History, Natural History & the Arts
For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, New York State was a leader in fire engine and apparatus manufacturing. One of the main players in that industry was Lysander Button of Waterford, NY.
Starting around 1831, Button worked his way up the ladder from mechanic turned inventor to owner of the firm that would eventually take his name, the Button Fire Engine Company. [Read more…] about The Button Fire Engine Company of Waterford: Some History
The term “Hessians” refers to the approximately 30,000 German troops – about a quarter of British land forces – hired by the British as auxiliaries during the American Revolution. The term typically refers to all Germans who fought on the British side, because 65% came from the German states of Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Hanau. [Read more…] about ‘Hessians’ in the Revolutionary War
The 20th Annual Tugboat Roundup begins on Friday, September 6th, with a Tugboat Parade mustering at the USS Slater around 3 pm, and cruising north by Corning Preserve, Watervliet, Troy, Lansingburgh and into Waterford to begin the weekend festivities.
Music will be playing next to the Hurst Harbor Center all weekend long. Kids activities include an fire safety obstacle course, pony rides, a bouncy slide, face painting and more. [Read more…] about 20th Annual Tugboat Roundup Kicking Off
The Waterford Historical Museum, located at 2 Museum Lane, has announced their summer schedule of events, including a Chocolate Tasting and Open House, the Annual Tugboat Roundup, the Annual Sal Open and Clam Bake, and more. [Read more…] about Waterford Historical Museum Upcoming Events
A family-friendly bike ride will take a scenic trip along the water from Albany to Waterford, making stops at some key canal and local features along the way. The ride, which takes place 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Sunday, August 3, will end at the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center.
The escorted ride will be on the very flat Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike and the Black Bridge trails to Waterford, and is mostly “off-road” with some quiet on-street sections in Watervliet, Green Island and Waterford. In Waterford, the ride will follow the Old Champlain Canal towpath to Lock 4 and museum grounds. [Read more…] about Wheels To Waterford History Bike Ride
The Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center has scheduled two lectures, one on the history of Saratoga Battlefield and a second on Harry Howard who was among New York’s most famous 19th century firefighters
The lectures are scheduled for February 13, and March 13, 2018 at the Van Schaick Island Country Club in Cohoes. [Read more…] about Harry Howard, Battle of Saratoga Waterford Lectures Set
The Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center has announced their January 9th lecture on Isaiah Rynders will be held at the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center located at 2 Museum Lane in Waterford, at 7pm.
Waterford historian Russ VanDervoort will discuss the notable figure from Waterford, Captain Isaiah Rynders. Rynders was born in 1804 to Irish and German parents in Waterford. After achieving the title of Captain from his work on a sloop ship, which frequently stopped to do business in Waterford, he also worked his way into political life in New York City. He became a political organizer, a founding member of the “Empire Club” and a Tammany Hall boss for the 6th Ward. His family stayed in Waterford. [Read more…] about Isaiah Rynders Lecture in Waterford Jan 9th
The Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center has announced the continuation of its lecture series, held at the Van Schaick Island Country Club, 201 Continental Ave, Cohoes.
Lectures scheduled are as follows: [Read more…] about Unique Series of Lectures at the Waterford Museum
Michael Barrett will be opening the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center Winter Lecture Series on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 6:30 pm at the Van Schaick Island Country Club, 201 Continental Ave, Cohoes.
His lecture, entitled “Historic Lansingburgh,” details the history of the Lansingburgh area. [Read more…] about Lansingburgh History Kicks Off Waterford Lecture Series
The Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center presents the last of their Winter Lecture Series on Tuesday, March 8th from 7 pm – 8 pm. The featured speaker is Craig Gravina, co-author of the book Upper Hudson Valley Beer and co-founder of the Albany Ale Project.
Brewing in the Hudson Valley has a long and rich history dating back to the first Dutch settlers of 17th century Beverwyck – now present day Albany. An integral part of society, brewing was a major trade in Dutch New York. Since brewery equipment was expensive, many of the brewers were wealthy and many were appointed to positions of authority, becoming the city’s founding fathers. Many of the original Dutch brewer’s families continued beer making well into the 18th Century. Gravina will also be signing and selling his book Upper Hudson Valley Beer. [Read more…] about Early Upper Hudson Valley Beer Event