New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Fort Plain Museum

Dr. Joseph Warren

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Joseph WarrenDr. Joseph Warren (1741 – 1775) played a leading role in Patriot organizations in Boston at the beginning of the American Revolution, eventually serving as President of the revolutionary Massachusetts Provincial Congress. He enlisted Paul Revere and William Dawes to spread the alarm that the British were moving to Concord and arrest rebel leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Warren was at the Battles of Lexington and Concord the following day.

Warren was commissioned a major general in the colony’s militia before the Battle of Bunker Hill. Instead, he participated in the battle as a private soldier, and was killed when British troops stormed Breed’s Hill. [Read more…] about Dr. Joseph Warren

Washington’s Army: Surviving the Winters

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surviving the wintersBook purchases made through this link support New York Almanack’s mission to report new publications relevant to New York State.

George Washington and his Continental Army braving the frigid winter at Valley Forge form an iconic image in the popular history of the American Revolution. Such winter camps were also a critical factor in the waging and winning of the War of Independence.

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Winning Independence: The Decisive Years 1778-1781

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Winning IndependenceBook purchases made through this link support New York Almanack’s mission to report new publications relevant to New York State.

It was 1778, and the recent American victory at Saratoga had netted the U.S a powerful ally in France. Many, including General George Washington, presumed France’s entrance into the war meant independence was just around the corner.

Meanwhile, having lost an entire army at Saratoga, Great Britain pivoted to a “southern strategy.” The army would henceforth seek to regain its southern colonies, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, a highly profitable segment of its pre-war American empire. [Read more…] about Winning Independence: The Decisive Years 1778-1781

George Washington & Slavery at Mount Vernon

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The Only Unavoidable Subject of RegretBook purchases made through this link support New York Almanack’s mission to report new publications relevant to New York State.

George Washington’s life has been scrutinized by historians over the past three centuries, but the day-to-day lives of Mount Vernon’s enslaved workers, who left few written records but made-up 90 percent of the estate’s population, have been largely left out of the story.

In her book The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret: George Washington, Slavery, and the Enslaved Community at Mount Vernon (Univ. of Virginia Press, 2019), Mary Thompson offers the first comprehensive account of those who served in bondage at Mount Vernon.

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New Book On Revolutionary War Forts at Canajohary

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fort plain fort plank and fort rensselaerA great deal of confusion has developed regarding the historical identities of Fort Plain, Fort Plank and Fort Rensselaer.

To help dispel that confusion, the Fort Plain Museum has recently published an important new book, Fort Plain, Fork Plank, Fort Rensselaer: The Revolutionary War Forts of Canajohary by Wayne Lenig. [Read more…] about New Book On Revolutionary War Forts at Canajohary

Fort Plain Museum’s Christmas at the Fort

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Fort Plain Museum Holiday EventThe Fort Plain Museum is set to hold its annual Christmas at the Fort holiday event on Saturday, December 7th, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Back this year is the local author book fair featuring local authors from the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. Authors will sign and discuss their books on Mohawk Valley history, the American Revolution, the Civil War, Science Fiction/Horror, Politics, and more nonfiction/fiction works. [Read more…] about Fort Plain Museum’s Christmas at the Fort

Small Business Sat, Museum Store Sun in Fort Plain

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The Fort Plain Museum is set to participate in Small Business Saturday and Museum Store Sunday, by offering 20% off entire purchases on Saturday, November 30th and Sunday, December 1st.

Free admission to the museum will be included with any purchase. [Read more…] about Small Business Sat, Museum Store Sun in Fort Plain

Marinus Willett, the Battle of Johnstown, and a Hated Loyalist

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Johnstown Battle Field marker

The Battle of Johnstown and the death of Walter Butler are considered two of the more important events in the final phase of the Revolutionary War in the Mohawk Valley. More than any other events in his life, these events are seen as raising Col. Marinus Willett from to the status of “Hero of the Mohawk Valley.”

[Read more…] about Marinus Willett, the Battle of Johnstown, and a Hated Loyalist