New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Herkimer COunty

Henry Burleigh, Benjamin Harrison’s Peacock Feather & Political Reporting

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Henry G. BurleighSing along with me to the tune of a familiar nursery rhyme song.

Everywhere that Burleigh went, Burleigh went, Burleigh went – everywhere that Burleigh went the press was sure to follow.

The press followed H.G. Burleigh, a 19th century State Assemblyman, Congressman and political power broker from Whitehall and Ticonderoga, because reporters knew there would always be an entertaining story that more often than not came with a nugget of breaking news. [Read more…] about Henry Burleigh, Benjamin Harrison’s Peacock Feather & Political Reporting

A Short History Of Eagle Bay In The Adirondacks

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Eagle Bay Map Courtesy Adirondack AtlasEagle Bay lies in the middle of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State at an elevation of 1,720 feet. Situated just north of 4th Lake on the Fulton Chain, and about ten miles east of Old Forge, the small hamlet (one of 94 designated hamlets in the Adirondacks) has seasonal activity consisting of winter snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Summer events focus on the various surrounding lakes, ponds, mountains, and hiking trails. [Read more…] about A Short History Of Eagle Bay In The Adirondacks

3,300 Acres Protected Along East Canada Creek Tributary

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Spruce Creek by Bob StoneThe Open Space Institute (OSI) has announced the permanent protection of more than 3,300 acres in the Herkimer County towns of Salisbury and Norway. The tract is comprised of hardwood and softwood forests and significant wetlands within the Mohawk River watershed.

OSI purchased the Spruce Creek property for $3 million from Datum 9 Forestry LLC. [Read more…] about 3,300 Acres Protected Along East Canada Creek Tributary

Comments Sought On Herkimer County Easement Plans

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Three Lakes Tract Easement courtesy Adirodack AtlasThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced they are seeking public input on the development of a draft Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for the Three Lakes Tract Conservation Easement, a privately-owned conservation easement encompassing approximately 3,350 acres in the town of Webb, Herkimer County. [Read more…] about Comments Sought On Herkimer County Easement Plans

Hunters Ticketed For Illegal Camp, Landing Float Plane in Wilderness Area

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Nov 2020 Illegal Wilderness Camp Forest Rangers Hanno and McCartney reported that on Friday, November 13, they discovered an illegal camp near a remote pond in the West Canada Lake Wilderness Area in Ohio Township, Herkimer County, in the Adirondack Park.

Upon further investigation, the Forest Rangers say they observed multiple state land violations, and decided to monitor the site for suspects. [Read more…] about Hunters Ticketed For Illegal Camp, Landing Float Plane in Wilderness Area

Women of the Mohawk Valley Program Planned

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rome historical societyUntil the twentieth century, women were often overlooked by historians. Fortunately for those of us who live in Oneida and Herkimer Counties, a collaborative project, Women Belong In History Books, has captured many inspiring stories of notable women. [Read more…] about Women of the Mohawk Valley Program Planned

Murder of a Herkimer County Teacher in 1914

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The Historians LogoThis week on “The Historians” podcast, Dennis Webster looks back at a precedent setting murder case in his new book, Murder of a Herkimer County Teacher: The Shocking 1914 Case of a Vengeful Student. (History Press, 2017)

Listen to the podcast here. [Read more…] about Murder of a Herkimer County Teacher in 1914

Women in History: Herkimer and Oneida Counties

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The Historians LogoThis week “The Historians” podcast features an interview with Jane Spellman, author of Women Belong in History Books: Herkimer and Oneida Counties, 1700-1950.

Retired as executive director of the Herkimer County Historical Society, Spellman and over twenty women worked on research for this book. You can hear listen to “The Historians” podcast online here. [Read more…] about Women in History: Herkimer and Oneida Counties

‘French Louie Day’ Recalls Adirondack Folk Hero

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young-louie-300The Herkimer County Legislature has named Friday “French Louie Day” in honor of the noted French-Canadian Adirondacker Louis Seymour. A celebration is planned for Saturday in the Town of Inlet.

Friday marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Seymour, who made the wilderness between Inlet and Lake Pleasant his home from the 1860s until his death in Newton’s Corners (now Speculator) on February 27, 1915. Seymour’s name became legend after the 1952 biography Adirondack French Louie: Life in the North Woods by Utica author Harvey Dunham, which portrayed him as a man of hard work, determination and humor. [Read more…] about ‘French Louie Day’ Recalls Adirondack Folk Hero