History, Natural History & the Arts
Not all historians publish their findings about history in books and articles. Some historians convey knowledge about history to the public in public spaces and in public ways.
In this episode of Ben Franklin’s World, Lonnie Bunch, the Founding Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of how historians do history for the public. [Read more…] about BFW Road Trip: Washington, D.C., NMAAHC
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)
Did Canada almost join the American Revolution?
In this episode of Ben Franklin’s World, Bruno Paul Stenson, a historian and musicologist with the Château de Ramezay historic site in Montréal, joins us to discuss how the American Revolution played out in Canada. [Read more…] about Road Trip: Montréal, Château Ramezay
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
H.R.1242, the 400 Years of African-American History Commission Act passed the 115th Congress (2017-2018). You may have missed this federal legislation so I am providing a streamlined version of it. The commission expires in 2020 with the scheduled production of a final report. [Read more…] about Slavery Quadricentennial: The 400 Years of African-American History Commission
Delaware may be the second smallest state in the United States, but it has a BIG, rich history that can tell us much about the history of early America.
In this episode of Ben Franklin’s World, David Young, the Executive Director of the Delaware Historical Society, joins us to explore the early American history of Delaware from its Native American inhabitants through its emergence as the first state in the United States. [Read more…] about An Early History of Delaware
The Board of Trustees of Historic Cherry Hill has announced the appointment of Deborah Emmons-Andarawis as Director of Historic Cherry Hill (HCH). She has been serving as Acting Director since December 2017. [Read more…] about Historic Cherry Hill Names New Director
The Ballston Area History Roundtable has announced they have changed their name to the Saratoga County History Roundtable. The new name is in recognition of the expansion of the membership, programs, and community history-related projects of the group.
The mission of the organization is to deepen the understanding of local history through presentations, discussion groups and research by history buffs throughout Saratoga County. [Read more…] about Saratoga County History Roundtable Formed
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has announced Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt’s appointments of seven individuals to serve three year terms on the Commission of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. [Read more…] about Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor Commissioners Appointed
Local historical societies and museums, like local schools, local libraries, and, indeed, local communities, depend on there being a sufficient population to survive and thrive, but more New York State residents are retiring and leaving the state. What does this mean for local history? [Read more…] about Peter Feinman: NYS Demographics and Local History