New York Almanack

News and Views from the Empire State

Schenectady County Historical Society

Chronicling the History of COVID-19 (Podcast)

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The Historians LogoThis week on The Historians Podcast, a special edition with Marietta Carr, librarian at Schenectady County Historical Society, discussing how to keep track of the local history of COVID-19.

Also, author Nina Sankovitch talks about releasing her new history book American Rebels: How the Hancock, Adams, and Quincy Families Fanned the Flames of Revolution in the middle of the pandemic. [Read more…] about Chronicling the History of COVID-19 (Podcast)

Shuttered, Schenectady Co Historical Continues Mission

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schenectady county historical societyLike every organization in the state and nation, Schenectady County Historical Society (SCHS) is responding to the national emergency caused by the spread of the coronavirus.

In New York State, our historic sites and museums—along with other “non-essential” businesses—have been necessarily closed for an indeterminate period of time. [Read more…] about Shuttered, Schenectady Co Historical Continues Mission

Geology and the Iroquois Homeland

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geology landscape and the iroquoisThe bedrock of New York and its erosion created the landscape the Iroquois people made their home. It influenced their territorial boundaries, defenses, settlement patterns, trail systems, agriculture, and key natural resources. [Read more…] about Geology and the Iroquois Homeland

Handcrafted: The Folk and Their Art in Schenectady

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Handcrafted: The Folk and Their ArtThe Schenectady County Historical Society is set to open a new exhibition, Handcrafted: The Folk and Their Art, on February 1st.

Handcrafted: The Folk and Their Art explores folk art’s reflection of human needs, values, concerns, and desires. Handcrafted is co-curated by Susanna Fout and Schenectady County Community College folk art professor Marilyn Sassi and will feature over fifty carefully selected pieces, most of which have never been displayed publicly. [Read more…] about Handcrafted: The Folk and Their Art in Schenectady

Are House Museums Dead? 1730s Schenectady Home Now An Arts Space

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soap crafting space

Antique beams and wide plank floors still characterize the 1730s Brouwer House in Schenectady’s old Stockade neighborhood. Now a series of studios for artists and performers have been installed in one of the city’s oldest homes, which was gifted to the Schenectady County Historical Society in 2017.

Many historical societies face the question of what to do with a historic house they’ve been generously gifted.  While there are exceptions, many (most?) house museums scrape by, defer maintenance, and lack the resources or support to maintain collections and provide public interpretation.

[Read more…] about Are House Museums Dead? 1730s Schenectady Home Now An Arts Space

Military and Court Records Genealogy Course in Schenectady

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genealogy 201The Schenectady County Historical Society has announced Genealogy 201: Military and Court Records, a six week course with Certified Genealogist Judith Herbert, set for Wednesdays, Aug 28 to Oct 9 at 6:30 pm, at Mabee Farm, 1100 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction. [Read more…] about Military and Court Records Genealogy Course in Schenectady