Friends of Lorenzo: Lorenzo State Historic Site, Cazenovia NY

Links-O-Lincklaen

Golfing at Lorenzo

While the origins of golf remain uncertain, it was in Scotland that the game first came to be considered an important activity. There, the first true golf courses, social clubs and rules were developed. The first reference to golf in America was when play was banned from the streets of Albany, New York in 1659.

During the 1890’s the popularity of golf was growing rapidly in the United States with around 1,000 golf courses having been built by the close of the century. The game appealed to the status-conscious middle and upper class, as it provided the opportunity to socialize and compete with little risk of injury. Initially only a man’s sport, it rapidly became popular with women.

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Family Winter Extravaganza

The Friends of Lorenzo warmly invite you to attend a "Family Winter Extravaganza," in the “Great Room” of the recently refurbished Old Administration Building, Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville, from 2:30-5:20 p.m., Sunday, February 28, 2010. $10 cost per person (max $30 per family). Bring cross country skis, snowshoes or snowman-building props. A prize to be awarded for the most creative "Frosty"! After enjoying the beautiful park trails, gather inside by the fire for hot cider and a hot chili supper

Kindly RSVP by February 20 by check (made payable to the Friends of Lorenzo - and please note the # of guests on your check), and send to: F.O.L. Winter Extravaganza, P.O. Box 4, Cazenovia, NY 13035. For more information, call Barb at Lorenzo State Historic Site (315-655-3200). Please note that there is no park entrance fee and that this event is weather dependent.

Enter the Modern...

Household Innovations Through the Years at Lorenzo
In 1968 Lorenzo was acquired by New York State and the Ledyard family heirs donated 160 years of accumulated furnishings and documentation. Among these treasures were all of the objects on display in this exhibit. Lorenzo’s archive contains a vast array of information including third owner, Helen Lincklaen Fairchild’s, Housebook. Here she collected and recorded information on the upgrades, repairs and contents of her home from its construction in 1807-1808 until her death in 1931. Her recollections are often corroborated by further documentation, items in the historic collections and evidence found during restoration and repairs undertaken since 1968.

Cazenovia Ice Harvesting
By 1850 commercial ice cutting and shipping was prevalent throughout the country. Charles Listman started a company in Cazenovia in 1870. Subsequent businesses, including People’s Ice Company, continued in the area into the 1930s with the blocks of ice transported by train to Syracuse. During the 1930s , People’s Ice Company moved to Syracuse, changed their production to manufactured ice and remained open into the 1960s.Many area homes and dairies, including Lorenzo, had private icehouses and community ice cutting on the lake was mentioned in the Cazenovia Republican as late as 1940. The above photograph is of the pier on Cazenovia Lake in the late 19th century. Ice packed properly in materials such as sawdust and straw would last for an entire year.

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2009 Calendar of Events

Wed., Nov. 18 and Thurs., Dec. 10, 7-9 p.m.
Beeswax Candle-making
Be prepared for the holidays! Hostess gifts to go! Join us for an evening of therapeutic “rolling” of beeswax candles. Through a generous donation from the family of Martine Friedman, we have acquired all of the wax and wicks necessary to make her lovely “Holland House” beeswax candles. Because over time this wax will dry and crack, we have decided to offer you this special candle-making opportunity. No experience necessary – all supplies included. We ask for a $25 donation per person attending. No limit to how many candles you are able to make. There are many, many colors and sizes of wax sheets to choose from. Space is limited. Bring your friends! Please call 655-3200 to sign up or for more information.

December 16-20*
Christmas at Lorenzo
Wednesday through Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Historic mansion program featured thematic decorations, seasonal displays and holiday refreshments; live music on weekends. An admission fee is charged. Please note that the Friends of Lorenzo will also host a members-only preview party in conjunction with Christmas at Lorenzo Thursday, December 3 from 6-8 pm. For more information, please call 655-3200.

Friday, December 18, 7-9 p.m.
Christmas by Candlelight at Lorenzo
Enjoy special programming and all aspects of an historic Christmas at Lorenzo by atmospheric "candlelight" at the Mansion. An admission fee is charged.

Sunday, December 20, 1-4 p.m.
Family Christmas Day at Lorenzo
With support from the Friends of Lorenzo, a festive afternoon of family-friendly activities will be offered in conjunction with Christmas at Lorenzo. An admission fee is charged.

* Please note that tour groups of 12 or more for Christmas at Lorenzo are available mornings from December 2 through December 18 by advance reservation only.

2009 Lorenzo Hours
Lorenzo State Historic Site will open for the 2009 season from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, May 15 through October 18.

Download Summer 2009
Friends of Lorenzo Newsletter (1.5MB PDF file)