Content in the following topics is intended to be used by schools to enhance the teaching of the rich history of Oswego County. These materials are free and available to those in the United States, but can not be used for items for sale or content for which there is a pay for use service. Click on an image below to access a number of resources in pdf form to use in your classroom.

Did you know Oswego County is second in the nation for the most confirmed Underground Railroad locations? RESOURCES

The canal system helped moved people and product in the region.

Woman’s Suffrage was closely linked with the Abolition movement. Many notable speakers for the right of women to vote mobilized in Oswego county.

Forts in Oswego County were built for protection, warfare, trade, supply station, and a common gathering place.

The region’s rich soil was perfect for agriculture, while it’s rivers and canal access to the port of Oswego allowed mills and factories to prosper in Oswego County.

In World War II, Fort Ontario became the only refugee shelter in the United States for close to 1000 victims of the Nazi Holocaust.

Dr. Mary Walker was born in Oswego Town, NY. She was an abolitionist, a dress reform activist, surgeon, very active in the suffrage movement, and the only female recipient of the Medal of Honor for her bravery in the Civil War. RESOURCES

Tudor Grant was born in the south as a slave and found freedom Oswego where he became a barber. He was very active in the Anti-Slavery movement. His son became a dentist who developed, and patented, the golf tee.

Our communities are made up of all types of people. From factory owners to housekeepers, farmers to ship merchants, the roles people played in our county are what made our communities prosper.

Oswego County was the site of wars during its formation. Later, the citizens of Oswego County aided the US involvement in a number of conflicts around the world.

Explore the rich stories of the towns and villages in Oswego County as submitted by town historians.

Read articles written for the Oswego County Historical Society, dated from 1896 to 1977. Topics include architecture, the Underground Railroad, Oswego Harbor, politics, and more.

Resources:

Oswego County Museums and Landmarks: http://visitoswegocounty.com

New York State Historic Newspapers:  www.nyhistoricnewspapers.org

Collection of Various Historic New York Newspapers: http://www.fultonhistory.com/

Michael J. Colasurdo’s The Amazing History of Oswego, New York: http://www.oswego-history.com

New York Heritage Digital Collections:  https://nyheritage.org/

New York State Digital Archives:  http://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/

The New York Public Library Digital Collections:  https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/