NORWICH, N.Y. – Welcome summer with a free family outing! The inaugural “Summer Barn Picnic” at the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) will be held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on June 15 at 43 Rexford St., Norwich. Generously sponsored by Sidney Federal Credit Union (SFCU), this brand-new Path Through History program offers fun for all ages.
Families will have the opportunity to create “A Mighty Fine Time Machine” with children’s author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom. All are encouraged to collect and bring a variety of objects—beads, dials, gears, mirrors, tubes, twine, etc.—to help make this community masterpiece. The final creation will be featured in the newest Community Gallery exhibit, “Creativity in Bloom: The Storied Illustrations of Suzanne Bloom.”
Special guest “Sprout,” the SFCU mascot, will be on hand to greet visitors. All registered picnic participants will enjoy lunch prepared by DCMO BOCES culinary students and snacks donated by Chobani and Frito-Lay. Additional concessions will be available for purchase from Kandi’s Kitchen.
At 2 p.m., join CCHS for a brief presentation when the Elinor Robb Troicke Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to two graduating high school seniors from Chenango County—Gracie Gorrell from Unadilla Valley Central School, who plans to study elementary education at SUNY Oneonta; and Norwich High School’s Isabelle Voss, who is enrolling at Nazareth University to pursue a degree in theater arts and inclusive elementary education.
The 12th issue of the Journal of the Chenango County Historical Society will make its debut during the picnic as well. A CCHS tradition since the summer of 2012, the publication features a wide variety of scholarly articles highlighting the unique history of Chenango County. Topics in this year’s issue include a wide range of stories, from “A History of the Sherburne Pageant of the Bands” and “James Buffalo and the Buffalo Gals” to “Roy Mosher, Local Artist Extraordinaire” and “William Edward Dimorier: Chenango County Servant Leader,” among many others.
Registration for the “Summer Barn Picnic” is required at Tinyurl.com/CCHSPicnic, and the first 75 families to register will receive a free picnic blanket.
“This generous investment from SFCU allows us to celebrate Path Through History in a way that is truly unique to Chenango County,” said Jessica Moquin, CCHS executive director. “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to offer this dynamic cultural heritage programming.”
First established in 1939, CCHS is the area’s premier heritage museum dedicated to celebrating local culture—its unique traditions and noteworthy stories. During Path Through History weekends, special events like this are held to highlight historically and culturally significant sites while offering new perspectives on New York state’s heritage.
CCHS programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. CCHS is also a proud partner of Bloomberg Connects, an app that allows visitors to enhance their exhibit experience through audio clips, videos, and more. Download this free digital museum guide via the Apple Store or Google Play, and visit ChenangoHistorical.org for more details about this and other museum programs.
