by Contributor | March 30, 2026 8:48 am
OSWEGO COUNTY – The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) presented special edition U.S. flags in honor of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution to every county across the state.
During the Oswego County Legislature’s March meeting, NYSAC President and Oswego County Administrator Philip Church offered the commemorative flag to Legislature Chairman James Weatherup, District 9, Oswego County Clerk Terry Wilbur and County Historian Debra Allen.
“I’m proud to present this commemorative American flag celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution,” said Church. “Counties have existed before our country did, and local governments have been providing services to residents even prior to the Revolution. The Oswego County 250th Commission has been planning events, educational programming and other initiatives to celebrate our country’s heritage and the role Oswego County played in that history.”
Chairman Weatherup added, “Two hundred and fifty years ago, our founding fathers banded together and launched a revolution for the chance to work together and govern themselves. Here we are, all these years later, still going strong; just as we are in Oswego County. It’s with this unbreakable spirit that we honor where we’ve been and continue moving forward, inspired to build a brighter future for our descendants.”
The Oswego County 250th Commission was appointed by the Legislature in 2025 to lead the charge in commemorating the special anniversary. Spearheaded by County Clerk Wilbur and county historian Allen, the Commission is made up of 13 official members, in reference to America’s original 13 colonies. They include local historians, historical society members, historic site managers, school district representatives, municipal leaders, legislators and others.
The group’s activities include developing a time capsule, distributing commemorative lapel pins, hosting patriot burial marker ceremonies and more. The Commission also partnered with CiTi BOCES on a multimedia essay project for K-12 students in Oswego County school districts.
“We’re thankful to NYSAC for this gift and look forward to displaying this flag at our upcoming celebrations,” said Wilbur. “The Commission has really been focusing on ensuring we’re educating our school children about local history and how it impacted our great country 250 years ago. We also have many exciting events coming up as part of our celebration, including an old-fashioned Independence Day Dance at the Oswego County Fair.”
In addition to the dance, 250th-themed displays will be featured at the Fair and the City of Oswego hosts an Independence Day parade and celebration through the Port City over July 4th weekend. In June, Fort Ontario State Historic Site in Oswego hosts a Revolutionary War re-enactment weekend; Oswego’s Harborfest highlights the anniversary in July; and “History on Tap” presentations at G.S. Steamer’s in Oswego focus on county’s role in the Revolutionary War all season.
Allen added, “While many people know that Oswego County is rich in history, many more might not realize that, throughout the Revolutionary War, the area that is now Oswego County was under British control. Many of the same soldiers who fought as British during the French and Indian War went on to fight against the British as Americans during the Revolutionary War.
“In fact, the British actually continued to control the former Fort Oswego, once located on the west bank of the Oswego River, even after the war ended,” she continued. “Thirteen years later, in July 1789, Fort Oswego was the last fort evacuated by the British and turned over to the American government.”
Oswego County welcomes residents and visitors alike to learn about this fascinating heritage and the role this county and its citizens played in our nation’s history.
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