Welcome to the Otselic Valley Fishing & Heritage Association site!

Thank you for attending our May '24 Fishing & Heritage Day

Don't miss these other special events and programs scheduled for 2024...

Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 9:30am-3:45pm

Journey through Chenango: "Land of the Oneidas"
Walking Tour of Historic Sites

Starts at 5797 Nichols Pond Road, Canastota, NY 13032

Join us for an exciting day walking tour/field trip of important historic places!
We will travel/carpool separately and meet at four different sites at predetermined times to explore and discuss their historical significance. These sites illustrate the events of “Land of the Oneidas” and “Drums along the Mohawk,” to be discussed in the optional book study, and will allow us to learn about the role of the Oneida Nation as allies in the Revolutionary War and to appreciate the geographical proximity of these historic sites. Lunch is on your own, either picnic or purchase food at local venues.

Highlights:

  • 9:30 AM Nichols Pond, 5797 Nichols Pond Road, Fenner, NY: This is the site of an ancient Oneida Village.
  • 11:00 AM Fort Stanwix, 112 East Park St., Rome, NY: The Oneida Nation will be on site with a variety of activities, crafts and food.
  • 2:10 PM The Oneida Carry, 519 West Liberty St., Rome, NY: This sacred place was one of the most sought-after pieces of real estate on the entire frontier because whoever controlled it controlled the water passage from the Hudson River to Lake Ontario and beyond. Lots of blood spilled over this critical place of portage.
  • 2:45 PM Oriskany Battlefield, 7801 State Rte. 69, Oriskany, NY: The Oriskany Battlefield, one of the bloodiest and most significant battles of the Revolutionary war where Oneidas and Americans fought together against the British, Tories, and Senecas.

This program is open to anyone who would like to explore this important history. You don’t have to be registered for the reading program/book study to attend. A few more sets of free books are available for folks who still wish to join our discussion on Saturday, October 12 from 1:00- 3:00pm at the Chenango County Historical Museum in Norwich, New York. We are blessed to live within a short driving distance of some of the most important historic places that played critical roles in the development of the United States. Seeing the places described in the books will infuse the words with present energy and fire the imagination.

For more information, contact Michael Foor-Pessin at (315) 653-7811 or foorpessin@gmail.com







16

Years Established

About Otselic Valley

Celebrating our Rural Nature, Culture & History

The Otselic Valley is home to scenic trails, ponds and Otselic River fishing spots which locals treasure for their beauty and history. Browse our site to discover all the hidden gems that make our valley unique and valued.

  • Local towns are named after a river flowing through it, the Otselic.
  • The hatchery rears pond-reared walleye fingerlings, and rears small lots of wild, heritage-strain and Temiscamie brook trout. Annual production is 15,000 pounds of fish. Brook trout are stocked with fix wing airplane (bush pilots) as well as helicopters in the Adirondacks.
  • Over 10 square miles (26 km2) or about 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) are state-owned forest lands open to the public for forest-related recreation such as hunting, bird-watching, camping, fishing, hiking and cross country skiing.

Join our team of Volunteers