In celebration of Great Outdoors Month, The New York State Canal System, including the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals, is getting special recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior as one of the nation’s newly designated National Water Trails. [Read more…] about Canalway Water Trail Added to National Recreational Trails System
Mohawk Valley
Oneida County History Center Seeks Hall of Fame Nominations
The Oneida County History Center has announced they are seeking nominations for the 2022 Historical Hall of Fame and Living Legends Awards. This campaign strives to honor outstanding members of the community, past and present, for their service as leaders, pioneers, and advocates, and for their efforts in furthering the region’s industries, culture, and educational opportunities. Inductees are honored at an annual awards ceremony held each fall and through a permanent display in the History Center’s exhibit gallery. [Read more…] about Oneida County History Center Seeks Hall of Fame Nominations
Museum Study Act Passes State Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature
The New York State Legislature passed A.9710/S.8934 “An act in relation to conducting a study of public and private museums in New York state,” unanimously in the Assembly on May 24th and in the Senate on June 2nd.
“This bill will make a difference to every museum in the state regardless of budget size, discipline, or location,” said Erika Sanger, Executive Director of the Museum Association of New York (MANY). The bill is headed to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk and her signature would enable the act to take effect immediately. [Read more…] about Museum Study Act Passes State Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature
Jock Wright & Dut Barber: Honondaga Lake History
One of the earliest written accounts of Jock’s Lake in the Adirondacks (about twenty-five miles east of Boonville) was given by Jeptha Simms in his 1850 book Trappers of New York: A Biography of Nicholas Stoner & Nathaniel Foster:
“Jock’s Lake, so-called after Jock (Jonathan) Wright, an early trapper upon its shores, is a very pretty lake, five or six miles long, though not very wide; and is situated in the north-eastern or wilderness portion of Herkimer County, some ten miles from a place called Noblesborough. Its outlet is one of the sources of the west branch of West Canada Creek.” [Read more…] about Jock Wright & Dut Barber: Honondaga Lake History
1798 Quitman Parsonage Historic Sign Installed in Rhinebeck
The Town of Rhinebeck in Dutchess County, NY celebrated the installation of a historical marker at Quitman House on May 28th.
The building served as the Parsonage for the minister serving St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, better known as the Stone Church, located next door. The parsonage is known today as Quitman House and was built in 1798 to house the minister, Reverend Frederick H. Quitman, D. D.
[Read more…] about 1798 Quitman Parsonage Historic Sign Installed in Rhinebeck
Schoharie Crossing Great Outdoors Month Events
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will celebrate June as Great Outdoors Month by offering opportunities to enjoy the outdoor spaces at the Erie Canal site.
Great Outdoors Month is a month-long celebration of responsible, healthy outdoor recreation on local, state, and federal lands and waters. [Read more…] about Schoharie Crossing Great Outdoors Month Events
Marinus Willett to NY’s Birthday (Historians Podcast Highlights)
This week on The Historians Podcast, a highlights podcast with excerpts from six episodes. Topics include:
Early American patriot Marinus Willett, a key figure in the Revolutonary War at Fort Stanwix and Fort Plain in the Mohawk Valley who, according to New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan, later became Mayor of New York City. [Read more…] about Marinus Willett to NY’s Birthday (Historians Podcast Highlights)
Western Erie, Glens Falls Feeder Canal Waters Lower This Year
Mariners are advised that water levels in the Erie Canal between Lock E-30 (Macedon) and Locks E-34/35 (Lockport) will be approximately one foot lower than previous years as the Canal Corporation continues to monitor more than 200 known seeps along the canal’s earthen embankments. [Read more…] about Western Erie, Glens Falls Feeder Canal Waters Lower This Year
Frederick Douglass in Central New York
Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery to become the great Black orator and statesman of the nineteenth century, has long been associated with his homes in Rochester, and Washington, DC.
He played key roles in the Abolitionist Movement, Underground Railroad, and nascent Women’s Rights Movement in Central New York. [Read more…] about Frederick Douglass in Central New York
Canal Tourism Infrastructure, Event Grants Announced
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the New York State Canal Corporation, through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, have announced that 38 non-profit organizations and municipalities will receive grants in 2022 totaling $259,300.
The grants will support 11 tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 27 events along the NYS Canal System. [Read more…] about Canal Tourism Infrastructure, Event Grants Announced