This highlights edition of The Historians Podcast has excerpts from a dozen shows that were posted this year. Topics include the battle of Valcour, black separatist Marcus Garvey, Lady Bird Johnson, women’s suffrage, time travel, the history of deceit and more. [Read more…] about Aaron Burr, Marcus Garvey, Lady Bird Johnson & More (Historians Podcast)
Battle of Valcour Bay
Lake Champlain Bluff Point Lighthouse Tour August 8th
The Clinton County Historical Association (CCHA) will host a tour of the historic Bluff Point Lighthouse on Valcour Island on Lake Champlain on Sunday, August 8th. [Read more…] about Lake Champlain Bluff Point Lighthouse Tour August 8th
Summer Sundays at Champlain’s Bluff Point Lighthouse
The Clinton County Historical Association has announced “Sunday on Valcour Island,” an event featuring tours of the historic Bluff Point Lighthouse on Lake Champlain with additional historic island farm tours, set for Sunday, July 11th. [Read more…] about Summer Sundays at Champlain’s Bluff Point Lighthouse
Jack Kelly Talks About His New Book On Battle of Valcour Island
This week on The Historians Podcast, Jack Kelly discusses his new book Valcour: The 1776 Campaign That Saved the Cause of Liberty (St. Martins Press, 2021). Rebel forces were led by Benedict Arnold in this key naval battle with Great Britain around Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in Northern New York. [Read more…] about Jack Kelly Talks About His New Book On Battle of Valcour Island
Patriot Then Traitor: Saratoga County’s Joe Bettys
On April Fool’s Day, April 1st, 1782, Joe Bettys was hanged. It was, as was the custom, a public spectacle in Albany where the notorious traitor had been taken for his trial and sentencing.
On the scaffold, just after a noose was tied around his neck, he jumped to his death, thereby depriving his executioners from carrying out his sentence. [Read more…] about Patriot Then Traitor: Saratoga County’s Joe Bettys
Valcour Island: Keeping The Cause of Liberty Alive
The summer of 1776 was among the most perilous periods of the Revolutionary War, and almost all the action took place in New York. The young nation tottered on the edge of destruction that summer.
With an army of 20,000 men, George Washington could not hold New York City against an enemy force twice as large. The British drove him out of the city and across New Jersey into Pennsylvania. By December, he had 3,000 men left and was admitting to his brother, “I think the game is pretty near up.” [Read more…] about Valcour Island: Keeping The Cause of Liberty Alive
British Engineer Charles Terrot At Fort Ti, Valcour Island
Charles Terrot was a British officer who served with the British Army in Canada during the Revolutionary War, and left one of the best accounts of the Battle of Valcour Island.
Terrot was commissioned in 1774 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Regiment of Artillery at the age of 16 after studying at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich. He advanced with the British Army against the Americans in 1776. Fort Ticonderoga holds some of the letters Terrot sent back home, including one written following the battle, in which he includes a map of the pivotal engagement and drawings of the American ships. [Read more…] about British Engineer Charles Terrot At Fort Ti, Valcour Island
Which NYS Battle Was Most Significant For The State?
Over at the New York History Blog Facebook Page we recently asked the following question:
Which battle in New York State’s history had the most significant impact on the state?
The answers were surprisingly varied and included answers from the 1643-45 Kieft’s War (the war between New Netherland settlers and the Native inhabitants of Hudson River Valley also known as the Wappinger War) to the Anti-Rent War of 1839–1845.
We’ve reviewed the suggestions, and came up with a short list of five battles* which stand out as the most important to us (with short descriptions from Wikipedia) – what do you think? [Read more…] about Which NYS Battle Was Most Significant For The State?
Q&A: Test Your Battle of Plattsburgh Knowledge
The Battle of Plattsburgh celebration is upon us again, so there’s no better time than now for a little Q&A to test your knowledge (and you’ll learn stuff, too!) about a truly remarkable victory.
The focus here is on Commodore Thomas Macdonough, who was lauded nationally as a hero for his actions on Lake Champlain. On Plattsburgh’s museum campus (located on the former air base property), you’ll find the Battle of Plattsburgh Association’s War of 1812 Museum, and check out the schedule of events for the 2017 Battle of Plattsburgh commemoration running from September 7–10. There’s something for everyone, with plenty of great family venues. [Read more…] about Q&A: Test Your Battle of Plattsburgh Knowledge
Comments Sought On Historic Lake Champlain Islands, Facilities
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a Draft Lake Champlain Islands Management Complex Unit Management Plan (Draft UMP) in compliance with the Adirondack State Land Master Plan. The plan includes a number of historic and recreational sites.
Public comments on the plan are being accepted through September 18, 2015. A Public Meeting on the Draft UMP will be held August 20th in Plattsburgh. [Read more…] about Comments Sought On Historic Lake Champlain Islands, Facilities