An exhibition that vividly portrays Syracuse's major role as a
station along the Underground Railroad opens on September 30 at Syracuse
University Library. Titled "That laboratory of abolitionism, libel,
and treason": Syracuse and the Underground Railroad, it includes
original artifacts from the Library's Special Collections Research
Center and other institutions that document the flourishing of
antislavery activism in Syracuse and surrounding communities from the
1830s through the 1850s.

The exhibition, located in the sixth floor gallery of E.S. Bird
Library, is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m., except for holidays. It will remain on display through
January 26, 2006. Special tours and school group visits may be arranged
by calling curator William La Moy at (315) 443-9752.

An opening reception, also free and open to the public, will be held on
Saturday, October 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. Coinciding with the 154th
anniversary of the celebrated "Jerry Rescue," the program will
include remarks by local historian Dr. Judith Wellman and the
performance by senior Visual and Performing Arts student Stephanie
O'Dea of a selection of spirituals that had special "coded"
meanings to those involved in the Underground Railroad movement. Suzanne
Thorin, the new university librarian and dean of libraries at Syracuse
University, will be introduced along with Miriam Grace Monfredo, author
of North Star Conspiracy, a historical novel about the Underground
Railroad set in Seneca Falls, New York. Monfredo's book is this
year's selection for the Central New York Reads community reading
initiative. Wine, cheese, hors d'oeuvres, and other refreshments will
be served.

I am hoping that members of the New York History List Serv can help me with two projects I have undertaken as Historian for the Town of Montgomery in Orange County.

1) I have received a grant to purchase equipment for an oral history project. The original grant application was written by my predecessor and was based on purchashing desktop recorders and transcription machines - all of which were far more expensive than what is on the market today. When I came before the Town Board for a resolution in support of this grant, they were very interested in the project but asked me to look at purchasing a videocamera as well for this project. Fortunately, the grant will accommodate such an expense.

I'm interested to hear from anyone who manages/has managed oral history projects - particularly with students - about what kind of equipment you would recommend. I'd like to spend this money wisely!

2) The Historian for the Village of Montgomery and I are embarking on an Underground Railroad History research project to determine what, if any, role residents of our area played in this very important part of our history. I am new to this field of research and would appreciate ANY guidance anyone can provide about resources.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Suzanne Isaksen

Historian, Town of Montgomery

Historian, Village of Walden