New York Almanack

Saratoga Race Track’s Wilson Chute is Returning; Here’s Some History

January 25, 2022 by Bill Orzell Leave a Comment

The New York Racing Association has recently announced a revised configuration for the historic Saratoga Race Course for the 2022 race meet. A chute, or straight-away will return, allowing for a start directly into the clubhouse turn for races of one mile in distance. Known as the Wilson Chute, it had been a regular feature of the track until 1972, when the area was converted to additional parking.

The Wilson Chute is named in honor of Richard T. Wilson, Jr. who had been the President of the Saratoga Racing Association beginning in 1909. As an executive and an investor, he was integral in saving racing at the Spa and then developing the sport and the racing plant that so many are familiar with today. [Read more…] about Saratoga Race Track’s Wilson Chute is Returning; Here’s Some History

Black Experiences in Saratoga County, 1750- 1950 (New Exhibit)

January 25, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Saratoga County History Center, in partnership with the Saratoga County History Roundtable, has announced the opening of a new exhibit at Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa, NY, to celebrate Black History Month: “Black Experiences in Saratoga County, 1750-1950.” [Read more…] about Black Experiences in Saratoga County, 1750- 1950 (New Exhibit)

Spot Bald Eagles Events in Garrison, NY on Saturdays in February

January 25, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison, NY will celebrate the bald eagle‘s return to the Hudson River Valley after being on the brink of extinction, with eagle viewings on Saturdays, February 5th and 12th. [Read more…] about Spot Bald Eagles Events in Garrison, NY on Saturdays in February

1832 Merchant’s House Virtual Architectural Tour

January 25, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Merchant’s House Museum will host “The Architecture of an 1832 Landmark: Up-Close and Personal,” a virtual tour of the Merchant’s House, on Wednesday, February 23rd.

Anthony Bellov will lead this virtual tour of the home of the Tredwell family and their Irish servants. The tour will look at all five stories, from the steep front stoop (made of glistening white marble, the dominant ornamental stone in the early/mid 19th century) to the crawl-space of the attic (featuring a remnant from the house next door, long since demolished). [Read more…] about 1832 Merchant’s House Virtual Architectural Tour

Wall St History: 19th Century Growth of Investment Banking

January 24, 2022 by James S. Kaplan 2 Comments

With the demise of the Philadelphia based Bank of the United States, the financial center of the country shifted to the privately owned state chartered financial firms on Wall Street.

As the nation recovered from the severe depression in the Panic of 1837, President James K. Polk’s policy of Manifest Destiny took root and significant westward settlement of Indigenous land expanded in the 1840s. Fortified by the Erie Canal and its Canal Fund, Wall Street financial institutions became strongly influenced by four factors: the invention of the telegraph; the development of railroads; the discovery of gold and other precious minerals in the West (particularly the California Gold Rush of 1849); and the arrival of significant numbers of Jewish and Irish immigrants in the city of New York. [Read more…] about Wall St History: 19th Century Growth of Investment Banking

Albany’s Role In Three Little-Remembered Colonial Wars in the Northeast

January 24, 2022 by Peter Hess 2 Comments

From the time Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River in 1609, the area that is now Albany, NY was considered the focal point of trade with Indigenous People. For over a hundred years, Albany was the trading post furthest west and most remote in the colonies. Most of the other colonies were English; New Netherland was Dutch and settled for the purpose of trade.

With a moderate climate, abundant rainfall, a lake and river system for good transportation and plentiful natural resources, New Netherland was well-positioned. The fur trade significantly raised the standard of living of many European settlers and Native People. Arriving at Albany with a catch of furs, an native person could trade would usually trade with a representative of the Van Rensselaers, or one of his agents.

Thousands of pelts began to flow into Albany in return for Dutch, and later English, trade goods. News of the Dutch market spread and before long Native People from as far away as today’s Minnesota and Illinois were traveling across the Great Lakes and Mohawk River to Albany to obtain manufactured goods with animal pelts. [Read more…] about Albany’s Role In Three Little-Remembered Colonial Wars in the Northeast

Bruce Dearstyne’s ‘Spirit of New York’ Reissued In Expanded Edition

January 24, 2022 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

Bruce W. Dearstyne’s expanded new edition of The Spirit of New York (SUNY Press, 2022; first published 2016) explores nineteen dramatic events from New York State’s history that altered the course of U.S. history.

From the launch of the state government in April 1777 thru the tragedy of September 11th and through the debut of the musical play Hamilton in 2015, Dearstyne’s chapters describe great political changes, historical turning points, and struggles for social, racial, and environmental reform.
[Read more…] about Bruce Dearstyne’s ‘Spirit of New York’ Reissued In Expanded Edition

Museum Capacity Building Grants Available

January 24, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) has announced a new re-grant partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to distribute 100 grants of $5,000 to assist New York museums with capacity building. [Read more…] about Museum Capacity Building Grants Available

Columbia Co Historical Announces Winter Lecture Series

January 24, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Columbia County Historical Society (CCHS) will host historians and genealogists, art historians, photographers, and authors during its 2022 Winter Lecture Series held via Zoom over seven Saturdays beginning January 29th through May 21st. [Read more…] about Columbia Co Historical Announces Winter Lecture Series

Thomas Cole Historic Site Virtual Sunday Salons Return

January 24, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site‘s Virtual Sunday Salons, an annual series of timely conversations on American art and landscape with artists, writers, community members, scholars, and the next generation of leaders in the field is set to return on Sunday, January 30th with “A Memorial to Ice at the Dead Deer Disco.” [Read more…] about Thomas Cole Historic Site Virtual Sunday Salons Return