by Kassadee Paulo
OSWEGO – Members of the Oswego community gathered Saturday, June 1, at Fort Ontario to celebrate the history of Ludwig Bemelmans, author of the children’s book series, “Madeline,” while he was stationed there during World War I.
Children have been reading the “Madeline” series since 1939 when Bemelmans published the first book.
It follows a courageous little girl who lives in Paris with 11 other girls under the care of Miss Clavel.
This year, the festival’s theme revolved around a specific book in the series – “Madeline and the Gypsies,” which was published in 1959.
Bemelmans, originally from the Austrian Tirol, came to the U.S. in 1914 and later joined the U.S. Army during World War I when he was stationed at Fort Ontario, the largest military hospital on the Eastern side of the U.S., in 1917.
He later published “My War with the United States” in 1941 about his experience, the first few chapters being about Oswego.
Bemelmans died in 1962, but “Madeline” lives on through the works of his grandson, John Bemelmans Marciano.
Many organizations in the community collaborated to arrange the third annual festival.
These included the Children’s Museum of Oswego, Fort Ontario Historic Site, Friends of Fort Ontario, Marionette Magic Theater, the Art Association of Oswego, Oswego Players and the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning, who helped to promote the event.
Laurie Kester, president of AAO, said the purpose of the festival and its activities are to “educate the community about our rich history” and connection to the author of the “Madeline” series.
Families and attendees flew kites, participated in the Marionette Magic Theater’s “Madeline and the Gypsies” skit, were offered readings from the books, an ice cream social, books from the Oswego Bookmobile, and games with Miss Clavel, Madeline’s caretaker.
Later in the day, they paraded in “Madeline” costumes.
Everything, aside from kites, hats and food for sale, was free, including admittance into Fort Ontario.
AAO offered free “Madeline” themed crafts in the Civic Arts Center, right next to Fort Ontario.
“It’s such a joy for parents to come to an event and not have to spend money to have their kids have fun,” Kester said. “This was just a way for us to love the community and give back and try to provide an event that families can come out and just have a fun time.”
AAO also presented its exhibition of “Madeline” inspired artwork from members of the association and around the community, including residents at Springside at Seneca Hill.
“If there are people in residential care facilities who feel isolated, who need the stimulation of having art projects and activities, feeling like they’re still part of the community is a very good thing to have,” said Larry Rapshaw, a committee member of the festival.
Rapshaw, dressed to fit the theme, showed attendees around the gallery to talk about the pieces and their significance and history, many of which he created himself or were part of his private collection.
“One of our big deals that we really like to do is to incorporate the help from seniors, as well as very young and everyone in the middle generations,” Rapshaw said. “We are very artistically minded and we’d like to get everyone in the community involved and that’s why so many of the activities are free.”
To celebrate the history of Bemelmans while he was stationed in Oswego, many pieces tied Oswego and the book series.
Some placed the main character in popular Oswego sites, including in front of the lighthouse, the Oswego movie theater and City Hall.
The collection also included Bemelmans’ works other than “Madeline,” including a few covers of “The New Yorker,” which took influence from his life.
Mary Kay Stone, who is on the board of Friends of Fort Ontario, took the project on as committee chair.
She said at least 80 Fort Ontario staff members and volunteers helped to put the event together and see it through.
“The connection that we also make with our other fellow museums has a large payoff in the community,” Stone said. “The more the museums and organizations like Players Theatre and the Art Association, and Children’s Museum and Safe Haven Museum – the more we collaborate, the stronger we get, and the better it is, not only for the community’s sense of self, but for tourism, the image of Oswego.”
Stone said its first year, three years ago, started out over a span of 10 days as the Bemelmans Festival, which marked 100 years since he came to Oswego.
That year a play was adapted from “My War with the United States.”
The festival has since changed to just the one day as the Madeline Festival, this being the first year using that name because it is more widely recognized.
Stone said almost 1,000 people from Oswego County and the surrounding counties attended last year.
Janet Clerkin, tourism and public information coordinator for Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning, said attendance and general awareness of the festival has grown since it began.
“It brings people in, makes them more familiar with what Fort Ontario has to offer and also restaurants and other things to do, other amenities and museums here in the city [of Oswego,]” Clerkin said.
Discover more from Oswego County Today
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.