Making history: OHS class learns alongside Bishop’s Commons residents

A groundbreaking local history class at Oswego High School pairs students with senior citizens for a unique learning experience.

Every-other Friday, residents from Bishop’s Commons join Ben Heckethorn’s local Oswego history course to learn about the Port City’s rich past. The experience has been rewarding for the students as well as the senior citizens.

“It has been really cool working alongside them and listening to their stories,” said OHS student Logan Crannell. “We’re learning about factories and different industries that were here a long time ago, and some of the Bishop’s Commons residents actually worked at those places. It’s a fun way to learn local history.”

The classes consist of a variety of lecture-style lessons, field trips and guest speakers to discuss Oswego’s history. Under the tutelage of Heckethorn, students are learning about important people in the city’s history as well as Oswego’s role in industry and in war.

“The class encompasses a range of topics related to the Port City’s history,” Heckethorn said. “By bringing in the Bishop’s Commons residents, our students can get a first-hand account about some of these topics. It’s a win for our students, the senior citizens, and our community.”

This program is made possible for Bishop’s Commons residents through grant funding from the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, in partnership with the New York Academy of Medicine, as one of 18 grantee partnerships through their Age-friendly: Go Local program! Go Local supports neighborhood-level groups and organizations in building equitable communities through locally focused healthy-projects.