The Manlius Historical Society was started in 1976 as a result of the United States bicentennial craze; since then, the group has been evolving to preserve the historical value of the area and will soon be celebrating its 40th anniversary.
On Tuesday, July 19, the historical society will host the third annual A Taste of Manlius: Flashback to 1976, which will be a 1970s theme. The Taste of Manlius is one of the largest annual events for the Manlius Historical Society and will feature food and drinks from about 20 local establishment as well as live entertainment. This year’s proceeds will go toward painting the facilities.
“We’re having our 40th anniversary culmination with A Taste of Manlius,” said former president and A Taste of Manlius committee member Cindy Schallmo. “We want to celebrate the countless hours that have been put in by volunteers in making it through 40 years as a historical center for the community.’
The Manlius Historical Society was formed through an effort of Manlius resident Chrome Dollase as the country was beginning to make plans for the bicentennial of the founding of the United States. Dollase gathered interested residents of the town of Manlius and the villages of Manlius, Fayetteville and Minoa to research the origins of these areas to be able to preserve the information for generations to come.
According to an article in the Eagle Bulletin from July 10, 1976, Dollase said it took more than six months of work and planning by 200 volunteers to officially open the Manlius Historical Society Museum on June 13, 1976. Exhibits at the opening included the Onondaga Bicentennial Quilt, a country kitchen complete with a wood burning stone, a general store modeled after one that would have been in Onondaga County in the 1800s, Native American artifacts, Stickley furniture and three antique guns that were found in the original museum’s attic. The Manlius Museum houses temporary and permanent exhibits relating to the history of the area, as well as a working blacksmith shop that was donated by the Marsh family in 1976.
The Manlius Museum, located on the corner of Smith Street and Scoville Avenue, was housed in a small maintenance building in the rear of the Pleasant Street School, which was scheduled to be bulldozed. The building was given to the MHS by the Fayetteville-Manlius School District in 1976.
The Cheny Research Center, located on the corner of Pleasant Street and Scoville Avenue, was a late 1920s bungalow donated to the MHS by the Cheney Family in 1978. It contains the Channing Soule Memorial Library, the office, collections storage, and research and meeting space. The library has over 500 volumes and more than 8,000 documents and photographs related to local history.
Throughout the years, the number of members in the historical society has fluctuated, said MHS Director Chris Malmgren, and the historical society has always worked to evolve to continue to provide a research center and spark interest in the local history of the area.
“In its heyday, the historical society had probably close to 400 members,” said Malmgren. “Across the board, historical societies are trying to keep up with the new generation … Number of members have had their ebb and flow throughout the years but we’re always working to find ways to stay updated and keep the younger generations as well as the families that have moved into the area to be interested and engaged in the history of the area.”
Malmgren said the MHS is always looking for volunteers, with opportunities ranging from landscaping and maintenance, to updating technology and archiving, to working on public relations and community engagement for the society.
“Back in 1976, this is a rallying point of community spirit. We live in an area that is so rich with history. We’re hoping to rejuvenate the interest and unite the community,” said Jane Dall, a long-time member and former board member of the MHS.
A Taste of Manlius: A Flashback to 1976 will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Manlius Historical Society on Scoville Avenue on Tuesday, July 19. It will feature food and drink from about 20 local establishments, demonstrations at the blacksmith shop and live music from local band Loose Gravel covering hits from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Dress for this year’s event is casual. Tickets in advance cost $30 for MHS members, $35 for non-members and $40 at the door. Sponsors of the event are Geddes Federal Savings & Loan Association, Stickely Audi & Co. and Ralston Supply Center Inc. Media sponsors include Eagle Newspapers and New Channel 9. Tickets can be purchased in advance at manliushistory.org or at: the Cheney House Research Center, 109 Pleasant St., Manlius; Manlius Jewelry, 131 West Seneca St., Manlius; and Geddes Federal Savings and Loan, 240 West Seneca St., Manlius.
To learn more about the Manlius Historical Society or ways you can volunteer, call 682-6660 or email [email protected].
