The Massachusetts Historical Society will host “From ‘league & amity’ to ‘absolute Tyranny’: The History of Royal Government in the Declaration of Independence,” a program by Steven Sarson of Jean Moulin University, with comment by Brendan McConville of Boston University, set for Tuesday, April 4th. [Read more…] about Royal Government in the Declaration of Independence
Beacon on the Hudson: A Podcast
In Dutchess County on the east shore of the Hudson River, Beacon is 60 miles north of New York City. The name derives from signal fires built to alert George Washington’s army across the river in Newburgh of British troop movements during the Revolutionary War. [Read more…] about Beacon on the Hudson: A Podcast
An American Literary Giant Takes A Hudson River Excursion By Sloop In 1801
The following text about a sloop journey up the Hudson River in 1801 was originally published In The Life of Charles Brockden Brown by William Dunlap (Philadelphia 1815). It was transcribed by Hudson River Maritime Museum volunteer researcher George A. Thompson and additionally edited and annotated by John Warren.
Very suddenly conceived the design of voyaging up the Hudson River, as far as Albany. Had heard much of the grandeur of its shores, but never had gone above ten miles from New York. My friend C. having some leisure was willing to adventure for ten days or a fortnight, and I having still more, and being greatly in want of air and exercise, agreed to accompany him. We found a most spacious and well furnished vessel, captain R.—– in which we embarked at sunset this day. The wind propitious [favorable] and the air wonderfully bland [not foul, like the air in New York at this time]. [Read more…] about An American Literary Giant Takes A Hudson River Excursion By Sloop In 1801
Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War
The book Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War (Oxford University Press, 2022) by Friederike Baer takes a look at the thirty thousand German soldiers that Great Britain hired to fight in its war against the American rebels between 1776 and 1783.
Collectively known as Hessians, the soldiers and accompanying civilians, including hundreds of women and children, spent extended periods of time in locations as dispersed and varied as Canada in the North and West Florida in the South. [Read more…] about Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War
April Events At Old Fort Niagara
Old Fort Niagara has announced their scheduled events for the month of April, including Fortress Foolery on April Fools’ Day, an Easter Sunday service, National Laundry Day, and a History Master Class. [Read more…] about April Events At Old Fort Niagara
Kingston’s Senate House 2023 Season Events
Senate House State Historic Site in Kingston, NY, the 18th century home of the VanGaasbeek family and the first meeting place of the New York State Senate, has announced its special event calendar for the 2023 season. [Read more…] about Kingston’s Senate House 2023 Season Events
Steam-Powered Lighthouse Tender Lilac in Dry Dock
Lilac, America’s only surviving steam-powered lighthouse tender, is turning 90 this year. It’s birthday celebration is being launched with a dry docking. [Read more…] about Steam-Powered Lighthouse Tender Lilac in Dry Dock
Unprepared Hiker Rescued From Ashokan High Point
On Wednesday, March 22 at about 5:30 pm, Forest Ranger Franceschina responded to a call from a hiker on Ashokan High Point in the town of Olive, Ulster County, who was worried they would not return before dark. Ashokan High Point is a 3,061 feet summit in the Catskills. [Read more…] about Unprepared Hiker Rescued From Ashokan High Point
Two Ticketed For Illegally Harvesting Cattails
After observing the harvest of a large amount of cattails from the Lakeshore Marshes Wildlife Management Area in the town of Huron, Wayne County, NY, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Ranger Raffaldi spent a significant amount of time patrolling the area. [Read more…] about Two Ticketed For Illegally Harvesting Cattails
The Rockland County Work Camp That Inspired The Civilian Conservation Corps
Ninety years ago this month, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the bill that created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC established labor camps around the nation where unemployed men did forestry work and park improvements.
Much of their hard work is evident in state and national parks, which are still enjoyed by the public. At the time of its creation, the CCC was described as a “novel work-relief plan.” But it was not entirely novel. A similar program was being run in Rockland County, New York. [Read more…] about The Rockland County Work Camp That Inspired The Civilian Conservation Corps