Liberty Poles

Liberty Poles and Liberty Hats: Symbols of the Revolution

May 30, 2025 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

One symbol of the American Revolution (and French Revolution) that dates back to the ancient times is the “liberty hat” (Phrygian Cap or bonnets rouges in French). This soft, usually red, brimless conical cap with top bending forward gets its name from Phrygia, an ancient kingdom in Anatolia (modern Turkey).

In the Roman Empire, a similar hat called a pileus was given to freed slaves to indicate they were now citizens of the Roman Empire. Down through the years, this hat became a symbol of freedom and liberty throughout Europe, especially in the later 1700s.
[Read more…] about Liberty Poles and Liberty Hats: Symbols of the Revolution

Montgomery County Liberty Pole Raising Event

May 15, 2025 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

In 1775, more than 300 “rebels” gathered at the Montgomery County, NY home of Johannes Veeder to denounce British rule and raise a liberty pole — a public declaration of support for the Patriot cause. The Veeder family, which included Col. Volkert Veeder and state legislators Johannes Veeder and Simon Veeder, owned the land on which the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine and Historic Site now stands for much of the 18th and 19th centuries. [Read more…] about Montgomery County Liberty Pole Raising Event

Collecting for Posterity: America’s First Curators

March 13, 2025 by Jaap Harskamp Leave a Comment

Curators are the keepers or custodians of a museum, library or other collection. The term is derived from the Latin curare, meaning to take care. Its linguistic history is intriguing, but the connotation of “guardianship” was maintained throughout.

In Ancient Rome, curatores were civil servants in charge of public works, overseeing the Empire’s aqueducts, bathhouses and sewers. From the early fifteenth century onward to the medieval period, the curatus was a parish priest devoted to the care (cura) of minors, “lunatics,” and other vulnerable people. During the 1660s, individuals charged with the care and preservation of precious collections of art, books and artifacts (initially at private estates) were referred to as curators. [Read more…] about Collecting for Posterity: America’s First Curators

Schenectady’s Liberty Poles & Flags Feature At January Commemoration

December 4, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Before the United States flag took its official and now more familiar form in 1777, several other flags served to protest infringements on liberties in the British colonies. One popular design, long before independence, simply proclaimed “Liberty.”

Protesting American colonists had been hoisting flags with the word “Liberty” since at least the time of the Stamp Act crisis of 1765. The dark blue silk Liberty Flag of Schenectady, believed to have been created between 1765 and 1771, had the word “Liberty” sewn on both sides. [Read more…] about Schenectady’s Liberty Poles & Flags Feature At January Commemoration

The American Liberty Pole: Popular Politics and the Struggle for Democracy

November 8, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

During the American Revolution and into the early republic, Americans fought with one another over the kinds of political expression and activity that independence legitimized.

Liberty poles — tall wooden poles bearing political flags and signs — were a central fixture of the popular debates of the late eighteenth century. [Read more…] about The American Liberty Pole: Popular Politics and the Struggle for Democracy

The Revolution’s First Bloodshed, New York’s Liberty Poles & The Battle of Golden Hill

July 21, 2023 by Johanna Porr 2 Comments

After the end of the French and Indian War, there was tension over King George III and Parliament’s plan to tax the Colonies to pay off the war debt. John Wilkes, editor of The North Briton newspaper and a member of Parliament, opposed the King in his publications.

Wilkes’ most critical editorial was printed in 1763 in Issue # 45, a number highlighted to evoke memories of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745, commonly referred to as “The 45 Rebellion” or simply “45” in political culture. The King was personally offended and issued a warrant for Wilkes’ arrest. [Read more…] about The Revolution’s First Bloodshed, New York’s Liberty Poles & The Battle of Golden Hill

Troy’s Anti-Irish St Patrick’s Day Riot of 1837

January 25, 2021 by John Warren 5 Comments

On the Morning of St. Patrick’s Day, 1837, Troy’s Irish immigrants woke to an annual indignation – mocking effigies hung around the city. Boys spent the morning parading one along River Street. A lone brave Irishman attempted to pull it down but was turned away by its defenders. He left the scene, returned with members of the Hibernian Society, and together they moved a second time toward the offending stuffed figure.

“Stones were thrown and the wildest disorder prevailed” at the intersection of Ferry and River streets in the heart of the city. The Irish were outnumbered, and during this short melee several men were injured, John Foster seriously. As word of the fight spread, rumors an Irishman had made an unprovoked attack on an American brought hundreds to the corner. “The crowd began to assume a fearful aspect,” one observer reported, “stones were flying in every direction.” [Read more…] about Troy’s Anti-Irish St Patrick’s Day Riot of 1837

A Cannon Explodes: 19th Century Electioneering In Otsego County

December 18, 2017 by Tyler Stump 1 Comment

On the morning of August 28, 1888 residents of Dimmock Hollow (Ostego County) woke up knowing that it was going to be a memorable day. They couldn’t have known how right they were. [Read more…] about A Cannon Explodes: 19th Century Electioneering In Otsego County

Liberty Poles

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