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.