See our Tioughnioga River Trail section of our site for more information

Cortland, NY -- The New York State Department of Education has awarded the Cortland-Homer Teacher Center a $7,519 grant for educational uses of local government records. The New York State Archives administers the grant program in consultation with the Local Government Records Advisory Council comprised of local government officials and records experts.

The goal of this grant is to provide an opportunity for a core group of interested teachers to undertake a focused training program that will enable them to understand and investigate local archival records that pertain to the Tioughnioga River. The reason this project has such significance is that Cortland County is engaged in a major effort to revitalize the Tioughnioga River corridor which shaped the pattern of development of communities in the County.

"The River is enjoying new status, having recently been designated by New York State as one of the State's major inland waterways, and also has national significance as the headwaters of the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay system," said Linda Hartsock, executive director of the BDC, which is overseeing the project. "The Tioughnioga project is a partnership effort involving federal, state, regional and county agencies to create a multi-year strategic plan to educate the community about the historical, cultural and environmental importance of the River. This is an excellent opportunity to bring education into the partnership."

"This program will bring together a community of people who have a vested interest in the future success of the River Trail, with our schools," said Bonnie Calzolaio, Director of the Cortland-Homer Teacher Center. "This partnership will allow local students to make a real investment in the progress of the River Trail as it evolves."

"I commend you on your leadership and initiative in applying for this grant and congratulate you on your success," said Senator James L. Seward, in announcing the grant to the Cortland-Homer Teacher Center.

"The success of the project will require a partnership between federal, state, county and local officials, educational institutions, the private sector, community groups and citizens," said Brian Ward, CEO of Cortland Line and Chairman of the Tioughnioga River Waterfront Development Commission. "It's a great example of the "Three E's' -- the economy, education and the environment."

SUNY Cortland and local school district science departments have already become involved in the exploration of the ecosystems of the River, and will be working with the Waterfront Commission to help develop resource guides and interpretive signage relating to river and species habitat issues.

This grant will allow for research of public archival records for historical resources that might also be utilized in the development of teaching materials, resource guides and signage. "It is anticipated that local school districts -- with the proper training on how to access these records -- can play an important role in this overall community project," added Calzolaio. "Tying the project together will be a comprehensive approach to the study of the rich history of the communities, businesses and landmarks that grew along the River."

It is also anticipated that successful implementation of this grant for county school districts will open new avenues for archivists, librarians, and government officials charged with preserving these records. Active collaborations between these groups and the Tioughnioga River Waterfront Development Commission is the main objective of the grant.

Teachers from area school districts will be recruited to participate in a training program led by area historians, county and municipal clerks, local college faculty, teachers formerly trained by the SARA grants and members of The Tioughnioga River Waterfront Development Commission. The intention is to establish a relationship between all of the above.

The Cortland-Homer Teacher Center will recruit teachers to the training which will include the local use of historic records, how they were acquired and how they fit into the New York State Learning Standards.

Representatives of the Cortland County Clerk's Office and the County Historical Society will also be involved to present valuable information on the kinds of public records that exist, and ways to access them. Teachers will work either in small similar groups or individually with local government clerks or historians, the BDC and members of the Waterfront Commission and teachers formerly trained in the process. They will have access to the Cortland-Homer Teacher Center and project manager to assist in developing material. Bonnie Calzolaio will serve as project manager, coordinating the activities of the participants. Teachers will be able to post their work in progress on a list-serve and continually receive feedback.

The outcome of this project will be digitally documented and preserved, potentially on a CD-ROM, web sites, brochures, guidebooks and interpretive signage.

In addition, it is envisioned that there would also be a public presentation day for teachers to present their projects to the Tioughnioga River Waterfront Development Commission and the interested citizens of the community.