History Fair 2018, Town of Chemung
Took place October 13, 2018 at the Town of Chemung, Annex Building, Chemung, NY
Chemung: The history of Chemung
Over a dozen historians and experts from both sides of the state border packed the facility, and what started as a commemoration of the 160th anniversary of the Junction Canal turned into a history fair that included artifacts, presentations and re-enactors.
"Not many people know about the history of Chemung," Kunst said. "For example, a lot of people know about the Battle of Newtown, but not that there was a Battle of Chemung. Or that Chemung is one of the oldest towns in the state -- part of what was originally Montgomery County."
Throughout the event, experts discussed local history, displayed old muskets and tools, and featured Civil War replica quilts, among many other points and items of interest.
The fair also featured a canal boat-and-lock system created by the fourth-grade art class of the Elm Elementary School, Teacher Nate Culver
Those experts included:
* Representatives of the Tioga Point Museum and Chemung County and Horseheads historical societies.
* North Branch Extension expert Bobbi Blanchard
* Old Hickory Long Guns Re-enactor George Cummings
* Colonial-era spinning and textiles expert Julia Brown
* Battle of Chemung expert Dr. Michael Jacobson
* Patti Shay, who provided a Victorian-era display
* Vintage quilts expert Linda Freeman
* Town fire department historian George Snell
* Grave marker photographer John White.
"We just wanted to bring more awareness to the rich history of the area," Kunst said. "There's so much to learn, and hopefully we'll have more people come to us with more items to share so we can keep learning."
- By JOHNNY WILLIAMS Staff Writer
- Oct 15, 2018
Over a dozen historians and experts from both sides of the state border packed the facility, and what started as a commemoration of the 160th anniversary of the Junction Canal turned into a history fair that included artifacts, presentations and re-enactors.
"Not many people know about the history of Chemung," Kunst said. "For example, a lot of people know about the Battle of Newtown, but not that there was a Battle of Chemung. Or that Chemung is one of the oldest towns in the state -- part of what was originally Montgomery County."
Throughout the event, experts discussed local history, displayed old muskets and tools, and featured Civil War replica quilts, among many other points and items of interest.
The fair also featured a canal boat-and-lock system created by the fourth-grade art class of the Elm Elementary School, Teacher Nate Culver
Those experts included:
* Representatives of the Tioga Point Museum and Chemung County and Horseheads historical societies.
* North Branch Extension expert Bobbi Blanchard
* Old Hickory Long Guns Re-enactor George Cummings
* Colonial-era spinning and textiles expert Julia Brown
* Battle of Chemung expert Dr. Michael Jacobson
* Patti Shay, who provided a Victorian-era display
* Vintage quilts expert Linda Freeman
* Town fire department historian George Snell
* Grave marker photographer John White.
"We just wanted to bring more awareness to the rich history of the area," Kunst said. "There's so much to learn, and hopefully we'll have more people come to us with more items to share so we can keep learning."