The mile-and-a-half Delaware Avenue Heritage Corridor connects Green Island with Waterford, proceeds through Cohoes and north to Peebles Island State Park. The Corridor includes the Van Schaick Mansion, Matton Shipyard and Peebles Island State Park and follows the Delaware Avenue Trail portion of the State-wide Empire State Trail.
The area was once home to Indigenous People and later an area for trade with newly arrived Europeans. It was a military route north before the American Revolution and later home to the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad which helped encourage the development of industry along the Hudson River. It’s now a developing residential area.
On Saturday, June 10, 2023, beginning with an opening ceremony at 10:45 am and lasting until 4 pm, the Corridor will celebrate the area’s history with re-enactments, historic tours, a self-guided tour, cannon firing and a trolley ride connecting them all provided by CDTA. All events are free to the public.
Scheduled Events
A guided walking tour will begin at the Van Schaick Mansion at 11:00 a.m. and kick off with a cannon fire salute. The Historic Van Schaick Mansion dates to 1755. In the summer of 1777 over 5,000 troops encamped there planning the defense of Albany as General John Burgoyne approached Saratoga.
Re-enactors will be on site to discuss the American Revolution and the in-depth history of this site. Stops along the way will be staffed all day.
At the Van Schaick Cemetery volunteers will relate the Native American history of the area. At the intersection of Ontario Street re-enactors will talk about the Matton Shipyard and its history in the tugboat industry. Continuing the walk toward Peebles Island, interpretive signs guide walkers toward Peebles Island, the site of an Indigenous settlement and the site of the Revolutionary War Breastworks, built to stop the British from advancing into Albany.
The first guided walking tour along Delaware Avenue will end at 1:00 p.m. at the breastworks with a cannon fire salute.
At 2:00 p.m. the second guided tour will begin at Peebles Island and travel in the reverse direction ending at the Van Schaick Mansion at 4:00 p.m.
A self-guided tour brochure will also be available at both ends that will allow visitors to take the walking tour at their own pace.
Parking will be available near the Van Schaick Mansion and near Matton Shipyard and at Peebles Island. A free trolley will be running from the Mansion to the Peebles Island Visitor Center and back throughout the day.
Van Schaick Mansion Event Schedule
11 am Cannon Firing
From 11 am to 4 pm re-enactors from the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment will have an encampment on the grounds.
Glenn Bentz is a Living Historian, who appears before the audience in Regalia (Traditional Clothing), using the Oral Tradition to explore the History and Culture of the Haudenosaunee People of New York State and beyond. Through lectures and demonstrations, he will take you from the Creation story to the Revolutionary War.
General Peter Gansevoort Chapter Member and Master Gardener Patty O’Hare will discuss the newly created Perennial Herb and Pollinator Flower Garden. Learn about the plants and herbs that were abundant during the 18th century.
Mansion Tours will be offered at Noon & 2:30 pm
4 pm Cannon Firing (at 5 pm a flag retirement ceremony will be held).
Intersection of Delaware & Ontario Event Schedule
From 11 am to 4 pm
Members of the Spindle City Historic Society will be available to discuss the history of Delaware Avenue with interpretative displays.
Matton Shipyard Schedule
Costumed actors from the Playhouse Stage Company will be across from the Matton Shipyard. Mr. John E. Matton, who started the business and a Tugboat builder, will be recreated by the actors. Due to soil contamination at the Shipyard access is not permitted.
Peebles Island Event Schedule
11 am and 2:30 pm a guided hike around Peebles Island will depart. Visitors can and learn about the Native American settlement, early Dutch settlers, the Revolutionary War fortifications, industry on the island and the many features of the historic site.
1:00 pm Russ VanDervoort of the Waterford Historic Society will present “The Canals, Matton Shipyard, and Other Surprises” at the Peebles Island Visitor Center
1 and 2 pm Cannon Firings
This event is sponsored by the General Gansevoort Chapter of DAR, Spindle City Historic Society, Friends of Peebles Island in conjunction with the City of Cohoes, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and Peebles Island State Park. With assistance from RiverSpark Heritage Area and Playhouse Stage Company.
Photo of the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment at Van Schaick Mansion provided.
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