Museum News

Highlights:

The old "news" page has been revamped! Watch this page for news of what's happening at and around the Museum, as well as pics of programs after they've finished. For upcoming events, check the "schedule" page for an overview and the "upcoming events" page for details as they come along.

2008 Annual Benefit Drawing Winners:

1st prize: Vintage Trunk - Patrick Fasulo and family (right) of Liverpool

2nd prize: Framed Cross Stitch - Steve Marte of Cicero

3rd prize: Crocheted Afghan - Sharon McMillen of Hannibal

4th prize: Framed Photograph - Dave White of Milford, CT

5th prize: Gift Certificate to Patz Restaurant - Fanny Knapp of Fulton

Many of you may have seen Gertie the duck laying on her eggs in the flower box right outside the entry door... After 3-4 weeks, her young have hatched. She kept hiding them & slipped away in the night, but best count had her brood at 5 ducklings.

	"Tales of the Haunted Harbor" 2008 followed a Remembrance Ceremony to honor the women and children who were killed at Fort Oswego during the French and Indian War. The pictures below show some of the highlights of that ceremony. A candle light tribute was held. To the left, Mrs. Nesbitt begins the ghost stories (photo courtesy of David Thompson). Below that are pictures of part of the crowd that gathered, and the Monster of Lake Ontario.

The H. Lee White Marine Museum and the Oswego Maritime Foundation recently held their first Canal Celebration. The festivities included activities from years past such as a washing station where visitors could wash the "old-fashioned way". The station was staffed by the local Hannibal 4-H Bluebirds. Other interactive activities were wool spinning demonstrations, T-shirt decorating, knot tying, cruises on the Erie Canal Boat, Discover Sailing ventures, paper bead making, homemade apple pies and more. An inflatable was also provided by AirHop Rentals for the children's enjoyment. Tours of the museum's historic 1925 NYS Canal Boat and other museum venues were offered free to the public. We are so pleased with the turnout for this event. Despite inclement weather over 125 visitors enjoyed the fest." noted the museum's director, Mercedes Niess.




Thank you to the ELKS for their sponsorship.

Refurbishment has begun at the Museum and on the vessels. New paint jobs are being applied to the Canal Boat and the LT-5. Aging burlap panels in the main building have begun getting rejuvenating paint jobs.

These first pictures show the progression in the first room, upstairs. To the right, you can see the finished paint job, as well as some new signage. Below-right, spring intern Jennifer Rubik and Executive Director Mercedes Niess pose in another corner of the transformed room. The bottom row shows volunteers Robin Snyder and Dave Curtin painting the walls and a series of floor-to-ceiling cabinets that were uncovered in the room.

Our second "Kids' Pirate Day" of 2008 went just as well as the first, with a full crowd of scallywags playing pirate for the morning.

Right: The Pirate Queen addresses the gang.

Below, left to right: Pirate Jenna; pirates, Tucker and Bruce; pirates enjoying some grub.

"Kids' Pirate Day" was fun for all, this June. The temperature was in the 80's, but a beautiful lake breeze and umbrellas, made this the place to be!

Clockwise: Pirate Alex, Pirate Hawkeye, the Pirate King and court arriving by boat.

Games, a scavenger hunt, crafts, grub and more were enjoyed by all.

Volunteer :

Contact the office for information on volunteering

Help of all sorts is always needed - see the volunteer page for a look at volunteering at the Museum!

In June, 2008, the Oswego Fire Department kindly assisted the Museum by installing new line for the US flag on the LT-5.

In May, 2008, Boy Scout Troop #888 helped prepare the vessels for the season, as they do every year.

SUNY Oswego Theatre students presented area youth with a wonderful storytelling program this spring.