at the Sidney Public Library (8 River Street, Sidney).

Terry McMaster explores the complex web of:

• Colonial Immigration: How early settlers navigated the edge of the known world
• Border Warfare: The brutal realities of life on the Revolutionary frontier
• The Johnston legacy: The journey of a 60-year-old minister who dared to build a new life at the confluence of the Unadilla and Susquehanna Rivers (sound familiar?)

Meet the Speaker: Terry McMaster

As a direct descendant of Reverend William Johnston, Terry brings a personal passion to his rigorous historical research. His ancestors were pioneers who helped shape the Mohawk and Susquehanna valleys long before the United States was born.

(Psst: You can read a bit about Rev. Johnston here, courtesy of the Delaware County Genealogy and History Site.)

Join the Sidney Historical Association and explore early American cookery.

Come to the Sidney Community Cultural Center on Sunday, April 26th at 1:00 pm where historic culinarian and Sidney native Pamela Cooley will examine the mystery surrounding Amelia Simmons, author of American Cookery (1796), considered the first cookbook written by an American.

Pamela will present her historic and genealogical research, her findings, and she’ll critically assess prevailing theories while introducing her own original hypothesis.

Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to sample dishes inspired by one of Simmons’ historic recipes.

The program is free, of course — just come down to the Community Cultural Center on Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 pm!

On October 19, 1780 troops from the United States and Great Britain faced off twice in the Schoharie and Mohawk River valleys: the battles of Stone Arabia and Klock’s Field.

Hear what happened from Revolutionary War historian Scott J. Payne as part of his yearlong series of Revolutionary War programs to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

Revolutionary War historian Scott J. Payne presents a yearlong series of Revolutionary War programs to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

The Sullivan-Clinton Expedition was ordered by George Washington during the American Revolutionary War against four nations of the Iroquois (aka the Haudenosaunee) in what is today central New York. The goal was “the total destruction and devastation of their settlements.” Hear what happened in Scott’s program, “Total Destruction and Devastation; The Sullivan-Clinton Expedition Against the Haudenosaunee.” 

The program is free, of course — just come down to the library Saturday, July 18 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm!

Revolutionary War historian Scott J. Payne presents a yearlong series of Revolutionary War programs to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

Come to the Sidney Memorial Public Library for a series of historical programming! This time, Scott will be talking about General George Washington’s Continental Army A-Team — including the Original B.A. (that would be Benedict Arnold).

The program is free, of course — just come down to the library Saturday, May 23 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm!

Revolutionary War historian Scott J. Payne presents a yearlong series of Revolutionary War programs to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

Come to the Sidney Memorial Public Library for a series of historical programming! Scott will be talking about the Battle of Bemis Heights, part of the Battles of Saratoga.

Following the first part of the battle at Freeman’s Farm on Sept. 19, 1777 (where British general John Burgoyne won a tactical victory over the Continental Army), the second part — now known as the Battle of Bemis Heights — didn’t go so well for the Redcoats. That was in large part thanks to an American general named Benedict Arnold….

The program is free, of course — just come down to the library Saturday, March 21 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm!

A program by Jonathan “Jed” LaBounty

April 13, 2024

Jed represented Benjamin Hevenor, who served in the 150th NY Infantry Regiment.

This program included educational information on topics such as muskets, uniforms, haversacks, hats, jackets, and more depicting daily life as a soldier.

Locally, the NY 144th Infantry Regiment: Organized in Delhi, receiving a large number of recruits from several towns & villages including Delhi, Walton, Masonville, Franklin, Sidney, and many more.

Led by Dale and Tina Utter, the event will feature members of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sidney American Legion, and include an honor guard.

A program by Jim Gale & Steve Arrandale showcasing the evolution of Sidney railroads, including a time-line on the progress, population growth, and prosperity in the Village of Sidney.

March 9, 2024

Locally

Railroads played an important role in the total transportation picture in the state during the war years. As the leading state in the nation in the total number of supply contracts, as well as the Port of New York being the point of departure for 25 percent of the country’s exports, railroads were an essential part of New York’s overall transportation effort. Between 1941 and 1945, New York’s railroads nearly doubled the annual amount of freight hauled compared to the prewar years, and more than doubled its passenger fares as well.

In 2024: Trucks carry 69% percent of the freight, followed by rail at 14%; cargo ships at 9%; and air at 3%.

In several areas in the state, including Sidney, railways allowed war workers in these areas to travel to and from work in a timely manner and for freight to be shipped out promptly and efficiently.

By 1943, buses were used to carry many workers from the surrounding area into the city. Railroad added passenger services from area communities along the line to the Seneca Ordnance Depot. Despite the attempts at mass transportation, the majority of workers in Geneva continued to use private automobiles for much of the war, greatly taxing existing supplies of gasoline and rubber.

Like most small communities in upstate New York, Sidney’s growth was first based on farming, timber harvesting, and farming-related industries. Improvements in transportation included the Susquehanna Turnpike, which connected Catskill to nearby Wattles Ferry (Unadilla) and stimulated development in Sidney. During the late 1800’s, the Ontario and Western Railroad brought commerce to the Village of Sidney. Improved transportation brought steady growth to the Town of Sidney.

The Transcontinental Railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869, had a profound impact on the United States. The railroad’s construction was a mammoth undertaking, but its effects on the country were equally profound. Here are some of the ways that the first transcontinental railroad—and the many other transcontinental lines that followed it—changed America

• It made the Western U.S. more important
• It made commerce possible on a vast scale
• It facilitated international trade
• It centralized money
• It standardized time
• It helped create the modern corporation
• It created new industry
• It changed the environment
• It changed the way people thought about space and distance
• It changed the way people thought about time