Historical News and Views from the Empire State
Derrick Pratt, of Chittenango, has joined the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse as Museum Educator.
In this new position Pratt is expected to identify and implement opportunities to grow the institution’s education services for all audiences, and provide engaging new programs that share the Erie Canal’s history and impact with classroom students, adult learners, travelers, and everyone living in Central New York. [Read more…] about Erie Canal Museum Hires Museum Educator
Fort Ticonderoga has announced a new schedule of programs during its Winter Quarters season. From now through April, visitors can enjoy exciting living history events, engaging seminars, specialty programs, behind-the-scenes VIP Tours, and hands-on workshops.
Guests can now explore Fort Ticonderoga during what was traditionally the “Winter Quarters” season for armies of the 18th century. Groups of 15 or more are welcome to schedule a visit to have the entire property to themselves and a dedicated historic interpreter for a group tour. [Read more…] about Fort Ticonderoga’s Winter Season Programs
The holiday season is in full swing at Clermont State Historic Site. Events have been set for every weekend in December leading up to Christmas.
A Child’s Christmas is set for December 7th and 8th and is recommended for children ages 3-10 and their families. Drop in from 10 am to noon for a stocking-foot tour of the decorations, then stop to read a story with the family’s nursemaid at the foot of the Christmas tree in the oak-paneled library. Each child will receive a special Christmas gift. Hot cider, cookies, and fruit will be served in the kitchen. Tickets are $4 per person. No reservations necessary. [Read more…] about Holiday Season Events At Clermont
Over the course of the twentieth century, education was a key site for envisioning opportunities for African Americans, but the very schools they attended sometimes acted as obstacles.
The new book Educating Harlem: A Century of Schooling and Resistance in a Black Community (Columbia University Press, 2019), edited by Ansley T. Erickson and Ernest Morrell, brings together a multidisciplinary group of scholars to provide a broad consideration of the history of schooling in one of the nation’s most iconic black communities. [Read more…] about Educating Harlem: A Century of Schooling and Resistance
The Christmas Truce was a ceasefire between German, French, and British troop on the western-front on Christmas Eve in December 1914. Both sides informally agreed to stop fighting for a few hours and joined together for food, carols, and companionship.
The 5th Annual Peace Carol, an evening honoring the Christmas Truce of World War One, on Tuesday, December 10th, at 4:30 pm. This celebration features carol sing-alongs led by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica choir, a performance by members of the Proctor Senior Choir, the Procter JNROTC Color Guard, a presentation on the truce by Joe Schmidt, light refreshments, and more. [Read more…] about ‘Christmas Truce’ Peace Carol in Utica
Historic Saranac Lake has been awarded a Smart Growth grant from the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation to support site plan design for their expanded museum campus in downtown Saranac Lake.
In 2019, Historic Saranac Lake acquired the Trudeau Building at 118 Main Street for expansion of their existing museum at the adjacent Saranac Laboratory building. The Smart Growth grant will support integrated site planning in order to create a museum campus that will promote Smart Growth principles and attract arts and culture tourism to the village of Saranac Lake. [Read more…] about Historic Saranac Lake Awarded Smart Growth Grant
Forty years ago this February, the Adirondack village of Lake Placid hosted the 13th Olympic Winter Games. The U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team’s improbable win over the Russians, known as the “Miracle on Ice,” along with speed skater Eric Heiden’s five gold medals, helped make the 1980 Lake Placid Games one with an enduring legacy.
From February 14 – 23, the two-time Olympic village (the first winter games to be hosted outside of Europe took place in Lake Placid in 1932) is set to host a full slate of activities. [Read more…] about Lake Placid Celebrating 1980 Olympics 40th Anniversary
TAUNY’s Annual Holiday Open House has been set for Saturday, December 7th from 10 am to 2 pm. The public is invited to enjoy the Sugar & Spice Gingerbread Contest and Display, seasonal treats, live music, kids’ activities, and fun for the whole family. This event is free and open to the public.
Northern and Southern old-time music will be performed by Possumbilities, Nicholfalls, and The Daveys. Kitchen demonstrations will include dumpling-making with Margaret Chang of Sweet Margaret Cafe and more. There will also be a variety of children’s activities and sweet treats to enjoy throughout the day. [Read more…] about TAUNY’s Holiday Open House Dec 7th
When men under Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen captured Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Crown Point in 1775, they also captured over 180 cannon, and other weaponry and supplies.
Beginning in November 1775, Colonel Henry Knox and a team of engineers used sledges to haul 60 tons of this heavy artillery to Cambridge and the Siege of Boston. Many of those cannon were larger than what was available to Patriot forces, and they were placed on higher ground around the city. Americans began to bombard the city on the night of March 2, 1776, the British responded with their own bombardment, and for two days the cannon fire rained into Boston.
[Read more…] about Henry Knox’s ‘Noble Train’ of Artillery At Fort Ti