Fort Ontario State Historic Site presents its annual history conference on Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center, 26 E. First St., Oswego. The event features renown speakers, fascinating exhibits, book and memorabilia sales, raffles and more.

The theme of this year’s conference is “The Black Military Experience in America,” with a special emphasis on the soldiers and officers stationed at Fort Ontario.

“New information on Black soldiers in the military is becoming available as difficult-to-access or previously unknown archives and newspaper collections are being digitized and posted on the internet,” said Fort Ontario State Historic Site Manager Paul Lear. “Historians who have been mining these fresh historical resources will explore new perspectives on the circumstances, conditions, roles, experiences and significance of African Americans in the military at this year’s conference.”

Lavada Nahon, culinary historian and interpreter of African American History for New York State Parks Bureau of Historic Sites headlines a slate of speakers on Black military history at this year’s event. Her mission is to bring history to life, giving presence to Africans and people of African descent, both enslaved and free, in the historic New Netherland area in any way possible.

Nahon has developed educational and after-school programs, lectures and tours, period presentations and historical dinners at sites all over New York State. During the conference, she will present her insights and observations on Blacks in the military during the periods covering Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713), King George’s War (1744-1748), the French and Indian War (1755-1763), Pontiac’s War (1763-1766) and the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). 

Historian and author Anthony Gero will also speak at the conference, exploring the experiences of Black New Yorkers who served in the military or were impacted by the War of 1812. In between presentations, Gero will also sign copies of his books on African American military history in New York State.

Living history specialist and historian Darren Overby will discuss the history of Black troops during the Civil War (1861-1865) with his presentation “The Sable Army of the Union Army, 1862-1867.” Overby’s talk includes the history of the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment and 175 regiments of U.S. Colored Troops (USCT).

Other conference speakers include award-winning historical interpreter and museum program director Hanae Weber who presents, “Loyalist Refugee Experiences During and After the American Revolution,” which includes the impact of Loyalism on Black and Indigenous people.

Historian and AmeriCorps member Jonathan Kobelia begins the conference with a presentation on the Rhode Island Regiment and Colonel Marinus Willet’s unsuccessful attempt to take Fort Ontario from the British under brutal weather conditions in February 1783.

Fort Ontario State Historic Site Manager Paul Lear wraps up the conference with his illustrated talk, “The Black Military Experience at Fort Ontario, from the French and Indian War to the Return of Great Powers.”

A panel discussion with conference speakers is also planned.

Continental Arms Collectors Inc. will exhibit artifacts, documents, photographs, weapons and other equipment related to the history of African American soldiers in the U.S. military. Enlarged photographs of soldiers of the 24th Infantry, 369th CAAA, and more will be on display and there will also be exhibits by other historical and cultural organizations, including the Oswego County Tourism Office.

Historical books and memorabilia, clothing, postcards and more will be available for purchase. In addition, historical artwork, a basket of chocolate, Fort Ontario memorabilia, and other items will be raffled off.

On Sunday, April 28, conference participants are invited to tour Fort Ontario State Historic Site. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., they can view the old stone fort, located at 1. E. Fourth St., Oswego.

Advanced registration and payment are required for Saturday’s conference and Sunday’s Fort Ontario tour. Registration is $70 and includes lunch on Saturday. Student and active-duty military registration is $40. Payment can be made through PayPal on the Friends of Fort Ontario website at https://historicfortontario.com/ or by check or credit card.

For more information, including a complete conference schedule or help with registration and payment, contact Caroline Lamie at 315-343-4711 or email caroline.lamie@parks.ny.gov.

LEARN ABOUT BLACK MILITARY HISTORY – Fort Ontario State Historic Site presents its annual history conference on Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center, 26 E. First St., Oswego. The theme of this year’s conference is “Black Military Experience in America,” with a special emphasis on the soldiers and officers stationed at Fort Ontario. Pictured is conference speaker Lavada Nahon re-enacting a historical dinner.