The New York State Museum will celebrate New York State History Month in November with a variety of free public programs for children, families and adults. In addition, three temporary exhibitions exploring major events in New York’s history are open at the State Museum: A Spirit of Sacrifice: New York State in the First World War; Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal; and Votes for Women: Celebrating New York’s Suffrage Centennial (opens November 4).
The following is a schedule of free New York State History Month programs at the State Museum located at 222 Madison Avenue, Albany:
Lunch Bite: Votes for Women Gallery Tour, on Monday, November 6 at noon, take a lunchtime tour of the Votes for Women: Celebrating New York’s Suffrage Centennial exhibition.
Lunch Bite: Erie Canal Gallery Tour, on Tuesday, November 7 at noon, take a lunchtime tour of phase one of Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal exhibition.
A Spirit of Sacrifice Gallery Tour, on Saturday, November 11 at noon, take a guided tour of A Spirit of Sacrifice: New York State in the First World War exhibition.
The Empire State and the War of Empires, 1917- 918, on Saturday, November 11 at 1 pm, University at Albany Professor Richard Fogarty will discuss several aspects of the global war that New Yorkers joined in 1917: World War I.
Revolution Song: A Story of American Freedom – A Lecture and Book Signing by Russell Shorto, on Monday, November 13 at 7 pm, author and historian Russell Shorto will discuss his newest book, Revolution Song: A Story of American Freedom. A book signing will follow.
Brain Food for the Curious: Contemporary Native American Art Collection, on Tuesday, November 14 at 12:10 pm, a short lunchtime talk will discuss the Museum’s Contemporary Native American Art Collection, which includes photography, basketry, painting and intricately carved woodwork.
Hudson Valley Ruins Gallery Tour, on Saturday, November 18 at 1 and 3 pm, Thomas Rinaldi and Robert Yasinsac, photographers and authors of the book Hudson Valley Ruins: Forgotten Landmark of an American Landscape, will present a gallery tour of the exhibition.
Votes for Women Public Reception and Gallery Tour, on Sunday, November 19 at 1 pm, celebrate the opening of Votes for Women: Celebrating New York’s Suffrage Centennial and take a 1:30 pm tour of the exhibition with the curators.
Behind the Scenes Tour of the Museum’s History Collection, on Sunday, November 19 at 2 pm, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the State Museum’s history collection. Space is limited and registration is required by calling (518) 474-0575.
Brain Food for the Curious: Astronauts of Inner-Space – The Millbrook Commune and the ‘60s, on Tuesday, November 28 at 12:10 pm, a short lunchtime talk will discuss the history of the Millbrook Commune, Timothy Leary’s ‘Grounded Space Colony’ housed on a 2,500 acre estate in Dutchess County.
In addition, the Museum’s Office of State History Outreach website offers an online portal of information about historical research, news, grant opportunities and events happening around New York State. The website is an online resource for historians throughout the state to learn about the work of fellow historians and identify opportunities for increased coordination and collaboration. The website also offers a New York State History Month promotion kit to encourage cultural institutions and historians statewide to plan and promote public programs in their community. Cultural institutions are encouraged to submit their History Month events and programs for listing on the Office of State History website.
In 1997, the New York State Legislature established November as New York State History Month with the goal “to celebrate the history of New York state and recognize the contributions of state and local historians.”
For more information about about the State Museum, call (518) 474-5877 or visit the Museum website.
Photo of Cultural Education Center State Museum Archives.
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