Mohawk Valley

1779 Sullivan-Clinton Campaign Against the Iroquois: Retribution or Genocide?

August 11, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The 1779 Sullivan-Clinton campaign against the Iroquois has been described as implementing a “scorched earth” policy for no useful purpose other than eradicating Indigenous People, a failed attempt to capture Fort Niagara, or a wild success that denied the enemies of American Revolution free access to Western New York.

Few campaigns of the American War for Independence have been more controversial than the Continental Army’s invasion of the Iroquois Confederacy in 1779. [Read more…] about 1779 Sullivan-Clinton Campaign Against the Iroquois: Retribution or Genocide?

Mary Zawacki On Mohawk River History (The Historians Podcast)

August 5, 2022 by Bob Cudmore 1 Comment

When the last Ice Age began to melt 22,000 years ago, the Mohawk River flowed with more force than Niagara Falls. The deluge of water that was released was so great that it carved an entirely new riverbed.

Eventually, the glacier receded and the Mohawk River settled into its new banks, ready to greet the settlers making their way across the Atlantic to colonize the Mohawk River valley. [Read more…] about Mary Zawacki On Mohawk River History (The Historians Podcast)

Erie Canalway Photo Contest Call for Entries

August 5, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has announced a call for entries for its 17th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Images should convey people enjoying activities on the waterway and Canalway Trail or show the unique character of New York’s canals and canal communities. [Read more…] about Erie Canalway Photo Contest Call for Entries

Kayaker Alan Jay Paddles From Buffalo to Manhattan in 31 Days

August 5, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

In June, the Hudson River Valley Greenway fielded a call from Alan Jay, who just completed paddling the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Waterford with his brother-in-law Michael.

The next day Jay would start his solo adventure paddling the Hudson River toward New York City – he needed a Hudson River Water Trail Guide. [Read more…] about Kayaker Alan Jay Paddles From Buffalo to Manhattan in 31 Days

Vischer Ferry As A Summer Resort

August 4, 2022 by Guest Contributor 1 Comment

At the turn of the nineteenth to twentieth century, Vischer Ferry, a hamlet of Clifton Park in Saratoga County on the Mohawk River, was the destination of many picnickers and tourists.

People came from Schenectady, Albany, Troy, Cohoes and even New York City to spend a day, a week, a month or the complete summer in the healthful climate and beautiful surroundings of Vischer Ferry. As quiet 120 years ago as it is today, the village was an ideal spot to escape from the noise and turmoil of the city. [Read more…] about Vischer Ferry As A Summer Resort

A Photographer Visits Utica, Saratoga & Albany in 1878

August 3, 2022 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

This essay by John Nicol, PhD, first appeared on July 12, 1878 in The British Journal of Photography.

Utica, intersected by the Erie and Hudson Canal, is really a beautiful place. Free from the geometric regularity of most of the American cities, its tree-lined streets impart to it the truly American sylvan character, while the size and elegance of its suburban residences show that its people are prosperous to a degree unknown in similar cities in the old country.

But their commercial prosperity is not the only, or even principal, quality on which the Uticans pride themselves, as they rank only second to Boston in their opinion of their culture and appreciation of science and art; and, so far as I have been able to judge, with quite as much, if not more, reason. [Read more…] about A Photographer Visits Utica, Saratoga & Albany in 1878

Rangers Respond to Homicide, Wilderness & Water Rescues

August 3, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Respond to Homicide, Wilderness & Water Rescues

Battle of Oriskany: Civil War in the Mohawk Valley

July 31, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Dunham Public Library in Whitesboro, Oneida County, NY, will host a program on the Battle of Oriskany, the events leading up to the battle, and its outcomes for Haudenosaunee/Iroquois, Royalist, and Revolutionary families, on Friday, August 5th, the night before the 245th anniversary of the battle. [Read more…] about Battle of Oriskany: Civil War in the Mohawk Valley

Twelve Topics from Recent Historians Podcasts

July 29, 2022 by Bob Cudmore Leave a Comment

This week on The Historians Podcast, the third Highlights Edition of 2022 has excerpts from 12 podcasts including stolen Little League Dreams, an Erie Canal balladeer, human organ transplants, translating Old Dutch and a boy’s life in Ilion, New York. [Read more…] about Twelve Topics from Recent Historians Podcasts

30th Annual ‘Not Just for Kids’ Storytelling Series at Schoharie Crossing

July 28, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Friends of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site have announced that the 30th Annual Not Just for Kids Storytelling series will occur at the Erie Canal historic site.

Award winning storytellers from the region will perform tales to intrigue, legends to compel, and stories that illustrate how we are all connected as human beings. The series is open to the public and is meant for all ages. It runs on Sunday evenings at 6 pm from July 31st to August 28th outside the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center. [Read more…] about 30th Annual ‘Not Just for Kids’ Storytelling Series at Schoharie Crossing