PETERBORO — Author Daniel Koch returns to his Central New York roots and will speak on his upcoming 2022 publication of “Land of the Oneidas: Central New York State and the Creation of America, From Prehistory to the Present” at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum, 5255 Pleasant Valley Road.

Koch will emphasize the importance of the CNY region to our national history. Koch came to the attention of NAHOF with the article Flying the Confederate Flag in the North is a Special Sort of Disgrace (History News Network) and Teaching Anti-Racism on the New York Frontier: Beriah Green’s Oneida Institute (History of Education Society).

He also published New York, New France: French Ambitions on Oneida Lake in 1634 (New York Almanack).

Koch grew up in Oneida and completed a bachelor’s degree in history and French at the State University of New York at Albany, with a year abroad at the Université de Paris (IV) Sorbonne and (X) Nanterre.

He then studied for a master’s degree and doctorate degree in history at the University of Oxford. Koch is the senior deputy head (vice master) at Bedford School. He will be taking up post at Loughborough Grammar School as headmaster in September. His main interests, apart from history and education, are languages, and he is a keen sportsman.

Growing up in New York, he played American football and baseball. At Oxford, he rowed in the Christ Church 1st VIII. Currently he coaches rugby. He enjoys running and triathlons. He is a member of the Bedford Harriers Athletic Club. Koch lives with his wife and two children in Bedford, England, and visits his hometown of Oneida each July. Admission is $5 and includes the Koch program and entrance to the Hall of Fame and Museum.

The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; June 4 to Aug. 28 from noon to 4 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday until Aug. 10.

Down the street, the exterior exhibits of the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark are open from dawn to dusk.

The buildings of the Estate are open on Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 pm. Both sites are also open for special events and pre-arranged group tours. COVID protocol may be required according to the coronavirus status at the time of an event. For updates, visit www.nationalabolitionhalloffameandmuseum.org, nahofm1835@gmail.com, or call 315-684-3262.