History, Natural History & the Arts
Local historian and long-time supporter and regular contributor to New York Almanack David Fiske died peacefully after a battle with cancer on October 28, 2023.
A retired librarian, David is best known for his research and writing about Solomon Northup, the free black man who was abducted from Saratoga Springs, New York, and sold into slavery. [Read more…] about David Fiske, Local Historian & Regular New York Almanack Contributor, Passes
This week “The Historians” podcast features historian David Fiske with the story of the chocolate factory that used to be located in Ballston Spa. Fiske also has the latest on his research of the Ballston Spa trial of Solomon Northup’s kidnappers. Fiske was one of the coauthors of Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of “Twelve Years a Slave” (Praeger, 2013) Listen at “The Historians” online archive at http://www.bobcudmore.com/thehistorians/
[Read more…] about The Historians: David Fisk On Ballston Spa
This week on The Historians podcast, David Fiske talks about a story he wrote for New York History Blog describing Charles Zimmy’s epic Hudson River swim from Albany to Manhattan in 1937. [Read more…] about David Fiske On The Historians Podcast
The Hyde Collection has announced that David F. Setford has informed the Board of Trustees that he intends to leave his post as Executive Director in August. A nationwide search will be conducted to identify a successor.
Setford, who has led the Hyde for four and a half years, spearheaded high-profile exhibitions including Degas and Music in 2009 and Andrew Wyeth: An American Legend in 2010 and oversaw a successful $3 million capital campaign. He has accepted a position with International Fine Art Expositions in Florida, as Managing Executive directing international art fairs in Palm Beach and Miami. [Read more…] about Exec Dir David Setford to Leave Hyde Collection
This week on “The Historians” podcast David Fiske discusses his new book, “Solomon Northup’s Kindred: The Kidnapping of Free Citizens before the Civil War” (Praeger, 2016). Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard University professor and PBS host, said, “Fiske’s efforts to document these victims and the crimes that robbed them of their families and freedom are heroic indeed and should be applauded.” Fiske previously was the co-author of “Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave.” You can listen to the entire podcast here. [Read more…] about Free Citizens Kidnapped Before the Civil War
“The Ballston Spa Trial of Solomon Northup’s Kidnappers”, a presentation by David Fiske, biographer of Solomon Northup, will be one of four featured presentations at the Saratoga County History Faire at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library, in Clifton Park, New York, on May 16, 2015. David Fiske will be the first speaker at 10:30 am.
Solomon Northup, the subject of the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave, was lured away from Saratoga Springs in 1841 and sold into slavery. After being a slave for years, he was rescued and returned to New York State, and authored a book about his experiences. [Read more…] about Saratoga County History Faire May 16th
Photo by David Fiske
David Fiske
David Fiske, a regular contributor to New York Almanack, will give a lecture on “The Kidnapping of Free Citizens before the Civil War,” as part of the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library’s First Friday series on Friday, June 3rd. [Read more…] about Kidnapping of Free Citizens Before the Civil War (Virtual Event)
Author David Fiske is set to give lecture on Free blacks from New York State who were kidnapped and sold into slavery before the Civil War has been set for July 17, 2018 at 6:30 pm at the Warrensburgh Museum of Local History, 3754 Main Street.
In “Kidnapped! Black New Yorkers Caught in the Slave Trade,” Fiske will tell the stories of several New Yorkers who were kidnap victims – some from upstate communities and others from New York City. [Read more…] about Kidnapped! Black New Yorkers Caught in the Slave Trade