New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Food

Cranberry Bogs of Long Island: Some History & Natural History

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A Suffolk County Cranberry Bog in the early 20th century (courtesy Suffolk County HIstorical Society)Nearly everyone has enjoyed the several products derived from the fruit of the cranberry, but few people are familiar with the ecology of this interesting plant or the role it has played in many local economies and histories.

Today the cranberry industry is an important. part of the agricultural economy only in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. But many other parts of the country were at one time in­volved in cranberry production. [Read more…] about Cranberry Bogs of Long Island: Some History & Natural History

Early Distilling History: Puritan Bibles, Gin & Schnapps

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nineteenth century English print of A Dutch Gin MerchantFor the first decade of its existence, New Amsterdam was a rough place. Located on the tip of Manhattan Island, it was a haven for pirates and smugglers. Many of the earliest rules and regulations were an attempt to control the unruly citizens of a backwater outpost, but officials proved unable to lay down the law. Intemperate drinking was one of the problems.

In 1640 permission was granted by Willem Kieft, Director of the New Netherland Colony, for liquor to be distilled on Staten Island – in contemporary Dutch: Staaten Eylandt – where what is believed to have been the first commercial distillery in North America was built (today Staten Island is home to the Booze History Museum). [Read more…] about Early Distilling History: Puritan Bibles, Gin & Schnapps

How Washington’s Army Survived Valley Forge

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The Historians LogoThis week on The Historians Podcast, Ricardo Herrera the author of Feeding Washington’s Army: Surviving the Valley Forge Winter of 1778 (Univ. of North Carolina Press, 2022).

The army needed to feed itself and prevent starvation or dispersal during the long encampment. Herrera brings to light the army’s herculean efforts to feed itself, support local and Continental governments, and challenge the British Army during the American Revolution. [Read more…] about How Washington’s Army Survived Valley Forge

Hop Harvest Festival at Genesee Country Village & Museum

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Hop Harvest FestivalThe Genesee Country Village & Museum (GCV&M) in Monroe County, NY will host their annual Hop Harvest Festival, featuring the journey of hops, one of NY’s original cash crops, from field, to brewery, to pint glass, on Saturday, September 10th, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Attendees will be able to tour a working 19th-century brewery, taste historical beers and local craft brews, learn about historical uses for hops, enjoy live music and a Beer Garden, and more. [Read more…] about Hop Harvest Festival at Genesee Country Village & Museum

Monitoring and Modeling of Irrigation for Improved Weather Prediction

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Atmospheric Sciences Research CenterWhen many farmers use irrigation over large areas, it can make the air cooler and more humid, sometimes even changing how clouds form and where rain falls.

For this reason, it is important to 1) estimate where, when, and how much irrigation water is used for agriculture, and 2) use this and other information to improve weather models. [Read more…] about Monitoring and Modeling of Irrigation for Improved Weather Prediction