National History Day

National History Day (NHD) is a learning adventure that teaches critical thinking, writing and research skills and boosts performance across all subjects – not just history. To facilitate this, NHD provides a framework and curriculum materials for teachers and guidance for students.

Students choose a historical topic related to the annual theme and then conduct primary and secondary research. Students are encouraged to look through libraries, archives and museums, conduct oral history interviews, and visit historic sites. After analyzing and interpreting the sources, and drawing a conclusion about the significance of the topic, students are then able to present their work in one of five ways: as a paper, an exhibit, a performance, a documentary, or a website.

First, students grades 6th through 12th can participate at the local level. Students from Oneida, Oswego, Madison, Cortland, and Onondaga counties are eligible to take part in Central New York Regional History Day facilitated by Onondaga Historical Association. Winners from this competition have an opportunity to use the judges’ remarks and revise their projects to present a second time at the New York State History Day. From here, winners can again revise their projects before moving on to The Kenneth E. Behring National History Day contest.

You can help OHA facilitate our Regional History Day, and support the enrichment of local students, by donating below!

Make a Donation


The theme for National History Day 2023 is Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas


We’re pleased to announce that we are back to an in-person format for CNY Regional History Day. It took place on March 18th at OCM BOCES in Liverpool. The winners, who will take part in the statewide competition in April, are listed below.

Junior Group Exhibit
First: Skyler Harding, Nichola Mulvey: Moses Fleetwood Walker’s Way to Baseball Glory
Second: Carson Rolince, Sawyer Stewart: Facing Frontiers and First Downs: The Brown Davis Express
Third: Deon Thomas, Christopher Nichols, Adrien Lamana: Jackie Robinson: The Legacy of ’42

Junior Individual Exhibit
First: Matthew Kupris: The Frontier of Tanks
Second: Jamie Laraby: Pablo Picasso and How Much He Has Impacted the Art World

Junior Group Website
First: Brayden Caruana, Joshua Morales: Transforming Transportation: The Erie Canal

Senior Group Exhibit
First: Kenzi Cucci, Jessica O’hieren: Lewis & Clark Expedition: Exploring An American Frontier
Second: Mackenzie Bugbee, Thatcher Bugbee, Sydney Bonafield, Daniel Head: Frontier of Crime: The Loomis Gang

Senior Individual Exhibit
First: Mae Cohen: The Frontiers of Art in New York City
Second: Emma Pierie: The Cultural Revolution’s Impact on China’s Youth
Third: Arusha Ramaswamy: But What Is to Be Done About the Girls

Senior Papers
First: Zack Doxater: Frontiers in History: The Transcontinental Railroad & Locomotives in the Early United States
Second: Nicole Aumell: Setting the Precedent: The Formation of the Judicial Branch of The United States Government
Third: Makenna (Kay) Walrath: Philis Wheatley and the Frontier of Literature

For more information regarding Central New York History Day, contact Scott Peal by email (scott.peal@cnyhistory.org) or by phone (428-1864 extension 317).


Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors

We would like to extend a special thank you to our Lead Sponsors; Bottar Law, the Dewitt and Eastwood Rotary Clubs, and William G. Pomeroy Foundation, who have helped support these hard-working students.