Arts and Entertainment

New York State has published an extensive “Haunted History Trail” brochure. There are several places in Oswego County on the list. There are two in Mexico – Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum, and Casey’s Cottage at Mexico Point Park. Both are only open with prior reservations. Casey’s Cottage, designed by Dr. William Casey, a Columbia University professor spent his summers turning the carriage house at Mexico Point into an 11th century manor house. After his death in 1978 visitors reported hearing faint organ music, cries for help, candles jumping off the shelves and other unusual phenomena.

John and I have stopped by the Harriet Tubman site in Auburn several times but it was never open. In January 2017 it became the Harriet Tubman National Historic Park which means it is open more days and hours so we finally were able to visit. Tubman was the most famous conductor on the Underground Railroad and often referred to as “The Moses of Her People.” She was born a slave in Maryland around 1820. She escaped to freedom and then returned to Maryland at least 19 times to helps others reach freedom in the North – most likely about 70 not hundreds as reported in some places.

Sometimes the name says it all such as “Lincoln Boyhood Home National Memorial.” Other times the name is misleading. Such was the case with the Root Farm in Sauquoit near Utica. I was expecting a farm growing beets, carrots and other root vegetables. It turns out it is named for its founder, Alice Root. The name does not do it justice.

Thomas Cole was born in 1801 in England and immigrated to the United States. By the time the 1800s rolled around most of England and Europe had been turned into farmland or villages and cities so there were very few forested areas. Cole was enthralled with the scenery of the Hudson Valley and painted many works of art that personified the beauty and serenity of the area. His work gained him the status as being the founder of the Hudson River School of Art, a movement that flourished in the mid-19th century creating many landscape artists.

Down a tree-lined road with luxury homes snugged behind the trees is Sagamore, the place Teddy Roosevelt called home. He named it after Sagamore Mohannis who, as chief of his tribe, signed away his rights to the land. Roosevelt’s first wife, Alice, and his mother died on the same day. His wife died of Bright’s disease giving birth to their daughter, Alice; and his mother of typhoid fever. Roosevelt married again. He and his new wife, Edith, called Sagamore home for their family which included their three children, Teddy Jr., Kermit, and Ethel along with Roosevelt’s first daughter, Alice.

John and I often drive between Central New York and the New York City/Long Island area. And, when we don’t take the train, we usually take the NYS Thruway. Why? We have Easy Pass and it’s convenient. This last trip we decided to take the Taconic State Parkway. The Taconic State Parkway is a 104.12-mile, limited access, divided scenic highway snugged between the rolling hills of the Berkshires and the Hudson.

John and I had visited the St. Marie Among the Iroquois a couple of times years ago but I knew it had been redone so decided it was time to revisit. We were impressed with the changes and, as always, inspired by the Native American’s perspective on Mother Nature. In reality, the site is two historic sites and there are great views of Onondaga Lake. The museum, which was closed for a couple of years, reopened on November 21, 2015, and is now called Skä•noñh-Great Law of Peace Center.