Next month, October, is New York State History Month. As usual, the State Museum is planning several activities and offers suggestions for commemorations. Other public history organizations are gearing up for events to “celebrate the history of New York State and recognize the contributions of state and local historians,” in the words of Section 52.02 of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, which established State History Month by statute. [Read more…] about The 25th Annual NYS History Month Presents Challenges, Opportunities
Mohawk Valley
Erie Canal Lighting Unveiled in Little Falls
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York State Canal Corporation recently unveiled the latest installation of the State’s iconic lighting program, celebrating Erie Canal Lock E17 in Little Falls, in Herkimer County, NY. [Read more…] about Erie Canal Lighting Unveiled in Little Falls
NYS Canal System Announces Fall Hours of Operation
Effective Thursday, September 15th, 2022, all locks and lift bridges on the NYS Canal System will operate daily between 7 am and 5 pm. The system is scheduled to close to navigation at 5 pm on Wednesday, October 12th, 2022. [Read more…] about NYS Canal System Announces Fall Hours of Operation
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in Utica Saturday
The Mohawk Valley Latino Association (MVLA) will celebrate Hispanic Heritage month during their annual meeting held at the Oneida County History Center on Saturday, September 17th.
[Read more…] about Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in Utica Saturday
Dear Museums: Host A Polling Site
This open letter to the museum community was written by New York State Assembly Member Danny O’Donnell, Chair of the NYS Assembly Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports Development and shared by the Museum Association of New York (MANY).
Across New York, museums serve as anchors as well as reflections of your communities. Your missions to connect individuals to culture, history, and information is deeply needed and commendable. [Read more…] about Dear Museums: Host A Polling Site
Last Three Segments of NYS Birding Trail Complete
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the grand opening of the final three regions of the New York State Birding Trail, highlighting the state’s world-class and wide-ranging birding opportunities.
The Adirondacks-North Country, Catskills, and Southern Tier segments bring the total number of birding trail locations across the state to more than 300, providing a variety of quality birding experiences for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy. [Read more…] about Last Three Segments of NYS Birding Trail Complete
The Irish in the Mohawk and Hudson Valleys
The exodus that institutionalized emigration from Ireland began just after the Napoleonic Wars and the famines of 1817 and 1822; surged during and after the 1845-51 Great Hunger and continued spasmodically through the remainder of the century.
By the mid-nineteenth century, many of the Irish newcomers were poor, as opposed to the earlier ones who had been wealthy professionals. Some came arrived in the Hudson and Mohawk Valley regions from the city of New York, more down from Canada, to work on the canals, railroads, and factories. [Read more…] about The Irish in the Mohawk and Hudson Valleys
Utica Canal Towpath Bike Ride
The Oneida County History Center will host Tuesdays on the Towpath in Utica, a free guided bike tour looking at the history, ecology, and other topics along the historic Erie Canal, set for Tuesday, September 6th. [Read more…] about Utica Canal Towpath Bike Ride
Forest Park Amusement Park in Saratoga County: Some History
On November 15, 1927, a civil engineer named R.E. Weber created a map that showed the boundaries of Forest Park Amusement Park in Ballston Lake, NY.
The map was drawn so as to facilitate the sale of the entire property and make the area into individual parcels that people could buy. Thus ended the almost 25-year history of one of the most famous amusement parks in Saratoga County and began the process of opening up a large section of Ballston Lake to residential development. [Read more…] about Forest Park Amusement Park in Saratoga County: Some History
Chester A. Arthur, The Spoils System & Civil Service Reform
Yates Street in Schenectady runs north and south from Union Street to Liberty Street, from the Friendship Baptist Church on Union Street to the Katbird Shop at the corner of Liberty and Yates.
In the late 1840s it was regularly traversed by the only former resident of Schenectady and the only graduate of Union College ever destined to occupy the office of President of the United States. [Read more…] about Chester A. Arthur, The Spoils System & Civil Service Reform