UTICA, N.Y. – In recognition of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, the Oneida County History Center will host a special book reading of Walter D. Edmonds’s Revolutionary War-era novel, Drums Along the Mohawk. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the History Center’s main gallery.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the historic novel’s publication. To celebrate both milestones, a distinguished lineup of special guest readers will bring Edmonds’s vivid depiction of the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley to life. Featured community readers include Dave Dudajek, Elizabeth Nassar, Alecia Pendasulo, Jim Pula, and Frank Bergmann.
Edmonds, born in Boonville, New York, graduated from Yale University in 1926. His first book, Rome Haul, chronicled life on the Erie Canal. Drums Along the Mohawk was his fourth novel and became an instant sensation, remaining on the bestseller list for two years before being adapted into a classic film starring Henry Fonda. The book remains a cornerstone of Upstate New York literature, capturing the endurance, struggles, and spirit of local settlers during the Revolutionary War.
This anniversary reading provides a unique opportunity for the community to gather, reflect on local history, and honor the national Semiquincentennial. The program is free and open to the public, though donations are encouraged to support the center’s mission. The Oneida County History Center is located at 1608 Genesee Street, Utica.
Oneida County History Center is a private 501(c) (3) not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to preserving the history, heritage, and culture of the Greater Mohawk Valley for present and future generations. Please contact the History Center at 315-735-3642 or visit oneidacountyhistory.org for additional information.
