Dryden Town Historical Society

06/09/2026

Remember, our annual BIG TENT SALE is next week, June 17-20. Don't miss out on great furniture, tools, fabric, notions, decor items, antiques and collectibles of all kinds.

05/29/2026

The second event is our Annual Tent Sale (our "OP" Sale, as in OPportunity of a lifetime) on June 17-20 at the Southworth Homestead, 14 North Street, Dryden. We have so many wonderful items we had to go to 4 days! Come and be amazed.

05/29/2026

Two fun events coming up!
June 6 is a special tour of the Southworth House with a conservator demonstrating the restoration of a panel of our Scenic French Wallpaper. Tours at 10:30am and 12noon. Go to our website for more information,

Board member Amy Dickinson tells the story of her great-grandfather Dr. Homer Genung’s carriage, which spent the last century in a barn in Freeville and emerged last year to be part of an exhibit at the Tompkins County History Center.  Videos and photos tell the story of “Dr. Genung’s Final H...

05/01/2026

May 14 Program
Annual Meeting and program by Amy Dickinson about her great grandfather, Dr. Genung's carraige.

04/14/2026

I made a mistake in the print newsletter, and listed the date of this program as April 19. It is this coming Thursday, April 16.

Restoring the American Chestnut

April 16, 2026 7 PM

Dryden Village Hall

16 South St., Dryden, NY

Valerie Ross will talk about the importance of this nearly-lost iconic tree, what happened to it, and the current efforts to bring it back to our eastern forests. The talk will touch on tree genetics, back-crossing and hybridization, and genetic manipulation. Find out how you can help to bring back the chestnut!

Doors open at 6:30. The Village Hall is accessible, and plenty of free parking in the bank parking lot across the street.

03/31/2026

Dryden’s Climate Action Committee will host its second free Repair Cafe on April 18 at the Dryden Center for Community, offering help to fix household items and seeking local repair volunteers.

03/31/2026

Restoring the American Chestnut
April 16, 2026 (Thursday), 7 PM
Dryden Village Hall
16 South St., Dryden, NY

Valerie Ross will talk about the importance of this nearly-lost iconic tree, what happened to it, and the current efforts to bring it back to our eastern forests. The talk will touch on tree genetics, back-crossing and hybridization, and genetic manipulation. Find out how you can help to bring back the chestnut.

Valerie is a local conservation advocate and an expert on the history of the American chestnut tree and a member of the NYS Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation. Val first spoke for our DTHS program in the spring of 2023 and will now present to our members an update about efforts to grow the new blight-resistant trees and the challenges this has presented.

Doors open at 6:30. The Village Hall is accessible, and plenty of free parking in the bank parking lot across the street.

Send a message to learn more

03/10/2026

Join a crew of enthusiastic volunteers to clean up the building before our Steeple Social & Open Doors Day. Experienced cleaners from Broom Hilda Cleaning Services will direct you in an efficient way to dust, vacuum, and mop. We are looking for 20 volunteers. The more, the merrier! Invite a friend!....

12/03/2025

Come and stop by the Dryden Historical Society this Saturday, December 6, open from 10am - 1pm and make a beautiful keepsake ornament. All ages welcome, all materials supplied. We will have cookies and cider too! And don't forget about all the other wonderful Holiday Celebration in Dryden activities.

Our display case is filled with Holiday Workshop ornaments from the past years. Such great ideas from Patti Kiefer. Our books and merchandise make great holiday gifts as well.