Sharon Historical Society - Sharon, New York

05/29/2026

There’s something magical about opening a diary—turning a fragile page and stepping into a moment that once felt ordinary, but now feels extraordinary. Desserts and Diaries invites you into those moments. On Tuesday, June 2nd at 6:30 PM, join us at the elegant American Hotel in Sharon Springs for an unforgettable evening where handwritten letters and personal accounts from the Sharon Springs archives come to life. You won’t just hear history—you’ll feel it, as stories of love, loss, resilience, and everyday life unfold in an intimate and engaging setting.
And just as every good story deserves a sweet ending, this experience is paired with an irresistible array of desserts designed to delight as much as the stories inspire. This special evening is a fundraiser for the Sharon Historical Society, supporting our mission to preserve and share the rich history of our community.
It’s not just an event—it’s a chance to savor the past, one story and one bite at a time. Tickets are $10. Reserve your spot today by visiting: www.sharonhistoricalsocietyny.org
or by calling (518) 860-5513.

05/23/2026

Don't miss our next historic lecture program on May 25th at 7 PM. "Bringing the Past Back to Life - Using AI to Restore and Preserve Historical Photos and Documents”. This program is available via Zoom only. (NOTE: If you are unable to watch the program at this time, a link will be emailed to you once the playback is available.)

What if those faded, scratched, nearly forgotten photographs in your attic could be brought back to life - clear, vibrant, and full of detail you've never seen before? Join Historian Ron Ketelsen for a fascinating and eye-opening program exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we restore and preserve historical photos and documents-and the best part is, this isn't just for tech experts anymore. Today's AI tools are accessible, practical, and easier to use than ever before. Through real examples and live demonstrations, you'll see how damaged images can be repaired, enhanced, and even reimagined, revealing faces, places, and stories once thought lost to time. Whether you're a family historian, a collector, or simply curious, this program will change the way you look at the past.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989404929698?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/10/2026

The Sharon Historical Society May - June 2026 Newsletter is now available. To read the newsletter, please click on the link below:

https://6fe56f0e-5e47-4cd1-885f-ec62c27823af.usrfiles.com/ugd/6fe56f_2e50b69edc844f1c941b2c73d59e8958.pdf

05/08/2026

There is still time to register for our next historic lecture program on Monday, May 11th, at 7 PM. "The History of Hops Farming in Schoharie County". This program is available both in person and via Zoom. The live presentation will be held in the Community Room of the Sharon Public Library at 129 Main Street in Sharon Springs.

Step back into a fascinating chapter of Schoharie County’s past as Historian Ted Shuart brings to life the rise and fall of the region’s once-booming hops industry. From its German roots to its 19th-century peak—when farmers could earn fortunes or lose everything overnight—this presentation reveals the high-stakes world of hop growing, the vibrant social scene of hop-picking season, and the iconic hop houses that still dot the landscape today. Discover how entire communities came alive each harvest with workers, dances, and celebration, and how this thriving industry ultimately vanished with Prohibition. Featuring a rich PowerPoint of historic photographs, this engaging talk offers a vivid glimpse into a forgotten era that helped shape Schoharie County.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988135151758?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/12/2026

There is still time to register for our next historic lecture program on Monday, April 13th, at 7 PM. "Woven Into History - How Cloth, Craft, and Careful Research Bring the Past to Life". This program is available both in person and via Zoom. The live presentation will be held in the Community Room of the Sharon Public Library at 129 Main Street in Sharon Springs.

How does fabric help us understand history—and how does it quietly shape the stories we see on screen? Nationally recognized textile historian Rabbit Goody will explore how the weave, weight, color, and texture of cloth reveal the daily lives, technologies, and economies of earlier centuries, and how her Cherry Valley mill recreates historically accurate textiles for museums, historic homes, and select film productions. Drawing on decades of scholarship and hands-on expertise with restored early American looms, Goody shows how authentic fabrics bring depth and credibility to period storytelling, proving that something as ordinary as cloth can carry extraordinary historical meaning.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:

How Cloth, Craft, and Careful Research Bring the Past to Life

03/28/2026

Don't miss our next historic lecture program on April 13th at 7 PM. "Woven Into History - How Cloth, Craft, and Careful Research Bring the Past to Life". This program is available both in person and via Zoom.

How does fabric help us understand history—and how does it quietly shape the stories we see on screen? Nationally recognized textile historian Rabbit Goody will explore how the weave, weight, color, and texture of cloth reveal the daily lives, technologies, and economies of earlier centuries, and how her Cherry Valley mill recreates historically accurate textiles for museums, historic homes, and select film productions. Drawing on decades of scholarship and hands-on expertise with restored early American looms, Goody shows how authentic fabrics bring depth and credibility to period storytelling, proving that something as ordinary as cloth can carry extraordinary historical meaning.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984194219323?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/17/2026

Don't miss our next historic lecture program on March 23rd at 7 PM. "Did the U.S. Government Steal the Tesla Files?”. This program is available via Zoom only.

Did the U.S. government really steal Nikola Tesla’s files — or is that one of history’s most persistent myths? When the brilliant inventor died in a New York hotel room in 1943, federal officials quickly seized dozens of trunks filled with his papers, sparking decades of speculation about hidden weapons and suppressed technology. This program dives into the dramatic wartime context, the legal battle over his estate, and the technical review that examined his most mysterious ideas. We’ll separate documented facts from sensational storytelling and explore why the legend of Tesla’s “missing files” persists. Join us for a fascinating journey into science, secrecy, and one of the greatest unanswered questions of the 20th century.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984187646664?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/07/2026

The Sharon Historical Society March - April 2026 Newsletter is now available. To read the newsletter, please click on the link below:

https://6fe56f0e-5e47-4cd1-885f-ec62c27823af.usrfiles.com/ugd/6fe56f_4d05dc5c98c34bd09e4617072aee7bbb.pdf

03/01/2026

Don't miss our next historic lecture program on March 9th at 7 PM. "Eagles of Schoharie County - Eagle Biology, Nesting Habits, and the History of Their Recovery in New York". This program is available both in person and via Zoom.

America’s national symbol nearly disappeared—but today it’s thriving right here in Schoharie County. Join the Sharon Historical Society on March 9th at 7 PM at the Sharon Public Library (or via Zoom) for Eagles of Schoharie County, presented by Bill Combs Jr., known locally as “The Eagle Man.” From the bald eagle’s historic selection for the Great Seal in 1782 to its dramatic recovery from near extinction, Bill brings the story full circle with firsthand accounts of more than 25 active local nests, the growth of this year’s eaglets, and the launch of the Schoharie County Eagle Trail. With stunning photography, fascinating nesting insights, and stories of famous local eagle pairs that made national headlines, this program offers a rare chance to connect American history with the magnificent birds soaring over our own communities today.

To make your reservation, please click on the link below:

Eagle Biology, Nesting Habits, and the History of Their Recovery in New York

02/12/2026

Step back into history and explore the powerful story of the Underground Railroad in Upstate New York. Watch this engaging program by clicking the link below and discover the courage, resilience, and determination that shaped the journey to freedom.

Presented by the Sharon Historical Society, this program is part of their Historical Lecture Series, which brings fascinating stories from the past to life through twice-monthly Zoom events.

Offered in honor of Black History Month, this presentation is a meaningful opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with an important chapter of our shared history.

To watch the program, please click on the link below.

https://youtu.be/5lGMYPx6zpA?si=wGSsfxKDgGJ_gGfD