Pop-up Exhibit: James H. Donovan -
An Irishman for All Seasons 

Dates: The Pop-up Exhibit can be viewed throughout the month of August 2025

Time: During regular hours of operation of 5 Points Pub

Cost: FREE!

Location: "The Gallery" at the H.A.R.P. Museum located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley at 623 Columbia St., Utica

Contact: Chris Hoke at (315) 733-4228 Ext. 6 or irishccmv@gmail.com

During the month of August, The Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley will feature an exhibit on the life and times of the late state Senator James H. Donovan, who died while serving in office in 1990, and achieved the distinction of Oneida County’s longest serving state senator and the author of more than four hundred state laws. 

“A Life Well-Lived”

The exhibit will trace the genealogy of the Donovan family, who emigrated to the United States from County Cork, Ireland in the 1830s, covering the history of Donovan’s years as a young man growing up in Holland Patent and later west Utica; his military service in WWII as a Marine fighting in the South Pacific and his return home to start a successful roofing business and nearly 40 years of elected public service. He won thirteen races for the state Senate, serving from 1966-1990. Gannett News Service described him as a man who “…has the ingredients to make a great legislator - courage.”

During his career, he was the recipient of hundreds of awards from organizations across New York State. Local buildings and facilities named in his memory include the Senator James H. Donovan Middle School in Utica, Donovan Stadium at Murnane Field and the James H. Donovan Science & Technology Building at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Marcy. Donovan is credited as the driving force behind the campus in Marcy which today hosts silicon chip manufacturer Wolfspeed and global engineering company Danfoss.

He served as the Chair of various senate committees, including 17 years as Chair of the Education Committee, achieving a national reputation for advancing technology in education.  He also launched the “Parents as Reading Partners Program (PARP),” which has been replicated throughout the country. 

Step Inside “…the Room Where It Happened…”

The exhibit, which will run throughout the month, will also feature photos with local, state and national dignitaries and public officials; campaign paraphernalia from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s; the Senate chamber chair occupied by Donovan over his 25-year Senate career, and an award winning bust sculpted by local artist Claudia Hartz of Clinton.

Opening Talk and Reception

The exhibit kicks off at 4 p.m. on August 6th, with a presentation by Sen. Donovan’s son, Jerome Donovan, followed by a reception from 5-7 p.m. To assure adequate seating, we urge you to register online at https://bit.ly/3GnpGFd or call and leave a message at (315) 733-4228, Ext 6. 

Accessibility

The H.A.R.P. Museum is located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica. All are welcome to attend this program and the museum is wheelchair accessible. ☘️

See all of our upcoming cultural events!