Oswego has always had its share of amateur historians... including some truly formidable figures such as Judge Nelson Case roughly a hundred years ago, and Wayne O'Connell within the past half century. All did their part to raise awareness of Oswego's rich and varied past. But none had a medium available to them with the potential reach and breadth of the Internet.

Neither did our staff until just recently. The Web site you are reading right now was an unintended --but probably inevitable-- outcome of having to change Internet Service Providers when our local dialup service shut down in the summer of 2007. Our main use for the Internet had been to allow people to contact us by e-mail. The old service wasn't fast enough to let us use it for much else. The new service, on the other hand, was an eye-opener. It raised the unavoidable question: why don't we have a Web site so people can find us and see what we have to offer?

Of course, the Web can do far more than just publicize the services of the Historical Society. So much of the information available at the Museum is presently only accessible if one takes the time to wade through fragile, musty books and old newspaper clippings. And yet there is such a wealth of fascinating stories told in those sources!

Oswego has long been a place of remarkable characters who led unique lives, and we want to share those intriguing stories with you. We'd appreciate your comments and suggestions for making this site as interesting and useful as possible.

Please check back periodically. We will be adding new information to this section over time.