History, Natural History & the Arts
“Kittie” Putman and “Minnie” Knapp each came to the Cherry Hill Mansion in Albany, NY after her mother’s death to be raised by Van Rensselaer descendant and 3rd-generation mistress of the estate, Harriet Maria Van Elmendorf.
Both wards, but not quite sisters, Kittie was herself a Van Rensselaer descendant while Minnie was likely descended from Dinah Jackson, an enslaved woman. [Read more…] about Agency & Identity: Cherry Hill’s Would-Be Sisters
In the 19th century the new art of photography changed how people viewed the world. Now they did not have to make long, dangerous, and expensive journeys to learn about faraway lands – photography could take you there. Meanwhile, the development of 3D stereoscopes, together with photography, would create an “immersive experience” which even families of modest means could enjoy.
The stereoscope with its photographic view cards would introduce people to scenes from around the world. [Read more…] about Stereoscopes: Bringing The World To Your Parlor
The Pomeroy Fund for NYS History has awarded 20 history-related organizations across New York State $5,000 each during its fifth grant round to bring back or hire museum educators. [Read more…] about $100K Awarded To Museum Educators
Historic Cherry Hill in Albany will host a tour program looking at the May 7th, 1827 murder at Cherry Hill that led to two sensational trials and Albany’s last public hanging, set for Wednesday through Saturday, October 19th through 22nd and October 26th through 29th.
[Read more…] about Murder At Cherry Hill & Albany’s Last Public Hanging
The Gilded Age was a period of gross materialism and political corruption which began after the Civil War and lasted through the turn of the 20th century.
Many Irish Americans in Albany were still struggling to support themselves, working as laborers, maids, and often dealing with anti-Catholic resentment. However, there was a growing sense of solidarity and power within the group as many were lifted out of poverty and became involved in politics and civil service. [Read more…] about The Irish in the Gilded Age Albany
Historic Cherry Hill in Albany‘s South End has announced that the museum has received two competitive federal planning grants for a large, multi-year reinterpretation project.
Entitled We Carry It Within Us: Reinterpretation at Historic Cherry Hill, the project was awarded $48,165 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and a $50,000 Inspire! Grant for Small Museums from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
With these grants, Historic Cherry Hill is now expected to complete plans for a new tour and orientation exhibit which incorporates new research and scholarship on underrepresented narratives at Cherry Hill. [Read more…] about Albany’s Historic Cherry Hill to Redesign Museum’s Core Tour
Historic Cherry Hill in Albany will host “Swept Clean,” an immersive theatre experience written by Dr. Krysta Dennis, which tells the Gilded Age story of crisis and romance following the financial ruin of the Van Rensselaer descendants residing at Cherry Hill. [Read more…] about Immersive Theatre Performance Brings Gilded Age To Life In Albany
The 2022 Albany History Fair will be held in-person on Sunday, May 1st at Historic Cherry Hill.
An annual tradition for the past 23 years, the fair went virtual during the COVID crisis but returns this year with a full roster of presentations and activities. [Read more…] about Albany History Fair Returns to Cherry Hill Sunday
Historic Cherry Hill has announced Multivocal Learning: Albany’s History for Albany’s Students, a school program collaboration with Albany County Historical Association’s Ten Broeck Mansion and the Underground Railroad Education Center at the Myers Residence and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). [Read more…] about Historic Cherry Hill Grant to Support Multi-Site School Programs
Historic Cherry Hill in Albany has announced that the museum has been awarded a competitive grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support an afterschool teen guide training program, History is Now, for the 2021-2022 school year. [Read more…] about Historic Cherry Hill Planning Albany Teen After School Program