Special Exhibits

Lucy Carlile Watson was born in Utica in 1855. She dedicated her adult life to community service and women’s suffrage causes. This special exhibit at the History Center showcases Watson’s life and the contributions of local women in achieving equality and enhancing the lives of those in their community.

This exhibition is a companion to Voices and Votes: Democracy in America on display at MUNSON from Nov. 1 and to Dec. 13. Voices and Votes is a Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibition developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. It’s based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History. It has been made possible in New York State by the Museum Association of New York. Support for MoMS in New York State has been provided by the United States Congress and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy” humanities discussion programs are made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Agriculture has always been a leading industry in the Mohawk Valley. Farming trends and influential individuals have contributed to the growth and development of farming in Oneida County. From cows and cheese to hops and potatoes, farming has evolved and adapted to changes in the community. This new exhibit shares the udderly amazing story of the area's rich agricultural history.

The Saturday Globe redefined the traditional newspaper and expanded regional journalism through innovative color printing and distribution methods.

Printed locally in Utica from 1881 to 1924, the GLOBE shipped to 40 different editions to US cities and every corner of the world. It was a pioneer in the news industry, perfecting the printing of photographs which brought readers the stories of the world in color.

Don't miss the chance to view this one-of-a-kind collection.

The Underground Railroad was more than a route to freedom; it was a social movement that blurred the lines of race and gender.

It featured the cooperation of free and enslaved groups -- black, white, men, and women who pushed the nation one step closer to universal freedom.

This exhibit highlights the Underground Railroad movement in Oneida County along with how it weaved together social, political, and economic transformations, which made the route to freedom possible.

Walking Tour Exhibit Companion

This self-guided narrated tour provides maps and images of nine stops in downtown Utica associated with the Underground Railroad. Developed in partnership with the Oneida County Freedom Trail Commission and is based on tours previously given by the Commission. Click the map below to begin your tour.

Did you know that the city of Utica once produced 2,000 pairs of shoes per day?! This new exhibit features photographs, tools, advertising, and shoes! It explores the lesser-known shoe industry that thrived in Utica and was one of its chief industries.

Utica's Historic Shoe District Walking Tour

This self-guided tour features the sight of several factories in Utica and traces the rise and fall of an amazing part of the area's history. Click the map below to start your tour!

Companion Lecture

OCHC Director of Public Programs Patrick Reynolds discusses his research and findings on this vanished Utica industry.