NORWICH — The Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) and the Chenango County Historian’s Office are looking forward to this summer’s collaborative “Turtle Island” festival, part of the local commemorations of America250, a national initiative centered around the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. These organizations invite Chenango County residents and other interested individuals to participate in another planning session to help develop this dynamic community event, which will feature a majority of America250 themes, including: Indigenous History is New York’s History; Changing Interpretations of the Revolution; Doing History; Power of Place; Unfinished Revolutions; and We the People.
This community dialogue — the fifth in a multi-year series — will take place 6–7:30 p.m. on March 11 at the SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus, located at 20 Conkey Ave. The goals for this conversation are to continue planning activities and to confirm collaborative partnerships among interested organizations to produce a memorable festival. “Turtle Island” welcomes the participation of libraries, arts organizations, historical societies, and other community organizations in this historic community event.
This day-long festival is scheduled for July 5 and will feature an outdoor performance spectacle bringing the Haudenosaunee Creation Story to life. Directed and guided by Indigenous artist and historian G. Peter Jemison and created in collaboration with French company Plasticiens Volants, the “Turtle Island” experience features a giant inflatable puppet, the Sky Woman Iroquois Dance Theater, and traditional Indigenous music to depict the birth of the world on a turtle’s back.
“Everyone is welcome to join us in helping to make ‘Turtle Island’ a memorable experience,” said Jessica Moquin, CCHS executive director. “The opportunity for Chenango County to host this remarkable outdoor spectacle is really special, so the more connections we make now, the better the festival will be.”
First established in 1939, CCHS is the area’s premier heritage museum dedicated to celebrating local culture — its unique traditions and noteworthy stories. CCHS programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. CCHS is also a proud partner of Bloomberg Connects, an app that allows visitors to enhance their exhibit experience through audio clips, videos, and more. Download this free digital museum guide via the Apple Store or Google Play, and visit www.ChenangoHistorical.org for more details about this and other museum programs.
“Turtle Island,” a vibrant fusion of aerial puppetry, dance, and storytelling, is produced by Unicycle Productions LLC & Plasticiens Volants. Visit www.unicycleproductionsllc.com/turtle-island to learn more.
