News and Views from the Empire State
He would claim that his chains, padlocks and handcuffs would shackle him to salvation. He would be forced to do as Jesus had done – fast for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. It was a quest to purify his body and his soul.
But his desert wasn’t exactly the howling wilderness Jesus had wandered, it was a patch of woods in North Hudson, about a half-mile from the Northway . [Read more…] about The Adirondack ‘Man in Chains’ Died Alone
During Prohibition the social life of so many Americans was made criminal overnight. Here’s a little nugget from the July 2, 1931 Ticonderoga Sentinel.
One wonders if the men arrested here ever served any hard time. I suspect they did. [Read more…] about July 1931: Prohibition Agents Seize A Still Near Lake George
Noted local historical archeologist David R. Starbuck has said that the interconnected routes from the Richelieu River at the north end of Lake Champlain to Albany has the highest density of military sites in North America in the 1700s.
The large military encampments that attended the big campaigns of that era were among the largest cities in America, albeit for short intervals. [Read more…] about Settler Fears of Indian Conflict Near Albany Before 1664
In the 1680s and 1690s the latest in a long string of European wars broke out. The War of the Grand Alliance, also known in New York State as King Williams War (1688-1697), pitted France against England, the Netherlands, and Austria.
It quickly spilled over to a bitter conflict of raids and counter-raids which took place between New France and frontier settlements of Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. Each side employed their Indian allies to fight on their behalf and to guide their small armies to their respective enemies. [Read more…] about King William and Queen Anne Wars in NYS
William F. Fox was born in 1840 in Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, and graduated from Union College in Schenectady in 1860. He served in the Civil War as Captain, Major and then Lieutenant Colonel in the 107th New York Volunteers and later wrote a number of books on both the Civil War and forestry.
Fox’s 1902 History of the Lumber Industry in the State of New York, written under the auspicious of Gifford Pinchot, is considered among the first authoritative works on the logging industry in New York. [Read more…] about William Fox Helped Create Modern NYS Forest Rangers
The New York History Blog is getting a new look, expanding its coverage and getting a new name – New York Almanack.
This new publication is an expanded offering, including not only History in the Empire State, but also Arts & Culture, Nature & Environment (including wildlife, environmental politics, etc.), and Outdoor Recreation.
(If you’re not already getting our daily news e-mail, sign up for a subscription here). [Read more…] about ‘The New York History Blog’ Becomes ‘New York Almanack’
The 27th Annual Conference on the Adirondacks, scheduled for May 13th and 14th at Paul Smith’s College, is being rescheduled, likely to the fall. Organizers will announce a new date once a decision has been made.
Conference organizers, the Adirondack Research Consortium, are accepting paper and poster abstracts for presentations. [Read more…] about Adirondack Research Conference Postponed
This week on The Historians Podcast, hear Wayne Van Der Wal, author of the historical fiction novel, The Gospel of Santa Claus – Inspired by the True Story of Saint Nicholas.
You can listen to the podcast here. [Read more…] about The Life of St. Nicholas
Museum Associaion of New York (MANY) staff, members of their Board of Directors’ Advocacy Committee and MANY’s government relations consultant Sheila Healy will lead a conference call July 18th to discuss museum advocacy efforts and recent legislation.
Recently passed New York State legislation is expected to impact museums’ relationships with their communities and their financial sustainability. The call will also address the museum community’s efforts to increase in funding to the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) in 2020. [Read more…] about Museums Advocacy Call Thurs, Registration Deadline Today
We hate to have to do it. We really do. That’s why only a couple times a year we reach out to readers like you for donations to help keep The New York History Blog publishing – it’s that time again.
Your contribution brings you all the news from the New York State history community, notices about new books, interesting events around the state, advocacy for historic preservation and public history initiatives.
The stories we publish represent the diversity of New York’s history and cultures, but we can’t do it without your support. Make a contribution now at our new Rally.org page: https://rally.org/f/4LBVKo9zYjO
Or send a check to: [Read more…] about Have Done Your Part To Keep Your NY History News Flowing?