This summer I had the honor of working with the Oneida County History Center (OCHC) in Utica, NY. OCHC is a small, but mighty, non-profit organization focused on preserving and sharing the history of Oneida County and the greater Mohawk Valley. Since 1876, OCHC has been a prominent part of Oneida County. The Center has only three staff members, and dozens of volunteers helping them serve the community. OCHC has a research library with hundreds of documents, records, books, and pictures that researchers all over the country have perused. Researchers help the public search for anything they need. They also have an ever-growing artifact collection with items spanning centuries and often donated by the local community. Exhibits on various pieces of local history occupy the gallery, which is also used for public programs and lectures that engage the community.
This summer I was tasked with three projects. Firstly, I was to create a panel for a plaque outside OCHC’s front entrance. This panel was to commemorate the addition of their building to the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Secondly, I was to organize the Center’s attic, which served as an archive for their organizational and business records. Lastly, I was to create content for their social media to increase engagement. These three projects hope to help the Center and Community engage in a fruitful relationship and ensure efficiency as the organization grows.
Through my work at the Oneida County History Center, I have learned that preserving history and sharing it with the community is an everyday action. With each new day, new people came in with all manner of requests. From tracking down ancestors to discovering the history of photography in Oneida County, OCHC and its dedicated staff and volunteers were always willing to help. It is this democratic and community-driven process that has energized my passion for Museum Studies all the more this summer. Throughout my research for my first project, I discovered the extensive history of OCHC. Founded in the late 19th century, OCHC has moved homes three times as it expanded. Important men like Horatio Seymour, the Civil War governor of New York, and Supreme Court Justice Ward Hunt were founding members. Indeed, OCHC has a great legacy of deep community involvement and prestige behind it. The building being added to the National and State Registers of Historic Places continues this legacy. They have now protected this historic building from urban renewal, as well as created a place of historical emphasis in the community. By creating this panel, I hope that the community will be drawn into the Center. OCHC holds steadfast in its mission of serving the local community and preserving history for all.
My work on my second project in the attic illuminated the great work OCHC has done. The work may sound vague, but every day I learned something new about OCHC and was often inspired. In sorting through documents, I saw the various ways in which they have organized for the community. Initiatives like the Hall of Fame & Living Legends honor local community leaders and important figures. This is just one of the many public programs focused on the betterment of the community. By beginning the work of organizing their attic, I hope that it can provide more efficiency and productivity for their future endeavors that are sure to build on their past.
Social media is a powerful tool for non-profit organizations, like OCHC, that rely on community support. It’s an opportunity for outreach and helps build the community by reaching a variety of people. Currently, OCHC has 11,000 followers, a significant audience, which made my task delightfully challenging as I had to be more innovative to engage this existing group of followers. It was a great excitement creating a Summer video series for OCHC’s Instagram and Facebook called “Tid-Bit Thursdays” where I shared fascinating pieces of Oneida County History. This project broadened my historical perspective and enhanced my skill set in social media and marketing.
I declared my major as Africana and Latin American Studies within my first year here at Colgate due to the excellent professors and fascinating subject matter. What struck me at my core about the major was the way community was constantly centered in the studies. Critically analyzing communities with incredibly deep histories led me to Museum Studies as my minor. When I heard of the opportunity to become a field school fellow, I jumped at the chance in the hopes that it would immerse me in the community around me. At OCHC, I feel grateful I found this opportunity. I’ve learned so much about everything. History informs everything. That is what is beautiful about it. But even more so is it impactful when shared throughout a community. Through my projects, I have become informed on the various responsibilities and privileges of a community-based organization like OCHC. I will walk away from this summer with knowledge of how to navigate and organize archives. Additionally, I have grown my communication and marketing skills, enabling me to successfully engage with a diverse range of people. Most importantly, I will walk away from OCHC more determined to spread the incredible work I have seen.