Recap of Past Events

See the Home Page for more recent events

2024 Events

Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day

More than 70 people participated in Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day on March 29. Many thanks to all attendees, service providers, and volunteers who helped make the day a special one in honor of veterans and others who served during the Vietnam Era. Special thanks to Retired US Army Lt. Colonel Tom Margrave for his inspiring keynote address, Lisa LaDieu (Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 377) who led us in song with a beautiful rendition of The National Anthem, and Charlie Harrington (Chapter 377 of the Vietnam Veterans of America) for taking photos of the day’s activities.

Members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 489, Cortland City Unit (Eileen Bentley, Linda Cooper, Kristy Westendorf, and Susan Miller) joined by Sue Milewski, did a great job setting up, serving, and cleaning up after a hot lunch enjoyed by all.

Thanks to our volunteers

Enjoying lunch and conversation

Visitors learned about available services from representatives of the Cortland County Veterans Association, County Clerk’s Office, Office for Aging/NY Connects, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Access to Independence, Clear Path for Veterans, Seven Valleys Health Coaltion, and NYS Dept. of Labor.

Keynote speaker Tom Margrave, Ceclie and Jim Dore

Singing the National Anthem

Tribute to Jerry Gailor

Vietnam Veterans of American Chapt. 377

Trailblazing Women of Cortland County: Makers of Regional, National, and International History

On March 9, we celebrated the eight women in the Homeville Museum’s Cortland County Hall of Fame. Special thanks to Catherine Bertini, a Hall of Fame member, who attended and participated in the presentation. Cathy spoke about the many ways growing up in Cortland prepared her for national and international public service. Her examples of formative experiences in Cortland and the people who were part of those experiences were heartwarming and reminded us of the special place Cortland is. For more on Hall of Fame members, visit the CNY Local History page on this website:

https://homevillemuseum.com/homeville-collection/cny-local-history/

The Kid from Freeville: Growing Up on the Railroad

On February 24, Danny Armitage informed and amused an audience of close to 50 people with his presentation and slide show, “The Kid from Freeville: Growing Up on the Railroad.” Danny rode locomotives & cabooses more than 400 times from 1963 through the mid-1980s. He was accepted by railroad crews as “one of their own.” Danny’s home was close to the station where two branches of the Lehigh Valley Railroad crossed. He entertained the audience by sharing his unique perspective on the people and operations of the railroad.

The former passenger station at Freeville.

A plow train coming into Freeville.

Women Veterans Recognition Day

On June 8, 2024 the Homeville Museum held an event to honor women veterans and women who have served the military in a variety of capacities. This coincided with New York State’s designation of June 12 as Women Veterans Recognition Day. June 12 commemorates the day President Harry S. Truman signed the 1948 Armed Services Integration Act to accept women as regular members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Lieutenant Colonel Alice Anderson (U.S. Air Force retiree) and Kelly Hoyt (former museum educator at Old Fort Niagara) presented to an audience of about 40 attendees. Lt. Colonel Anderson recounted her experiences in the Air Force, including her work at the Pentagon. Kelly Hoyt gave an overview of the roles women have played in the U.S. military from the Early American period through current times.

Visitors viewed the museum’s new permanent exhibit on women in the military as well as special exhibits assembled for the event. Gold Star Mom Kathy Carpenter shared information about the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), which provides “hope, healing, and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one.” Mike Portzline displayed his extensive collection of memorabilia about women who served in Vietnam. A special Homeville Museum exhibit highlighted a number of local women who served during World War II and the Vietnam era.

Thanks to our presenters, the CNY Living History Center’s regular volunteers, and additional volunteers who helped make this event a success. Eileen Bentley, Linda Cooper, and Nancy Winnie (members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 489, Cortland City Unit) helped with registration and refreshments, Cecile Dore helped with a variety of tasks, and Charlie Harrington (Chapter 377, Vietnam Veterans of America) took great photos.

Lt. Colonel Alice Anderson discusses her experiences.

Kelly Hoyt explains women’s current military roles.

Linda Cooper and Nancy Winnie register visitors.

Colonel Anderson and Gold Star Mom Kathy Carpenter

Kelly Hoyt views exhibits.

Cecile Dore, Veterans Maggie and Bill LaPointe

Veterans pose for Charlie’s photo.

2023 Events

Old Timers Band/Military Vehicle Show

On September 9 the Cortland Old Timers Band gave a spectacular performance on the Living History Center veranda during our Military Vehicle Show. Their performance included God Bless America, theme songs from all branches of the U.S. Military, selections from the musicals A Chorus Line and The King and I, and Danny Boy.

Cortland Old Timers Band

Trains, Trucks, & Tractors, Oh My!

The Homeville Museum hosted fun for kids of all ages during the CNY Living History Center’s June 17 event, Trains, Trucks, & Tractors, Oh My! We enjoyed crafts & other activities for kids in the cafeteria, including hands-on fun with guest conductor model trains and a special train snack. Many thanks to Ed and Dick Barry for sharing their own model trains for the day’s activities. Visitors also had fun operating the full array of model train displays in the Homeville Museum.

Joe Sheridan gave a second presentation and book signing that evening for the general public. More than 90 visitors attended.

Community members attend Joe Sheridan’s evening presentation.

John Shea, Greg Harvey, Joe Sheridan, Jamie Dangler, Ethan Jensen

Special thanks to Charlie Harrington, Chapter 377 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, for taking photos of the day’s activities and to our interns from SUNY Cortland, John Shea and Ethan Jensen for their assistance before and during the event.

Ronnie James Dio: Stories & Photos from Bandmates & Lifelong Friends

David “Rock” Feinstein, Mickey Lee Soule, Harold “Butch” Hyde, and Dick Bottoff entertained about 100 people with stories about Ronnie James Dio and his bands on March 18. Visitors saw the new Ronnie Dio display that’s part of the Homeville Museum’s Cortland County Musicians exhibit.

Ronnie’s Cortland bandmates and friends.

Visitors enjoying the music display at our Ronnie Dio event

Spiegle Willcox: Early Career and Influences

The early career of Cortland’s famous jazz trombonist, Spiegle Willcox, was presented to an enthusiastic crowd on February 18 by Ralph Dudgeon, Professor of Music Emeritus (SUNY Cortland) and Principle Trumpet for the Catskill Symphony Orchestra. Visitors were entertained with factual (often humorous) stories about the start of Spiegle’s career and saw a few videos of his most famous performances. Visitors also viewed the Homeville Museum’s Cortland County Musicians exhibit, featuring a new display on Spiegle’s life in Cortland and international music career. Five members of the Willcox family attended.

Willcox family members visit the Spiegle Willcox exhibit.

Ralph Dudgeon on Spiegle’s Early Career

Ghostly Experiences at Gettysburg

On January 21st, at our first Homeville Presents event of the year, Tom Canfield explained numerous ghostly encounters he and his family had on trips to Civil War battlefields and surrounding areas in Gettysburg. Tom is a past Civil War Cavalry reenactor and historian and a Civil War collector.

2023 Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day

Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day in 2023 brought more than 60 Vietnam veterans and family members to the museum to enjoy fellowship with others and learn about area services available to them.

The day’s Welcome Ceremony featured Cortland County’s own Joe Sheridan, author of the recently published Angel in the Cockpit: Surviving Vietnam and PTSD, a Helicopter Pilot’s Story. After a moving introduction given by his fellow veteran Pat Snyder, Joe gave an inspiring keynote address. He engaged attendees in discussion and signed books to commemorate his interaction with old friends and others he met for the first time. Visitors got information and assistance from area and state agencies that provide services for veterans.

Joe Sheridan discusses his Vietnam War experiences and coping with PTSD.

Joe Sheridan signs copies of his book.

Vietnam Veterans and their family members enjoy lunch and conversation.

Joe Sheridan poses with Larry Housel and Mike Portzline.

Veterans & Friends in front of the Homeville Museum’s Vietnam War exhibit.

Joe Sheridan gave a second presentation and book signing that evening for the general public. More than 90 visitors attended.

Community members attend Joe Sheridan’s evening presentation.

John Shea, Greg Harvey, Joe Sheridan, Jamie Dangler, Ethan Jensen

2022 Events

Military Vehicle Show

On September 17 military vehicle owners, reenactors, and historians informed visitors about World War II and the Vietnam War through presentations and tours through military camps staged outdoors at the Central New York Living History Center. Visitors also viewed the Homeville Museum’s military collection and learned about the New York National Guard/State Guard in WWII through a presentation by Alex Stowe.

Civil War Weekend

July 16-17 brought Civil War reenactors and visitors to the museum to experience the living history of the Civil War. The event was marked by tours through reenactor camps, presentations on various aspects of the Civil war, infantry and artillery drills, and a variety of demonstrations. Special thanks to reenactors and speakers, the Living History Center’s regular volunteers who put in extra time for the event, and additional volunteers (e.g., from Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 377 and the community at large) who helped with many tasks through the weekend.