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Homer historian outlines archives work and fundraising plans for Lincoln monument
Summary
The town and village historian presented a detailed biannual report covering archival transfers, artifact acquisitions, community outreach and a fundraising strategy involving a visiting presidential historian for a proposed Lincoln monument and related heritage‑tourism plans.
The town and village historian delivered a comprehensive biannual report detailing archival work, artifact acquisitions and community outreach and proposed a fundraising strategy to support a planned Lincoln monument.
The historian described moving bound town‑board minutes (1797–1990) into a secured file cabinet and transferring items to the town hall balcony while renovations proceed. He listed recent artifact donations (ledgers, portraits, a carved bowl from an old church belfry) and noted collaboration with the Cortland County Historical Society and SUNY Cortland faculty to advance preservation and programming.
He described outreach that included guided tours for nationally known presidential historian Larry Cook and a planned appearance in Homer intended to raise funds for the Lincoln monument. The historian said Cook has offered to help raise funds and that local hosts would provide free lodging options; proceeds would benefit the monument fund.
The historian highlighted heritage‑tourism statistics from county data that support preservation work: "Cortland County's tourism impact in 2021 was $78,000,000," he said, citing spending categories and an estimate that tourism‑generated state and local taxes translated to roughly $542 in annual savings for the average county household. He urged continued investment in preservation and heritage programming to build local economic support.
The board voted to accept the biannual historian report by voice vote. The historian asked the board to consider climate‑ and water‑protected archival storage for town records while renovations proceed and to support ongoing fundraising and outreach plans.
What’s next: the historian will continue community engagement and fundraising for the Lincoln monument project; the village will process the accepted report and follow up on any recommended archival protections.
