New York History

Downton Abbey and Hudson Valley Historic Houses

2012-02-08T16:00:00.001-05:00

Many people are fascinated by the serial British drama "Downton Abbey", currently airing on PBS. The Abbey is a fictional mansion in Yorkshire, the home of a fictional family, the Granthams, and their servant staff, during the early 20th century. It is an entertaining tale of love, intrigue, loyalty, betrayal, triumph, and tragedy! And it has generated, or at least been accompanied by, new books

Canal Society of New York's Winter Symposium

2012-02-08T14:00:00.001-05:00

The Canal Society of New York State has announced it's Winter Symposium will be held Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the Warshof Conference Center at Monroe Community College's Brighton Campus, 1000 East Henrietta Road in Rochester (Monroe Room A & B; Park in Lot M, Center Road; enter through lobby at northeast corner of Building 3).The Symposium includes papers on topics that are directly or

Toulouse-Lautrec Exhibition at the Hyde Collection

2012-02-08T12:00:00.003-05:00

The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls, Warren County, has announced it will present the exhibition Toulouse-Lautrec & Company: Prints from the Belle Époque. On view in Hoopes Gallery from March 3, 2012 through May 27, 2012, the exhibition will feature ten lithographs by Toulouse-Lautrec and approximately twenty prints by his contemporaries including Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947), Jules Chéret (1836-

Black Patriots: Continental African-American Vets

2012-02-08T06:00:00.004-05:00

Several thousand African-Americans served in the Patriot ranks during the Revolution. Both freemen and slaves fought alongside white soldiers, in integrated regiments, a practice which would not occur again until the Korean War. In celebration of Black History Month, learn about the vital role that African-Americans played in securing our independence Sunday February 12 from 2:00 to 2:30 PM at

Online Genealogy Standards Organization Formed

2012-02-07T18:00:00.003-05:00

The Family History Information Standards Organisation (FHISO) is a newly-formed international organization created to develop standards for the digital representation and sharing of family history and genealogical information. The standards are hoped to solve today’s interoperability issues independently of technology platforms, genealogy products or services. They are expected to provide

Wind Power Has A Long History in America

2012-02-07T13:55:00.003-05:00

Scores of gigantic wind turbines in the Adirondacks’ northeastern and southwestern foothills are a startling site amidst historically bucolic scenery. The landscape appears “citified,” with structures nearly 40 stories high where the largest buildings rarely top 3 stories. It is a dramatic change, and a far cry from simpler days when family farms were prevalent. Few realize that in those “simpler

Replica Manned Civil War Balloon to Take Flight

2012-02-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

In late 1861, Virginia residents were shocked to see a manned balloon rise on the horizon, directing Union Army artillery against Confederate positions. One hundred and fifty years later, a replica of the Intrepid – the first type of aerial vehicle used for combat in the United States – will take flight this summer.Genesee Country Village & Museum (GCV&M) has begun building the world’s only Civil

Fort Ti Offers Garden & Landscape Symposium

2012-02-07T06:00:00.004-05:00

The King’s Garden at Fort Ticonderoga is presenting its first Garden & Landscape Symposium, “Planting the Seeds of Knowledge for Home Gardeners,” on Saturday, April 14. This new annually planned day-long symposium, geared for both beginning and experienced gardeners, provides helpful insights from garden experts who live and garden in upstate New York and Vermont. This springtime event takes

New York Celebrates Black History Month

2012-02-06T18:00:00.005-05:00

In the 19th century, New York State was home to some of the most powerful abolitionists. Because of its proximity to Canada, New York became an important destination and temporary home for many African Americans fleeing slavery in the South. Today you can visit the former homes of prominent abolitionists such as Gerrit Smith and Harriet Tubman and follow the trail of the Underground Railroad, the

Preserving Civil War Graves in New York State

2012-02-06T14:00:00.001-05:00

Last year, the nation celebrated the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. This momentous occasion, in which over 600,000 individuals lost their lives, profoundly affected New York State as well as the still young nation. New York State not only contributed the most of the northern states, but also paid dearly with the loss of over 50,000 soldiers according to the New York State

St. Peter's Church in Albany the Focus of Events

2012-02-06T10:00:00.002-05:00

The Albany Institute of History & Art will be presenting the first of a three lecture series “300 Years, One Congregation”, about St. Peter’s Church on State Street on Sunday, February 12 at 2 PM. In this first lecture “In One City of Two Cultures, Ministering to Three Nations” the history, purpose, and influence of St. Peter’s Church in Albany will be explored by a panel of experts, including

Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama Planned

2012-02-06T06:00:00.003-05:00

Kyle Jenks, producer of Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama is a native of Albany, NY. His outdoor drama will pay homage to iconic American author Walter D. Edmonds, noted for his historically accurate novels, including the popular Drums Along the Mohawk (1936). This American classic was made into a highly successful Technicolor feature film in 1939. Directed by John Ford, it starred Hollywood

America's First African American Woman Judge

2012-02-05T06:00:00.005-05:00

A long overdue biography of the nation's first African American woman judge elevates Jane Matilda Bolin to her rightful place in American history as an activist, integrationist, jurist, and outspoken public figure in the political and professional milieu of New York City before the onset of the modern Civil Rights movement. Jacqueline A. McLeod's, Daughter of the Empire State: The Life of Judge

The Grinnell at 100: Celebrating Community, History

2012-02-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

In 2010 and 2011, residents of the Grinnell, a land-marked cooperative apartment house at 800 Riverside Drive in Manhattan's Audubon Park Historic District, celebrated their building’s centennial with a year of activities including the launch of a centennial website, logo and photography competitions, and a birthday celebration for the neighborhood. Grinnell residents have now produced a book

This Week's New York History Web Highlights

2012-02-03T15:00:00.002-05:00

Coney Island House Register: A Literary MysteryScipio Historian: My Year in a NutshellAlgonkian Missionaries: The New England CompanyBowery Boys: Langston Hughes' Harlem SpotsBlack History Month: Source of Pride or Hindrance?Learning Network: Teaching the Civil Rights MovementWilliam Cronon: Scholarly Authority in a Wikified WorldArt Newspaper: MoMA's Oral History ProjectPCWorld: Why History

RC Oster Historic Architecture Exhibit Opening

2012-02-03T12:00:00.004-05:00

An opening reception will be held for "Drawing on our Past: Ink Darwings of New York State's Historic Architecture," an exhibition of drawings by David 'RC' Oster at View, formerly the Old Forge Arts Center, tomorrow, Saturday, February 4 from 5 to 7 pm. His works will be displayed from February 4 March 3 concurrently with "Adirondack View Finders" a photography exhibition that showcases top

This Week's Top New York History News

2012-02-03T06:00:00.002-05:00

Report: Building Reuse Has Environmental ValueRepublican Blocks 9/11 Museum FundsGurley Brown Gives Columbia, Stanford $30 MFolklorist's Global Jukebox Goes DigitalFolsoms Write Book About FDR3M Black Records Free in FebFebruary Perspectives on History OnlineFort Ticonderoga's Visitation Flat in '11E-book Readership Rises DramaticallyEach Friday morning New York History compiles for our readers

Peterboro Celebrates Black Heritage

2012-02-02T15:00:00.004-05:00

As Black History month commences, Peterboro, NY (in Madison County) is finalizing plans for 2012 programs that explore and explain the 19th Century history of African-Americans in the hamlet and its significance to the history of our nation.On January 31st, the anniversary date of the Thirteenth Amendment that abolished slavery, the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum Traveling Abolition

Historical Societies: Getting Past Hard Times

2012-02-02T09:00:00.004-05:00

New York History is bringing much interesting news, mostly good, but some of it revealing needs and the potential for greater attainment through cooperation, higher visibility, and more funding. News in the popular press also reveals improvement opportunities. Historical societies are a case in point.Saratoga County is one of the most progressive and historically significant counties in the state

Fourth War of 1812 Symposium Shaping-Up

2012-02-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

The Fort La Présentation Association’s fourth annual War of 1812 Symposium in Ogdensburg, NY April 27-28, 2012 marks a milestone in local War of 1812 bicentennial commemorations.Seven of eight expert speakers equally divided between Canada and the United States are confirmed. They are coming from Chicago, Plattsburgh, Canton, Ottawa, Kingston and Niagara-on-the-Lake, to present seminars on

Peter Feinman: Academics and Popular History

2012-02-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

Previous posts here have addressed issues raised at the annual conference of the American Historical Association (AHA) on of the lack of history jobs and the lack of history interest by the press. Related to that, a discussion on a history list last summer focused on the disconnect between the world of academic historians and the general public under the heading of "Scholarly versus Popular

Chris Pryslopski: Hudson River Valley Review Favorites

2012-02-01T11:00:00.001-05:00

In my last post I discussed the variety of topics and writers represented in the The Hudson River Valley Review, but the issue I am most proud of is Autumn 2010 [pdf], dedicated to exploring our region’s role and legacy of Landscape Architecture. Included in the issue is an introduction to Andrew Jackson Downing (arguably its most influential figure in of regional and national import), an

Finger Lakes Museum Exceeds Fundraising Goal

2012-02-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

The Finger Lakes Museum’s board president, John Adamski, has announced that the organization has surpassed its Founders Campaign goal of raising $1 million by December 31st.The total includes pledges that are still being paid and inkind contributions for legal and other probono professional services, which the museum would have otherwise had to pay for. The fund is currently $12,000 over the

Boonville's Jesse Knight, Wyoming Pioneer Judge

2012-01-31T09:00:00.001-05:00

Among the North Country men who made their mark in the Old West was a native of Boonville, in the foothills of the southwestern Adirondacks. He became a success in business, politics, farming, and law, and played an important role in the development of a wild territory into our 44th state. But it was ties to some notorious characters that brought him a measure of fame.Jesse Knight was born in

Hyde Collection Celebrates Milestones

2012-01-31T06:00:00.003-05:00

Hyde Collection executive director David F. Setford announces two important celebratory milestones in 2012 and 2013. Hyde House, the cornerstone of our museum and the former home of museum founders Louis and Charlotte Hyde, is 100 years old this year.On the National Register of Historic Places since 1984, the beautiful structure has stood the test of time and is a testament to both the Hydes and