One of the top-grossing American films of 1940 was the western Santa Fe Trail, the seventh Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland collaboration. The story concerns John Brown’s campaign against slavery just before the outbreak of the Civil War. Starting out on an acting career, young Ronald Reagan appeared in the story line as George Armstrong Custer. [Read more…] about Wilhelm Grosz: The Red Sails of Forced Migration
New York City
Camp Chelsea, 1776: Manhattan’s Lost Revolutionary Garrison
Who knew that a military encampment once existed in today’s busy eclectic Chelsea in Manhattan?
The inquisitive tourist will not see or hear anything about a Revolutionary War camp there. Nor will they hear about General John Fellows or his headquarters at a glass works factory. Additionally, there were long forgotten tent encampments near the glassworks where 1500 Massachusetts Provincials slept.
These ghosts with muskets and white canvas tents were members of the Fellows’ Massachusetts Brigade. History recorded little about their activities and no known permanent monuments or markers were ever established to give us a clue about soldiers actual location or activities. [Read more…] about Camp Chelsea, 1776: Manhattan’s Lost Revolutionary Garrison
Thomas Paine Festival Set For New Rochelle June 16-18
The Huguenot & New Rochelle Historical Association, the Thomas Paine National Historical Association, and the Thomas Paine Memorial Association have announced the 2022 Thomas Paine Festival, honoring the legacy of one of America’s most iconic founding fathers, has been set for June 16th through 18th in New Rochelle, Westchester County, NY. [Read more…] about Thomas Paine Festival Set For New Rochelle June 16-18
American Experience in the West Indies, 1740-1742
Thirty-five years before the battles of Lexington and Concord, the British colonies in North America raised a regiment to serve in the British Army for an expedition to seize control of the Spanish West Indies.
Colonial volunteers, 4,000 strong, joined 9,000 British soldiers and 15,000 British sailors in a bold amphibious campaign against the key port of Cartagena de Indias. The expedition marked the first time American soldiers deployed overseas.
[Read more…] about American Experience in the West Indies, 1740-1742
Slavery and Emancipation Film Screening for Juneteenth Weekend
The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum has announced the new film Songs of Slavery and Emancipation will debut at 5255 Pleasant Valley Road in Peterboro, Madison County, NY and at 320 West 37th Street in Manhattan on Saturday, June 18th. [Read more…] about Slavery and Emancipation Film Screening for Juneteenth Weekend
The Founding Document of the NY Stock Exchange
This week on The Historians Podcast, regular New York Almanack contributor Jim Kaplan has the story of the Buttonwood Agreement, the founding document of the New York Stock Exchange. [Read more…] about The Founding Document of the NY Stock Exchange
Central Park’s Harlem Meer: Tidal Marsh to Idyllic Retreat
In 1853, when the New York State Legislature authorized the acquisition of the land that would become the City of New York’s Central Park, the site did not include the 66-acre stretch between 106th and 110th Streets that contains the Harlem Meer at the present-day northeast corner of the Park.
The tidal marsh that would ultimately be transformed into the meer (Dutch for “lake”) was acquired several years into the Park’s construction, along with the rocky, fortification-dotted bluffs overlooking Harlem that would become the Park’s Fort Landscape and part of its North Woods. [Read more…] about Central Park’s Harlem Meer: Tidal Marsh to Idyllic Retreat
Railroads, The Spuyten Duyvil Disaster & Faustian Legend
On September 27th, 2025, it will be two hundred years ago that the world’s first public railway, known as the Stockton & Darlington (S&DR), was opened in north-east England.
As well as carrying coal, the train offered space for six hundred passengers, most of them traveling in wagons, but some distinguished guests were allocated a seat in a specially designed carriage called The Experiment. [Read more…] about Railroads, The Spuyten Duyvil Disaster & Faustian Legend
Staten Island’s Historic Richmond Town Hosting Food & Wine Festival
Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island will host the 13th annual Uncorked! Food & Wine Festival, featuring restaurant and chef provided meals at a set price, on June 11th, from noon to 6 pm. [Read more…] about Staten Island’s Historic Richmond Town Hosting Food & Wine Festival
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