Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society
Moravia, New York
COLHS Flea market
COLHS will host a flea market at Fillmore Glen State Park on Aug 10 in conjunction with sponsoring organization "Friends of Fillmore"s Bathtub races . Come and live the excitement of crazy racers and find a great deal among the fleas!! If you want to race look up Friends on Facebook and find out details Hurry time is going by . We have tables inside if you have fleas to sell and need a space. Contact Esther Thornton through our F/B page.
COLHS to Host Talk About Ginseng
COLHS Photo Collection |
Noted ginseng expert, Robert Beyfuss, will give a talk about American Ginseng (panax quinquefolius) and its history in North America, on Thursday, July 28, 2016. The meeting will be held at the Sylvan Lodge Masonic Hall, 159 Main Street, Moravia starting at 6:30 pm. The meeting is free and open to the public.
Of all the crops that our local farmers have tried over the years, probably none are as challenging and misunderstood as ginseng. American Indians in our area knew of the plant from ancient times and began trading it with French missionaries in the early 1700’s, who in turn made a profit by sending the roots to China.
Much later, a craze swept through our area beginning in the 1880s. The story is best told by Samuel Hopkins Adams in an article called “The Treasure Hunt” that first appeared in the January 16, 1954 issue of The New Yorker magazine. The article later was published as a chapter in Adam’s best-selling book, Grandfather Stories.
In his story Adams tells of discovering a wild ginseng plant in 1884 in the woods near his grandfather’s camp on Owasco Lake. He and his cousins began trading with Frank Clark, the station master at Ensenore, who shipped the plants to Chinese dealers in New York. By the end of the first summer the cousins had sold over $20 in wild roots to Clark.
They weren’t the only ones engaging in the practice and within a few years the wild form of the plant had virtually become extinct. Today ginseng is categorized as exploitably vulnerable on New York State’s list of protected native plants. Local gardeners and farmers made several attempts at growing the plant, but most were unsuccessful and soon moved on to other ventures.
Of all the crops that our local farmers have tried over the years, probably none are as challenging and misunderstood as ginseng. American Indians in our area knew of the plant from ancient times and began trading it with French missionaries in the early 1700’s, who in turn made a profit by sending the roots to China.
Much later, a craze swept through our area beginning in the 1880s. The story is best told by Samuel Hopkins Adams in an article called “The Treasure Hunt” that first appeared in the January 16, 1954 issue of The New Yorker magazine. The article later was published as a chapter in Adam’s best-selling book, Grandfather Stories.
In his story Adams tells of discovering a wild ginseng plant in 1884 in the woods near his grandfather’s camp on Owasco Lake. He and his cousins began trading with Frank Clark, the station master at Ensenore, who shipped the plants to Chinese dealers in New York. By the end of the first summer the cousins had sold over $20 in wild roots to Clark.
They weren’t the only ones engaging in the practice and within a few years the wild form of the plant had virtually become extinct. Today ginseng is categorized as exploitably vulnerable on New York State’s list of protected native plants. Local gardeners and farmers made several attempts at growing the plant, but most were unsuccessful and soon moved on to other ventures.
Among those who prevailed was local entrepreneur Arthur J. “Sandy” Bowen. Born in Montville in 1868, Arthur went into the blacksmith trade at age 17, later operating his own business on East Cayuga Street in Moravia. His blacksmith shop became a general wagon repair shop, which later evolved into an auto repair shop and gas station that he operated along with his son Carl. The building has recently collapsed and is in the process of being removed.
Probably the most ambitious of Arthur’s various projects were his ginseng gardens. Not only did he sell thousands of seed roots to traders from Japan, China and Korea, he supplied other growers across the country and published articles and pamphlets on the subject. Using original 1910 photos from the COLHS research library, Mr. Beyfuss and COLHS member Roger Phillips were able to locate and visit the site of Bowen's former operation on Dresserville Road in Montville.
Mr. Beyfuss retired from Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Greene County in 2009, where he served as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leader and also as the NY State specialist for American Ginseng Production for Cornell University.
He is the author of several papers about ginseng including "American Ginseng Production in NY State", "The Practical Guide to Growing Ginseng", "Ginseng Production in Woodlots" and "The Economics of Woodland Ginseng Production."
Mr. Beyfuss currently manages 220 acres of forestland, where wild simulated ginseng is being grown in the Catskill Mountain region of NY State.
View of Arthur Bowen's Gardens in Montville, COLHS Photo Collection |
Mr. Beyfuss retired from Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Greene County in 2009, where he served as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leader and also as the NY State specialist for American Ginseng Production for Cornell University.
He is the author of several papers about ginseng including "American Ginseng Production in NY State", "The Practical Guide to Growing Ginseng", "Ginseng Production in Woodlots" and "The Economics of Woodland Ginseng Production."
Mr. Beyfuss currently manages 220 acres of forestland, where wild simulated ginseng is being grown in the Catskill Mountain region of NY State.
COLHS Celebrates 50 Years
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Outgoing President Esther Thornton |
Some attendees dressed for the occasion as they would have in 1966. Roger Stoyell wore his army uniform; Esther Thornton came as a flower child and Millie Redmond dressed in her "Sunday best" including hat, big pocketbook and pumps.
Roger Phillips reviewed news from 1966 to help place the founding of COLHS in context. Retired County Historian and long-time COLHS member Tom Eldred spoke about the early days of COLHS and some of the early members including Bob Scarry, Mabel Crosby, Elsie VanLiew and Don Mortin.
Officers elected for 2016 are Bill O'Connor III, President; Ken Morehouse, 1st Vice-President; Sean Cochrane, 2nd Vice-President; Esther Thornton, Secretary and Roger Phillips, Treasurer.
Fillmore Glen from Long Ago
Cowshed and Dry Falls. Photo by Tyrus Teed circa 1895 |
So how long have their been "Friends of Fillmore Glen?" It turns out the Dry Creek Gorge was popular long before the name Fillmore Glen was coined. The following article from the Moravia Valley Register of June 26, 1874 provides a colorful description of what is now Fillmore Glen State Park.
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Pioneer Day
COLHS will hold its sixth annual Pioneer Day event on Saturday, August 8, 2015, from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. All events are open to the public and free of charge.
THE HISTORY HOUSE at 14 West Cayuga Street, Moravia, will feature artisan demonstrations, a Petting Zoo with Alpacas and Miniature Donkeys, Snacks and Raffles. Several historic quilts from the COLHS collection will be on display this year in the main exhibit room. Artisan demonstrations will include: Deer Horn Knives, Chair Decorating, Chair Caning, Quilt Making, Rug Making, Needlework, Knitting, Crocheting, Butter Making, Soap Making, Spinning, Antique Tool Demonstrations and Black Powder Guns.
Several baskets, each loaded with about $200 in merchandise and gift certificates from area businesses will be available for raffles.
As always, a highlight of the event will be a homemade pie sale. Hot dogs and other refreshments will be provided by 10-10 BBQ.
In addition to the planned demonstrations, several area artisans will have booths with their handiwork for sale. If you are an artisan and would like to reserve a space, please send an email or call Esther at 315-497-0537.
SYLVAN LODGE MASONIC LODGE at 159 Main Street, Moravia, will feature the Dr. Anthony Fine Art and Photography Contests. Both contests are open to all ages, amateur or professional. Click here for rules and registration forms.
In addition to art and photography submitted for the show, several works by Dr. H.E. Anthony will also be on display along with some of his memorabilia. Dr. Anthony was one of Moravia's country doctors for sixty years. He also was a prolific artist and playwright. COLHS houses a large collection of Dr. Anthony's paintings, scripts and memorabilia. Click here to read more about Dr. Anthony.
THE HISTORY HOUSE at 14 West Cayuga Street, Moravia, will feature artisan demonstrations, a Petting Zoo with Alpacas and Miniature Donkeys, Snacks and Raffles. Several historic quilts from the COLHS collection will be on display this year in the main exhibit room. Artisan demonstrations will include: Deer Horn Knives, Chair Decorating, Chair Caning, Quilt Making, Rug Making, Needlework, Knitting, Crocheting, Butter Making, Soap Making, Spinning, Antique Tool Demonstrations and Black Powder Guns.
Several baskets, each loaded with about $200 in merchandise and gift certificates from area businesses will be available for raffles.
As always, a highlight of the event will be a homemade pie sale. Hot dogs and other refreshments will be provided by 10-10 BBQ.
In addition to the planned demonstrations, several area artisans will have booths with their handiwork for sale. If you are an artisan and would like to reserve a space, please send an email or call Esther at 315-497-0537.
SYLVAN LODGE MASONIC LODGE at 159 Main Street, Moravia, will feature the Dr. Anthony Fine Art and Photography Contests. Both contests are open to all ages, amateur or professional. Click here for rules and registration forms.
COLHS Annual Banquet, Thursday, April 23, 2015

Members and their guests are invited to attend and help the Church celebrate the 200th year of the building that is on the State and National Historic Register. The Church building was completed in 1815, by the pioneers of Owasco. After the dinner, there will be a brief program in the sanctuary by Irene Ward and Laurel Auchampaugh, the Owasco Historian.
The church is located in the hamlet of Owasco at 5105 State Route 38A, near the intersection with Gahwiler Road.
The cost of the dinner is $12 per person. To make a reservation, please contact Esther Thornton no later than April 16, 2015 at 315-497-0537 or send an email.
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