New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

America's 250th Anniversary

America’s 250th Student Fellowships Funded In Western NY

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History student intern Dwight DinkinsThe Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has awarded SUNY distinguished professor of history Michael Leroy Oberg, the SUNY Geneseo Center for Local and Municipal History, and a consortium of six other colleges and universities, a three-year grant of more than $300K for American War of Independence Semiquincentennial student fellowships.

Several of the institutions in the fellowship program have committed $150K of matching funds for the project, bringing the total to over $450K. [Read more…] about America’s 250th Student Fellowships Funded In Western NY

Saratoga National Historical Park Getting $6.6M For Infrastructure

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saratoga national historic park courtesy wikimedia user UpstateNYerThe primary visitor experience at Saratoga National Historical Park is about to benefit from $6.6 million in funding provided by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).

Extensive work on the park’s self-guided battlefield Tour Road will begin in 2022 and is expected to result in increased accessibility and visible improvements to the parking areas, trailheads, walkways, seating, exhibits and viewing areas along the ten-mile-long route. [Read more…] about Saratoga National Historical Park Getting $6.6M For Infrastructure

America 250 Patriots Marker Dedicated at Fort Ti

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Fort Ticonderoga’s 250thCommemorations for the 250th anniversary of the American War for Independence are underway at Fort Ticonderoga. The museum has started developing plans and exploring partnerships at the state and national levels to mark this historic anniversary.

Through exhibits, events, publications, and programs, Fort Ticonderoga seeks to increase access and awareness and expand educational impact related to the monumental history of the complex struggle to achieve independence. [Read more…] about America 250 Patriots Marker Dedicated at Fort Ti

Andre-Arnold Project Highlighting Westchester Co Treason Sites

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This Man's A SpyFrom Philadelphia, on July 3rd, 1776, John Adams mailed a letter to his wife, Abigail, in Boston. The letter explained the historic decisions agreed upon by the Continental Congress and the plans for celebration.

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” ~ John Adams

[Read more…] about Andre-Arnold Project Highlighting Westchester Co Treason Sites

The Semiquincentennial: State Leg Passes 250th Commemoration Act

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Senator Shelley B Mayer and Assemblymember Carrie WoernerOn June 8th, in the final week of legislative session, the New York State 250th Commemoration Act, passed both the New York Senate and Assembly.

The bill, which passed unanimously in both houses and now awaits the signature of Governor Andrew Cuomo, would create the New York State 250th Commemoration Commission to create a plan to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and founding of the United States (the Semiquincentennial, July 4, 2026), and establish a 250th Commemoration Commission Fund. [Read more…] about The Semiquincentennial: State Leg Passes 250th Commemoration Act

America250 Semiquincentennial Campaign Rolling Out

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america250The America250 Foundation has released its new website and marketing campaign, featuring a countdown to the 250th anniversary of America’s formation (the Semiquincentennial, July 4, 2026), and results from a survey measuring Americans’ sentiments on a variety of topics facing the country.

[Read more…] about America250 Semiquincentennial Campaign Rolling Out

Revolutionary Westchester 250 Launch at Jay Heritage Saturday

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Tales of the famous infamous and the unsungThe launch of Revolutionary Westchester 250 has been set for Saturday, December 8th, from 11:30 am to 4 pm at the Jay Heritage Center, 210 Boston Post Road, in Rye, NY.

From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, visitors can learn from historic re-enactors from the Hearts of Oak Militia about the challenges New York and Westchester faced during the turbulent times of John Jay, Benedict Arnold, Ann Miller, Aaron Palmer and George Washington. There will be a Fife and Drum Corps and opportunity to stroll the historic grounds where John Jay returned to celebrate the treaty he forged to end the Revolutionary War. Food trucks will be on hand offering their wares. [Read more…] about Revolutionary Westchester 250 Launch at Jay Heritage Saturday