Talking Cursive Brewing Company and the Erie Canal Museum have teamed up to brew “Good Ol’ Pale Ale” as part of the Erie Eats: The Erie Canal Foodways Project. [Read more…] about Beer Release Celebrates Erie Canal and Syracuse Brewing History
Mohawk Valley
‘History as Policy’ with State Historian Devin Lander May 5th
The Oneida County History Center will host “History as Policy in New York State,” a virtual presentation outlining New York State’s role in protecting and promoting its history beginning in the 1830s until today, with Devin Lander, New York State Historian set for Wednesday, May 5th. [Read more…] about ‘History as Policy’ with State Historian Devin Lander May 5th
NYS Canals Seek Volunteer Paddling Stewards
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, along with the New York State Canal Corporation, has launched the NYS Canalway Water Trail Stewardship Program to help ensure the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Champlain, and Oswego canals are welcoming and safe for paddlers. [Read more…] about NYS Canals Seek Volunteer Paddling Stewards
State Hatcheries Complete Walleye, Steelhead Egg Collections
The annual egg take at New York State’s Oneida Fish Hatchery began on March 31st this year. Despite staffing limitations due to COVID-19 restrictions, seven nets were set and a total of 12,424 walleye were collected. Staff processed 5,190 females to obtain this year’s 270 million egg quota in eight days. Eggs are currently hatching, and stocking across the state is underway. [Read more…] about State Hatcheries Complete Walleye, Steelhead Egg Collections
New York’s Oldest Hiking Club Celebrating 100 Years
The Tramp and Trail Club of Utica, Inc., is the oldest hiking club in New York State. The first outing was held April 30th, 1921.
Led by Abigail Dimon, Seventeen Tramps and Trailers hiked from the Elm St. entrance of Roscoe Conkling Park (Utica) west to Third St. (now Valley View Rd.) and on to Cascade Glen. [Read more…] about New York’s Oldest Hiking Club Celebrating 100 Years
Black History Makers of Utica Exhibit Installed
The Oneida County History Center (OCHC) has installed History Makers, a new exhibit saluting a few of Utica’s African American citizens who belong in history books. [Read more…] about Black History Makers of Utica Exhibit Installed
Durham Boats: Underwater Archaeology Reveals New Details
Prior to the construction of the Erie Canal, Durham boats were the primary cargo boats of the region’s inland waterways. These boats could transport more than 20 tons of raw materials and finished goods along shallow rivers like the Mohawk.
Until recently, what was known about Durham boats came only from old, written descriptions. There were no identified archaeological remains of a Durham boat that historians could touch and study—until anthropologist Ben Ford helped unmask one. [Read more…] about Durham Boats: Underwater Archaeology Reveals New Details
Small Farms in April in the Nineteenth Century
April is the month when Spring weather typically calls out, “Ready or not, here I come,” and compels nature and humans of New York to come out from winter hiding.
“Happy is the farmer who has got everything ready for the active labors of the coming season. But no matter how thoroughly he is prepared there will always be plenty to do,” the agriculture columnist wrote in the April 25th, 1874 Ticonderoga Sentinel.
The task list was long and varied in the month of getting ready to make hay while the sun shines. [Read more…] about Small Farms in April in the Nineteenth Century
NYS Thruway History Subject of Historians Podcast
This week on The Historians Podcast New York State Thruway user and Historians Podcast listener Robert Burns makes frequent trips between Rochester and Albany. He has questions on the history of the Thruway, built in the 1950s. For example, why was the Thruway built so far away from Rochester?
We get background on Thruway history from a 2015 interview with Bruce Dearstyne, author of the book Spirit of New York. [Read more…] about NYS Thruway History Subject of Historians Podcast
Funding Available for 2021 Canal-Related Events
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, has opened a call for applications for 2021 canal-related event funding. [Read more…] about Funding Available for 2021 Canal-Related Events