New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Bruce Dearstyne

Bruce W. Dearstyne is a historian in Guilderland. He was formerly on the staff of the Office of State History and the State Archives as well as a professor at the University of Maryland. A revised edition of his book The Spirit of New York: Defining Events in the Empire State’s History and his newest book, The Crucible of Public Policy: New York Courts in the Progressive Era, are being published in 2022 by SUNY Press.

Crystal Eastman and New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law

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Crystal Eastman ca 1914 (Library of Congress)Crystal Eastman (1881-1928) deserves more attention from historians. “In the early twentieth century, Crystal Eastman was one of the most conspicuous Progressive reformers in America,” says Amy Aronson, in her biography Crystal Eastman: A Revolutionary Life. “Her militant suffragism, insistent antimilitarism, gregarious internationalism, support of the Russian Revolution, and uncompromising feminism, led some in the press to brand her notorious.” Yet, “today she is less known than might be expected, especially given the rarity of a woman with such wide political influence and her continuing international legacy in so many high-profile struggles.”

This extraordinary progressive activist was a multi-issue advocate, an energetic researcher, a prolific writer, and a talented speaker. Much of her work was aimed at assembling evidence on issues and conditions, persuading others to act on that evidence, and showing them the path forward. Much of what she did was behind-the-scenes, setting up others for success and giving them the credit. Her role in creating New York’s workers’ compensation program, the first such state program in the nation, in 1910, is largely unknown. [Read more…] about Crystal Eastman and New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law

Bruce Dearstyne: Making Use of New York’s Usable Past

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Map of the State of New York courtesy Nations Online ProjectNew York, the nation’s historically most important state, has a lot of history worth exploring and sharing more extensively. That history is particularly useful for perspective on current critical public issues.

Many of these are discussed in a historical vacuum, as if they have never been considered before. In fact they have, and history is a good place to start the discussion because it provides parallels, precedents, and perspectives. [Read more…] about Bruce Dearstyne: Making Use of New York’s Usable Past

4-20: New York State’s Forgotten Birthday

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New York State’s 243rd Birthday is coming up on April 20.

That is the day that the convention of representatives, an outgrowth of the New York Provincial Congress, approved the first state constitution in 1777, at Kingston. (Some people say the appropriate date is actually two days later, April 22. On that day, the convention’s secretary Robert Benson, read the new constitution aloud to Kingston citizens in front of the court house. In effect, Benson’s dramatic reading proclaimed the new state into existence.) [Read more…] about 4-20: New York State’s Forgotten Birthday

Looking Beyond Our Borders For Good Ideas

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New York State MapThis New York history blog continues to be our most important source for initiatives and developments in New York’s history community. The blog brings us news every day on historical programs’ exhibits, presentations, and other public events.

Of course, we have some of the strongest and most dynamic history programs in the nation here in New York, good models for each other and for other states. Sometimes, though, it is useful to look beyond New York for examples of things that are happening elsewhere that can provide suggestions for things our programs might consider doing. [Read more…] about Looking Beyond Our Borders For Good Ideas

David McCullough’s The Pioneers: A Model of Local History

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The PinoeersPulitzer-prize winning historian David McCullough’s new book The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West (Simon & Schuster, 2019) is a good example of local and regional history well told.

The title is somewhat expansive. The book really is not about pioneers generally or the west as a whole. It is mostly about the development of Marietta, Ohio, the surrounding region, and to some degree the state of Ohio and the Northwest Territory. But some of its insights presented by McCullough may be applicable to the development of the western part of the country as a whole. [Read more…] about David McCullough’s The Pioneers: A Model of Local History

Bruce Dearstyne: Broadening Historical Programs’ Horizons

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One of the trends in public history programs these days is to re-examine program mission, reach out to new audiences, and reach back into the histories of groups that have been neglected or marginalized.

There are lots of examples here in New York. For instance, the mission statement of the Brooklyn Historical Society says it connects the past to the present and makes the vibrant history of Brooklyn tangible, relevant, and meaningful for today’s diverse communities, and for generations to come.” The Society features exhibits and public programs that delve into the historical roots of contemporary issues. [Read more…] about Bruce Dearstyne: Broadening Historical Programs’ Horizons

Bruce Dearstyne: Engaging Communities With History

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One of the challenges that public history programs face is how best to interest and engage their communities in history.

Of course, interesting exhibits and presentations continue to be at the core of our work and essential for that engagement. But some programs are going further, featuring initiatives that connect historical evidence and perspectives with current concerns and events. [Read more…] about Bruce Dearstyne: Engaging Communities With History

Glenn Curtiss’ Place in History

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Glenn Hammond Curtiss New York’s aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss (1878-1930) warrants a more prominent place in history. He is often sidelined or slighted by historians who focus on the Wright brothers.

Last year, David McCullough’s book The Wright Brothers was a good example.

William Hazelgrove’s new book Wright Brothers, Wrong Story: How Wilbur Wright Solved the Problem of Manned Flight, is another example. It demonstrates convincingly that Wilbur Wright was much more important in the development of a “flying machine” than his brother Orville. It has a good deal of information on the Wright family. It is an interesting book. [Read more…] about Glenn Curtiss’ Place in History

NY History Progress in 2018, Looking Ahead to 2019

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This is the time of year when the Governor is preparing his state-of-the state message, the Division of the Budget is assembling the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget, and legislative leaders are working on their priorities. What will be done to advance state and local history?

As 2018 closes and we look ahead to 2019, there is progress and momentum in several areas, thanks to the leaders of several programs and the energy and work of many people in the history community. [Read more…] about NY History Progress in 2018, Looking Ahead to 2019

Putting History to Work: A Few Recent Examples

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Historians need to consider doing more of what might be called putting history to work – using it to provide historical perspective on current events. A few examples:

*There are now several history forums and a number of history museums that are supporting dialog including historical insights about current issues. [Read more…] about Putting History to Work: A Few Recent Examples