O Tannenbaum auction underway at the museum

The Tioga County Historical Society’s upcoming 17th annual O Tannenbaum event is not only a fun family experience; it is also the historical society’s most important fundraiser of the year. 

Tioga County Historical Society Executive Director Scott MacDonald said the historical society depends on the funds created by O Tannenbaum. 

“It generates a fair amount of our yearly budget. The trees and wreathes and items for auction are typically donated by local residents and community businesses. Tioga Downs donated money for the event this year,” MacDonald said. 

Trees, wreaths, and other items donated by the community are displayed throughout the museum as part of a silent auction and events that culminate on Dec. 14.

“It’s well supported by the community so we make a fair amount of money. Obviously the community enjoys it so we want to grow it,” Scott said.  

New this year will be three evening presentations and a time for residents to bring in their dogs for pictures with Santa. 

With over 300,000 local artifacts, Scott said that it is important to him that he make sure the community can appreciate local history at the historical society museum. 

“We don’t charge admission which is unique. We don’t want to turn away anyone, it’s a community museum, and I don’t want people with family or friends not to come because of cost. So it covers not having an admission fee,” Scott added. 

Along with allowing the historical society to not charge a fee for the museum, which Scott said had roughly 10,000 visitors last year, funding raised by O Tannenbaum goes to the exhibits themselves. 

“This year we had 50 years of NASA, showing how highly connected we are to space exploration. We also had the architectural program, over 100 photographs and 3D models of homes in the community and we did an African American program with lectures,” Scott said.  

He added that next year the historical society is planning a 12-month suffragette program because 2020 will be the 100-year anniversary of women being allowed to vote in America. 

“The idea is we are trying to increase the number of people interested in what we do. We want to save the past for the future,” Scott said. 

He added that his favorite part of O Tannenbaum is watching people from the community engage with their history. 

“This is what makes Owego – Owego, it’s the flavor of the county. And I like seeing people realize the value,” Scott said. 

The O Tannenbaum auction and display is open at the museum through Dec. 14. You can visit Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located at 110 Front St. in Owego. For a full schedule of O Tannenbaum events, visit https://tiogahistory.org/programs-and-events/annual-events/o-tannenbaum/.