Oswego County Historical Society

Riverside Cemetery Walking Tour with Dr. Natalie Woodall
2026-07-18 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Special Tour: Animal Symbolism, led by Veronica Gould
2026-08-20 12:15 - 13:00 | Richardson-Bates House Museum, 135 East Third Street, Oswego, NY, 13126, United States
The Oswego County Historical Society will offer a forty-five minute specialized tour at the Richardson-Bates House Museum centering on animal symbolism through the lens of Renaissance and Egyptian/ Greek Revival styles of the Victorian era.

Veronica Gould, recent graduate of History at SUNY Oswego and volunteer at the museum, created and will lead the lunchtime tour. No reservations are necessary and no admission will be charged, but donations are appreciated.

2026 Landmark Lawn Sale, Day 01
2026-08-21 09:00 - 13:00 | Richardson-Bates House Museum, 135 East Third Street, Oswego, NY, 13126, United States
Oswego County Historical Society is holding their annual Landmark Lawn Sale! Join us on the south lawn of the Richardson-Bates House Museum for a sale of books, Oswego memorabilia, household items, collectables, vintage jewelry, historic photo reproductions, and more. No early sales.

"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.
