Archives Partnership Trust to Recognize James McPherson

By Editorial Staff on October 29, 2013

Each year the Archives Partnership Trust recognizes the outstanding contribution by a national figure to advance the understanding and uses of history in society at the Empire State Archives and History Award program.

This year’s program will honor Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. James McPherson with a conversation between McPherson and prominent Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer. McPherson will talk about his research, Civil War history, national history, and his long career as a historian. Continue reading →

Why You Should Advertise On The New York History Blog

By John Warren on October 28, 2013

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The New York History Blog continues seeking the support of the history community to keep operating. In our first week we raised $2,000, a good start, but not enough to keep operating after January 1, 2014. If you haven’t made a contribution – go there now and support the good work this site does: https://rally.org/newyorkhistory

This week I’ve been focusing on generating some regular advertising revenue to offset the personal contributions we’re receiving. The New York Blog provides an outstanding opportunity to promote your organization to a year-round audience especially interested in history, while also contributing to a valuable service that unifies the history community by providing an online place for gathering, exchanging information, sharing success stories, and more.

SO I thought I should explain why advertising on this site is important to the advertiser, and to the wider history community. Continue reading →

‘Do it for the Children’: History’s Long Running Argument

By Lawrence P. Gooley on October 28, 2013

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A popular way for politicians to demonstrate their altruistic intentions is to invoke “our children and our grandchildren.” The phrase should be worn out by now, but politicians see it differently: if it worked before, it’ll work again, no matter how long it’s been around. Their concern for the future is much more poignant and meaningful when it’s “for the kids.” The term is used so often, it should be considered child-phrase abuse.

It always sounds well intentioned to be against spending with impunity, but history suggests it’s merely the position of the party not currently in control of the nation’s purse strings. The party in power rarely expresses any worry about “our children and grandchildren.” Continue reading →

Group’s ‘Sham Attack on Landmarking’ Denounced

By Editorial Staff on October 28, 2013

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Affordable housing, historic preservation, and neighborhood organizations representing a cross-section of New Yorkers joined forces today to hold a press conference in front of the Real Estate Board of NY (REBNY) headquarters slamming what they say is the board’s recent campaign to paint landmarking as undermining New York City’s affordability, and the cause of a reduction in the economic and racial diversity of New York’s residents. Continue reading →

Cultural Groups Keep Helping After Sandy

By Editorial Staff on October 28, 2013

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When Hurricane Sandy hit New York, it revealed the constructive role cultural groups can play as community hubs and service providers, particularly in troubling times. Many cultural organizations responded to this terrible storm by helping out in ways big and small, from distributing emergency resources, to extending hours, to acting as gathering places where people could hear the news and plug in their cell phones. In doing so, these local libraries, museums, and cultural institutions showed their importance as community anchors at a time when New Yorkers needed it most.

At the same time, Sandy’s waters didn’t discriminate, and many cultural organizations across the city were affected: libraries lost collections, historic sites were compromised, and museums were forced to close their doors for extensive clean up. Continue reading →

A Journey into Mohawk and Oneida Country, 1634-1635

By Editorial Staff on October 27, 2013

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In 1634, the Dutch West India Company was anxious to know why the fur trade from New Netherland had been declining, so the company sent three employees far into Iroquois country to investigate.

Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert led the expedition from Fort Orange (present-day Albany). His journal includes the earliest known description of the interior of what is today New York State and its seventeenth-century native inhabitants and it is now issued in a revised edition as A Journey into Mohawk and Oneida Country, 1634-1635: The Journal of Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert (Syracuse Univ. Press, 2013; Translated and Edited by Charles T. Gehring and William A. Starna). Continue reading →

The Rise and Fall of Southampton College, 1963–2005

By Editorial Staff on October 26, 2013

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Southampton College, the easternmost campus of Long Island University, opened with great promise in 1963 and closed in 2005 amidst great acrimony. Located in an idyllic environmental setting on the Atlantic shore of Long Island, it had a nationally recognized marine science program that produced an unprecedented number of Fulbright awards and an impressive number of alumni who went on to careers in prestigious universities and research centers.

David Steinberg, the president of Long Island University since 1985, referred to Southampton as “the jewel in the university crown.” However, an accumulating yearly deficit led Steinberg and the Long Island Board of Trustees to view the campus as an “albatross around the university neck.” Continue reading →

This Week’s New York History Web Highlights

By Editorial Staff on October 25, 2013

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Continue reading →

French Heritage Society Supports Fort Ti Restoration Project

By Editorial Staff on October 25, 2013

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Fort Ticonderoga has received a grant from the French Heritage Society to underwrite restoration work on the Fort’s Soldiers’ Barracks. The grant was given to Fort Ticonderoga, originally named Fort Carillon in 1755, because of its historic significance as a French heritage site. The project will replace 80 year old windows and sills on the third floor of the Soldiers’ Barracks. Restoration work is currently underway with the windows expected to be installed by the spring of 2014.

“The restoration and preservation of Fort Ticonderoga’s historic structures require on-going effort and investment,” said Beth Hill, President and CEO of Fort Ticonderoga. “Fort Ticonderoga is delighted to be recognized by the French Heritage Society for its significant French story and its on-going legacy. This grant provides important funding that will have a big impact on the preservation of the Soldiers’ Barracks.” Continue reading →

This Week’s Top New York History News

By Editorial Staff on October 25, 2013

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Each Friday morning New York History compiles for our readers the previous week’s top stories about New York’s state and local history. You can find all our weekly news round-ups here.

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The Battle of Brooklyn Scavenger Hunt Saturday

By Editorial Staff on October 24, 2013

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One of the first battles of the American Revolution, the Battle of Brooklyn (a.k.a. the Battle of Long Island) took place on August 27, 1776 in what is now Western Brooklyn around Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery.

This Saturday the historic Districts Council of New York City is hosting a Battle of Brooklyn Scavenger Hunt, co-sponsored by the urban archaeology firm Chrysalis and Green-Wood Cemetery. Continue reading →

Researching New York Conference Details Now Online

By Editorial Staff on October 23, 2013

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Details for the upcoming Researching New York Conference are now available. The conference will be held Thurs.-Fri., November 15-16, 2013 at the University at Albany.

Featured events include a two talks. On Thursday evening Robert Orsi, author of The Madonna of 115th Street: Faith and Community in Italian Harlem, 1880-1950 (1985), will present “The Gods of Gotham: Religion and the Making of New York, 1800 to 1950″. On Friday afternoon Howard B. Rock, author of Haven of Liberty, New York Jews in the New World, 1654-1865 (2012), will present a talk entitled “A Momentous Encounter: Reform Judaism Challenges Orthodoxy in 19th Century New York.” Continue reading →

Relatives and Friends Induct Hall of Fame Abolitionists

By Editorial Staff on October 23, 2013

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Relatives and friends from several states and countries gathered in Peterboro October 19 and 20 at the site of the 1835 inaugural meeting of the New York State Antislavery Society to participate in the inductions ceremonies of four abolitionists to the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum (NAHOF).

Ary J. Lamme III, who nominated Elijah Parish Lovejoy, was joined by second-nominators Sandra Lamme (Gainesville FL), Paul Lovejoy (Toronto ON), Lovejoy descendent, and Neilson Bezerra (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Continue reading →

CFP: James Fenimore Cooper and Politics

By Editorial Staff on October 23, 2013

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The James Fenimore Cooper Society is seeking papers for a panel on James Fenimore Cooper and Politics at the 25rd Annual Conference of the American Literature Association, to be held in Washington DC at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill from May 22-25th, 2014.

Throughout his full range of writings, James Fenimore Cooper was a keen observer of national politics and government. The panel will consider issues of government, governance, and/or politics in Cooper’s fictional and non-fictional writings and/or Cooper’s own engagement with the political. Continue reading →

Bob Weible: Is NYS History Month Dead?

By Robert Weible on October 22, 2013

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It’s true. November is New York State History Month.

In 1997, New York’s legislature added Section 57.02 to the state’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law and 1) designated November as New York State History Month, 2) defined the purpose of the month as the celebration of state history and the recognition of the contributions of state and local historians, and 3) authorized the Education Department to undertake projects to recognize the month (while the legislation failed to identify any specific projects, it did suggest student essay contests as one possibility). Continue reading →

Saved: Memories of a Lynching

By Kathleen Hulser on October 22, 2013

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Quietly, a line of singers circled a lone tree on the edge of the Harlem River, in the shadow of the 145th Street Bridge, late Sunday afternoon on September 29. The group swelled in numbers as the shadows lengthened. Hums, moans, soft cries and low tones began to form a chorus of spirit noises as the performance “Saved” got underway. Continue reading →

The New York History Blog Needs Your Support

By John Warren on October 21, 2013

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I’ve received a number of e-mails, phone calls, and comments since announcing last week that The New York History Blog needed the support of the history community it serves in order to keep operating.

The response was promising, so I’ve set up a fundraising mechanism through Rally.org, a very reputable crowd-funding site (used by Senator Elizabeth Warren and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, among others). Continue reading →

Media History: The Homeliest Man in Watertown

By Lawrence P. Gooley on October 21, 2013

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When modern media is used to brand a product, it routinely addresses the subject matter directly, trying to draw attention immediately to the product. The advertisements found in old newspapers sometimes achieved the same goal in quite different fashion, using unusual or outrageous lines in large print to trick the reader. The blaring lead demands attention, and is followed quickly with odd or unexpected segues to information on a product.

Archived North Country newspapers contain plenty of examples of the old bait-and-switch, often executed with subtle humor. A number of stores advertised wallpaper by simply stating what was available, but a Watertown firm used the catch-line “Odd Things for Walls”. Continue reading →

Comments Sought On Historic Adirondack Fire Towers

By Editorial Staff on October 21, 2013

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released the draft unit management plans (UMPs) for the Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower Historic Area and the Saint Regis Mountain Fire Tower Historic Area. The UMPs contain management proposals for the fire observation towers located on the summit of Hurricane Mountain in the Town of Keene, Essex County, and the summit of Saint Regis Mountain in the Town of Santa Clara, Franklin County. Continue reading →