The Vanderheyden has announced a 185th Anniversary Legacy Exhibit and Cocktail Reception has been set for Thursday, October 25th at the Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS), 57 2nd Street in Troy, from 6 to 8 pm. A ribbon cutting will be held at 5:30 pm. [Read more…] about Troy Orphan Asylum: Vanderheyden’s Legacy Exhibit Opening
Rensselaer County Historical Society
New Leadership for Rensselaer County Historical Society
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) has announced the appointment of Karin Krasevac-Lenz as its new executive director.
Krasevac-Lenz brings more than 30 years of experience in not-for-profit development, strategic planning, creative community engagement, constituent relations, agency communications and other areas to her role at RCHS according to an announcement sent to the press. [Read more…] about New Leadership for Rensselaer County Historical Society
Rensselaer County To Fete Steven Bouchey
The Rensselaer County Historical Society’s (RCHS) Annual Gala will be held at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom, in downtown Troy on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 6 pm.
The event will honor Steven Bouchey who will be awarded the Hart-Cluett Award for his commitment to local history and historic preservation. [Read more…] about Rensselaer County To Fete Steven Bouchey
Collections Care 101 Workshop Planned In Troy
“Collections Care 101” will be held at the Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) on Friday, June 12, 2015 from 9 am to 4 pm.
The day-long workshop covers the basics of collections care and is presented by Stacy Pomeroy Draper, RCHS Curator; and Kathryn Sheehan, RCHS Registrar and Rensselaer County and City of Troy Historian. [Read more…] about Collections Care 101 Workshop Planned In Troy
New Exhibit Considers Rensselaer County Landscape
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) in Troy debuts a new exhibit, Scenic Overlook: Perspectives on Rensselaer County’s Changing Landscape, on Friday, February 27th as part of Troy Night Out, from 5 pm to 8 pm.
The exhibit runs through December 19, 2015 and is free to the public. [Read more…] about New Exhibit Considers Rensselaer County Landscape
Poestenkill Lion: Unique Folk Art On Exhibit
k In December, the Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) unveiled a new addition to the museum. The Poestenkill Lion returned to the museum after some conservation work and for the first time was displayed on the museum’s walls.
The lion first came to RCHS in 2011, when long-time RCHS supporters Hughes and Eva Gemmill donated the painting, which dates to about 1840 and is by an unknown artist. The lion was thinly painted with milk paint on four wide unfinished wood boards. [Read more…] about Poestenkill Lion: Unique Folk Art On Exhibit
Performance of ‘The Little Match Girl’ Set For Troy
On the evening of Saturday, December 6th, during the 58th Annual Holiday Greens Show at the Rensselaer County Historical Society, a special one-night-only performance will take place in the parlors of the historic Hart-Cluett House in downtown Troy.
Inspired by the classic Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale The Little Match Girl, Troy–based musicians Katherine and Calvin Young, who perform as Simple Souls, have written a new musical adaptation of the fairy tale, titled The Other Side of Visible. . Performed in the Hart-Cluett House’s front parlor, The Other Side of Visible weaves the historic interior into the fabric of the story creating a unique blend of house concert and theatrical storytelling. Katherine Young’s voice takes the audience on a journey that explores the themes of love, invisibility, and imagination. [Read more…] about Performance of ‘The Little Match Girl’ Set For Troy
Rensselaer County Historical Gala Will Honor Foundation
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) will honor The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation at its 2014 Annual Gala Benefit at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom, on Thursday, October 30, 2014.
The Annual Gala is Rensselaer County Historical Society’s main fundraiser to support the public programs offered by RCHS. [Read more…] about Rensselaer County Historical Gala Will Honor Foundation
Rensselaer County Historical Plans Two New Exhibits
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) will debut a new exhibit, At the Corner of Second & State: Where Troy’s History Intersects, on Monday, September 8th at 7 pm along with the companion exhibit, “Conserving the Welfare and Best Interests of our Depositors”: The Troy Savings Bank.
The main exhibit runs through December 20, 2014, and the companion exhibit runs through November 15, 2014. The exhibits are sponsored in part by the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation and the Lucille A. Herold Charitable Trust. The exhibits are open and free to the public. [Read more…] about Rensselaer County Historical Plans Two New Exhibits
New Exhibit: The Edgar Holloway Art Collection
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) will debut a new, rotating exhibit, Prospect of America: Selections from the Edgar Holloway Art Collection, on Monday, September 8th at 7pm at the 87th Annual Meeting. The exhibit series runs through December 20, 2014. The exhibit is sponsored in part by the McCarthy Charities.
In the early 1970s, Rev. Thomas Phelan was inspired to raise awareness of Troy and the surrounding area’s amazing architectural and industrial heritage. Valuing the power art has to move people to action, Rev. Phelan commissioned English artist Edgar Holloway to spend three summers, from 1973 to 1975, in Troy to document the historic buildings and street scenes. His three years in New York resulted in over 80 watercolors and 15 etchings that have become a historical record themselves of the way Troy, Cohoes, and other outlying areas looked in the mid-1970s. Through Holloway’s art, people began to see the inherent beauty in these often neglected buildings. Advocacy groups formed and several buildings were preserved through the actions of individuals inspired by art. [Read more…] about New Exhibit: The Edgar Holloway Art Collection
Downton Troy Courtyard Party August 12th
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) is hosting a Downton Troy Courtyard Party on Tuesday, August 12th from 5pm to 8pm.
Inspired by the popular television series, Downton Abbey, RCHS will be hosting a summer evening party in the courtyard of the Historical Society in Troy, NY. Attendees are invited to adopt 1920s attire and/or accessories for the evening to complement the theme of the party. [Read more…] about Downton Troy Courtyard Party August 12th
Rensselaer Co. Historical Society’s 2014 Phelan Lecture
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) has announced the 2014 Thomas Phelan Endowed Lecture Series to be held on Saturday, June 21. This year’s theme is Controversial Objects, Controversial History. The day consists of a morning lecture, an afternoon workshop and a fundraising dinner in the evening.
In 1997, the Rensselaer County Historical Society established the Thomas Phelan Endowed Lecture Series in recognition of Rev. Phelan’s longtime preservation efforts and support of the educational and cultural vitality of Rensselaer County. Prominent speakers are invited to lecture of topics relating to Phelan’s area of study as Institute Dean and Institute Historian at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, especially as it pertains to 19th century American material culture and industrialization. [Read more…] about Rensselaer Co. Historical Society’s 2014 Phelan Lecture
Saturday Troy History Walks in May and June
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) offers walking tours of historic downtown Troy on Saturday mornings this May and June. Tours depart from the Market Table at the Troy Farmer’s Market at 10:30am. The cost is $5 per person, RCHS members attend for free.
Each week brings a different theme for the tours, which are led by RCHS staff. Tours frequently incorporate historic photographs and readings from letters and diaries. [Read more…] about Saturday Troy History Walks in May and June
Troy History Tour:
Footsy Magoos and the Knox-Mead Building
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) is presenting a Hidden History tour on Tuesday, April 29th at 4:30 pm of Footsy Magoos and the Knox-Mead Building located at 13 and 17 First Street in Troy.
RCHS staff will offer a public tour of the buildings, located along a stretch of First Street known historically as Troy’s Banker’s Row because of the proliferation of banks that were once in residence on the street. [Read more…] about Troy History Tour:
Footsy Magoos and the Knox-Mead Building
Slavery and the Underground Railroad Conference Set
The Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region will present the 13th Public History Conference on the Underground Railroad Movement on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 11-13, 2014 at Russell Sage College and the Rensselaer County Historical Society in Troy, NY.
For thirteen years, the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region has been contributing to awareness and historical understanding of abolitionists and freedom seekers and their activity, emphasizing the participation of African American abolitionists and relating the movement to our experiences today. [Read more…] about Slavery and the Underground Railroad Conference Set
Troy Labor History:
Kate Mullany 150th Anniversary History Walk
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) is hosting a special event this Saturday, February 22nd commemorating the 150th anniversary of Kate Mullany’s historic formation of the Collar Laundry Union in Troy. The event begins at 11am at RCHS and includes a walk from RCHS to the Troy Farmers Market at 12pm and concludes with speeches at the Farmers Market at 12:30. This event is free to the public.
At the age of 23 Kate Mullany organized 300 of her fellow laundry workers to strike for higher wages and improved working conditions in the collar laundries. This Saturday, February 22nd, RCHS will commemorate Mullany’s creation of the 1st sustained female labor union in America’s history. The event begins at 11am at RCHS (57 Second St., Troy, NY) where the public will be invited to create strike signs in keeping with the historic celebration of the strike. [Read more…] about Troy Labor History:
Kate Mullany 150th Anniversary History Walk
Hoarding History:
New Exhibit Explores Why Museums Collect
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) will debut a new exhibit, Hoarding History: Why the Museum Collects, on Friday, February 28th as part of Troy Night Out, from 5pm to 8pm.
RCHS collects and preserves letters, furniture, paintings, account books and much more. The collection exists not necessarily for the object’s sake, but for the stories that can be told through those objects. With the opening of Rensselaer County Historical Society’s new exhibit, Hoarding History: Why the Museum Collects, visitors will have the opportunity to view over 100 recent acquisitions and learn about the process RCHS goes through to bring new aspects of Rensselaer County’s history to the public’s attention while preserving the artifacts that tell these stories for future generations. [Read more…] about Hoarding History:
New Exhibit Explores Why Museums Collect
New Board Members at Rensselaer County Historical Society
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) announces the appointment of Douglas Bucher, Phyllis Conroy, Christina Kelly and Robert Matthews to the Board of Trustees. They were elected to their terms at the 86th Annual Meeting held on September 9, 2013.
The Rensselaer County Historical Society and Museum, located at 57 Second Street in Troy, is a not-for-profit educational organization established in 1927 to connect local history and heritage with contemporary life. [Read more…] about New Board Members at Rensselaer County Historical Society
Hidden History: Knickerbocker Mansion, Crailo Events
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) announces their September and October Hidden History programs. Which will focus on the Knickerbocker Mansion, Schaghticoke, NY (on Tuesday, Sept 5) and Crailo, the Museum of the Colonial Dutch, in Rensselaer, NY (Tuesday, October 30).The Rensselaer County Historical Society and Museum is a dynamic not-for-profit educational organization established in 1927 to connect local history and heritage with contemporary life. We strive to enrich the present and advocate for the future by bringing the region’s past to life, recognizing every face and every story. RCHS is located at 57 Second Street, in Troy.
[Read more…] about Hidden History: Knickerbocker Mansion, Crailo Events
Rensselaer County Historical Society History Walks
The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) offers walking tours of historic downtown Troy on Saturday mornings this September and October. Tours depart from and return to the Market Table at the Troy Farmer’s Market at 10:30 am. Each week brings a different theme for the tours, which are led by RCHS staff and frequently incorporate historic photographs and readings from letters and diaries.
September’s History Walks are part of the Hudson River Ramble. The Hudson River Valley Ramble celebrates the trails, the river and the historic and cultural resources of the Hudson River Valley Greenway and National Heritage Area. For more information about the Ramble visit www.hudsonrivervalleyramble.com
Cost: $5 per person/ RCHS members free. Reservations can be made by calling 518-272-7232 x12 or email ilenefrank@rchsonline.org . For more information, visit www.rchsonline.org
Saturday, September 8 Green Island Bridge
Discover this historic Hudson River crossing point and the various bridges that have been built at this site.
Saturday, September 15 Uncle Sam’s Life in Troy
This tour takes you to sites associated with Samuel Wilson, the “real” Uncle Sam. You’ll also visit the RCHS museum, which includes artifacts from Samuel Wilson’s life and images of our national symbol.
Saturday, September 22 Amazing Architecture
Stroll the streets of downtown Troy and find a rich built environment. Tour showcases Troy’s architectural gems as you explore the range of styles found in Troy.
Saturday, September 29 The Marquis de Lafayette Visits Troy
For much of 1824 & 1825, Lafayette, the hero of the American Revolution, made a triumphal visit to the US, including visiting Troy twice. Follow in his footsteps as he was shown the bustling city that Troy had become.
Saturday, October 2 Underground Railroad
Troy was a hotbed of abolitionism. Walk to where history was made including the site of the rescue of Charles Nalle.
Saturday, October 13 Amazing Architecture
Stroll downtown Troy and you’ll find a rich built environment. This tour showcases Troy’s architectural gems and range of styles.
Saturday October 20 Monumental Troy
Join us as we look at the many monuments that remind us of wartime sacrifice, famous events and the people who left their mark on Troy.
Saturday, October 27 Murder and Mayhem
Who knows what ghosts might haunt the streets of Troy? You will, after taking part in this walk through the more colorful stories of Troy’s past
RCHS is located at 57 Second Street, Troy NY 12180.