On October 21, 1941, 46 days before Pearl Harbor, The National Academy of Sciences Uranium Committee met in the office of Dr. William C. Coolidge, director of the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady. This top-secret meeting was historic for two reasons. [Read more…] about J Robert Oppenheimer in Schenectady
Schenectady County Historical Society
Schenectady County History Walking & Kayak Tours
The Schenectady County Historical Society have announced their history walking and kayak tours are set to return to Schenectady and Waterford this summer. [Read more…] about Schenectady County History Walking & Kayak Tours
Dutch-Native American Relationships in Eastern New Netherland
The Schenectady County Historical Society has announced their annual meeting, featuring a talk by Dr. Lucianne Lavin on Dutch-Native American Relationships in Eastern New Netherland, is set for Saturday, April 29th. [Read more…] about Dutch-Native American Relationships in Eastern New Netherland
Recent Archaeology at the Joseph Yates House in Schenectady County
Daniel Mazeau and Aaron Gore, archaeologists with Beverwyck Archaeology, recently completed field investigations and research for the Yates house and property in Glenville, Schenectady County, NY, once home to the family of Joseph Yates (1707-1748). Yates was the grandfather of Joseph Christopher Yates (1768-1837), a lawyer, politician, statesman, founding trustee of Union College and longtime Schenectady Mayor who also served as the 7th Governor of New York in 1823-1824. [Read more…] about Recent Archaeology at the Joseph Yates House in Schenectady County
Schenectady in the Early Republic, 1800-1830
Schenectadians of the early American Republic (ca. 1800-1830) lived through defining years of the nation’s history. They were part of a growing city in a new nation, which would have to shape diverse peoples, religions, and geographical spaces into a free and prosperous republic. At the same time, Schenectady was already chartered as a city, and sought to define its own local identity. [Read more…] about Schenectady in the Early Republic, 1800-1830
Edison, Westinghouse & Schenectady
In 1886 inventors George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison each believed their electric current was superior and battled to convince the world that their work is the future – Schenectady played an important role in this battle. [Read more…] about Edison, Westinghouse & Schenectady
The Slow Death of Slavery in Dutch New York
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
Christ Church Duanesburg Restoration Project Update
Christ 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
Alcohol, Sovereignty, and Social Segregation in New Netherland
Alcohol 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
The Transcontinental Railroad & The Capital District
On
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