In 1868, just a few years after the end of the Civil War, novelist John William De Forest published an essay in The Nation, a political magazine that had been founded in July 1865 in Nassau Street, Manhattan. His contribution was titled “The Great American Novel.” [Read more…] about Documentary: The Great American Novel, Truman Capote & Che Guevara
Oral History
Sing Sing Prison Break: A Hudson River Fishing Tale
The Hudson River Maritime Museum has an extensive collection of oral histories interviews of Hudson River commercial fisherman, including Edward Hatzmann, who was recorded on April 25th, 1992.
Hatzmann recalled a story told to him by fellow fisherman Charlie Rohr, about a prison break from Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, New York. [Read more…] about Sing Sing Prison Break: A Hudson River Fishing Tale
John Brown Lives! Launches Freedom Story Project
John Brown Lives! (JBL!) launched its “Freedom Story Project” website during the first-ever Adirondack Family Book Festival at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site. [Read more…] about John Brown Lives! Launches Freedom Story Project
Adirondack Community Story Project Celebrates Milestone
The Keene Valley Library will host a program celebrating the over 250 stories available through “Adirondack Community: Capturing, Retaining, and Communicating the Stories of Who We Are,” set for Saturday, July 23rd. [Read more…] about Adirondack Community Story Project Celebrates Milestone
Replica Canal Schooner Lois McClure Being Retired, Dismantled
In October 2023, after 20 years of service, the replica sailing canal schooner Lois McClure will be retired, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum announced today. The original Lois McClure was built in 1862.
The replica was initiated in 2001 and launched in 2004 with the goal of better understanding the region’s unique nineteenth century sailing canal schooners, which allowed travel on the region’s narrow canals and sailing on open waters.
Since it’s launch the replica schooner toured the region bringing this history to local communities around Lake Champlain and connecting waterways. [Read more…] about Replica Canal Schooner Lois McClure Being Retired, Dismantled
Hudson, NY Black History Online Archive Launching with Panel Discussion
The Hudson Area Library will host “History of the Black Community in Hudson: A Discussion of the Black Legacy Association of Columbia County (BLACC) Collection,” an introduction to the library’s website dedicated to the Black Legacy Association of Columbia County (BLACC) Oral History Project Collection set for Thursday, March 3rd. [Read more…] about Hudson, NY Black History Online Archive Launching with Panel Discussion
Got A Story From Griffiss Air Force Base? History Project Seeks Participants
The Rome Historical Society is looking for community members willing to share their memories of Griffiss Air Force Base in a video interview.
Constructed in 1941-42 under the supervision of future Manhattan Project engineer Kenneth Nichols. It was finally named in 1948 to honor Buffalo native and 1922 West Point graduate Lt. Col. Townsend Griffiss (1900–1942). Griffiss was the first U.S. airman killed on duty in Europe during the Second World War. His B-24 Liberator bomber was shot down by friendly fire over the English Channel. [Read more…] about Got A Story From Griffiss Air Force Base? History Project Seeks Participants
Vietnam War Oral History Subject of Long Island History Project
On the next few episodes of the Long Island History Project, we are revisiting the Vietnam War through the eyes of three local residents, each with their own perspective on the conflict and its devastating aftermath. Today we hear from Oyster Bay resident Jack Parente who was drafted out of college and served in the Army’s 1st Calvary Division. These stories come to us through the work of historian Christopher Verga, who has been recording oral histories with veterans throughout the region. Chris walks us through Jack’s life as well as the process of conducting this type of historical research. [Read more…] about Vietnam War Oral History Subject of Long Island History Project
Adirondack Stories Focus of Free Teacher’s Guide, Resources
The Keene Valley Library has added a teacher’s guide to the “Adirondack Community: Capturing, Retaining, and Communicating the Stories of Who We Are” and “OurStoryBridge: Connecting the Past and the Present” websites.
The guide is designed for teachers in the Adirondacks, New York State, and across the United States. [Read more…] about Adirondack Stories Focus of Free Teacher’s Guide, Resources
Adirondack Oral History Project Celebrated
More than 45 people gathered at the Keene Valley Library in the heart of the High Peaks of the Adirondacks on Saturday, September 14, to celebrate the growing online collection of audio stories available through Adirondack Community: Capturing, Retaining, and Communicating the Stories of Who We Are. [Read more…] about Adirondack Oral History Project Celebrated