A series of special events and programming in Auburn will commemorate America’s 250th birthday.
The city’s Historic and Cultural Sites Commission has announced a series of special events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The commission said the events will “highlight the rich stories of our local people and places, reflecting on our nation’s past, present, and future.”
The celebrations kick off with a new exhibition at the Cayuga Museum of History & Art. Launching on February 4, The Reel American West focuses on the history of Western movies, Theodore Case’s role in the first sound-on-film western, and the representation of women, black people, and Native Americans in Westerns. Special programming tied to the exhibition includes:
- March 18 at 6pm: Dr. Andrew Nelson, Chief Curator of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West and co-host of the podcast “How the West Was ‘Cast” will be giving a virtual talk via Zoom about Western films.
- April 8 at 6pm: We will be kicking off our three film series at the Carriage House Theater with “In Old Arizona”. A brief introduction will be provided by Dr. Andrew Nelson and he will be answering questions about the film following its
presentation. - April 22 at 6pm: The next film in the series at the Carriage House Theater, “Stagecoach”, will be screened. A brief introduction will be provided by Dr. Andrew Nelson and he will be answering questions about the film following its presentation.
- May 6 at 6pm: The final film in the series at the Carriage House Theater, “A Fistful of Dollars”, will be screened. A brief introduction will be provided by Dr. Andrew Nelson and he will be answering questions about the film following its presentation.
- September 10 at 6pm: Dr. Sara Gallagher, author of Black Wests: Reshaping Race and Place in Popular Culture will be giving a virtual book talk via Zoom. In this talk, Dr. Sara Gallagher explores how Black writers, filmmakers, and performers have reimagined the Western landscape in ways that challenge dominant myths about race, land, and belonging.
Multiple historic and cultural sites in the city will be hosting events as part of Commemorate America 250. Below is a list of events and programs that have been announced so far as part of the celebrations in the city:
- February 4: “The Reel American West” film exhibition opening – Cayuga Museum of History and Art
- March 10: Harriet Tubman Day ceremony and guest lecture – Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in collaboration with the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center
- March 15: Local history music series, featuring Colleen Kattau for Women’s History Month – Frontenac Historical Society, in collaboration with the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center
- April 15: “Social Justice”, “Political Landscape”, and “Indigenous Art/Connection to Land” exhibition speaker series – Cayuga Museum of History and Art
- May 10: Auburn Theological Seminary and Willard Chapel history presentation with Mike Long – Willard Memorial Chapel
- May 14: “Founding Immigrants” book talk with Carl Bon Tempo – Seward House Museum
- June 6: Contemporary Haudenosaunee art exhibition, curated by Dr. Jolene Rickard, and opening Festival – Schweinfurth Art Center
- June 13: The City of Auburn Pride Rally, Drag Show, and Queer Market – NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center
- July 2: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” interactive performance – Auburn Public Theater
- July 3: “A Subject on the Fourth of July” Independence Day celebration – Seward House Museum
- July 12: “Echoes of America” concert with organist Susan May – Willard Memorial Chapel
- July 18: “Harriet: A Taste of Freedom” exhibitions, curated by Larry Poncho Brown – Cayuga Museum of History and Art
- July 19: Local history music series, featuring Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudie – Frontenac Historical Society, in collaboration with the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center
- August 8: Summer Homecoming city-wide celebration – NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center
