Oswego County Historical Society

"Painting Oswego" - Presentation by Michael Parks
2026-05-17 13:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Richardson-Bates House Museum, 135 East Third Street, Oswego, NY, 13126, United States
Join volunteer Michael Parks (M.A., Syracuse University, Art History) for a special presentation about his work in curating a special exhibit on “Painting Oswego.”

After his presentation in the drawing room on the first floor, guests will be encouraged to go upstairs to see the exhibit in our gallery space.

2026 Riverside Cemetery Bus Tour
2026-06-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Riverside Cemetery, 4024 County Rte 57, Oswego, 13126
The Oswego County Historical Society, along with the Friends of Riverside Cemetery, will host a guided tour of the historic Riverside Cemetery.

Interested members of the public should call Oswego County Historical Society at 315-343-1342 to reserve their $10 ticket. Reservations are capped at 45 guests but there will be a waiting list. Guests should park near Page Memorial Chapel. The tour will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the chapel. Please bring cash or check to pay for your ticket to the event.

2026 Annual Meeting
2026-06-28 13:00 - 15:00 | McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St, Oswego, NY, 13126, United States
Join us for our annual meeting! This meeting is open to all members of the Oswego County Historical Society as well as any interested members of the public. There will be a report from Eva Corradino, Society President, and a special historical presentation.

This year’s featured historical presentation is entitled “From Water Street to Lake Street: Ellen and Mark Wahl present a unique history of the Oswego Music Hall” and coincides with the Oswego Music Hall’s 40th year celebration.

Riverside Cemetery Walking Tour with Dr. Natalie Woodall
2026-07-18 11:00 - 12:30 | Riverside Cemetery, 4024 County Rte 57, Oswego, 13126
Local historian Dr. Natalie J. Woodall will lead a walking tour of the upper section of Riverside Cemetery. The tour begins at Page Memorial Chapel just inside the cemetery entrance, but cars will be guided to the upper section to park. The rest of the tour will be walking. Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and clothing. A walking stick or cane is advised on account of uneven ground. Program will last about one and a half hours. Reservations are not necessary, nominal fee will be collected and donations shared with Friends of Riverside Cemetery. If you are paying with check on the day of the event, please make this check out to Friends of Riverside. Dr. Woodall explains, “This program is intended to give participants a sense of local history in a less well known section of Riverside Cemetery. Among the prominent Oswegonians buried there are Civil War surgeon Carrington MacFarlane, Ladies’ Home founder Louise Braman Irwin, shipbuilder Thomas Mott and many members of his family, including Major Dorothy Mott, USMC, Abolitionists Edwin Winslow Clarke and his wife, Charlotte Ambler, and Normal School Professor Dr. Lida Penfield. These are local prominent men and women whose business endeavors, civic activities, and social involvement have contributed to the growth of Oswego City.”

Photo from Dr. Woodall’s 2024 Cemetery Tour.

2026 Family Fun Day
2026-08-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Richardson-Bates House Museum, 135 East Third Street, Oswego, NY, 13126, United States
Play traditional Victorian games on the south lawn of the museum for free. Ice cream sundaes courtesy of Stewart’s Shops.

"Digging History:" SUNY Oswego Archeological Field School at the McWhorter House
2026-09-26 13:30 - 15:30 | Oswego Public Library, 120 E 2nd St, Oswego, NY, 13126, United States
Join professor and Society board member Alanna Ossa for a presentation on the 2026 Archeological Field School conducted this summer at the historic 1828 McWhorter house.

This ties into the America 250 commemoration and the John Laurance collection of colonial and early Oswego documents exhibited at the Richardson-Bates House Museum.

2026 Classic Movie Night
2026-10-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Oswego Cinema 7, 138 W 2nd St #2763, Oswego, NY, 13126, United States
Oswego County Historical Society is once again hosting our Classic Movie Night, in partnership with Zurich Cinemas.

Check back for more information.

2026 Trivia Night
2026-11-12 19:00 - 22:00 | G.S. Steamers, 70 E 1st St, Oswego, NY, 13126, United States
Test your trivia skills with Oswego County Historical Society’s annual Trivia Night! Gather a team of up to six brainiacs and challenge yourselves to five rounds of trivia, with categories ranging from local history, to general trivia, to literature, sports and more!

Tickets are available for purchase in advance or at the door at G.S. Steamers. First place wins a snazzy gift basket of goodies—donated by Man in the Moon Candies—featuring chocolates, merchandise from local businesses and organizations, and other surprises.

We hope to see you there!

2026 Holiday Open House
2026-12-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Richardson-Bates House Museum, 135 East Third Street, Oswego, NY, 13126, United States
Experience Victorian Christmas through the eyes of the Bates family. Christmas decorations and Victorian children’s gifts are on display through the month of December.
