Although Illinois enjoys the indisputable title of "The Land of Lincoln," one small town in New York State played a significant role in the sixteenth president's history. Three native sons of Homer--a detective, a journalist, and a painter--helped inscribe Abraham Lincoln's place in the nation's iconic imagery. Private investigator Eli DeVoe foiled an assassination plot against Lincoln before his first inauguration; journalist William Osborn Stoddard, an early Lincoln supporter, became an influential secretary of the president; and artist Francis Bicknell Carpenter painted The First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation before the Cabinet, which still hangs in the U.S. Capitol. This exploration of these men and the town that produced them offers insight into the complexities of presidential image-making, and reveals why a small New York town has become a choice destination for Lincoln historians.

In The Heart of Central New York: Stories of Historic Homer, NY Martin A. Sweeney makes the past come alive through this collection of articles from his column in The Homer News. Through his writing, Sweeney offers readers a glimpse of the excitement he brought to his classrooms by bringing to life the people, events, manners, and mores of the past in a community that is the heart of Central New York State. This compilation represents Sweeney’s successful efforts as a public historian in using the press as a tool for generating interest in his community’s unique historical identity.With annotations and a touch of humor, this book illustrates for current and emerging public historians how to successfully engage a community in acknowledging their history matters—that the fibers of “microhistory” contribute to the rich tapestry that is county, regional, state, and national history.

Our Annual Issue! New York History Review magazine explores all aspects of New York State's rich and diverse local history. CALL FOR WRITERS who specialize in all facets of New York State local history. If you are interested in being part of our publication please visit our website - NewYorkHistoryReview.com

This is an annual printed issue for writers who specialize in local histories of New York State. Many of your local historical societies don't have the resources to provide a platform for publishing your local history article. Well, we do.

Told by a Central New York pub owner, The Suffragette’s Saga is a story of grief and grievances. In an era of streetcars, vaudeville stars, and gritty men in corner pubs, a seemingly unsolvable murder leaves the unmarried Julia O’Rourke wondering if she is responsible for her father’s death. The economic livelihoods of the local brewers and pub owners have been threatened by her wearing bloomers, riding a bicycle, and marching for the vote and Prohibition. Resentment is palpable. After experiencing the gossip of other women, the theft of her “Freedom Wheels,” arson, and the trampling to death of a protesting suffragette, Julia comes to terms with her obsession for social and political reforms and discovers her voice, the love of her life, and the murderer.

Antislavery white clergy and their congregations. Radicalized abolitionist women. African Americans committed to ending slavery through constitutional political action. These diverse groups attributed their common vision of a nation free from slavery to strong political and religious values. Owen Lovejoy’s gregarious personality, formidable oratorical talent, probing political analysis, and profound religious convictions made him the powerful leader the coalition needed. Owen Lovejoy and the Coalition for Equality examines how these three distinct groups merged their agendas into a single antislavery, religious, political campaign for equality with Lovejoy at the helm. Combining scholarly biography, historiography, and primary source material, Jane Ann Moore and William F. Moore demonstrate Lovejoy's crucial role in nineteenth-century politics, the rise of antislavery sentiment in religious spaces, and the emerging congressional commitment to end slavery. Their compelling account explores how the immorality of slavery became a touchstone of political and religious action in the United States through the efforts of a synergetic coalition led by an essential abolitionist figure.

This eBook collection is geared for history buffs who shy away from white knights and do-gooders. W. C. Jameson’s exploration of outlaws and criminals from the 20th century goes deep within the wrinkles of time, uncovering long-kept secrets, misinformed facts, and what became of these outlaws in the end. The set includes Butch Cassidy, John Wilkes Booth, and Billy the Kid.

"Simply the best book that has been published on this great president's humor and stories...Everyone interested in Abraham Lincoln will want to read this."—William C. Harris, author of Lincoln and the Border States Abraham Lincoln has long been admired for his leadership, honesty, and eloquence. But despite his somber reputation, the sixteenth president was quite funny. With an uncanny ability to mimic others and an irresistible midwestern twang, Lincoln, in fact, could be downright hilarious. Brimming with his funniest quips, jokes, and stories, Lincoln's Gift explores the crucial role humor played throughout his tumultuous professional and private life. Perfect for history buffs and Lincoln enthusiasts alike, this clever and captivating biography reveals how America's greatest president used his lighter side to lead the country through one of its darkest times, the Civil War. "Gordon Leidner ingeniously blends a study of Lincoln's humor with an account of his life, showing how our sixteenth president was not always a 'man of sorrows' but often a man of laughter, capable alike of enjoying as well as telling a good story."—Michael Burlingame, author of Abraham Lincoln: A Life

Traces the development of Homer as a watercolorist, shows a selection of his landscapes, seascapes, and portraits, and discusses his distinctive style and techniques.