The Second Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776 with 12 colonies and one abstention. The delegation from New York abstained from the vote. And Pennsylvania voted in favor of independence because two of its delegates were persuaded not to attend the vote given their opposition. [Read more…] about John Dickinson, Life, Religion, & Politics
New York
The Forgotten War Between the United States and Canada
William Lyon MacKenzie strode into a packed theater in Buffalo, NY on the night of Dec. 12, 1837, his blue eyes blazing beneath his high, broad forehead, his sandy whiskers a chinstrap beard. The short, wiry 42-year-old native of Scotland had arrived in the booming border city a day earlier, a fugitive with a price on his head, after launching an ill-fated rebellion against the oligarchy that ruled colonial Canada.
More than 2,000 Buffalo residents waited anxiously to hear him speak, quite a crowd for a city of not even 18,000 souls. [Read more…] about The Forgotten War Between the United States and Canada
A Visit To Schoharie Crossing (Liz Covart Podacst)
A “little short of madness.” That is how Thomas Jefferson responded when two delegates from New York approached him with the idea to build the Erie Canal in January 1809.
Jefferson’s comment did not discourage New Yorkers. On January 4, 1817, New York State began building a 363-mile long canal to link the Hudson River and Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes and the Midwest. [Read more…] about A Visit To Schoharie Crossing (Liz Covart Podacst)
NY History Progress in 2018, Looking Ahead to 2019
This is the time of year when the Governor is preparing his state-of-the state message, the Division of the Budget is assembling the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget, and legislative leaders are working on their priorities. What will be done to advance state and local history?
As 2018 closes and we look ahead to 2019, there is progress and momentum in several areas, thanks to the leaders of several programs and the energy and work of many people in the history community. [Read more…] about NY History Progress in 2018, Looking Ahead to 2019
Podcast Considers What Makes New York, New York
In the latest episode of the “New Netherland Praatjes” podcast, author and museum curator Steve Jaffe chats with Steve McErleane and Russell Shorto about Jaffe’s work on the “New York at Its Core” exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, a new installation that attempts to answer the question “What makes New York New York?”
Topics include the challenges of presenting history to the public, the role of technology in museums, and how museum professionals have dealt with the death of the so-called grand narrative. Listen to the podcast here. [Read more…] about Podcast Considers What Makes New York, New York
South Street Seaport Museum 50th Anniversary Celebration
The South Street Seaport Museum will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a dockside celebration and benefit at Pier 16 in New York City, featuring cocktails and dinner, on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.
The celebration will begin at 6 pm with a VIP cocktail reception in the Captain’s saloon and on the quarterdeck of 1885 sailing ship Wavertree. At 6:30 pm the general admission cocktail reception will begin aboard Wavertree. A dockside dinner featuring catering by Cipriani will be held at 7:30 pm. [Read more…] about South Street Seaport Museum 50th Anniversary Celebration
Hasbrouck House: The Book of Eli
When people visit Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh, New York they are also visiting a Hasbrouck house. This home and farm, from the 18th to mid -19th centuries, belonged to the Hasbrouck Family until it was acquired by New York State.
Some of what we know about the Hasbrouck’s life there came by way of Eli Hasbrouck. [Read more…] about Hasbrouck House: The Book of Eli
Please Contribute To The NY History Blog For 2016
The New York History Blog relies on contributions from readers to keep publishing important news relevant to the New York State History community. We’ve seen some successes in promoting the cause of New York State’s history, among them lending our voices to help revive New York State History Month, and toward the re-establishment of a full-time New York State Historian. We’ve promoted thousands of exhibits, events, collections, historic sites, and new publications.
Now we need your help to keep going in 2016. Giving is easy, and this year it’s even easier – you can simply send a check to The New York History Blog, 7269 State Route 9, Chestertown, NY 12817 – or contribute via this year’s Rally.org campaign here: https://rally.org/f/5QOqoCY4K4U [Read more…] about Please Contribute To The NY History Blog For 2016
Bruce Dearstyne’s Spirit of New York
In his new book, Bruce W. Dearstyne presents New York State history by exploring sixteen dramatic events. From the launch of the state government in April 1777 to the tragedy of September 11, 2001, these events altered the course of state and US history.
Chapters describe great political changes, historical turning points, and struggles for social, racial, and environmental reform. [Read more…] about Bruce Dearstyne’s Spirit of New York
Museum of the City of New York Names New President, Director
The Board of Trustees of the Museum of the City of New York has appointed Whitney W. Donhauser President and Director of the Museum. She will join the City Museum on January 1, 2016, succeeding Susan Henshaw Jones who is retiring at the end of the year.
Whitney W. Donhauser has had a 23-year career in museum management and fundraising. As Senior Advisor to the President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Donhauser worked with the Museum’s Board of Trustees, Director, President, and executive leadership on formulating and implementing Museum policy. [Read more…] about Museum of the City of New York Names New President, Director