News and Views from the Empire State
We are fortunate that New York State is represented in the US Congress by members of the House of Representatives and Senate whose steadfast support of our museum sector has historically helped sustain our federal funding agencies.
New York Congressional Representatives were also instrumental in passing the CARES Act, which included provisions that helped many museums in New York State through this worldwide health crisis. [Read more…] about NYS Museums Slouch Towards Recovery
The next grant round of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s New York State Historic Marker Grant Program officially opens today, Friday, July 31.
This roadside marker program commemorates historic people, places, things or events in New York State within the time frame of 1740-1920. Grants cover the entire cost of a cast aluminum marker, pole and shipping. [Read more…] about Grants Available for Upstate Historic Markers
The Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) and Lake Champlain Basin Program awarded more than $200,000 in grants to organizations in Vermont, New York and Québec for projects that promote and protect the region’s history in 2020 and 2021.
Smuggling, bootlegging, and moonshining are among the stories of the Champlain Valley’s past that will be highlighted. [Read more…] about New Projects to Preserve, Celebrate Champlain Valley Heritage
During the American Civil War – which, despite attempts to argue otherwise, was in effect America’s crusade against slavery – several hundred thousand citizens from New York State enlisted in the United States Army.
Many from Saratoga County (and also some from Essex and Fulton Counties) joined the 77th Regiment, its unit number chosen to recall the 1777 Battle of Saratoga during the American Revolution. It was known as the “Bemis Heights Regiment,” the place so evocative of the “turning point” of the War of Independence. [Read more…] about The Life and Death of Saratoga’s Statue to the 77th Regiment
The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded The Green-Wood Historic Fund a prestigious Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant to create a digitized and searchable database of the hand-written records of all interments at Green-Wood in its first century of operation. [Read more…] about Green-Wood Cemetery Digitizing 1840-1937 Burial Registry
In popular culture, “Victorian” is considered an architectural style, but historians are quick to point out that there were actually several very distinctive and different styles that make up Victorian.
Architecture can be divided and subdivided and so on, creating dozens of names for various styles. Even more confusing is that some styles get multiple names. [Read more…] about Italianate Architecture: From Italy to America
Rehabilitation of the historic Cleveland Dock Fishing Access Site on Oneida Lake is complete and the site is now open to the public.
Located at 69 State Route 49 in the village of Cleveland, Oswego County, the dock provides access for fishing and draws visitors for open water fishing, ice fishing, and boat docking. The site also provides emergency services access and helps connect boaters to the New York State Canal system. [Read more…] about Oneida Lake’s Historic Cleveland Dock Project Complete
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation and the Museum Association of New York (MANY) have announced a third round of the Pomeroy Fund for NYS History to provide an additional $50,000 in grants in a continuation of rapid response to history-related organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more…] about Pomeroy Fund For NYS History Launches 3rd Round
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation (SSPF) has announced this week’s Summer Sunday Stroll is Wealth & Wellness: Franklin Square. The tour is being led by NYS Assemblywoman and former SSPF Executive Director, Carrie Woerner on Sunday, July 5th at 10:30 am, with a second tour at 1 pm.
Historic Franklin Square in Saratoga Springs is a veritable showcase of American architectural history and home to some of the oldest private residences in the city. This tour meets at the northwest corner of Division Street and Broadway. [Read more…] about Wealth & Wellness: Saratoga Summer Strolls
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has announced the recipients of the 2020 Erie Canalway Heritage Award of Excellence. This years recipients are Erie Canal Heritage Park at Port Byron and Gateway Harbor of the Tonawandas in North Tonawanda and Tonawanda. The Port of Newark in Newark received Honorable Mention. [Read more…] about Erie Canalway Heritage Award Winners Announced