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Schenectady County Historical Society

The Slow Death of Slavery in Dutch New York

March 16, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Where Did All the Slaves Go?The Dutch had an important influence in developing and maintaining slavery in what is now New York State. Indeed, to understand the history of slavery in New York we need to recognize it as more distinctly Dutch.

Dutch attitudes about the utility and morality of slavery presented a major roadblock in attempts to end slavery in New York State through gradual abolition, by resisting the political and legal changes that ultimately brought about the end of slavery in the state in 1827. [Read more…] about The Slow Death of Slavery in Dutch New York

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, Events, History Tagged With: Schenectady County Historical Society

Christ Church Duanesburg Restoration Project Update

March 6, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Christ Church Duanesburg Restoration ProjectChrist Church Episcopal in Duanesburg, Schenectady County, NY, was founded in 1793 and considered the oldest active and unaltered Episcopal Church in New York State, if not also in the United States.

[Read more…] about Christ Church Duanesburg Restoration Project Update

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, Events, History Tagged With: Schenectady County Historical Society

Alcohol, Sovereignty, and Social Segregation in New Netherland

March 6, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Alcohol, Sovereignty, and Social SegregationAlcohol was a subject of deep concern for Indigenous nations and settler governments in early America, but, though all agreed that the alcohol trade was dangerous, they did not assess the problem or its remedies in the same ways. [Read more…] about Alcohol, Sovereignty, and Social Segregation in New Netherland

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, Events, History, Mohawk Valley Tagged With: Schenectady County Historical Society

The Transcontinental Railroad & The Capital District

February 22, 2023 by Guest Contributor 4 Comments

OnJupiter locomotive May 10, 1869 the first United States Transcontinental Railroad was completed when a 17.6-karat gold ceremonial spike was driven into a railroad tie by Leland Stanford.

Begun in 1863, the “Pacific Railroad” or “Overland Route” was a joint, although competitive, endeavor between the Central Pacific Railroad (CPRR), moving east from San Francisco to meet the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) which headed west from Council Bluffs, Iowa. The two railroad lines finally met at Promontory Point, Utah, after workers laid 1,912 miles of contiguous track. [Read more…] about The Transcontinental Railroad & The Capital District

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: Albany, Albany County, Colonie, railroads, Roessleville, Schenectady, Schenectady County Historical Society, Transportation History, Watervliet

Reconsidering Industrial Policy in Eastern New York

January 8, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Industrial Policy in Eastern New YorkThe Schenectady County Historical Society (SCHS) will host “Industrial Policy in Eastern New York,” a virtual program with Carlos Balsas set for Thursday, January 26th. [Read more…] about Reconsidering Industrial Policy in Eastern New York

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, Events, History Tagged With: Schenectady County Historical Society

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in Schenectady

January 5, 2023 by Guest Contributor 1 Comment

Buffalo BillOn the evening of January 11, 1917, the Schenectady Daily Union announced the passing of William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who died the day before in Denver, Colorado, at age 71.

The Union Star described Cody as a “remarkable man,” a “hero of thousands of exploits,” and published a photograph of Cody with an extensive survey of his life and career as a guide, trapper, Pony Express rider, stagecoach driver, Civil War veteran, Medal of Honor recipient for gallantry, buffalo hunter (thus the nickname “Buffalo Bill”) and master showman. [Read more…] about Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in Schenectady

Filed Under: Arts, Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: Circus, Cultural History, Horses, Ned Buntline, Performing Arts, Schenectady, Schenectady County, Schenectady County Historical Society, Theatre

Schenectady Aflame: The Great Fires of the 19th Century

January 3, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Schenectady AflameDuring the 19th century, four major fires burned significant portions of Schenectady in 1803, 1819, and 1861. (You can read about the 1861 Fire here).

The Schenectady County Historical Society (SCHS) will host “Schenectady Aflame: The Great Fires of the 19th Century,” a program set for Saturday, February 3rd. [Read more…] about Schenectady Aflame: The Great Fires of the 19th Century

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, Events, History, Mohawk Valley Tagged With: Schenectady County Historical Society

The Genealogy Holdings of the NYS Archives

December 28, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Uncharted WatersThe Schenectady County Historical Society will host “Uncharted Waters: Diving into the Holdings of the NYS Archives with Jane Wilcox,” a genealogy program set for Saturday, January 14th. [Read more…] about The Genealogy Holdings of the NYS Archives

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, Events, History Tagged With: Schenectady County Historical Society

A Frontier Place: The Transformation of Colonial Albany, 1756-1763

December 27, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

A Frontier Place The Transformation of Colonial AlbanyColonial Albany’s location meant that residents experienced war and the military as a matter of daily life, taking an economic and psychological toll on the residents. Albany residents’ interactions with the British army during the French and Indian War ultimately transformed Albany’s insular backcountry culture and society. [Read more…] about A Frontier Place: The Transformation of Colonial Albany, 1756-1763

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, Events, History Tagged With: Schenectady County Historical Society

John Isaac DeGraff: Schenectady’s First Elected Mayor

December 11, 2022 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

John Isaac DeGraffJohn Isaac De Graff (October 2, 1783 – July 26, 1848) was a U.S. Representative from New York. Born in Schenectady, De Graff attended the common schools and Union College and engaged in mercantile pursuits and the practice of law in that city.

He served in the War of 1812 and was elected as a Jacksonian Democrat to the Twentieth Congress (March 4, 1827 – March 3, 1829). [Read more…] about John Isaac DeGraff: Schenectady’s First Elected Mayor

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: Albany County, Erie Canal, Mohawk & Hudson Railroad, Political History, politics, Saratoga & Schenectady Railroad, Schenectady, Schenectady County, Schenectady County Historical Society, Transportation History, War of 1812

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