2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the foundational document of the revolution that occurred between 1774 and 1783 and resulted in the creation of the United States of America. What is now the State of New York played an immense and vital role in both the Revolutionary Era and the subsequent 250 years of American history. [Read more…] about New York State 250th Commemoration Field Guide Released
Hudson Valley - Catskills
When Sullivan County Was A Sportsman’s Paradise
Long before the Ontario and Western Railway touted the healing environment that was Sullivan County beginning in the 1880s, the Erie Railroad had been established along the county’s western edge. By 1850, the Erie had been completed through the county, and it was largely through its promotional efforts that the upper Delaware Valley began to receive notice as “a sportsmen’s paradise.”
By the 1870s, hundreds of people were traveling each weekend to dozens of resorts in the approximately 60-mile-long valley from the Delaware Water Gap to Narrowsburg. These people were drawn here by the river, lakes, and streams. They came to fish and to boat and to hunt. [Read more…] about When Sullivan County Was A Sportsman’s Paradise
Ancient Stories, Great Floods, and Earth’s Climate
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies will host “Ancient Stories, Great Floods, and the Future of Earth’s Climate,” a virtual lecture with Ben Strauss, CEO and Chief Scientist at Climate Central, set for Friday, June 2nd. [Read more…] about Ancient Stories, Great Floods, and Earth’s Climate
Zita Johann: Rockland County’s Classic Movie Star
Zita Johann (1904–1993), best known for her role in The Mummy (1932) starring Boris Karloff, lived for many years in Rockland County. The latest episode of Crossroads of Rockland History explores a new book on the actor by local author Tom Stratford, Along Came Zita (BookBaby, 2023). [Read more…] about Zita Johann: Rockland County’s Classic Movie Star
A History of of Lionel Trains
The Mountain Top Historical Society of Greene County presents “A History of Lionel Trains” with Ron Gabriele on Sunday, June 11th at 1 pm. This presentation will be held at the historic Ulster and Delaware Railroad (U&D) Train Station on the MTHS campus in Haines Falls. [Read more…] about A History of of Lionel Trains
New Railroad Attraction at Copake Iron Works
Friends of Taconic State Park (FTSP) will celebrate the grand opening of the Pomeroy Family Railroad at the Copake Iron Works in Taconic State Park on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 2 pm. The public is invited to attend the celebration and take an inaugural ride on the railroad. [Read more…] about New Railroad Attraction at Copake Iron Works
Multiple Upstate NY Wildfires Keep Rangers Busy
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers were kept busy last week suppressing numerous wildfires around New York State as very dry conditions persisted and drove the Fire Danger to HIGH. Fires were reported in at least five towns in four counties, including in Clinton, Sullivan, Schoharie, and Albany Counties. The fires burned about 50 acres total including a large 30-acre fire that burned ion the town of Black Brook, Clinton County, for two days. At least two fires were caused by illegal debris burning despite the high danger for fire spread.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Multiple Upstate NY Wildfires Keep Rangers Busy
Logging, Forestry, Wildfires & Forest Rangers: William Fox’s Legacy
Driving by the Saratoga Tree Nursery, just south of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), most barely notice the state tree nursery’s rustic entrance sign – and you need to squint to see that its full name is “Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery.” The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which owns the nursery, considers William Fox the “father” of today’s DEC forest ranger program, as well at the guy who believed the state should raise young trees for later replanting.
Yet the story of the 19th century Ballston Spa native, who also served with valor in the Civil War, is little-known to the general public. [Read more…] about Logging, Forestry, Wildfires & Forest Rangers: William Fox’s Legacy
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site Opening May 26th
Martin Van Buren (1782 – 1862), the only U.S. President to have spoken English as a second language (his first language was Dutch) and the first president born after the American Revolution, in which his father took part as a revolutionary. As the leader of the Bucktail faction of the Democratic-Republican Party in the 1820s, Van Buren established a political machine known as the Albany Regency. [Read more…] about Martin Van Buren National Historic Site Opening May 26th
1st Ulster Militia Opening Matthewis Persen House Museum Season
The Matthewis Persen House Museum & Cultural Heritage Center will open for the 2023 season on Saturday, May 27th, from 10 am to 4 pm. [Read more…] about 1st Ulster Militia Opening Matthewis Persen House Museum Season