By Denise Richardson
ONEONTA _ The Greater Oneonta Historical Society will give and receive honors Wednesday.
The Oneonta Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will present a Commemorative Event Award to the society, according to a media release from GOHS, and the society will recognize Sam Nader with the Albert E. Morris Award.
The ceremonies will take place after a short business meeting at 7 p.m. at the society's History Center at 183 Main St. in Oneonta.
The meeting is open to the public, though only society members will be able to vote on business, which includes election of board members and officers.
The Oneonta DAR will recognize the society for accomplishments during the past several years. Those include the new History Center at 183 Main St., the development of a historical community museum, monthly programs and walking tours, the annual Sally Mullen Award for fourth-graders, and the development of working relationships with other area history groups, the release said.
``We've put in quite a bit of hard work,'' said Bob Brzozowski, GOHS vice president. ``We're really pleased to be recognized for that.''
He said the society has almost 500 members. GOHS bought the building in 2001 and has been working on restorations and renovations. According to its website, the society aims to establish the building as a place for people to conduct research and attend programs about local history.
Also Wednesday, the society will present the 10th annual Albert E. Morris Award, named after the city's first mayor. GOHS will present Nader with the award to recognize ``his contributions to the rich history of baseball in Oneonta.''
An exhibit drawing on items from Nader's baseball collection, "Baseball in Rural America, A Community's Story," will be open.
Nader, former Oneonta mayor, was until recently co-owner of the Oneonta Tigers. The exhibit will be open through Saturday.
GOHS officials said there will be refreshments and drawings for a baseball signed by Baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, donated by Cindy Seward, and a signed copy of Tim Wiles' book ``Take Me Out To the Ball Game.''
Previous recipients of the Albert E. Morris Award, for outstanding contributions in preserving and promoting Oneonta's history, include Lynn Bissell, Jim Loudon, the late former Mayor James F. Lettis, Norma Hutman and Keith Bott.
The village of Oneonta became a city Jan. 1, 1909, according to the city's website, and Morris was its first mayor.
The Greater Oneonta Historical Society is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays.
For more information, visit oneontahistory.org.
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