Come to Fort Ontario State Historic Site on Saturday, March 23 for the launch of Oswego native Ann Callaghan Allen’s new book, “Holocaust Refugees in Oswego: from Nazi Europe to Lake Ontario.” The free event runs from 1 to 3 p.m. in the enlisted men’s barracks at the fort located at 1 E. Fourth St., Oswego.

In this groundbreaking new book, Allen reveals individual stories of the impact that refugees and Oswego natives had on each other; not just during the 18 months that the shelter was open, but throughout the course of their lives.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced the establishment of the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter in Oswego on June 9, 1944. It was intended to convince America’s allies that the United States was serious about providing rescue and relief to Jewish refugees in Europe.

While Roosevelt’s announcement resulted in objections from many members of Congress and a nationwide flood of antisemitic and anti-refugee letters-to-the-editor across the nation, the leading citizens of Oswego sent a letter to the president within hours, thanking him for the honor of selecting their city. They formed a committee to integrate the refugees into all aspects of community life and help dissolve the barriers of hate and distrust.

The Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter was the only shelter for Holocaust victims opened in the continental U.S. during World War II. Its residents memorialized their beloved Roosevelt in the enlisted men’s barracks inside the old stone fort following his death on April 12, 1945.

That is where the author will present her work and take questions from the audience. There will also be 100 signed copies of the book available for purchase. Free parking is available. 

For more information or to request golf cart assistance from the parking lot, call 315-343-4711 when you arrive. For updates, find the Friends of Fort Ontario on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FortOntario.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which are visited by 78 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreational areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NYS Parks Explorer mobile app, call 315-474-0456 or connect on Facebook, Instagram and X.

BOOK EVENT HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL HISTORY – Fort Ontario State Historic Site hosts an event on Saturday, March 23 for Oswego native Ann Callaghan Allen’s new book, “Holocaust Refugees in Oswego: from Nazi Europe to Lake Ontario.” The book features stories of refugees and Oswego natives during the time of the Fort Ontario Emergency Rescue Shelter and beyond. The event takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the fort located at 1 E. Fourth St., Oswego. Pictured is Allen with a copy of her book in front of the enlisted men’s barracks, where the event will be held.