Exhibits

Oneida County and the Civil War

On May 8, 1861, James McQuade was commissioned colonel of the Fourteenth New York Volunteer Infantry, commonly called the First Oneida, of which the Utica Citizens Corps formed the nucleus. On June 17, 1861, the regiment left Albany and on June 20 arrived in Washington. Besides the Fourteenth Regiment, there were four other regments which went from Oneida County.

In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, the society has assembled a large exhibit that shows the role Oneida County played in the war. On display are a wide variety of artifacts including flags, uniforms, drums, swords, guns and personal belongings of soldiers from Oneida County. In the exhibit are many personal items of General Daniel Butterfield including his Medal of Honor. . He was chief of staff to General George Meade, commander of Northern troops at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Butterfield is also credited with composing the bugle call "Taps"

Manufacture of Molding and Joiner Tools in Oneida County

Joinery is the process of combining two or more pieces of wood together without nails, bolts or screws. Joinery tools help woodworkers create these precise joints, creating a super strong connection that outlasts any screw or nail. The role of a joiner is to create the fine interior trim and appointments on buildings, after the carpenter has completed the structural work. In the nineteenth century, when most fine collectible tools were made, joiners were at the peak of their prosperity

This exhibit traces the history of joining tool production in Oneida County starting with Robert Wells in Holland Patent and continuing through 1868. On display are a number of planes from makers in Utica including John Reed Jr. and Leonard Kennedy Jr. In addition, there are planes produced in Auburn State Prison using contracted prison labor between 1820 and 1875. Also shown are artifacts from Utica Mechanics Fairs as well as a variety of planes and moldings that were produced by these planes. Included are various tools used by plane makers.

Quilts from the Collection of the Oneida County Historical Society

In the past women have used their needles to record their lives and the times in which they lived. The art of sewing was practiced by women of all social, economic and ethnic classes. For pioneer women, farm wives and slaves the work was utilitarian by necessity since they were responsible for clothing and providing bedding for their families. Wealthier women could create more decorative pieces since they had the luxury of more time. By the middle of the nineteenth century women found in their quilts the opportunity to express political opinions or show patriotism by selecting designs and color choices which supported their point of view.

The Oneida County Historical Society has in its collection a variety of examples of the work of both early and modern seamstresses. Some of these pieces are connected to well-known local historical figures; others were created by relatives of the donors; and some are from unknown sources. But the pieces are representative of the periods in which they were created and the people of this area who were connected to them.