During Women’s History Month the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark and the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum in Peterboro will be finalizing plans for commemorating the New York State Centennial of Women’s Suffrage. These two heritage organizations will collaborate with partners on programs that celebrate local history and its connection to the state’s and nation’s history. [Read more…] about 2017 Women’s History Programs in Peterboro
Western NY
Gerrit Smith, John Brown, and the Crusade for Social Reform
Peterboro NY will launch its 2017 Crusade for Social Reform at 1 pm on Saturday, March 11, with the annual celebration of Gerrit Smith’s birthday, held at the Smithfield Community Center, 5255 Pleasant Valley Road.
Born March 6, 1797, Gerrit Smith, who lived and worked his entire adult life in Peterboro, was known for his philanthropy and activism for equality. Norman K. Dann PhD, researcher and author of Practical Dreamer: Gerrit Smith and the Crusade for Social Reform will introduce the 19th century Smith family activities, and then volunteers from the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark and the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum (NAHOF) will explain the 2017 programs that will continue the quest for human rights in the 21st Century. [Read more…] about Gerrit Smith, John Brown, and the Crusade for Social Reform
Robert Moses’ Least Controversial Triumph: The Niagara Power Plant
The many controversies that surrounded Robert Moses during his long career as New York’s “Master Builder” were sharpened by his long battle with Jane Jacobs and by Robert Caro’s 1974 biography, The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York (1974).
But his least contentious achievements are also the most unknown: the construction of the New York Power Authority’s hydroelectric plants along the St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers. [Read more…] about Robert Moses’ Least Controversial Triumph: The Niagara Power Plant
Southern Tier: Free Preservation Grant Info Sessions
Not-for-profit groups and municipalities have been invited to attend one of three free information session on Preserve New York and Technical Assistance Grants (TAG), the signature grant programs of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League. At each meeting, Erin Tobin, the League’s Director of Preservation, will explain the requirements of the grants, the process of applying, and discuss some successful previous applicants. [Read more…] about Southern Tier: Free Preservation Grant Info Sessions
25th Annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend June 9-11, 2017
The Smithfield Community Association’s Civil War Weekend Committee is preparing for the 25th annual Peterboro event June 9 to 11, 2017. The event began a quarter century ago to raise funds to repair the Smithfield Community Center and to bring attention to Peterboro’s history.
Thanks to volunteers and sponsors, the event has raised money to continue to upgrade community buildings and acquire the Gerrit Smith Estate, as well as promote the history of Peterboro. [Read more…] about 25th Annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend June 9-11, 2017
Buffalo’s Dug’s Dive Riot of 1863
Not much has been written about this civil disturbance that occurred on the afternoon of August 12, 1862 when Irish and German stevedores protested against local dock bosses, demanding increased pay for their work, and preventing others from working however when police responded the rioters overpowered them and Chief Dullard and other members of the force injured.
Ultimately the police regained control of the situation with gunfire wounding two rioters and arresting the ring leaders. [Read more…] about Buffalo’s Dug’s Dive Riot of 1863
Emancipation Watch Night in Peterboro New Year’s Eve
In honor of President Lincoln’s January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, and Gerrit Smith’s connection to the copy of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in the New York State Library, Retired Navy Commander Owen Corpin will provide a program and prepare the watch fire for the Watch Night commemoration at 4 pm Sunday, December 31, 2016.
The program will begin at the Smithfield Community Center, 5255 Pleasant Valley Road, Peterboro, and will move to the watch fire site on the Peterboro Green. Owen Corpin, a descendant of 19th Century freedom seekers who came to Peterboro, will describe the long wait through the night of December 31, 1862. Corpin organized the first Peterboro Watch Night for the Sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation. [Read more…] about Emancipation Watch Night in Peterboro New Year’s Eve
New Book On Buffalo’s Waterfront Grain Elevators
Bruce Jackson’s new book American Chartres: Buffalo’s Waterfront Grain Elevators (Excelsior Editions. 2016) documents Buffalo’s surviving grain elevators, capturing these monumental buildings in all seasons and in various light; from the Buffalo River, the Ship Canal, and Lake Erie; from inside and from the top floors and roofs; in detail.
Invented in Buffalo by Robert Dunbar and Joseph Dart, the city’s first grain elevator went operational in 1843. By the mid-1850s, Buffalo was the world’s largest grain port, and would remain so well into the twentieth century. Grain elevators made Buffalo rich, and they were largely responsible for the development of the Port of New York. [Read more…] about New Book On Buffalo’s Waterfront Grain Elevators
Abolition Hall of Fame Announces Inductees
The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum (NAHOF) induction ceremonies for the 2016 inductees will be held Saturday, October 22, 2016 at NAHOF, 5255 Pleasant Valley Road, in Peterboro, NY. The afternoon Abolition Symposia will present programs on each of the inductees:
· Rev. John Gregg Fee at 12:30 pm
· Beriah Green at 1:30 pm
· Angelina Grimké at 2:30 pm
· James W.C. Pennington at 3:30 pm [Read more…] about Abolition Hall of Fame Announces Inductees
Ballots, Bloomers, and Marmalade: The Life of Elizabeth Smith Miller
Across the street from the home where Elizabeth Smith Miller designed the bloomers – the “most important dress reform of the 19th Century” according the historic marker in the yard, a biography of Miller will be presented.
At 2 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2016, at the Smithfield Community Center (5255 Pleasant Valley Road Peterboro, NY) Norman K. Dann PhD will speak about his research for his latest book on Peterboro history. Author of Practical Dreamer: Gerrit Smith and the Crusade for Social Reform, Dann has now turned to research on Smith’s daughter with the Log Cabin Books’ publication of Ballots, Bloomers, and Marmalade: The Life of Elizabeth Smith Miller. [Read more…] about Ballots, Bloomers, and Marmalade: The Life of Elizabeth Smith Miller