I had the honor of spending my summer stepping into a field I had no prior experience with—working with the Chenango County Historical Society & Museum (CCHS). Located in Norwich, NY, approximately 30 minutes south of Hamilton, the Historical Society is focused on exploring the culture of Chenango County through the preservation and presentation of its local history.
The museum's physical building and grounds house its exhibits, which are open to the public free of charge. Beyond simply housing collections, the museum actively engages the community through fundraisers, events, and collaborative programming. Field trips regularly take place at the museum, offering students opportunities to learn and explore local history in creative and fun ways. Events like the annual Christmas tree lighting are among the museum’s most prominent, described by Chenango residents as a highlight of the holiday season. CCHS also maintains a digital presence aimed at drawing a global audience into the richness of Chenango County’s heritage. My work this summer has focused on building and expanding that digital presence.
I’ve observed two major challenges CCHS faces that are directly related to my work. The first is the impossible task of doing more with less. With only three full-time employees responsible for day-to-day operations and program expansion, time and resources are stretched thin. As with many small nonprofits, the museum simply lacks the funding and manpower to execute many of the initiatives it envisions. The second challenge is a more philosophical one: the paradoxical need to be all things to all people. Relying heavily on community support means navigating the desires and expectations of donors, volunteers, and residents, while also remaining true to the museum’s core mission of representing the full diversity of the county.
My role has centered on expanding the museum’s digital storytelling to reflect that diversity and ensure that all voices in the community are heard and preserved. I’ve been primarily working on two projects: the museum’s digital guide, powered by Bloomberg Connects, and an initiative called Chenango Stories—a short-form, oral storytelling project that captures the everyday experiences of everyday people in Chenango County. These short audio stories aim to ensure that underrepresented voices are not lost to time. This region is rich in culture and history and deserves to be represented as such.
Engaging with the community directly, whether at farmers' markets, PrideFest, or the County Fair, has brought the museum into public view and allowed me to connect with potential storytellers. These interactions have made it clear that long-term planning, passion, and optimism are essential. At the start of the summer, the goal of making a meaningful impact through the project felt daunting. But by the end, having recorded and uploaded 10 oral stories and contributed to other digital efforts, I feel proud of what we’ve accomplished. In a small organization, you have to think big—otherwise, it's easy to slip into the trap of inertia. The people I’ve met at Chenango PrideFest, the County Fair, and various village farmers’ markets will stay with me. The range of personalities, life stories, and community knowledge I encountered far exceeded my expectations, and I learned more about this region and its people than I ever anticipated.
With only one year left at Colgate, applying to be an Upstate Fellow this summer felt deeply important to me. I wanted to spend more time in the place I’ve called home for the past three years, a place that will always feel like home, even when I’m no longer living here. As a political science major on the pre-med track, this experience was both a welcome departure from my usual coursework and a valuable opportunity aligned with my long-term goals. The interpersonal skills I developed will absolutely inform my future as a physician.
Since my first year at Colgate, I’ve had a strong interest in rural healthcare, and this summer’s experience with the Field School gave me the chance to better understand rural life outside the Colgate bubble. This Fellowship pushed me to engage deeply with the region, reflect on my place within it, and understand its rhythms, challenges, and joys. I plan to apply to medical school after graduation, and I know that what I’ve learned here will stay with me both personally and professionally. I can enthusiastically confirm that this summer exceeded all expectations. — Spencer Kidd ’26