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The Oswego County Historical Society (OCHS) will host its next lecture of the 2013 series at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 13, at the Richardson-Bates House Museum, 135 E. Third St., in Oswego. The event is free and open to the public.
A panel discussion program entitled "Remarkable Women of the Oswego area," will be presented by guest speakers Marilynn Smiley, SUNY Oswego professor, and Helen Engel, retired adjunct professor. This presentation will be based on the recent publication by the New York State branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) titled "Remarkable Women in New York State History," that was co-edited by Smiley and Engel.
The book features 145 mini-biographies of women throughout New York State. The editors and other members of the Oswego AAUW branch that contributed biographies will discuss the women from the Oswego area that were included in the book.
"The local women that are featured range from the 19th century to the present," said Justin White, president of the historical society. "The title is very appropriate as all of the women that were included are truly remarkable, each in their own way. It is with pride that the the publication was created, compiled and edited by the local Oswego AAUW members."
One of the Oswego women featured in the book is Oswego native, Dr. Lida Penfield (1873 - 1956). She was a graduate of Boston University and was an English professor at the Oswego Normal School and Oswego State Teacher's College, the predecessors of SUNY Oswego. Dr. Penfield served as the head of the English Department for 10 years and also the first president of the Oswego branch of the AAUW. She was an authority on local history and an instrumental member of the Oswego County Historical Society. Penfield Library on the SUNY Oswego campus was named in her honor.
Copies of the book provided by river's end bookstore will be for sale following the lecture. All proceeds from book sales go to the American Association of University Women in New York State and support the initiatives and mission of the organization.
The Oswego County Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the rich history of the county. The society maintains and operates the Richardson-Bates House Museum, a historic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The museum is open from 1-5 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and other days by appointment. For more information visit the museum website at www.rbhousemuseum.org for regular updates or call during regular hours at 315-343-1342.
