Manuscripts

"Although the literal meaning of manuscript is ‘handwritten’, the Library’s manuscript collections cover all kinds of unpublished written records and many contain published and pictorial records as well. The kinds of records are extremely diverse: letters, diaries, notebooks, speeches, lectures, drafts of books and articles, research or reference files, cutting books, photographs, drawings, minute books, agenda papers, logbooks, financial records, maps and plans."  (https://perma.cc/DKV4-4VZC)

The manuscripts in Special Collections are largely representative of Oswego County and New York State and vary in subject and size.  Several finding aids are available online.  A sample of the manuscripts are:

MS 003 Millard Fillmore Papers

           Digitized versions of the the papers are available via NY Heritage Digital Collections

MS 098 The Van Keuren Papers

           Finding aid for the Van Keuren Native American Collection

MS 085  One Room Schoolhouse Association of Oswego County
            Finding aid for the One Room Schoolhouse Association of Oswego County

MS 131  The Emergency Refugee Shelter at Fort Ontario

             Finding aid for the Emergency Refugee Shelter at Fort Ontario

Please use the Penfield Library online catalog to search for manuscripts.

If you have questions, please inquire through email archives@oswego.edu or through Archives and Special Collections inquiry form

Emergency Refugee Shelter at Fort Ontario

Emergency Refugee Shelter at Fort Ontario:  Jewish haven at Oswego, N.Y. 
Included are copies of Ontario Chronicle, correspondence, video recordings of reunions, oral histories and transcripts.
Special Collections MS 131.  3 boxes