"Our Town-Ilion, New York: A Selective Look at 300 Years of History - Volume II"

1965 Alumnus and Faculty member - Joseph Daniel Collea Jr.

July 2023

As a follow-up to his first book about our community's storied past, Joe Collea has just published a second book on the same topic. Titled Our Town-Ilion, New York: A Selective Look at 300 Years of History Volume II, this edition is not intended as a sequel but rather instead a further look at the people, places, and events that were a part of the village's long, unique, and fascinating story which has spanned almost three centuries.

The Ilion Public Library will be having a book signing for Joseph Collea's second book. The date is set for July 19, 2023, during Ilion Days week. Book signing from 4 to 5 pm, discussion from 5 to 6 pm, and more signing, if needed, from 6 to 7 pm.

The format and style of this second work is patterned after that of the first, though of course the subject matter is different. A whole new range of topics were included. As in the first book, Joe has combined research in the Ilion Free Public Library, online newspaper archives, and interviews with current and former residents to develop the various chapters.

This time around a concerted attempt was made to incorporate an increased number of visuals, since pictures of the past are not only inherently interesting but also can prove very supportive and enlightening when appropriately placed within the text.Currently he is working on a biography of Ilion baseball stand-out Boots Day and expects to follow that effort with a second volume about Ilion's history. All of Joe's books - the first edition Our Town and the biography of Boots Day - are available online through Amazon.com. In the past, the Herkimer County Historical Society has also offered them for sale in its gift shop.