Onondaga Historical Association

Onondaga Historical Association OHA exists to inspire the notion that the history we share is the foundation for our future together.
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Onondaga Historical Association exists to inspire people’s understanding that the history we share as a community is the foundation for our future together. Our purpose is to educate and encourage the exploration, appreciation, and utilization of the past in order to add value throughout our community and bring the great stories of Onondaga County’s history to a worldwide audience. To do so, we of

fer engaging exhibits, publications, products, and programs; we pursue partnerships with other organizations; and we develop and care for definitive collections related to local history. We are an association of heritage-related museums, research and educational centers, and retail stores in Onondaga County, New York.

The OHA celebrates World Letter Writing Day today!Before the age of texts and email, letters and postcards were common w...
09/01/2026

The OHA celebrates World Letter Writing Day today!

Before the age of texts and email, letters and postcards were common ways to stay connected. Taking far longer to reach their destination, these pieces of correspondence often carried special importance for both the sender and recipient. A letter could tell a full story, while a postcard might recount a journey and feature an image of the place from which it was sent.

For those who would like to experience the old-fashioned way of keeping in touch, the OHA Gift Gallery has a wide assortment of greeting cards and postcards to choose from. Send a heartfelt message to someone in your life with a card from the OHA!

Shop the OHA Gift Gallery at shop.cnyhistory.org.

Step into the shadows of Syracuse’s past with OHA’s Historic Ghostwalk: Spirits from the Mansions of the Green Way!Join ...
08/29/2026

Step into the shadows of Syracuse’s past with OHA’s Historic Ghostwalk: Spirits from the Mansions of the Green Way!

Join us on September 12, 13, 19, and 20 for a journey through one of Syracuse’s most historic neighborhoods. Hear the stories of the families who built their lives among the elegant mansions of West Onondaga Street and discover the secrets, scandals, triumphs, and tragedies hidden behind their stately façades.

Tickets: $20 | OHA Members: $15

Tours begin at 2:00 PM. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No walk-ins.

Tickets: cnyhistory.org/events.

The next chapter of OHA’s Mall Series is beginning to take shape!We’re currently switching out exhibition pieces at our ...
08/28/2026

The next chapter of OHA’s Mall Series is beginning to take shape!

We’re currently switching out exhibition pieces at our display on the lower level of Destiny USA, beneath the food court. The next showcase will explore the printing press and its important role in Syracuse’s history, with a special connection to the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The exhibition will feature a 1916 Chandler & Price foot press from Cjala Surratt, historic newspapers from the OHA archives, and a narrative exploring how the printing press helped shape communication, community, and history in Syracuse and beyond.

If you’re at Destiny USA, stop by and watch the exhibition come together!

On August 27, 1928, the New York State Fair opened with “Syracuse Day,” and one of the day’s biggest attractions was non...
08/27/2026

On August 27, 1928, the New York State Fair opened with “Syracuse Day,” and one of the day’s biggest attractions was none other than aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.

Fair officials expected 100,000 visitors for opening day, and Earhart was scheduled to arrive at 11:30 a.m. by airplane. She first flew from New York City to Amboy Airport in Camillus. From there, she transferred to a smaller biplane owned and piloted by Dr. Herbert Luther, a local dentist and aviator, which carried her to the fairgrounds.

Upon landing, Earhart was greeted by a reception committee and presented with a large bouquet of pink roses. She posed for photographers and newsreel cameramen before being whisked away to a luncheon at the Harmony Circle Tea Room.

08/27/2026

FAQ: Where is the Project Site?

Wondering where the Full Circle Design Competition is taking shape? The project site sits in Syracuse's historic Cathedral Square neighborhood — centered on St. Mary's Circle, better known to most as Columbus Circle. The site also extends south to an undeveloped lot once home to the Powelson Business Institute, separated from the circle by a one-way street.

Together, these spaces are the canvas for a new civic experience — one that reflects the many cultures and histories of our community.

Learn more at: https://fullcircledesigncompetition.org/

Join OHA Curator of History Robert Searing tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26, at 12:00 p.m. for "The Heart of Syracuse," a ...
08/25/2026

Join OHA Curator of History Robert Searing tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26, at 12:00 p.m. for "The Heart of Syracuse," a mid-week walking tour through downtown Syracuse!

Take a stroll down memory lane and discover the businesses that once lined downtown streets, the railroad that traveled right through the heart of the city, and some of Syracuse’s lost historical treasures.

The tour begins at 12:00 p.m. at the Onondaga Historical Association, 321 Montgomery Street, and lasts approximately 45–60 minutes.

Tickets: $20 | $15 for OHA Members

Get your tickets at shop.cnyhistory.org/events.

Tickets are now on sale for Our Glorious Workplaces: Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial!Join OHA on Thur...
08/24/2026

Tickets are now on sale for Our Glorious Workplaces: Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial!

Join OHA on Thursday, October 22, 2026, as we celebrate 75 years of one of Syracuse’s most iconic landmarks.

Thursday, October 22, 2026
Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial
760 South State St., Syracuse, NY 13202

Get your tickets now at shop.cnyhistory.org/events.

Pictured here is Syracuse Municipal Airport in the 1930s.The first plane landed at the site in 1912, when pilot Harry At...
08/22/2026

Pictured here is Syracuse Municipal Airport in the 1930s.

The first plane landed at the site in 1912, when pilot Harry Atwood flew from Chicago to Camillus, setting a long-distance flight record at the time. By 1925, the airfield was known as Amboy Airport. In 1926, the City of Syracuse purchased the airport for $50,000, and it officially opened as Syracuse Municipal Airport in 1927.

Over the years, the field welcomed some of the most famous aviators of the era, including Charles Lindbergh, Will Rogers, Amelia Earhart, and Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan. As military aviation expanded during World War II, the larger Hancock Field was constructed nearby. After the war, the city took over operations of Hancock Field and converted it into a commercial airfield in 1948.

The smaller Municipal Airport could not compete with the larger Hancock Field and closed in 1949. Much of the former airport property was later acquired by Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation and converted into chemical waste beds.

🎃 Bring Halloween to Life with OHA! 👻Looking for a spooky program for your group this Halloween season? Experience a bub...
08/21/2026

🎃 Bring Halloween to Life with OHA! 👻

Looking for a spooky program for your group this Halloween season? Experience a bubbling cauldron of local spooky traditions and tales brought to life before your very eyes!

Explore the weird and wonderful stories that haunt the history of the Salt City in this interactive performance presented by OHA. It’s a fun and frightful way to bring local history to life!

This program is available for groups and organizations. For more information and pricing, contact OHA Education Coordinator Scott Peal at [email protected] or 315-428-1864 ext. 317.

Address

321 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY
13202

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

(315) 428-1864

Website

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