When the 36th annual Conference on New York State History convenes at Niagara University on June 18-20, 2015, it will once again provide a forum for all of New York’s historians to discuss their work and learn from each other. [Read more…] about State Historian Weible On Upcoming History Conference
Bob Weible
The Leadership Role of Municipal Historians
As the new year gets underway, it is appropriate to pause and reflect on open issues from years gone by. I am referring now to the role in 2013 of the county historian as a custodian for New York State history as we forge ahead with our Path through History Project.
The starting point for this investigation is an article which appeared on September 12, 2012 just after the summer launch in August entitled “New York State’s Curious, Century-Old Law Requiring Every City and Town to Have a Historian” by Amanda Erickson in The Atlantic Cities. [Read more…] about The Leadership Role of Municipal Historians
Bob Weible: Making History in Difficult Times
I was disappointed to hear the recent news that Schenectady County officials have chosen to cut funding for their county historian. This decision appears to have less to do with the historian than it did with the county’s fiscal problems.
Many of us are familiar with the state law that requires municipalities to appoint historians, and as Gerry Smith has pointed out, NYS County Law, section 400, also requires counties to make similar appointments. Many counties and many municipalities comply with these laws. Many don’t. But that’s not what’s at stake here. [Read more…] about Bob Weible: Making History in Difficult Times
State Historian to Speak at Abolition Hall of Fame Dinner
Robert Weible, State Historian of New York and Chief Curator of the New York State Museum will provide the keynote address at the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum (NAHOF) annual dinner at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, October 20 in the Hall of Presidents at Colgate University in Hamilton NY.
Weible’s presentation “The Irrepressible Conflict: The Civil War in New York” will describe the large exhibit by the same name that opens September 22 at the state museum. The history of New York’s involvement in the Civil War – the state’s role leading up to war, during the war and Reconstruction – and the lasting impact the war had on New Yorkers – is told through four major themes: The Coming of War, The Battlefield, The Home Front, and Reconstruction and Legacy. The importance of the abolition activities in Central New York – including the acquisition of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation and Gerrit Smith – will be included. [Read more…] about State Historian to Speak at Abolition Hall of Fame Dinner
Bob Weible: NY’s Historical Golden Age is Coming
If there is one thing historians should know, it is that “things change.” After all, without change, history would have no meaning. And historians would have no jobs. Face it. Everyone may love history. But the reason some of us collect paychecks, practically speaking, is that we perform the unique and essential service of helping people understand history—not so we can all venerate the past but so that we can change the way things are and make history ourselves. [Read more…] about Bob Weible: NY’s Historical Golden Age is Coming
New Yorkers and the Memory of the Civil War
As New York’s State Historian, I often say that New Yorkers have long provided the country with some of its most informed leadership. Why? Because they understand and appreciate their state’s place in American history.
Take as a case in point the 100th anniversary of the American Civil War (1961-65). This was a time when some Americans were using their heritage to defy federal desegregation efforts. New York’s Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, however, used his state’s history for a far better purpose. He promoted civil rights and racial equality in America by joining with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others in celebration of the 100th birthday of a document owned by the New York State Library—Lincoln’s draft Emancipation Proclamation. [Read more…] about New Yorkers and the Memory of the Civil War
New Contributor: State Historian Robert Weible
Please welcome our newest contributor here at the online journal New York History, State Historian of New York and Chief Curator of the New York State Museum Robert Weible
Before taking on the role of State Historian Weible served as Director of Public History for the State Museum of Pennsylvania, Acting Director of the Pennsylvania State Archives, Chief of the Division of History for the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, and Historian of Lowell National Park in Massachusetts. [Read more…] about New Contributor: State Historian Robert Weible