On this episode of the Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast newly appointed Ulster County, NY, historian Eddie Moran discusses the role of a municipal historian and emphasizes the importance of presenting a complete and accurate history that includes all groups, with one such focus on the indigenous Lenape people. [Read more…] about Inside the Ulster County Archives
Municipal Historians
New York City Municipal Archives: A Short History
When we think about the past, how do we know what we know about it? Sure, someone can tell you that something happened, but what about events and actions that took place beyond the reaches of living memory?
For archivists, the answer to this question is simple: the documentary record. Our ability to authenticate what we know (or challenge what we think we know) about the past rests in the security, integrity, and accessibility of the archival record. [Read more…] about New York City Municipal Archives: A Short History
Greenfield, Saratoga County, Appoints A New Historian
The Town of Greenfield in Saratoga County, has appointed resident Duane Cornell to the position of Town Historian. The role had been held for the past ten years by Ron Feulner, who died earlier this year. [Read more…] about Greenfield, Saratoga County, Appoints A New Historian
Norman Carlson Appointed New Chautauqua County Historian
Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. has announced the appointment of Norman Carlson as the new Chautauqua County Historian. This position had been vacant for several months following the retirement of the former historian, Michelle Henry. [Read more…] about Norman Carlson Appointed New Chautauqua County Historian
Is There Anything New in History?
Is there anything new in history? Of course there is! Anyone follows the New York Almanack or the announcements and Historian’s Notes on the Office of State History’s site sees new and exciting developments in New York’s robust history community every day.
But here are a few things – all except the first from beyond New York – which haven’t received much attention that might be of interest to the state’s history community: [Read more…] about Is There Anything New in History?
History of the Association of Public Historians of New York State
In 1919 New York State passed legislation to create an officially-appointed historian in every town, village, city, borough and county across the Empire State. It provided every municipality with a distinctly identifiable person whose duties would be to ensure that the history of that area was collected, preserved and used to promote the history and heritage of the communities of New York. [Read more…] about History of the Association of Public Historians of New York State
Museums, Historical Societies: Be Prepared for Winter
I admit to being one of those people who perhaps overly prepares for winter in Upstate New York. We have a generator for our 200-year-old home because we live in a place where the power goes out. I have a “winter bag” with blankets, flashlight, water, and granola bars as well as a very large brush and ice scraper in my car.
In the Museum Association of New York office in Troy, we keep extra jackets on hand and cover the windows with plastic to hold back wind blowing off the Hudson River. [Read more…] about Museums, Historical Societies: Be Prepared for Winter
Cornwall-on-Hudson Historian Colette Fulton Being Honored
Former Cornwall-on-Hudson Village Historian Colette C. Fulton has been named the 2023 Martha Washington Woman of History.
This award is given annually by Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site to a woman who has made a contribution to the history of the Hudson Valley through education, promotion, or preservation. The honor was inspired by Martha Washington, who resided in the Hudson Valley with her husband, General George Washington, during the last days of the Revolutionary War. [Read more…] about Cornwall-on-Hudson Historian Colette Fulton Being Honored
NY State, Counties Still Not Fully Engaged With American 250th Anniversary
This week on The Historians Podcast, New York State Historian Devin Lander joins host Bob Cudmore. Lander previews the 250th anniversary of American independence which will be observed from 2025 through 2033.
The state has authorized a commission to oversee events, however some of the 13 appointees to a state commission have not yet been named, and the vast majority of counties in the state have taken no action to remember this important anniversary. [Read more…] about NY State, Counties Still Not Fully Engaged With American 250th Anniversary
A First Ever National Census of History Organizations
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has announced the results of the first ever National Census of History Organizations, an effort to research the size and scope of the history community in the United States. [Read more…] about A First Ever National Census of History Organizations
2021 Municipal Historian Reports Due
As per § 57.09 of the NYS Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, all appointed Local Government Historians “shall make an annual report, in the month of January, to the local appointing officer or officers and to the state historian of the work which has been accomplished during the preceding year.”
In an attempt to make this process easier, the State Historian has created an online form. [Read more…] about 2021 Municipal Historian Reports Due
Municipal Historians: Start Documenting COVID-19 Crisis
The Association of Public Historians of New York State is asking local government-appointed historians, to document the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact on their communities and how citizens respond.
Government-appointed historians have a duty under New York State Law to document these sorts of episodes and may wish to partner with local historical societies. “The key here is to document, collect, and preserve as much data and information on the local reaction to COVID-19 as you can,” an announcement from APHNYS said. [Read more…] about Municipal Historians: Start Documenting COVID-19 Crisis
Kinderhook Historian Named 2020 Woman of History
Historian and preservationist Ruth Piwonka is this year’s recipient of the Martha Washington Woman of History Award. This award is given by Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site each year to a woman who has made a contribution to the history of the Hudson Valley through education, promotion, or preservation. The honor was inspired by Martha Washington, who resided in the Hudson Valley with her husband, General George Washington, during the last days of the Revolutionary War. [Read more…] about Kinderhook Historian Named 2020 Woman of History
Peter Feinman: Historians Need Meetings and Meetups
Historians can often be isolated. They need fellow historians to thrive. After years in graduate school, perhaps more writing a dissertation – how many colleagues will you have who share the same interest?
We are a social species and storytellers, so we periodically need to gather. I recently explored how important that is. You can read about it here.
NYS Historians Law Celebrates 100th Birthday
One hundred years ago, on April 11, 1919, New York Governor Al Smith signed the “Historians Law.” The first law of its kind in the United States, the Historians Law allowed for every village, town, and city in the state to have an official historian to gather and preserve historical records.
On the this episode of A New York Minute In History, host and New York State Historian Devin Lander is joined by Clifton Park Historian John Scherer, Saratoga County Historian Lauren Roberts, and former Broome County Historian and past president of the Association of Public Historians of New York State Gerald Smith to discuss the role of local historians and the integral part they play in their communities. [Read more…] about NYS Historians Law Celebrates 100th Birthday
Public Historians Regional Mtg In Oneida Co Saturday
The Association of Public Historians in New York State (APHNYS) has announced their Region 7 (Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, and Schoharie counties) spring meeting has been set for Saturday, May 5, 2018, from 9 am to 3 pm.
The meeting will be held at the Waterville Library, 206 White Street in Waterville. The schedule includes: [Read more…] about Public Historians Regional Mtg In Oneida Co Saturday
Lessons From Ulster County’s History Conference
New Ulster County Historian Geoff Miller spent his first year getting the lay of the land, and getting to know his fellow local historians.
As a follow-up, he helped convene a team of municipal historians and county historical society members to organize an Ulster County history conference.
The theme was resources (not local history stories) and addressed the resources available to the history community of Ulster County at the state, regional, and county level. [Read more…] about Lessons From Ulster County’s History Conference
Chris Leonard, New Schenectady City Historian
This week on The Historians podcast, Chris Leonard, the newly appointed Schenectady City Historian, talks about the many facets of the Electric City from General Electric and Charles Steinmetz, to the GE Realty Plot, baseball and even food.
Listen to the podcast here. [Read more…] about Chris Leonard, New Schenectady City Historian
Carol Kammen: NY Municipal Historians Report Lessons
There are some obvious truths that emerge from the survey of New York State county and borough historians, submitted by the State Historian to all county and borough historians in September 2017 to which approximately 30 individuals responded.
What follows is apparent from the surveys and is a composite of their responses but cannot be considered absolute for all those who answered the survey. There are variables that will be discussed below. [Read more…] about Carol Kammen: NY Municipal Historians Report Lessons
New Online Reporting System For Local Historians
§57.09 of the NYS Arts and Cultural Affairs Law requires all appointed Local Government Historians to “make an annual report, in the month of January, to the local appointing officer or officers and to the state historian of the work which has been accomplished during the preceding year.”
New York State Historian Devin Lander and the Office of State History have made online submission of the required report available to allow historians to more easily make their required report via the web.
[Read more…] about New Online Reporting System For Local Historians