"This well written book looks at Cazenovia’s most interesting and 'juicy' stories, and the origins of the facts and myths that surround them."—Matthew Urtz, Madison County Historian
"This volume of tales of days long past in the village of Cazenovia is reminiscent of Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine."—Candice Shy Hooper, Historian and author of Lincoln’s Generals’ Wives
"An interesting ride through Cazenovia's colorful history."—Chris DeRose, New York Times bestselling author of The Fighting Bunch
"The Bear Tree reads like a page turning novel with romance, danger and twists and turns, proving truth really is stranger than fiction."—Jessica Reed, A Time and a Place Magazine
Description
The historic lakeside village of Cazenovia in the scenic Finger Lakes region is one of the jewels of Central New York, and yet very few books have told its story. Cazenovia is a town founded by wealthy men, and much of what has been written about it has focused on the elite and the grand lakeshore mansions in which they lived. In contrast, Barnes and Emerson’s new book chronicles the story of everyday Cazenovia: the fascinating people, places, and history of this 225-year-old community.
The Bear Tree and Other Stories from Cazenovia’s History explores the unheralded, inaccurately told, and long-forgotten tales of the town. Readers will encounter historical characters such as elephant and lion tamer Lucia Zora Card, “The Bravest Woman in the World”; educator Susan Blow, “The Mother of American Kindergarten”; and World War I soldier Cecil Donovan, whose letters home vividly depicted the experience of war for those awaiting his return in Cazenovia.
About the Author
Erica Barnes, a teacher and historian, was a contributing writer for the Cazenovia Republican newspaper and is currently an educator in Okaloosa County, Florida.
Jason Emerson is an independent historian and journalist. He is the author or editor of seven books about Abraham Lincoln and his family, and the former editor of the Cazenovia Republican newspaper. Emerson has also published dozens of history articles in both popular magazines and academic journals, and he has been a history expert on multiple television shows, including Book TV, American History TV, and shows on the History Channel, H2 and CNBC.
November 2021