Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is set to hold its fourth annual Tuesday Talk series to recognize New York State History Month this November. Each week a speaker will present on regional or New York State history.
All presentations are free of charge and will begin at 6:30 pm in the Enders House adjacent to the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center, 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter. Refreshments will be provided and donations will be accepted.
Michael Diana, the Education and Programs Manager for the Schenectady County Historical Society will present “The Mabee Farm: New Stories from Old Schenectady” to kick off the 2018 NYS History Month Tuesday Talks series on the evening of the 6th. Sitting above the picturesque Mohawk river, the Mabee Farm tells the story of so many generations of farmers, traders and travelers who made their lives in and around Schenectady. While many have heard the story of Jan Mabee, the founder of the farm, this presentation introduces some lesser known but equally fascinating characters whose stories were crucial to the family’s success.
On November 13th, Terry McMaster will present on “Scots-Irish Immigration Patterns, the Old New York Frontier and the Cherry Valley Massacre.” McMaster has conducted research that centers on the settlement of the western frontier of colonial New York beginning about 1740 by Scots-Irish settlers and examines the development of that and other communities in the upper Susquehanna River watershed. Looking at the immigration of these “northern dissenters” who left the Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland for religious and economic liberty in America, we look at their settlement patterns as they left New England and migrated into the eastern Mohawk Valley, into an area west of Schenectady which would become a hotbed of rebellion.
Fulton County Historian Samantha Hall-Saladino will discuss “Fulton County in Hollywood” on November 20th. This program will explore Fulton County’s links to MGM Studios, the Schine theater empire and its connection to McCarthyism, local celebrities, and more in this presentation about the area’s silver screen history. As the historian, Hall-Saladino works to share and preserve the county’s extensive history through various avenues, including writing, educational programming, and advocacy. Samantha is also the Executive Director at the Albany County Historical Association.
The series will wrap up on the 27th with historic interpreter Paul Supley who will be presenting on Colonial Medicine. Supley will provide an explanation of colonial era medical practices and occupations, phases of medicine and theory of the day, comparisons of medical practices then and now, as well as an authentic display of equipment and medicines.
For more information about this program, call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, or email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov.
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