New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Ticonderoga

The Sinking of the Lake George Steamboat John Jay

by Leave a Comment

Lake George Steamer John Jay at Cook's LandingOn July 30th, 1856 the 140-feet long John Jay (built in 1850) was delayed at Ticonderoga’s Baldwin Dock waiting on the stagecoach from Lake Champlain, where the large number of passengers required several trips to get everyone to the boat.

It wasn’t until 7 pm that the Jay, now loaded with 70 people, pulled away from the dock. About an hour later they were ten miles down the lake. Below, the fireman stoked the boilers as they made top speed – then the worst happened.  [Read more…] about The Sinking of the Lake George Steamboat John Jay

America 250 Patriots Marker Dedicated at Fort Ti

by Leave a Comment

Fort Ticonderoga’s 250thCommemorations for the 250th anniversary of the American War for Independence are underway at Fort Ticonderoga. The museum has started developing plans and exploring partnerships at the state and national levels to mark this historic anniversary.

Through exhibits, events, publications, and programs, Fort Ticonderoga seeks to increase access and awareness and expand educational impact related to the monumental history of the complex struggle to achieve independence. [Read more…] about America 250 Patriots Marker Dedicated at Fort Ti

Henry Burleigh, Benjamin Harrison’s Peacock Feather & Political Reporting

by 1 Comment

Henry G. BurleighSing along with me to the tune of a familiar nursery rhyme song.

Everywhere that Burleigh went, Burleigh went, Burleigh went – everywhere that Burleigh went the press was sure to follow.

The press followed H.G. Burleigh, a 19th century State Assemblyman, Congressman and political power broker from Whitehall and Ticonderoga, because reporters knew there would always be an entertaining story that more often than not came with a nugget of breaking news. [Read more…] about Henry Burleigh, Benjamin Harrison’s Peacock Feather & Political Reporting

President Taft At Old Ticonderoga

by Leave a Comment

President Taft at the Grandstand at Ticonderoga provided by Fort TiconderogaPresident William Howard Taft dozed for nearly five hours in the wee hours of the July 6th, 1909 morning as The Mayflower, his private rail car, was parked at the esplanade end of track No. 13 at Grand Central Station inn the city of New York. [Read more…] about President Taft At Old Ticonderoga

Teddy In Ticonderoga: Get Me From the Train On Time

by Leave a Comment

Theodore Roosevelt portrait courtesy United States Library of Congress Prints and Photographs divisionRepublican gubernatorial candidate Nathan Miller was on such a tight schedule on October 12th, 1920 that one of the keynote speakers in his entourage got left behind at the railroad depot south of Ticonderoga village, on Lake Champlain.

At least that’s the official explanation. [Read more…] about Teddy In Ticonderoga: Get Me From the Train On Time

Ben Stickney’s Press: A New York Inventor’s Piece of World Postal History

by Leave a Comment

Stickney Presses US Treasury DepartmentAppeals from officials in the Adirondacks of Upstate New York to President Calvin Coolidge in 1924 resulted in the reappointment to federal government service of “undoubtedly the greatest inventive genius that Essex County has ever produced.”

Benjamin R. Stickney, a Moriah Center native, was a chief engineer at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing when President Warren Harding dismissed Stickney and 27 other federal bureaucrats, without notice, on March 27, 1922. [Read more…] about Ben Stickney’s Press: A New York Inventor’s Piece of World Postal History

Hinckley Reservoir, Fish Creek Campground on APA Agenda

by Leave a Comment

APA Building in Ray Brook NYThe Adirondack Park Agency will hold its monthly meeting at its headquarters in Ray Brook on Thursday, September 10th and Friday, September 11th, 2020. Thursday’s meeting will begin at 1 pm and Friday’s session will commence at 9:30 am.

In accordance with New York State’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the Coronavirus, the public should use the live Webcast event to watch the meeting. To watch the meeting, visit the APA website and click the September meeting agenda found under News and Activities. [Read more…] about Hinckley Reservoir, Fish Creek Campground on APA Agenda

Fort Ticonderoga Digital Campaign Continues into Fall

by Leave a Comment

Orwell Light HorseFort Ticonderoga is continuing its 2020 Digital Campaign, a virtual experience featuring interactive programming, engaging lectures series, and creative at-home educational activities and resources, into the fall.

Upcoming Digital Campaign Events Include: [Read more…] about Fort Ticonderoga Digital Campaign Continues into Fall

Prohibition Program In Ticonderoga Sept 11th

by Leave a Comment

Dumping beer courtesy Library of CongressThe Ticonderoga Historical Society is set to present “Our Best Endeavors: Temperance and Prohibition in the Champlain Valley,” a presentation by Susan Evans McClure, Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, on Friday, September 11 at 6 pm. [Read more…] about Prohibition Program In Ticonderoga Sept 11th