Sharon Historical Society - Sharon, New York

06/19/2026

Fellow Historians,

As you may know, we have been holding a weekly gathering on Fridays, Connecting Historians: A Weekly Exchange of Ideas and Insights. These meetings have provided a wonderful opportunity to share research, discuss historical topics, exchange resources, and connect with others who share a passion for history. Those who have participated have found the discussions both informative and enjoyable.

We would like to see more historians take part in these conversations, and we need your help. Whether you have attended regularly, joined once or twice, or haven't participated yet, we value your feedback.

We would greatly appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to complete the brief survey at the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJeKIdsmRSk-lhsKAqsyOUtY7oSjSbolRmT8DcN1qD92I6EQ/viewform

Our goal is to make these meetings as valuable, relevant, and accessible as possible for the historical community. By understanding what interests you, what challenges may be preventing participation, and what improvements you would like to see, we can shape the program to serve historians better throughout our region and beyond.

Every historian brings a unique perspective, area of expertise, and set of experiences. The strength of these meetings comes from the collective knowledge and insights of the participants. Your ideas and contributions can help create richer discussions, inspire new research, foster collaborations, and strengthen connections among those working to preserve and share history.

Thank you for helping us improve this program. We value your input and hope to see you at a future session of Connecting Historians.

06/19/2026

Don't miss our next historic lecture program on June 22nd at 7 PM. "The Deadliest Flood In American History - Disaster, Responsibility, and Recovery in the Johnstown Flood of 1889”.

The Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889, stands as the deadliest flood disaster in American history, claiming over 2,200 lives in a matter of hours. The catastrophe occurred when the South Fork Dam, located approximately 14 miles upstream from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, failed after days of heavy rainfall. The dam, which had been poorly maintained by the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club—an exclusive resort owned by wealthy Pittsburgh industrialists including Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick—collapsed around 3:10 PM, releasing 20 million tons of water from Lake Conemaugh. A massive wall of water, debris, and wreckage up to 60 feet high roared down the narrow Conemaugh Valley at speeds reaching 40 miles per hour, obliterating everything in its path, including entire towns, factories, homes, and railroad cars. When the debris-laden torrent reached Johnstown, it devastated the industrial city, destroying over 1,600 homes and leaving thousands homeless. The disaster drew national attention, prompted one of the first major relief efforts by the American Red Cross under Clara Barton, and led to increased scrutiny of dam safety and corporate responsibility in the United States.

This program is available via Zoom only. (NOTE: If you are unable to watch the program at this time, a link will be emailed to you once the playback is available.)

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991999871238?aff=oddtdtcreator

06/16/2026

Thistle Hill Weavers and Historic Hyde Hall Tour - Friday, June 26, starting at 9:30 AM.

Join us for a Day of Discovery! We will carpool from the Sharon Historical Society at 238 Main Street in Sharon Springs, leaving at 9:30 AM. Then, we'll start our day at Thistle Hill Weavers, where Rabbit Goody will guide us through her weaving studio and introduce us to the artistry and tradition of weaving - watch skilled weavers at work! Thistle Hill Weavers is one of the only mills in the US that can weave short runs of custom luxury fabrics. Located in a converted mill building outside Cherry Valley, Thistle Hill Weavers houses nine mechanized American shuttle looms dating from the 1890s through the 1960s. When running, their rhythmic motion fills the building. Goody has spent decades rescuing historic textile machinery from closing mills across the country, restoring and maintaining equipment that might otherwise have been scrapped.

Following the Thistle Hill Weavers tour, it is off to Hyde Hall in Cooperstown, where we will have lunch on the side porch. (Bring your own lunch!) Following lunch, we will explore the elegant history of Hyde Hall, a stunning National Historic Landmark. Famous for its neoclassical architecture, rich history, and scenic views of Otsego Lake, Hyde Hall was built between 1817 and 1834 by George Clarke and his descendants. Despite the stewardship of five generations, the estate faced demolition until 1963, when the Friends of Hyde Hall partnered with New York State to preserve and interpret the Hall, outbuildings, and grounds. Recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark, Hyde Hall offers engaging tours and events for public enjoyment and a rich historical experience.

Admission to Hyde Hall is $10. To make your reservation, click on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991987018796?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/29/2026

There’s something magical about opening a diary—turning a fragile page and stepping into a moment that once felt ordinary, but now feels extraordinary. Desserts and Diaries invites you into those moments. On Tuesday, June 2nd at 6:30 PM, join us at the elegant American Hotel in Sharon Springs for an unforgettable evening where handwritten letters and personal accounts from the Sharon Springs archives come to life. You won’t just hear history—you’ll feel it, as stories of love, loss, resilience, and everyday life unfold in an intimate and engaging setting.
And just as every good story deserves a sweet ending, this experience is paired with an irresistible array of desserts designed to delight as much as the stories inspire. This special evening is a fundraiser for the Sharon Historical Society, supporting our mission to preserve and share the rich history of our community.
It’s not just an event—it’s a chance to savor the past, one story and one bite at a time. Tickets are $10. Reserve your spot today by visiting: www.sharonhistoricalsocietyny.org
or by calling (518) 860-5513.

05/23/2026

Don't miss our next historic lecture program on May 25th at 7 PM. "Bringing the Past Back to Life - Using AI to Restore and Preserve Historical Photos and Documents”. This program is available via Zoom only. (NOTE: If you are unable to watch the program at this time, a link will be emailed to you once the playback is available.)

What if those faded, scratched, nearly forgotten photographs in your attic could be brought back to life - clear, vibrant, and full of detail you've never seen before? Join Historian Ron Ketelsen for a fascinating and eye-opening program exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we restore and preserve historical photos and documents-and the best part is, this isn't just for tech experts anymore. Today's AI tools are accessible, practical, and easier to use than ever before. Through real examples and live demonstrations, you'll see how damaged images can be repaired, enhanced, and even reimagined, revealing faces, places, and stories once thought lost to time. Whether you're a family historian, a collector, or simply curious, this program will change the way you look at the past.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989404929698?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/10/2026

The Sharon Historical Society May - June 2026 Newsletter is now available. To read the newsletter, please click on the link below:

https://6fe56f0e-5e47-4cd1-885f-ec62c27823af.usrfiles.com/ugd/6fe56f_2e50b69edc844f1c941b2c73d59e8958.pdf

05/08/2026

There is still time to register for our next historic lecture program on Monday, May 11th, at 7 PM. "The History of Hops Farming in Schoharie County". This program is available both in person and via Zoom. The live presentation will be held in the Community Room of the Sharon Public Library at 129 Main Street in Sharon Springs.

Step back into a fascinating chapter of Schoharie County’s past as Historian Ted Shuart brings to life the rise and fall of the region’s once-booming hops industry. From its German roots to its 19th-century peak—when farmers could earn fortunes or lose everything overnight—this presentation reveals the high-stakes world of hop growing, the vibrant social scene of hop-picking season, and the iconic hop houses that still dot the landscape today. Discover how entire communities came alive each harvest with workers, dances, and celebration, and how this thriving industry ultimately vanished with Prohibition. Featuring a rich PowerPoint of historic photographs, this engaging talk offers a vivid glimpse into a forgotten era that helped shape Schoharie County.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988135151758?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/12/2026

There is still time to register for our next historic lecture program on Monday, April 13th, at 7 PM. "Woven Into History - How Cloth, Craft, and Careful Research Bring the Past to Life". This program is available both in person and via Zoom. The live presentation will be held in the Community Room of the Sharon Public Library at 129 Main Street in Sharon Springs.

How does fabric help us understand history—and how does it quietly shape the stories we see on screen? Nationally recognized textile historian Rabbit Goody will explore how the weave, weight, color, and texture of cloth reveal the daily lives, technologies, and economies of earlier centuries, and how her Cherry Valley mill recreates historically accurate textiles for museums, historic homes, and select film productions. Drawing on decades of scholarship and hands-on expertise with restored early American looms, Goody shows how authentic fabrics bring depth and credibility to period storytelling, proving that something as ordinary as cloth can carry extraordinary historical meaning.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:

How Cloth, Craft, and Careful Research Bring the Past to Life

03/28/2026

Don't miss our next historic lecture program on April 13th at 7 PM. "Woven Into History - How Cloth, Craft, and Careful Research Bring the Past to Life". This program is available both in person and via Zoom.

How does fabric help us understand history—and how does it quietly shape the stories we see on screen? Nationally recognized textile historian Rabbit Goody will explore how the weave, weight, color, and texture of cloth reveal the daily lives, technologies, and economies of earlier centuries, and how her Cherry Valley mill recreates historically accurate textiles for museums, historic homes, and select film productions. Drawing on decades of scholarship and hands-on expertise with restored early American looms, Goody shows how authentic fabrics bring depth and credibility to period storytelling, proving that something as ordinary as cloth can carry extraordinary historical meaning.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984194219323?aff=oddtdtcreator