New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

History

Catskills Klan: The KKK in Sullivan County, New York

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KKK cross burning LOCMany people – even those with more than a passing interest in Sullivan County history – are surprised to learn that the Ku Klux Klan was once fairly active in parts of the county. And yet, throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, there were several chapters in the Catskills, most set up by recruiters from the Binghamton area.

These Klan chapters, whether in Livingston Manor, Jeffersonville, Liberty, Woodbourne or some other hamlet, often started out as social organizations, and it was not unusual to see newspaper articles and even advertisements about their charitable activities or their clambakes, sometimes in conjunction with the Kamelias, the organization’s women’s auxiliary. [Read more…] about Catskills Klan: The KKK in Sullivan County, New York

Bringing Indigenous Perspectives into Museums

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Iroquois art courtesy ADKXProfessor Scott Manning Stevens, a citizen of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation, is currently working on a book-length project dealing with these issues between Native American nations and museums. While his focus is largely on Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) communities, he hopes this work will serve as a template for broader application amongst other Indigenous cultures and the museums in which they are represented by collections and exhibits. Stevens considers the many challenges for museums in overcoming the legacy of misappropriation and misrepresentation of Indigenous cultures. [Read more…] about Bringing Indigenous Perspectives into Museums

Finger Lakes Museum Hosting Winter Sports Programs, Revamps Wetland Property

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Finger Lakes Museum logoThe Finger Lakes Museum has finalized their program calendar for the 2022 season, with three programs taking place in February. Cross country skiing at Cumming Nature Center takes place on February 5th, snowshoeing at Keuka Lake State Park occurs the following weekend on February 12th and ice fishing on February 19th rounds out the month’s events. [Read more…] about Finger Lakes Museum Hosting Winter Sports Programs, Revamps Wetland Property

Jonathan Swift’s Oyster Test: Oysters, Sex and Culture

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satirical print after Robert Dighton, Molly Milton, the Pretty Oyster Woman, 1788At least since Roman times oysters were associated with sex. The most obvious reason for this association is the oyster’s resemblance to the pudendum. Raw oyster was praised as an aphrodisiac. Giacomo Casanova boasted to have eaten fifty at breakfast together with a lady of his fancy.

European painters used oyster as a symbol of fertility and sexual pleasure. Aphrodite (Venus), the Goddess of love and lust, was blown over sea on an oyster shell landing at either Cythera of Cyprus (both islands were regarded by the Greeks as territories of Venus). In “The Birth of Venus” Botticelli painted her approaching the shore on a giant oyster (clam) shell. By then, the associations with female beauty and physical love were well established. [Read more…] about Jonathan Swift’s Oyster Test: Oysters, Sex and Culture

The Saratoga Electric Railway’s Battle With The D&H

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Trolley Trestle in Geyser Park ca. 1900Many are aware that one of the first steam railroads in the country was the Saratoga and Schenectady Railroad, which began regular service in 1832. The coming of the railroad provided a great boost to the growth of the resort town of Saratoga Springs.

Fewer may realize that sixty years later the resort and the surrounding communities benefited greatly by another transportation revolution, the electric railway. However, the beginning of the trolley age was not without its birth pains. [Read more…] about The Saratoga Electric Railway’s Battle With The D&H

Amsterdam’s Arts: Visual Artists, Actors & Singers

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The Historians LogoThis week on The Historians Podcast, Jerry Snyder of Historic Amsterdam League has stories from a new booklet called Amsterdam’s Arts, focusing on visual artists, actors, singers and more with ties to Amsterdam, New York. [Read more…] about Amsterdam’s Arts: Visual Artists, Actors & Singers

Stories from the People of the Longhouse (Virtual Program)

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Perry Ground courtesy Fenimore Art MuseumPerry Ground has been a storyteller and educator for more than 25 years and uses vivid descriptions, his rhythmic voice, audience interaction, and an active stage presence to bring stories to life. In this webinar, Perry will recount traditional Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) legends that have been told for hundreds of years and showcase the birds, beliefs, customs, and history of the Haudenosaunee people. [Read more…] about Stories from the People of the Longhouse (Virtual Program)

NYS Canal System Hand-Launch Facility Design Guide Available

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NYS Canal System Hand-Launch Facility Design Guide_COVERIn response to a dramatic increase in canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards on the NYS Canal System, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has published the New York State Canal System Hand-Launch Facility Design Guide.

The free guide shares best practices for communities, businesses, and organizations looking to install or improve hand-launch facilities for paddlers. [Read more…] about NYS Canal System Hand-Launch Facility Design Guide Available

Central NY’s Berry Hill Fire Tower is Now Open to Visitors

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Berry Hill Fire TowerThe New York State Department of Conservation has announced that the Berry Hill fire tower in the town of McDonough, Chenango County, is open for recreation after the completion of interior and exterior upgrades to enhance safety and accessibility.

Berry Hill is the only fire tower open for recreation on public lands in Central New York and is one of the highest points in Chenango County. [Read more…] about Central NY’s Berry Hill Fire Tower is Now Open to Visitors