New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Fort Hunter

A Schoharie Crossing Aqueduct Project Update

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work at Schoharie Crossing aqueductWorkers are shoring up the remains of the aqueduct at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter, Montgomery County, NY.

With the water in the Erie Canal drawn down for the winter, the project is well into the construction phase. Workers are creating a large concrete wedge at the end of the piers and arches to act as a brace, so the arches won’t shift. Protections are being added around the base to prevent problems as the water rises in the spring. [Read more…] about A Schoharie Crossing Aqueduct Project Update

Erie Canal Aqueduct Stabilization Project Begins

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Schoharie Crossing on Erie Canal showing 9 arches of aqueduct at Fort HunterThe New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has announced that construction has begun on a $1.7 million project to stabilize the historic Erie Canal Aqueduct at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Montgomery County.

The aqueduct, which was built in 1841, is within the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor. [Read more…] about Erie Canal Aqueduct Stabilization Project Begins

Historic Fort Hunter: From Queen Anne’s War to the Erie Canal

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map of Fort Hunter courtesy NYS ArchivesThe hamlet of Fort Hunter in Montgomery County, NY, while small, has been historically significant even since before the American Revolution. It was home to people of the Mohawk Nation and was known as the Lower Castle being downstream or below Canajoharie on the Mohawk River. Being at the confluence of the Schoharie Creek and river it was always an important trade post for goods, food, and cultures. [Read more…] about Historic Fort Hunter: From Queen Anne’s War to the Erie Canal

Palatines in the Mohawk Valley: 300 Years of History

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Palatine settlementThe earliest European settlers in the Mohawk Valley came from what is now southwestern Germany. Under near constant threat of destruction, whether from multiple wars, invasions, or the plague, in the near hundred years leading up to the 18th century, the southwest German population experienced extreme hardship.

In some cases, entire towns and villages were wiped out. Commercial crops in the vineyards either failed or were destroyed. Invading French armies added to the hardship by burdening residents with housing and supporting soldiers, albeit with scant family resources, forcing many German homeowners to flee. [Read more…] about Palatines in the Mohawk Valley: 300 Years of History

Crossing Schoharie Creek: Erie Canal Stories from David Brooks (Podcast)

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The Historians LogoThis week on The Historians Podcast, David Brooks of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter, NY, explains how Erie Canal boats were able to cross the fast-flowing Schoharie Creek. [Read more…] about Crossing Schoharie Creek: Erie Canal Stories from David Brooks (Podcast)

Schoharie Crossing Offers Online Programs

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Schoharie Crossing on Erie Canal showing 9 arches of aqueduct at Fort HunterSchoharie Crossing State Historic Site will continue to offer online programs throughout the summer even as the Visitor Center is now open by appointment.

The Erie Canal historic site will provide programs through Webex as well as other online platforms and social media. [Read more…] about Schoharie Crossing Offers Online Programs

A Visit To Schoharie Crossing (Liz Covart Podacst)

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ben_franklins_worldA “little short of madness.” That is how Thomas Jefferson responded when two delegates from New York approached him with the idea to build the Erie Canal in January 1809.

Jefferson’s comment did not discourage New Yorkers. On January 4, 1817, New York State began building a 363-mile long canal to link the Hudson River and Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes and the Midwest. [Read more…] about A Visit To Schoharie Crossing (Liz Covart Podacst)

Steps Taken to Preserve Schoharie Aqueduct

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Schoharie AqueductOpened in 1841 to carry canal boats over the Schoharie Creek, Schoharie Aqueduct was one of the major aqueducts of the enlarged Erie Canal. This impressive structure is a centerpiece of the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter. But years of deterioration threaten the stability of the aqueduct and only six of its original 14 stone arches remain. [Read more…] about Steps Taken to Preserve Schoharie Aqueduct

Schoharie Crossing Historic Site Opening May 1st

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The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site Visitor Center in Fort Hunter, NY, is set to re-open for the 2019 season on Wednesday, May 1st at 10 am.

Visitors can witness the engineering marvel of the Erie Canal and check out the “Pathway to Empire” exhibit as well as artifacts from the colonial Fort Hunter and the Lower Castle Mohawk Village. Schoharie Crossing is a good place to witness Erie Canal history and enjoy a day walking the towpath trails, kayaking the creek, cycling the Canalway trail, or just enjoying a picnic and time with family and friends. [Read more…] about Schoharie Crossing Historic Site Opening May 1st

Barge Canal Hydrology Presentation at Schoharie Crossing

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nys canal corporationThe Friends of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is set to welcome NYS Canal Corporation Section Supervisor David Lamphere on Tuesday, April 23rd.

Lamphere will cover how Canal Corp regulates water levels by use of moveable dams, as well as other topics of hydrology and pertaining to operations of the over 100 year old Barge Canal. [Read more…] about Barge Canal Hydrology Presentation at Schoharie Crossing