About GOHS

General Information

The Greater Oneonta Historical Society, a non-profit organization, has a membership of more than 400 plus a seventeen-member Board of Trustees. As one of the largest historical groups in Central New York, the Society works to preserve the heritage of the Greater Oneonta area.

The Society's holdings of more than 5,000 items consist of farm equipment, clothing, photographs, postcards, portraits, ephemera, and other historical realia which pertain to the Upper Susquehanna region. Volunteers have been and continue to be the mainstay of the Society's growth and existence.

Mission Statement

Adopted by the Board of Trustees December 2012.

The Greater Oneonta Historical Society, and its History Center, promotes greater Oneonta's past and future by providing stimulating educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories and lives from Oneonta's rich traditions. Our purpose is to collect, preserve and disseminate knowledge and understanding through dynamic programs and exhibitions.

Vision Statement

The Greater Oneonta Historical Society connects the past, present and future of the city and town of Oneonta. This will be accomplished by:

• Providing robust programming and encouraging ongoing community participation and collaboration.
• Developing a sustainable and successful museum operation.
• Increasing and raising new sources of funding support.
• Renovating and improving the Oneonta History Center building.
• Cultivating best practices in the care and management of collections.
• Providing an active voice for historical preservation in Oneonta.

Values

Preserve, educate and celebrate Oneonta’s history.

Strategies

1. Strategic Issue: Governance
   Goal: The governing authority of GOHS (the Board of Directors) will be clearly informed and defined, and will assume full responsibility to act in the best interest of the organization.
2. Strategic Issue: Programs
   Goal: GOHS will provide sustainable and high quality programs and exhibitions that educate and enhance the community.
3. Strategic Issue: Facility and Operational Planning
   Goal: GOHS will ensure that Society and History Center operations are effective, efficient, and sustainable.
4. Strategic Issue: Finances & Resource Development
   Goal: Strengthen the financial systems and grow the resources required to sustain the GOHS mission and strengthen programs and services.

History of GOHS

Read the article about the history of GOHS by Mark Simonson, Oneonta City Historian.

©2011 by Greater Oneonta Historical Society. All rights reserved. This page last updated 5/19/2013.