Karen Kelsheimer, Syracuse Wawasee Historical Museum director, presented “Hotels of Syracuse and Lake Wawasee” Saturday morning. (Photo by Martha Stoelting)
Fans of local history filled Celebration Hall at the Syracuse Community Center Saturday morning to hear a presentation “Hotels of Syracuse and Lake Wawasee” presented by Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum Director Karen Kelsheimer.
Antique photos from the museum files and personal collections and postcards made up the basis of the talk.
She began with information on hotels in Syracuse during its early days right up to the Grand Hotel in uptown.
Kelsheimer then tackled Lake Wawasee numerous places of lodging and in doing so covered much of the history of the area since the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad laid its tracks through Syracuse in 1874.
Both well-known and more obscure places to stay were highlighted around the lake with the South Shore Inn being the last place to be covered.
Many positive comments were heard by the audience after the program. Memorabilia from various hotels was also on display.
Memorabilia from various hotels was on display during a presentation of “Hotels of Syracuse and Lake Wawasee.” (Photo by Martha Stoelting)