News

Join Us for a Walking Tour: History of the Parkway -- Monuments & Memorials

The Central New York Conservancy announces a walking tour titled: "History on the Parkway: Monuments and Memorials" on Saturday, September 10 at 11AM beginning at the CNY Conservancy office at 1641 Genesee Street. Rand Carter, Professor of Art History (emeritus), Hamilton College and locally celebrated historian, will lead the tour, which is free of charge. Parking is available at the CNY Conservancy.

"The monuments on the Memorial Parkway are not only valuable, artistic additions to our landscape, they serve to remind us of patriotism, sacrifice, loyalty and gratitude," Gina Pearce, executive director of the CNY Conservancy, said. "We are honored that Rand is bringing attention to these notable features on the Memorial Parkway by sharing his deep knowledge about their history, value and artistic significance."

Carter joined the Hamilton College faculty in1970 after receiving his bachelor's degree from Columbia University and his Master of Fine Arts degree and doctorate from Princeton University. His areas of interest include historic preservation, European art of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, neoclassicism, the history of furniture, environmental and ecological implications of architectural design, and urban planning.

"For 20 years, the CNY Conservancy has been protecting our community's heritage by preserving our monuments and adorning them with flowers and landscaping," Pearce continued. "While we all enjoy the beauty surrounding our monuments while driving, this walking tour gives people the time to consider and contemplate the sacrifice and heritage for which the monuments are here to remind us."

The CNY Conservancy's mission is to preserve, maintain and beautify Utica's Olmsted-designed parks: F.T. Proctor Park, T.R. Proctor Park, Roscoe Conklin Park and the Memorial Parkway, while promoting maximum use and enjoyment. As part its mission, the CNY Conservancy has planted more than 200 trees and 160,000 flowers and is responsible for planting and maintaining the flower beds surrounding the Memorial Parkway monuments.