KING FERRY - When Marsha Russell first began digging into the history of the New York state historical markers that adorn the Southern Cayuga region, she never dreamed that the program would attract so much attention.
Glenn Gaston / Special to The Citizen
Mary Ellen Ormiston reads a welcome to those attending the program at the Rural Life Museum in King Ferry Sunday afternoon.
Mary Ellen Ormiston reads a welcome to those attending the program at the Rural Life Museum in King Ferry Sunday afternoon.
At one time, the historical markers were carefully attended to by a state program, but have sat untouched and often unnoticed since the state's decision to drop the program many years ago.
“We are lucky enough to live in an area that is so rich with local history,” Russell said during the “Historical Markers of Cayuga County” program held at The Rural Life Museum in King Ferry, Sunday afternoon. “We just need to package it together for easier access.”
Of the many markers that still exist in the Southern Cayuga area, Russell had chosen six that seemed to inspire her the most.
Dressed in period garb, both active and retired teachers around the county read a short biography of each marker listed in the program.
Russell had originally written the program for an event held at the Morgan Opera House this past fall.
“I think that there is an interest in our local history,” Russell said. “These markers are fading and they don't have to. The markers are very important to our history.”
Of the six markers listed in the program, Russell said that the one for Eliza Mosher is fading the quickest.
“On Britt Road, there is a worn, rusted, half tipped over marker for Eliza Mosher, eminent woman physician 1846-1928,” said Linda Van Buskirk reading from the written script. “The marker reveals little about the career of Eliza Mosher, and if it doesn't get a little maintenance soon, it will reveal nothing at all.”
Marilyn Mann, of the Rural Life Museum said that they were excited to host the program because the Southern Cayuga High School local history class is researching the historical markers.
“The students are researching all of the markers,” she said. “It is the project that they have been working on this year. We thought that the two would tie in nicely together.”
Both Russell and the history class had no knowledge that the other was researching the same project.
According to an article recently published in the Genoa-King Ferry Tribune, the students are looking for help in finding information on various markers.
They ask that anyone with knowledge of the Waring Place, the Mekeel Sugar Cane factory, or the Unknown Soldier, to contact the school.
To help
Contact Southern Cayuga local history class at: casperb@southerncayuga.org
“We are lucky enough to live in an area that is so rich with local history,” Russell said during the “Historical Markers of Cayuga County” program held at The Rural Life Museum in King Ferry, Sunday afternoon. “We just need to package it together for easier access.”
Of the many markers that still exist in the Southern Cayuga area, Russell had chosen six that seemed to inspire her the most.
Dressed in period garb, both active and retired teachers around the county read a short biography of each marker listed in the program.
Russell had originally written the program for an event held at the Morgan Opera House this past fall.
“I think that there is an interest in our local history,” Russell said. “These markers are fading and they don't have to. The markers are very important to our history.”
Of the six markers listed in the program, Russell said that the one for Eliza Mosher is fading the quickest.
“On Britt Road, there is a worn, rusted, half tipped over marker for Eliza Mosher, eminent woman physician 1846-1928,” said Linda Van Buskirk reading from the written script. “The marker reveals little about the career of Eliza Mosher, and if it doesn't get a little maintenance soon, it will reveal nothing at all.”
Marilyn Mann, of the Rural Life Museum said that they were excited to host the program because the Southern Cayuga High School local history class is researching the historical markers.
“The students are researching all of the markers,” she said. “It is the project that they have been working on this year. We thought that the two would tie in nicely together.”
Both Russell and the history class had no knowledge that the other was researching the same project.
According to an article recently published in the Genoa-King Ferry Tribune, the students are looking for help in finding information on various markers.
They ask that anyone with knowledge of the Waring Place, the Mekeel Sugar Cane factory, or the Unknown Soldier, to contact the school.
To help
Contact Southern Cayuga local history class at: casperb@southerncayuga.org
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