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Utica was founded on what was historically Mohawk, Oneida, and Onondaga tribal land, which was later occupied by European colonists when Fort Schuyler was built during the 1700s. Immigrants have been settling in Utica since the city’s founding in 1832. Throughout the 1800s and 1900s, Utica was a major site for manufacturing. However, by the mid-1900s many of the businesses which made Utica a thriving industrial city were relocating, leading to an economic downturn for the city. But there was another major event in the same time period that shaped the Utica we see today: the founding of the Utica Refugee Center.
Starting in 1979 the Utica Refugee Center ushered in a new chapter in the story of Utica. The Center’s founding resulted in a more vibrant and welcoming community for immigrant and refugee populations. The consistent presence and resources offered by the Refugee Center help Utica remain a hub for immigration. Close to 20% of Utica’s population is foreign-born, and around 30% of individuals speak a language other than English at home. Approximately 40 languages are spoken in Utica schools.
Walking through town and experiencing all the restaurants, religious institutions, and community centers lining the streets, one can clearly see how Utica has been shaped by the various cultures of its inhabitants and what a special place it has become because of it. The students at the Cooperstown Graduate Program have been fortunate enough to experience the generosity (and amazing food) that can be found in Utica, and for that, we thank everyone that was willing to share their experiences with us. We urge anyone that hasn’t done so yet to go and experience all that Utica has to offer, starting with the businesses that we have highlighted on this site.
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