Tickets on Sale for Historical Hall of Fame Celebration!

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 5-8 p.m.

It is time to get tickets to the Historical Hall of Fame and Living Legend induction celebration! Join the History Center to honor and celebrate the class of 2026. The event will be held at the Irish Cultural Center in Utica and includes an opening reception with music by Monk Rowe, silent auction, cash bar, dinner buffet, Hall of Fame induction video, and speeches from the Living Legends. Tickets should be purchased before October 1 and are available on-site at the History Center, online through its e-bookstore, or by calling 315-735-3642. The cost is $65 for History Center members, $75 for the general public, and $700 for tables of 10. Proceeds from the event will support exhibit development, collections care, and facilities projects. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available. Contact rmclain@oneidacountyhistory.org for more information.

The celebration honors:

2026 Richard W. Couper Living Legends

• Michael Cariglio, artist, illustrator, and children’s television creator
• Robert Cohen, business leader, industry innovator, and philanthropist
• Anthony Colon, community advocate, educator, and cultural connector
• Anna Tobin D’Ambrosio, arts leader and MUNSON president
• Hon. David N. Hurd, respected federal judge and public servant

2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

• Catherine M. Buckley (1898-1996), naturalization pioneer and civil servant
• Anna L. Deecke (1855-1916), teacher and founder of Utica’s first kindergarten
• Steven J. DiMeo (1954-2024), visionary economic development leader
• Henry Howard (1816-1897), a freedom seeker and Civil War veteran
• Bill Worden (1942-2023, beloved WKTV journalist and news anchor

Visit oneidacountyhistory.org for more information and inductee bios.

Oneida County History Center is a private 501(c) (3) not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to history, education, and community. Founded in 1876, its mission is to preserve and share the past of Oneida County and central New York for present and future generations. Engaging public programs, rotating exhibits, educational opportunities for all ages, and preservation of a vast archival and artifact collection are at the core of its mission. Please contact the History Center at 315-735-3642 or visit www.oneidacountyhistory.org for additional information.