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Featured image: The McWhorter House in an undated photo.
OSWEGO, N.Y. — The public is invited to a free event on Saturday, September 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Oswego Public Library, located at 120 East Second Street. In this talk, Dr. Alanna Ossa will be presenting on the findings of SUNY Oswego Archeological Field School’s 2026 summer dig on the grounds of the McWhorter House.
The McWhorter House, an early 19th century stone house on Oswego’s East Side, is the third site for the Field School. Current owners Katie (O’Brien) Beaudry and Matthew Beaudry invited Dr. Ossa and her students based on the historical importance of this home. Mr. McWhorter was the Collector of Customs for the Port of Oswego (appointed 1834 and 1843). McWhorter was also the son-in-law of John Laurance, a revolutionary-era founding father.
This month’s talk brings the field school findings to the local Oswego community. SUNY Oswego students participating in the field school gain professional experience in cultural resource management while earning upper-division course credit over the summer. Students presented preliminary findings at the conclusion of the summer course in July. Dr. Ossa’s talk is also expected to highlight some similarities and differences in findings compared to past field school sites. These past sites include the Richardson-Bates House Museum, home of the Oswego County Historical Society where Dr. Ossa is a member of the board of trustees, as well as the site of the Van Buren Inn along the Oswego River.
