New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Mohawk Valley

Lafayette at Brandywine (Virtual Program)

by Leave a Comment

Lafayette at BrandywineAmerica’s international hero, the Marquis Lafayette, risked his life and spent his fortune in the fight for American independence from England. Without Lafayette and the assistance of France, America may not have been victorious during the American Revolution. The importance of the Battle of Brandywine, where Lafayette was wounded on September 11th, 1777, has not been recognized as a major turning point in America’s independence.

The Fort Plain Museum will host a virtual program based on the book Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero, about Lafayette’s role in America’s fight for freedom and the historical importance of the Battle of Brandywine. The award winning author of the book Bruce E. Mowday will present the program, set for Monday, January 31st. [Read more…] about Lafayette at Brandywine (Virtual Program)

The Albany Congress of 1754: Native People, Colonists & the Monarchy

by 1 Comment

Dec 1754 Map of the English Colonies (LOC)William Shirley was the Royal Governor of Massachusetts, appointed by the King of England. Shirley had been a British official in England serving on negotiating committees with French officials determining boundaries. This had led Shirley to a thorough dislike of the French. He was very aggressive and had been a stalwart advocate of invading Canada and driving the French out of North America. Shirley had written a strong criticism of the New York Congress for its resistance to an invasion of Canada in 1748. He was upset when New Jersey and Rhode Island refused to cooperate in the invasion because they were not threatened.

Shirley wanted a stronger unity of colonies so that they could be forced to cooperate to drive out the French. When signs of a renewal of Anglo-French warfare surfaced in late 1753, Shirley put out a call for a new conference. Virginia Governor Dinwiddie, who was also experiencing difficulty with the French in the Ohio Valley, had similar sentiments. They both wanted a London mandated plan forcing the colonies to work together to provide troops and supplies and invade New France. [Read more…] about The Albany Congress of 1754: Native People, Colonists & the Monarchy

Historical Fiction Writer On The Dresden Bombing (Virtual Event)

by Leave a Comment

Surviving DresdenThe Fort Plain Museum will host “Mixing History and Fiction: Writing the Controversial Story of the 1945 Bombing of Dresden,” a virtual presentation with Fort Plain Museum’s Board of Trustees Member and Military Historian James Kirby Martin set for Thursday, January 27th.

James Kirby Martin, known for his writing on Revolutionary America, has produced his first co-authored historical novel, Surviving Dresden: A Novel about Life, Death, and Redemption in World War II (Permuted Press, 2021). [Read more…] about Historical Fiction Writer On The Dresden Bombing (Virtual Event)

Albany’s Role In Three Little-Remembered Colonial Wars in the Northeast

by 2 Comments

New-France_2_6_Map-of-New-Belgium-or-New-NetherlandFrom the time Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River in 1609, the area that is now Albany, NY was considered the focal point of trade with Indigenous People.  For over a hundred years, Albany was the trading post furthest west and most remote in the colonies. Most of the other colonies were English; New Netherland was Dutch and settled for the purpose of trade.

With a moderate climate, abundant rainfall, a lake and river system for good transportation and plentiful natural resources, New Netherland was well-positioned. The fur trade significantly raised the standard of living of many European settlers and Native People.  Arriving at Albany with a catch of furs, an native person could trade would usually trade with a representative of the Van Rensselaers, or one of his agents.

Thousands of pelts began to flow into Albany in return for Dutch, and later English, trade goods. News of the Dutch market spread and before long Native People from as far away as today’s Minnesota and Illinois were traveling across the Great Lakes and Mohawk River to Albany to obtain manufactured goods with animal pelts. [Read more…] about Albany’s Role In Three Little-Remembered Colonial Wars in the Northeast

Bruce Dearstyne’s ‘Spirit of New York’ Reissued In Expanded Edition

by 1 Comment

Bruce Dearstyne Spirit of New YorkBruce W. Dearstyne’s expanded new edition of The Spirit of New York (SUNY Press, 2022; first published 2016) explores nineteen dramatic events from New York State’s history that altered the course of U.S. history.

From the launch of the state government in April 1777 thru the tragedy of September 11th and through the debut of the musical play Hamilton in 2015, Dearstyne’s chapters describe great political changes, historical turning points, and struggles for social, racial, and environmental reform.
[Read more…] about Bruce Dearstyne’s ‘Spirit of New York’ Reissued In Expanded Edition

Subscribe to the New York Almanack for Free!

by Leave a Comment

Free Subscriptions – get New York Almanack’s stories every day.  Sign up here.
Already signed up? Follow us on Twitter @newyorkhistory.
Check out the latest Podcasts and Books about New York State.
Donate to keep New York Almanack publishing. We rely on our readers.

NYS Canal System Hand-Launch Facility Design Guide Available

by Leave a Comment

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

Palatines in the Mohawk Valley: 300 Years of History

by 2 Comments

Palatine settlementThe earliest European settlers in the Mohawk Valley came from what is now southwestern Germany. Under near constant threat of destruction, whether from multiple wars, invasions, or the plague, in the near hundred years leading up to the 18th century, the southwest German population experienced extreme hardship.

In some cases, entire towns and villages were wiped out. Commercial crops in the vineyards either failed or were destroyed. Invading French armies added to the hardship by burdening residents with housing and supporting soldiers, albeit with scant family resources, forcing many German homeowners to flee. [Read more…] about Palatines in the Mohawk Valley: 300 Years of History

The Cheese Factory System (Virtual Program)

by Leave a Comment

Engraving from Harpers Magazine of Williams cheese factoryJust North of Rome, NY, the modern cheese industry was born in 1851. Jesse Williams was a successful farmer and cheese maker but believed by working together as cooperative dairies, farmers could maximize their profits. This led him to start the first cheese factory in the United States, a move that revolutionized agriculture not only locally, but across the nation.

Jesse Williams died in 1864 at age 67. At that time Oneida County was making over eight million pounds of cheese per year. Williams never patented his cheese-making inventions but gave them to the agricultural world. [Read more…] about The Cheese Factory System (Virtual Program)