The following is a republished press release…to submit a community announcement, email Peter Blanchard at [email protected].
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CORTLAND, N.Y. – Please join us one and all at Cortland’s fabled 1890 House for an evening of “Local Tales of Terror”, ghost stories and dramatic readings in the “Spirit” of the season, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 7 - 9:30 p.m, at the 1890 House Museum on 37 Tompkins Street, Cortland, N.Y.
Explore the grandeur of Cortland’s Castle, its many rooms, the history of the Wickwire family, the grounds and its carriage house. Settle into a comfy nook or secure a spot by the fire and listen to our readers explain some of the local hauntings, share spooky tales or recite the classic prose of Edgar Allen Poe. Warm up with a cider doughnut and wash it down with seasonal cider. A suggested donation of $3 for students and $5 for adult guests will help support the continuing restoration work of one of Cortland’s architectural gems. For more information on the 1890 House, its events and its history please visit http://
This event is hosted with the support of the Cultural and Intellectual Climate Committee of SUNY Cortland and the cooperation of the staff and Board of trustees of the 1890 House Museum.
The 1890 House Museum aims to promote and interpret the historical and cultural significance of this property to the public. The 1890 House seeks to collect, preserve, research, display, and interpret objects that promote local and national history of America’s cultural heritage during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
The impressive limestone mansion, now called the 1890 House Museum, was once the home of 19th century Industrialist Chester F. Wickwire. Born in 1843, Chester grew up on the family farm in McGraw, east of Cortland. As a young man, he moved to Cortland and opened a grocery store on Main Street. Gradually, the grocery store became a hardware business. Chester’s brother, Theodore, joined him in the business. In 1873, the brothers received a carpet loom as payment for a debt. Adapting the loom to weave wire, Chester transformed the hardware store into a major manufacturing firm that would impact the nation.
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