New Exhibits at 
Tioga County Historical Society 

When the Tioga County Historical Society's museum re-opens on October 26, there will be some new exhibits for everyone to enjoy. 

Folk Art Portraiture
 One exhibit gallery has been dedicated to folk art portraiture. Many Tioga County artists were nationally known; other only locally. A sampling of these paintings will be permanently housed in the Upper West Gallery.
Tioga County History

 The largest space in the society building has been designated to explain the history of Tioga County. Many large collection items such as the 1913 Monarch Motorcycle, the 1968 Owego Soap Box Derby car, and the IBM computer processor that was used on many Space Shuttle missions will tell the story of the county. Smaller objects will be displayed on a rotating basis so the society's collection will be seen by the public.

Native American Exhibit
 A permanent Native American exhibit was also put together, outlining the history of the first Americans in what became Tioga County. Many artifacts, drawings, and pictures illustrate the life of these first peoples on the Susquehanna.

Clothing and Identity
 A unique traveling exhibition project called Looking Into the Mirror: Clothing and Identity will be on display until November 30. This ten-paneled interactive exhibition explores the ways in which clothing shapes identity, using the collections of the ten participating institutions. 

 The panels include photographs of historic costumes, historic photographs showing costumes in context, label text, and excerpts from primary sources to create an engaging look at clothing. At two stations, visitors can take an active part in the learning process.

 Curated by Linda Norris of Upstate History Alliance, the participants include the Regional Council of Historical Agencies, the Gallery Association of New York, and ten local history museums of Upstate New York: Oswego County Historical Society, Madison County Historical Society, Seneca Falls Historical Society, Geneva Historical Society, Rensselaer County Historical Society, Chemung County Historical Society, Chenango Historical Society, Tioga County Historical Society, and the Potsdam Public Museum. Each institution participating has the exhibit project for a specified length of time.

Walking Canes
 Among the temporary exhibits is one entitled Dean's Canes. Local Owegoan and tannery owner, Alanston Dean Porter, carved many items out of wood. The museum is privileged to have a collection of his specialty, walking canes.

1950's Lake Street
 Lake Street in Owego is the subject of the second temporary exhibit. It was the center of commerce in this growing village. The museum spotlights the 1950 era with acquisition of the letter "B" from the Newberry building on the corner of Lake and Main Street.

 The museum is at 110 Front Street in Owego. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.