New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Public History

Albany’s Historic Cherry Hill to Redesign Museum’s Core Tour

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Minnie Knapp c 1880Historic Cherry Hill in Albany‘s South End has announced that the museum has received two competitive federal planning grants for a large, multi-year reinterpretation project.

Entitled We Carry It Within Us: Reinterpretation at Historic Cherry Hill, the project was awarded $48,165 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and a $50,000 Inspire! Grant for Small Museums from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

With these grants, Historic Cherry Hill is now expected to complete plans for a new tour and orientation exhibit which incorporates new research and scholarship on underrepresented narratives at Cherry Hill. [Read more…] about Albany’s Historic Cherry Hill to Redesign Museum’s Core Tour

Despite Elise Stefanik’s Claims, NYS Gun Law Doesn’t Prohibit Historical Events

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Living historians firing blanks at a historical re-enactment in Lake George Battlefield ParkNew York’s new gun law, which bans weapons from “sensitive locations” such as parks and museums, will have no effect on musket demonstrations, including at Fort William Henry or re-enactments in Lake George Battlefield Park, according to Warren County Sheriff James La Farr.

“It is not within the spirit of the law to prohibit those activities,” LaFarr said.  The re-enactors’ muskets and cannon fire only blanks.

Fort Ticonderoga, which is located in Essex County, is also unaffected by the new law, says its president and CEO, Beth Hill. “We do not plan to change our operations or special events,” she said. [Read more…] about Despite Elise Stefanik’s Claims, NYS Gun Law Doesn’t Prohibit Historical Events

The 25th Annual NYS History Month Presents Challenges, Opportunities

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new york state history monthNext month, October, is New York State History Month. As usual, the State Museum is planning several activities and offers suggestions for commemorations. Other public history organizations are gearing up for events to “celebrate the history of New York State and recognize the contributions of state and local historians,” in the words of Section 52.02 of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, which established State History Month by statute. [Read more…] about The 25th Annual NYS History Month Presents Challenges, Opportunities

Tothmea’s Travels: A Misused Egyptian Mummy in New York

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Tothmea at the Round Lake Auditorium 1888Local historians and writers have previously told the story of Tothmea, the 3,600-year-old Egyptian mummy that was presented to a local museum in Round Lake, Saratoga County, in 1888.

Her travels have taken her from Egypt to Round Lake to Brazil and several places in between. After I learned of some recent developments in her story, I was inspired to recount her journey and update it a bit more. [Read more…] about Tothmea’s Travels: A Misused Egyptian Mummy in New York

New Roadside Markers To Honor Lafayette

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Lafayette Trail marker located in Greenland, NHIn celebration of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 265th birthday, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and The Lafayette Trail, Inc. have announced the launch of a new historic marker series commemorating the French General’s involvement and service during the American Revolution. [Read more…] about New Roadside Markers To Honor Lafayette

$400K Grant to AASLH Supports US 250th Anniversary

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AASLH logoThe William G. Pomeroy Foundation has announced they are providing a $400,000 grant to the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) to expand AASLH’s capacity to serve and prepare the public history and museum community for the 250th anniversary, or Semiquincentennial, of the United States in 2026. [Read more…] about $400K Grant to AASLH Supports US 250th Anniversary

Native Communities The Topic of Thomas Paine Studies Podcast

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Institute for Thomas Paine StudiesThe Institute for Thomas Paine Studies interviewed Dr. Joe Stahlman, a scholar of Tuscarora descent whose research focuses on culture and history as well as on the ongoing socio-economic and health and wellness issues among Native communities.

This podcast covers Dr. Stahlman’s museum philosophy, the upcoming 250th Commemoration of the American Revolution, and he offers valuable perspective on indigenous studies and decolonization in museums, on museums as vital spaces of reconciliation, and of peace as an unsung and transformative historical subject. [Read more…] about Native Communities The Topic of Thomas Paine Studies Podcast

Don Rittner To Lead Warren County Historical Society

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warren county historical societyThe Warren County Historical Society has announced that Don Rittner will be its new Executive Director, effective September 1. He will replace Teri Rogers, who is retiring and who has served as the Society’s director since 2017 and oversaw the creation of its museum.

Rittner has experience in the history field as an historian, archeologist, educator, and author in the Capital Region. He has been the involved in several historic and environmental non-profit organizations, and he has authored over fifty short books. [Read more…] about Don Rittner To Lead Warren County Historical Society

A First Ever National Census of History Organizations

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AASLH logoThe 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

Bruce Dearstyne On Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary

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revolutionary new yorkPlanning has begun for commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, to be officially called the “Semiquincentennial.” The federal government has established America 250. A number of states, including Virginia have established state commissions. In Massachusetts it is called Revolution 250. [Read more…] about Bruce Dearstyne On Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary