News and Views from the Empire State
It’s becoming popular to refer to our area as Tech Valley because of the nanotech facilities in Albany and Global Foundries in Malta (Saratoga County).
This is not the first time the region was at the forefront of a technological revolution. In the early nineteenth century some of the nation’s first railroads were built right here. [Read more…] about Early Railroads From The Capital District To Saratoga
On August 13th, 1689, New York Governor Leisler wrote “Scharachtoge [Saratoga]…there are six or seven families all or most rank French papists that have their relations at Canada and I suppose settled there for some bad designe and are lesser to be trusted there in conjunctione of tyme than ever before the bad creatures amongst us gives me great occupatione.” [Read more…] about When Saratoga Was An American Frontier
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will continue to offer online programs throughout the summer even as the Visitor Center is now open by appointment.
The Erie Canal historic site will provide programs through Webex as well as other online platforms and social media. [Read more…] about Schoharie Crossing Offers Online Programs
New York Folklore, the storefront of the New York Folklore Society in Schenectady, has reopened to the public. Face mask, social distancing, and occupancy guidelines are in effect. [Read more…] about NY Folklore Shop Reopens to the Public
On April 27 at 9:45 am, New York State Environmental Conservation Officers responded to reports of a possible alligator at Steinmetz Park in Schenectady.
The ECOs said they canvassed the park for signs of an alligator and found none. [Read more…] about Schenectady City Park Beast May Be A Snapper
Noted local historical archeologist David R. Starbuck has said that the interconnected routes from the Richelieu River at the north end of Lake Champlain to Albany has the highest density of military sites in North America in the 1700s.
The large military encampments that attended the big campaigns of that era were among the largest cities in America, albeit for short intervals. [Read more…] about Settler Fears of Indian Conflict Near Albany Before 1664
In the 1680s and 1690s the latest in a long string of European wars broke out. The War of the Grand Alliance, also known in New York State as King Williams War (1688-1697), pitted France against England, the Netherlands, and Austria.
It quickly spilled over to a bitter conflict of raids and counter-raids which took place between New France and frontier settlements of Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. Each side employed their Indian allies to fight on their behalf and to guide their small armies to their respective enemies. [Read more…] about King William and Queen Anne Wars in NYS
Like 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
The Empire State Aerosciences Museum and Schenectady County Community College have joined together to host a Young Aviators Class. [Read more…] about Young Aviator Classes At Aerosciences Museum
The Schenectady County Historical Society is set to host a cocktail workshop, Drink the Seasons: Spring, on Thursday, March 5th at Brouwer House Creative, in the oldest home in Schenectady. [Read more…] about Drink the Seasons at Brouwer House, Schenectady