The Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) will host “National Youth Day” from noon to 4 p.m. on June 27. This annual event celebrates youth leadership and perspectives as part of the nationwide “Civic Season.” (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – Join the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) for “National Youth Day” from noon to 4 p.m. on June 27. This annual event celebrates youth leadership and perspectives as part of the nationwide “Civic Season.” Young people from across the region are invited to take the lead in museum activities throughout the afternoon.

Designed to help younger citizens connect with America250, “National Youth Day” is a special community gathering featuring guest organizations The Place and WSKG. The afternoon includes a “Teen Takeover” of the museum, highlighting youth-led tours and social media postings.

Beginning at noon, the museum will host “A Slice of History,” featuring free pizza and trivia. Underwritten by Pizza to the Polls, “A Slice of History” is a signature event series within “Civic Season,” combining local history and community action.

Following “A Slice of History,” the Chenango County “Wish Wall” will be unveiled. A “Wish Wall” is an interactive, community-driven installation where people write down and display personal hopes, dreams, and visions for the future. The concept acts as a living archive that puts visitors in conversation with one another and provides future generations with a snapshot of our community. Museum visitors are invited to answer the question, “What’s your wish for America’s future?”

To round out the afternoon, young museum visitors will be able to create artwork for the upcoming “Tapestry of New York” storytelling platform. Hosted by WSKG, this opportunity gives youth creators the opportunity to display artwork through an online showcase that features media representing unique student views on the American Revolution and subsequent “unfinished revolutions.”

“We are so excited to be hosting ‘National Youth Day’ during ‘Civic Season’,” said Jessica Moquin, CCHS executive director. “As a community-centered organization, encouraging civic engagement is central to our mission.”

First established in 1939, CCHS is the area’s premier heritage museum dedicated to celebrating local culture—its unique traditions and noteworthy stories. CCHS programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. CCHS is also a proud partner of Bloomberg Connects, an app that allows visitors to enhance their exhibit experience through audio clips, videos, and more. Download this free digital museum guide via the Apple Store or Google Play, and visit www.ChenangoHistorical.org for more details about this and other museum programs.

“Civic Season” is an annual, nationwide summer tradition spanning from Juneteenth to the Fourth of July. It is designed to connect younger generations with the American story, combining history and civics to help participants understand the past and actively shape the future of our communities. Created by Made By Us—a nonpartisan network of more than 400 museums, historic sites, and archives—“Civic Season” is a time for self-discovery, community engagement, and reflection on what it means to be an American.

The Place (founded as the Christian Neighborhood Center of Norwich) is a fully licensed,  community-based youth service organization  focused on empowering the children of Chenango County. Established in 1983, The Place serves Chenango County by offering youth development programs, family support, and community assistance.

WSKG serves to inspire with the highest quality educational programming, explore the arts, culture and heritage of the region and beyond, engage in thoughtful consideration of news and issues of importance, and entertain with the very best in multimedia programming. WSKG’s educational services and community engagement initiatives focus on local and national news, arts, history, and youth content.

About CCHS: The mission of the Chenango County Historical Society and Museum is to explore the culture of Chenango County through preservation and presentation of local heritage.

- Information from the CCHS