New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Editorial Staff

After 35+ Years, Peter Jemison Retiring as Ganondagan Historic Site Manager

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Peter Jemison photo by Rikki VanCampSince 1985, when he was chosen as the very first Ganondagan State Historic Site Manager, Peter Jemison (Seneca, Heron Clan). Now, more than 35 years later, he announces his retirement from that role as of February 1, 2022. Jamison will be succeeded by two individuals in two positions: Ansley Jemison (Seneca, Wolf Clan), Cultural Liaison, and Michael Galban (Washoe/Northern Paiute), Site Manager.

Ganondagan State Historic Site, also known as Boughton Hill, is a Native American historic site in Ontario County, New York. The location of the largest Seneca village of the 17th century, the site is in the present-day Town of Victor, southwest of the Village of Victor. [Read more…] about After 35+ Years, Peter Jemison Retiring as Ganondagan Historic Site Manager

Iced-In Loons Rescued on Lake George

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Common Loons on Lake George’s ice (photo by Nick Weis)On two different days this week, the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation received reports about Common Loons which had been iced-in on Lake George.

Ice fishermen Nick Weis and Mattie Riley found and protected two loons from an eagle attack on Sunday, and ice fishermen Jason Jordan and Tim Denno found a third loon on Tuesday. The fishermen caught and carried the birds to safety, then reached out to local wildlife professionals for help. [Read more…] about Iced-In Loons Rescued on Lake George

Featured Collections: Great Depression Photos

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Farm and woodlot in New York State about thirty miles west of Albany by Paul Carter FSA Photo courtesy Library of CongressBetween 1935 and 1942 photographers of the New Deal’s Farm Security Administration (FSA) documented the lives and struggles of Americans enduring the Great Depression.

Considered one of the largest documentary photography projects ever undertaken, the photographs include some of the most familiar and powerful images of the nation to emerge from the Depression. Many have reached iconic status in American culture.

The images, held at the Library of Congress, were made in every region of the nation and number in the tens of thousands, and include are photographs made by Dorothea Lange, Gordon Parks, Ben Shahn, Walker Evans, Arthur Rothstein, Carl Mydans, Russell Lee, John Vachon, Marion Post Wolcott, Jack Delano, and many others. [Read more…] about Featured Collections: Great Depression Photos

Bruce Dearstyne’s ‘Spirit of New York’ Reissued In Expanded Edition

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Bruce Dearstyne Spirit of New YorkBruce W. Dearstyne’s expanded new edition of The Spirit of New York (SUNY Press, 2022; first published 2016) explores nineteen dramatic events from New York State’s history that altered the course of U.S. history.

From the launch of the state government in April 1777 thru the tragedy of September 11th and through the debut of the musical play Hamilton in 2015, Dearstyne’s chapters describe great political changes, historical turning points, and struggles for social, racial, and environmental reform.
[Read more…] about Bruce Dearstyne’s ‘Spirit of New York’ Reissued In Expanded Edition

Harvard Library Focuses On Improving Access To Black History Collections

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front page from The Genius of Universal Emancipation, an "anti-slavery journal, and register of news" published in Baltimore, July 26, 1828Houghton Library, Harvard University’s largest rare books and manuscripts repository, is home to hundreds of thousands of materials relating to history across the world. Houghton’s collections related to Black history range from the 18th century through today, but have been difficult to find among all the other material.

During the 2020‒21 academic year however, library staff paused their other digital projects to focus on building the collection related to Black American history. The effort has made more primary sources by and about African Americans available digitally, along with a considerable amount of context. [Read more…] about Harvard Library Focuses On Improving Access To Black History Collections

What Did You Learn This Year At New York Almanack?

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What was your favorite story this past year?  Whatever it was, it cost money to produce.  Now we need your help.

We have less than $1,980 to reach our goal for 2021. Please chip in to support New York Almanack‘s 13th year of providing stories about New York State history, natural history and culture.

We rely on our readers; we receive no public money.

Please make a contribution online at our Rally.org page: https://rally.org/f/4LBVKo9zYjO    Or, send a check to: [Read more…] about What Did You Learn This Year At New York Almanack?

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Set For February 4-13

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2022 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Poster“Doonesbury” cartoonist Garry Trudeau has released his poster design for the 2022 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, which is slated to take place February 4–13, 2022.

Using the Winter Carnival’s designated theme “Totally 80’s,” Trudeau’s illustration shows the “Doonesbury” characters J.J. sitting in the iconic 1980s Delorean time machine from the film Back to the Future, with the date set to February 4th, 2022, while Mike stands outside overlooking the Adirondack mountains. [Read more…] about Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Set For February 4-13

Mirror Lake Water Quality Report Released

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Mirror Lake (courtesy Ausable River Association)This week, the Ausable River Association released their fifth annual report on Mirror Lake at Lake Placid in the Adirondacks in partnership with Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute.

The technical brief focuses on data collected throughout the 2020 field season and documents the effects of road salt runoff entering the lake. The lake completed turnover in spring and fall of 2020 after a mild 2019-2020 winter season. This was the first time spring turnover occurred since 2016. [Read more…] about Mirror Lake Water Quality Report Released

Merchant’s House Museum Virtual New Year’s Day Celebration

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"New Year's Day," Harper's Weekly, January 1868Paying social calls on friends and family on New Year’s Day was one of Old New York’s most cherished customs. Join us – virtually – for good cheer to toast the New Year and learn how New Yorkers celebrated the day.

In this immersive video experience, we’ll go back in time to the mid-19th century and hear how they decked the house for New Year’s Day and prepared their lists of social calls. [Read more…] about Merchant’s House Museum Virtual New Year’s Day Celebration

Washington’s Headquarters Holidays Schedule

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Washington's Headquarters in WinterLooking for something to do and some place to go with your family during the holiday season? Check out Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh, NY.

The site is open by reservation throughout the winter with their regular schedule: Friday and Saturday, 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Visitors can tour Washington’s Headquarters and browse through the Museum. [Read more…] about Washington’s Headquarters Holidays Schedule