New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Hudson Valley - Catskills

A Sullivan County Classic Reissued in Time for the Holidays

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To The Mountains by RailIt was back in August of 2010 that Myron Gittell received the first proof of the reprint he had decided to finance of the iconic book about Sullivan County, Manville B. Wakefield’s To The Mountains by Rail.

Gittell found the quality of that proof to be unacceptable, as were approximately 20 proofs he would look at thereafter, but he did not give up. Having received permission from Wakefield’s widow Barbara to reprint the 1970 classic, he was determined to get it done. [Read more…] about A Sullivan County Classic Reissued in Time for the Holidays

The Third Patroon & The English Take-Over of New York

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Van Rensselaer Stained GlassThe third patroon was Kiliaen Van Rensselaer II (1655-1687) son of Johannes, who was the first patroon to live at Rensselaerswyck, the van Rensselaer Patroonship in most of what is now Albany and Rensselaer Counties, along with parts of Columbia and Greene Counties.

Kiliaen II was only seven years old when his father died however, so his uncles continued to manage the colony. Jeremias was director in 1664 when the English seized New Netherland and renamed Beverwyck “Albany.”

Jeremias’ constant conflict with Stuyvesant and his possible establishment of overland fur trade with the English in Massachusetts, avoiding Peter Stuyvesant’s tax collections in New Amsterdam (New York City), may have facilitated the English take-over. [Read more…] about The Third Patroon & The English Take-Over of New York

Thomas Cole Site Gets Major Grant for Master Plan

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The Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, NY is a National Historic Landmark located and international destination that includes the home and studios of artist and early environmentalist Thomas Cole (1801-1848).

Cole founded the first major art movement of the United States, now known as the Hudson River School of landscape painting. His home and studios are surrounded by the stunning New York landscapes that he painted, weaving the wilderness of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River Valley into our national identity. [Read more…] about Thomas Cole Site Gets Major Grant for Master Plan

Empire State Trail Printed Map Now Available

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printed map of the Empire State TrailThe newly designed printed map of the Empire State Trail is now available. This printed map showcases the 750-mile Empire State Trail and many of New York’s special places, diverse history, and iconic landscapes along the route. [Read more…] about Empire State Trail Printed Map Now Available

Hudson Area Library History Room Website & Online Shop Launched

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hudson area libraryResponding to the ever increasing interest in the history of Hudson, NY, and the surrounding area, the popularity of its local history talks, and the increasing use of its archives, the History Room of the Hudson Area Library has launched its own website. [Read more…] about Hudson Area Library History Room Website & Online Shop Launched

DEC Announces First-Ever Adirondack, Catskill Parks ‘Coordinators’

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Adirondack Park and Catskills ParkNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the creation of new coordinator positions to help lead efforts to promote sustainable use of public lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves.

Proposed by the High Peaks Strategic Advisory Group (HPAG) and aligned with Catskills Advisory Group (CAG) discussions to date, these new DEC staff positions are expected to help coordinate efforts proposed and undertaken with the multiple communities and regions that comprise the Adirondack and Catskill Parks to better guide efforts to address the unique problems caused by the uptick in visitors to the two Forest Preserves. [Read more…] about DEC Announces First-Ever Adirondack, Catskill Parks ‘Coordinators’

First Confirmed EHD Survivor Reported By DEC

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NYS first confirmed survivor of EHDDuring the late summer and early fall, an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) led to the death of a significant number of whitetail deer in parts of New York State.

On Nov. 2, Environmental Conservation Officer Palmateer received information from a Catskill, Greene County, NY family about a youth hunter who shot a buck with bow and arrow a buck that had deformities on its hooves.  The family reported that it looked like the hooves were starting to detach from the deer. [Read more…] about First Confirmed EHD Survivor Reported By DEC

9 Hunters Caught Hunting Bear Illegally In Greene County

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Ilegally killed bear seized by ECOs in Greene CountyEnvironmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Palmateer reported he received an anonymous tip in early October about a wounded bear seen near land conservancy property in the town of Greenville, Greene County, during opening weekend of bow season. Knowing this area is closed to hunting and not high density for bears, ECO Palmateer contacted Investigator Sulkey for help surveilling the area. [Read more…] about 9 Hunters Caught Hunting Bear Illegally In Greene County

Marinus Willet, Tammany Hall & The Treaty of New York

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Marinus Willett painted by Ralph Earl, oil on canvas, ca 1791 Metropolitan Museum of ArtEvery year in October the Lower Manhattan Historical Society holds its Saratoga/Yorktown celebration in Trinity Churchyard to celebrate the American victories at the Battles of Saratoga and Yorktown.

At that ceremony wreaths are lain on the graves of Revolutionary War figures associated with those battles — Horatio Gates, Alexander Hamilton and Marinus Willett. [Read more…] about Marinus Willet, Tammany Hall & The Treaty of New York