History, Natural History & the Arts
Harold Toles took a lot of pictures. If anything big happened in Schoharie County from 1948 to 1984, Toles was probably there with his camera.
The Old Stone Fort Museum Research Library has more than 150,000 of his negatives in its collection, as well as 13 notebooks recording a description of each shot. [Read more…] about Featured Collection: Harold Toles’ Schoharie County Photos
Saratoga National Historical Park Ranger and Historian Eric Schnitzer is set to give a talk on his newly released book, Don Troiani’s Campaign to Saratoga – 1777, on Thursday, October 3rd at the Fort Plain Museum.
The Battles of Saratoga are cited as the turning point in the Revolutionary War. Historical painter Don Troiani and historian Eric Schnitzer combine their talents in this new book on Saratoga, the Revolutionary War campaign. This illustrated history features many new artworks, previously unpublished eyewitness accounts, photographs of important artifacts, and a solid, detailed historical narrative including background on the campaigns leading up to Saratoga. [Read more…] about Campaign to Saratoga 1777 Book Talk, Signing
Applications are now open for Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor IMPACT! Grants. Organizers are looking for project idea that will make an impact in the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
Grants range from $2,500 to $12,000, totaling $60,000 this year, thanks to additional support from the NYS Canal Corporation. [Read more…] about Applications Open for Erie Canalway Grants
Together, Schoharie County and the Schoharie County Historical Society operate and steward the Old Stone Fort as a museum and programming space in the village of Schoharie.
Visitors and guests can peruse local artifacts and history or take in a public program, experience the grounds, and view the historic buildings at the Old Stone Fort complex. [Read more…] about Some Old Stone Fort Preservation History
Jesse Williams, a successful farmer and cheese maker in Rome, believed that farmers could maximize their profits by working together as cooperative dairies. He started a cheese factory in the n 1851 just north of Rome, NY and helped revolutionize the modern cheese industry locally and across the nation. [Read more…] about Jesse Williams’ Early Cheese Factory in Rome, NY
AIn the 19th and early 20th century most towns of any size in the Mohawk Valley had their own local brewery. The Utica-Rome area has been home to well over 40 breweries since 1801. Two factors played a major role in the industry. The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 significantly lowered transportation costs for brewing supplies and finished beer. Also, hop growing became a huge industry in Central New York during the second half of the 19th century.
These two factors resulted in booming commerce with New York and Pennsylvania generating 85% of the beer produced in the US in 1860. The great “social experiment” of Prohibition made the manufacture and sale of alcohol illegal and from 1920 through 1933 and the thriving industry was crippled, with only a handful of breweries surviving. [Read more…] about Mohawk Valley Brewing History, Tasting, and Book Signing
The Aqueduct Alliance is an informal group of organizations and individuals working to preserve the Schoharie Aqueduct, the ruins of the Erie Canal aqueduct over Schoharie Creek at Schoharie Crossing. They hope to expand the knowledge and appreciation of the structure, and make it more accessible to visitors. Montgomery County is seeking two grants totaling $800,000 to begin the multi-phase project.
The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is the only location where all three phases of New York’s Canals can be seen at once. In addition to the Schoharie Aqueduct, the only two remaining locks of the original canal can be found at Schoharie Crossing, as well as three enlarged canal locks and one barge canal lock. [Read more…] about A Schoharie Aqueduct Preservation Project Update
Beer historian Craig Gravina is set to speak on the history of beer brewing in New York State on August 27 at 6:30 pm, at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site.
Gravina will talk about the history of the brewing industry in the Hudson Valley and include its close connection with the Mohawk Valley, including the Erie Canal and grain production in the valley and as well as other interesting personalities and events. He will also be signing copies of his book Upper Hudson Valley Beer. [Read more…] about NYS Beer History Program at Schoharie Crossing
Author Kathleen “Chip” Twellman Haley’s new book, Rome Through Our History, Volume II, includes 51 recent columns on Rome, NY history.
As a volunteer for the Rome Historical Society, Haley has written hundreds of local history columns that have been published in the Seven-Day Sentinel. In 2016 she published the first collection of her columns. This second book includes columns including those about John Philip Sousa’s performance in Rome; Rome’s historic homes and other buildings; the pilot who landed the first B-52, Mohawk Valley, at Griffiss; the local Underground Railroad; the Alley Oop statue at Griffiss; and more. [Read more…] about New Rome, NY History Volume Published
The Schoharie County Historical Society and the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley (ASSV) have announced a celebration of all things cats, Catstock, a day of peace, love and whiskers, set for Saturday, August 24th from 10 am to dusk at the Old Stone Fort Museum in Schoharie.
Held on the heels of the 50th Anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Catstock 2019 will feature live performances by area bands throughout the day, plus food vendors, local artisans, informational booths, purveyors of cat and pet themed items, face painting, children’s games and activities, raffles and more. [Read more…] about Catstock: Peace, Love and Whiskers at Old Stone Fort