New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Adirondacks & NNY

Political Anecdotes From Historical NNY Newspapers

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A New York Times pressman checking a newspaper for defects in 1942Trivia clue: It was a 19th century technology for announcing real-time election results in Glens Falls, NY.

Correct response: What is the stereopticon?

“The Rochester Clothing Company has made arrangements to exhibit the election returns tomorrow night on a canvas in front of their store,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on November 5th, 1888. “As the dispatches are received. W.W. Kennedy will transfer them in brief to his plates and reproduce them upon the canvass by means of his stereopticon.” [Read more…] about Political Anecdotes From Historical NNY Newspapers

Champlain Valley Cultural Heritage Grants Available

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lake champlain basin programThe Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is seeking pre-proposals for projects and programs to protect, restore, interpret, and showcase the historical resources and cultural heritage of the Champlain Valley, the Lake Champlain Basin, and the Adirondack Park. [Read more…] about Champlain Valley Cultural Heritage Grants Available

Recreation Highlight: Lyon Mountain Fire Tower

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Lyon Mountain Fire TowerWith a rich history of mining, Lyon Mountain is a towering peak in the Chazy Highlands Wild Forest in Clinton County, NY.

The mining started in the 1860s and continued until 1967. It produced some of the purest iron ore in the world, and some of that ore was even used to build the Golden Gate Bridge. [Read more…] about Recreation Highlight: Lyon Mountain Fire Tower

Fire Destroys Lean-To; Pharaoh Lake Wildfire Ongoing; Injured, Lost Hikers Rescued

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forest ranger logoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Fire Destroys Lean-To; Pharaoh Lake Wildfire Ongoing; Injured, Lost Hikers Rescued

Clinton County’s Civil War Soldiers Talk Set For Tuesday

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Civil War Veterans on lawn of Plattsburgh Court House 1895Many Clinton County residents are descended from the over 5,000 men who enlisted there for the Civil War.

The Clinton County Historical Association will host “Clinton County’s Civil War Soldiers,” a program set for Tuesday, August 9th, at the Lake Forest Senior Living Community in Plattsburgh. [Read more…] about Clinton County’s Civil War Soldiers Talk Set For Tuesday

Building a Better Early Warning System for Weather, Water, and Climate Hazards

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Atmospheric Sciences Research CenterEarly warning systems are a major component of disaster risk reduction. They prevent loss of life, as well as reduce the economic impacts of natural hazards. A complete early warning system comprises four inter-related elements: knowledge of hazards, vulnerability awareness, emergency preparedness, and response capacity.

These elements, although general, are adaptive, with consideration of existing hazards as well as stages of social and technological development in the regions for which they are designed. [Read more…] about Building a Better Early Warning System for Weather, Water, and Climate Hazards

Alfred Billings Street: Albany’s 19th Century State Poet

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Alfred Billings Street engraving by Welch & WalterAlfred Billings Street was born in Poughkeepsie on December 18th, 1811. He was descended from an Englishman, the Reverend Nicholas Smith, who immigrated to Connecticut around 1659.

His father, Randall Sandal Street, was a general in the New York Militia and served in the War of 1812. A practicing lawyer, Randall Street was also active in politics; he was a two-term district attorney and a Democratic congressman from 1819 until 1821. His wife, Cornelia, was the daughter of Revolutionary War veteran, Andrew Billings. [Read more…] about Alfred Billings Street: Albany’s 19th Century State Poet