History, Natural History & the Arts
Every year in October the Lower Manhattan Historical Society holds its Saratoga/Yorktown celebration in Trinity Churchyard to celebrate the American victories at the Battles of Saratoga and Yorktown.
At that ceremony wreaths are lain on the graves of Revolutionary War figures associated with those battles — Horatio Gates, Alexander Hamilton and Marinus Willett. [Read more…] about Marinus Willet, Tammany Hall & The Treaty of New York
This week on The Historians Podcast, Leader Herald newspaper columnist Peter Betz has documented how Johnstown celebrated the Fourth of July 200 years ago with cannon shots, a parade and celebration at a local hotel. Some Revolutionary War veterans were still alive for these festivities. Betz also has details on Johnstown native Enos Throop who served as governor of New York from 1829 to 1832. [Read more…] about Celebrating July 4th in Johnstown 200 Years Ago; NY Gov Enos Throop
Acting Director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History, Matthew R. Costello’s new book The Property of the Nation: George Washington’s Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the Memory of the First President (University Press of Kansas, 2019) looks at the life of George Washington, and how he has been viewed throughout history. [Read more…] about Book Talk: Memory of the First President
Johnson Hall was the 1763 Georgian estate of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant and their family. Sir William Johnson (1715 – 1774) was the single largest landowner and among the most influential individuals in the colonial Mohawk Valley.
The main house and flanking stonehouses interpret the Johnson family and 18th century life through guided tours of the period room settings, educational programs and special events. In conjunction with the City of Johnstown’s Colonial Stroll holiday activities, Johnson Hall is set to hold its Holiday Open House on Friday, December 6 from 5 to 8:30 pm. [Read more…] about Johnson Hall Holiday Open House
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
Johnson Hall State Historic Site, located at 139 Hall Ave in Johnstown, Fulton County, NY, is set to present two interpretive programs about 18th century life at the Hall on Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14. [Read more…] about Programs Highlight 18th Century Life at Johnson Hall
This week on The Historians Podcast with Bob Cudmore, Sandra Maceyka, vice president of the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Women’s Consortium (ECSWC), explains a fund raising campaign to build a statue of the women’s rights leader in Stanton’s home town of Johnstown. [Read more…] about Elizabeth Cady Stanton Statue Planned For Johnstown
In conjunction with the City of Johnstown’s Colonial Stroll holiday activities, Johnson Hall State Historic Site is set to hold its Holiday Open House on Friday, November 30 from 5 to 8 pm.
Johnson Hall will be decorated for the holiday season and will feature live 18th century music performed by Liaison Plaisantes. Homemade mulled cider will be served at the Stonehouse fireplace. The museum shop will offer 20% off for holiday shopping that evening. Horse-drawn wagon rides of the mansion’s circular drive, by Fritz-Ann Farms, will be available to visitors between 6 and 8:30 pm. [Read more…] about Johnson Hall Holiday Open House
This week on The Historians podcast, site manager Wade Wells at Johnson Hall State Historic Site in Johnstown, NY, looks at how 18th century settlers prepared for winter. [Read more…] about Preparing for Winter in the 18th Century
Johnson Hall State Historic Site is set to commemerate the anniversary of the July 11, 1774 death of Sir William Johnson by presenting a program on “Disease, Death and Mourning in the 18th Century” on Saturday, July 14. [Read more…] about Johnson Hall Event On 1700s Disease, Death and Mourning