This week on The Historians Podcast, David Pietrusza discusses his memoir Too Long Ago: A Childhood Memory, A Vanished World about his Amsterdam, NY, roots. Pietrusza is a historian who has written books about presidential elections and other topics. He and podcast host Bob Cudmore were raised in the Reid Hill section of Amsterdam, a primarily Polish-American neighborhood in the 1950s. [Read more…] about Growing Up in Amsterdam, NY, in the 1950s
Montgomery County
Virtual Coffee with a State Historian November 13th
The Montgomery County Department of History & Archives has announced “Coffee with a Historian” with New York State Historian Devin Lander, a free virtual event set for Friday, November 13th. [Read more…] about Virtual Coffee with a State Historian November 13th
Mohawk Valley History Stories Podcast
This week on The Historians Podcast, Bob Cudmore reads three stories from an audio tour compiled by Montgomery County historian Kelly Yacobucci Farquhar: the Palatine Church, Charleston’s forests and the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine. Also the story of Amsterdam drama coach Bert DeRose and from the archives, historian David Pietrusza on the last years of Teddy Roosevelt. [Read more…] about Mohawk Valley History Stories Podcast
Erie Canal Biking in Montgomery Co
This week’s guest on The Historians Podcast is Montgomery County historian Kelly Yacobucci Farquhar discussing an audio tour along the Erie Canal Bikeway in that county. Bob Cudmore reads three vignettes from the tour — Fort Klock, the Noses and the Putman Canal Store. [Read more…] about Erie Canal Biking in Montgomery Co
Minden, Montgomery Co, History Fair On Saturday
The Town of Minden is set to hold its 5th Annual History Fair on Saturday, September 21st from 10 am to 4 pm, at Haslett Park in downtown Fort Plain. [Read more…] about Minden, Montgomery Co, History Fair On Saturday
A Schoharie Aqueduct Preservation Project Update
The Aqueduct Alliance is an informal group of organizations and individuals working to preserve the Schoharie Aqueduct, the ruins of the Erie Canal aqueduct over Schoharie Creek at Schoharie Crossing. They hope to expand the knowledge and appreciation of the structure, and make it more accessible to visitors. Montgomery County is seeking two grants totaling $800,000 to begin the multi-phase project.
The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is the only location where all three phases of New York’s Canals can be seen at once. In addition to the Schoharie Aqueduct, the only two remaining locks of the original canal can be found at Schoharie Crossing, as well as three enlarged canal locks and one barge canal lock. [Read more…] about A Schoharie Aqueduct Preservation Project Update
World War One’s End in Montgomery, Fulton Counties
This week on The Historians podcast, Bob Cudmore discusses the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and how the war impacted the Amsterdam, NY area. Another topic: a steam train excursion in upstate New York in 1968. [Read more…] about World War One’s End in Montgomery, Fulton Counties
The End of Amsterdam, New York’s Carpet City Days
This week on The Historians Podcast, Bob Cudmore chronicles the final years of the carpet mills that had dominated the economic life of Amsterdam, New York. Also discussed: the importance of a Montgomery County church in the American Revolution. [Read more…] about The End of Amsterdam, New York’s Carpet City Days
The Civil War Dream Experience
This week on “The Historians” podcast, Wanda Burch discusses her book, The Home Voices Speak Louder than the Drums: Dreams and the Imagination in Civil War Letters and Memoirs. Singer-songwriter John Kenosian has set some of these letters and memoirs to music. Kenosian and Burch are performing a concert series in New York’s Montgomery County called Home Voices: The American Civil War Experience through Words and Music.
Listen to the podcast here. [Read more…] about The Civil War Dream Experience
Collections Sought for Town of Minden History Fair
The Town of Minden will hold its 3rd Annual History Fair on Saturday June 3rd from 10 am to 4 pm. The event is a chance for local history enthusiasts to show their collections and exchange information on the history of Fort Plain, the Town of Minden and greater Montgomery County.
Those with large collections may reserve table space for exhibition but residents are encouraged to bring their own interesting “pieces of history” for viewing and discussion. An antique appraiser will be on hand to offer his opinion on the value of individual items. [Read more…] about Collections Sought for Town of Minden History Fair