Events

History of Beer in New York State

Posted on August 23, 2019

History of Beer in New York State

On August 27 at 6:30 pm Historian Craig Gravina will be speaking at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site about the history of beer brewing in New York State. The talk will take place in the Enders House adjacent to the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center at 129 Schoharie Street. The Friends of Schoharie Crossing will have a very brief meeting before the talk, and refreshments will be served following the presentation. All are welcome to attend.

As Craig Gravina says he is a ‘”world class beer drinker, so infatuated with the stuff that he took to researching and writing about over the last ten years”. He will talk about the history of the brewing industry in the Hudson Valley and include its close connection with the Mohawk Valley including the Erie Canal and grain production in the valley and as well as other interesting personalities and events. He will also be doing a book signing of his book Upper Hudson Valley Beer.

For more information about these events and more, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, email: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov, or visit our Facebook page Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual state parks, historic sites, golf courses, boat launches and recreational trails, which are visited by 71 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

Connie Regan-Blake to Perform at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on July 24, 2019

Connie Regan-Blake to Perform at Schoharie Crossing

Award winning storyteller Connie Regan-Blake will be performing at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site on Sunday, July 28 at 6:00 pm as part of the annual Not Just for Kids Storytelling series. Her performance entitled “Leap and Laugh! Tales of Adventure” will take place outdoors near the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center. The show will move indoors in case of rain. Guests are invited to linger, chat, and enjoy refreshments after the show. The event is free.

Connie Regan-Blake is one of America’s most celebrated storytellers. She has captivated the hearts and imaginations of people around the globe with her powerful storytelling performances. When Connie takes the stage, she generates a brightness and warmth, drawing in listeners with her engaging humor and Southern charm. Her stories range from hilarious traditional Appalachian Mountain tales to poignant true-life drama. She has performed at the nation’s top folk music and storytelling festivals in Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco as well as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C.

The Not Just for Kids Storytelling series continues throughout August and into September. The following artists will be part of the series: Anne Rutherford, Aug. 4, Elizabeth Rowe, Aug. 11, Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi, Aug. 18, Sheila Arnold, Aug. 25 and Sandor Schuman, Sept. 8.

Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. The program is also supported by Stewart’s Shops, Mary Jane’s Market, L’Ultimo, the Garden Bug, Karen’s Produce and the Friends of Schoharie Crossing.

Posted on July 1, 2019

Canal Day at Schoharie Crossing

The annual Canal Day event at Schoharie Crossing will be on Saturday, July 6 from 11:00am to 4:00pm. This year the festival is being held in conjunction with the Tri-County Old Power Associates Engine Show as well as the Metis Nation St. Kateri PowWow. All events are happening on the grounds of the historic site, 129 Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter. Parking is free.

The Metis Nation North America-Canadian Bands will open their PowWow on Friday, July 5 with Grand Entry at 12 noon. The event lasts three days ending on Sunday afternoon. The cost per day is $5 for Adults, $3 for age 65 and older, Children under 5, people with disabilities, and veterans receive free admission. There will be several dances, drumming circle, music, food, and crafts available throughout the event.

The Old Steam Power and Gas Engine Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm in the field adjacent to the Visitor Center. Come see these old ‘putt putt’ engines and old motors crank up and demonstrate the power of yesteryear.

The historic site will offer live music by Rusticator, food vendors, games, a bounce house, free wagon rides, a community tent, an equestrian show by JD Winslow, balloon art by Airigami, and more. An Aqueduct Alliance tent will be open so that people can find out more of the work being done to save the remains of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct. The Friends of Schoharie Crossing will also be in attendance.

Pathway to Empire, an exhibit on the Erie Canal will be open in the Visitor Center. There will be a photography gallery open in the Enders House next door. An opening reception for The Passage of Time exhibit will occur at 5pm on Saturday and is open to the artists and the public for live music, food, and beverages.

This year the event is sponsored in part by: Alpin Haus, NYS Canal Corporation, Price
Chopper Supermarkets, WEXT Radio, and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor!

For more information contact the site: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov or (518) 829-7516. Find and like Schoharie Crossing on Facebook.

Amsterdam’s Independence Day Fest Sponsored by The Leader-Herald

Posted on June 25, 2019

Amsterdam’s Independence Day Fest Sponsored by The Leader-Herald

The City of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Tourism, Marketing & Recreation Department presents Independence Day Fest Sponsored by The Leader-Herald on Saturday, July 6^th from 6PM-10PM at Riverlink Park and the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Bridge!

Come celebrate the 4th of July on the 6^th, along our beautiful waterfront, enjoy food and drink specials! Starting at 6PM- Scotty Nut Nut Entertainment will be on the MVGO Bridge, 6PM-8PM join the Patriotic Paddle with Down by the River Kayak Rentals, or walk over to Riverlink Park for Watercolor class for kids. Then, at 7PM the Amsterdam Waterfront Foundation and their sponsors present, Whiskey Highway, a high energy country band playing today’s new country along with some 90’s/00’s, at Riverlink Park. The night will end with fireworks at 9:30PM over the Historic Erie Canal Sponsored by Lanzi Family Restaurants!

5th Annual Putman Porch Music Series at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on May 21, 2019

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site has announced the return of the Putman Porch Music series for its fifth year starting on Thursday, June 6th at 6:00pm. This series invites local musicians to come spend an evening on the historic Putman Canal Store porch to jam and enliven the vibe of the former Erie Canal stop off. Putman’s store building is located at Yankee Hill Lock on the grounds of Schoharie Crossing, 553 Queen Anne Road.

Musicians with an interest in American roots, bluegrass and folk music are encouraged to spend some time on the porch and be a part of a great experience. Much like a group of canawlers that happen to be stuck waiting at the lock, a few instruments and strong voices is all that is needed to pass the time.

Putman Porch Music will occur every Thursday in June from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. These are free events open to the public.

The grounds for the site are open all year from dawn until dusk.

For information about this event or what is available at Schoharie Crossing, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516 or email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov. Find and like us on Facebook. For more information about New York State Parks, visit the website at www.nysparks.com.

Geology of the Erie Canal Program slated at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on May 20, 2019

Geology of the Erie Canal Program slated at Schoharie Crossing

The Friends of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site welcome Thomas Grasso to discuss the Geology of the Erie Canal in the Mohawk Valley: Hudson River to Little Falls at their Tuesday, May 28^th meeting, beginning at 6:30pm in the Enders House on Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter, adjacent to the Visitor Center.

Grasso will discuss the bedrock and ice age geologic history of the region, and how this long and complex natural history affected human history by controlling the route of the canal and the obstacles that had to be overcome. Some local quarries that supplied stone for locks and aqueducts will be mentioned.

Thomas X. Grasso, President Emeritus of the Canal Society of New York State, was society President for nearly forty years until his retirement in 2016. He was President of Inland Waterways International, based in the UK, from 2002 to 2010. Tom taught in and chaired the Geosciences Department at Monroe Community College in Rochester from 1968 to 1999 and has authored many articles and publications on New York State and European geology and canals for both the peer review and general audience press.

There will be a brief Friends Group meeting prior to the presentation. This is a FREE event open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more information contact the site: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov or (518) 829-7516. Find and like Schoharie Crossing on Facebook

American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference

Posted on May 1, 2019

(opens in a new tab)

The Fort Plain Museum’s

5th Annual American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference

June 6-9, 2019

The American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference celebrates its 5th year with more speakers and an early sign-up special. Pre-registration is required. The early sign-up special is $10 off if you sign-up by May 7, 2019. Please Click Here for Conference Registration/Information (opens in a new tab) .

There is a great line-up of 12 notable historian/authors presenting on a wide variety of topics related to the American Revolution.

Presenting this year:

David L. Preston – First in Peace: The Delaware Indian Nation and its 1778 Treaty with the United States

Eric H. Schnitzer – Benedict Arnold at Saratoga: How a Newly Discovered Letter Changed History

Mark Edward Lender – The Plot against General Washington: The Conway Cabal Reconsidered

James Kirby Martin – The Man Who Wouldn’t Be King: George Washington, an Exceptional Revolutionary Leader

Holly A. Mayer – Women at War: Continental Army Followers

John Buchanan – The Road to Charleston: How Major General Nathanael Greene Dealt with Logistics, Savage Civil War, and Politics in the Carolina’s and Georgia

Bruce M. Venter – Defending the Mohawk Valley: Forts and Homes Illustrated by Rufus Grider’s Art Work

Glenn F. Williams – Beyond the Mohawk: the Battles of Newtown and Groveland (240th Anniversary)

Albert Louis Zambone – The Rewards of Persistence: Daniel Morgan in the Saratoga Campaign

Tony Williams – George Washington & Alexander Hamilton: A Revolutionary Relationship

Christian Di Spigna – Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolution’s Lost Hero

Douglas J. Pippin – The American Revolution in the St. Lawrence Valley

Also welcoming back the voice of the Mohawk Valley, Bob Cudmore, who will serve as Master of Ceremony.

Genealogy Day – Friday, June 7

Visit Mohawk Country historic sites (sites, schedules and admission fees will be posted separately). Sites will have presentations or historians on hand to discuss the families that fought on both sides during the American Revolution.

An Incident at Caughnawaga – Fundraising Dinner – Saturday, June 8

Join Mohawk Valley Historian, Norm Bollen as he describes the “Incident at Caughnawga” that ignited the Revolution in the Mohawk Valley in 1775. This incident includes neighbor against neighbor, an angry mob and a loyalist sheriff shooting at the rebels. The dinner includes a choice of one of three entrees with sides, salad and dessert. There will also be a Cocktail Hour with cash bar.

A few seats are open for each of the bus tours, call 518-774-5669 for details.

Canal Clean Sweep Volunteers Sought

Posted on April 3, 2019

Canal Clean Sweep Volunteers Sought

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is participating in the 14^th Annual Canal Clean Sweep and is hosting volunteers that would like to lend a hand. Each year members of local and state organizations along with other volunteers from the community assist in some “spring cleaning” along the Erie Canal corridor. The event is sponsored by the New York State Canal Corportation and Parks & Trails New York. This year Schoharie Crossing will be conducting a trail project at Yankee Hill Lock on Saturday, April 27th starting at 8am.

Work scheduled for the day will be on a new connector trail from Yankee Hill Lock on Queen Anne Road, to South Amsterdam. The Friends of Schoharie Crossing have agreed to adopt-a-trail that will run along the south bank of the Mohawk River. Proper footwear and clothes for the weather are required. Bring your work gloves, hands saws, non-powered tree trimmers, and/or clippers. Free Clean Sweep t-shirts available until they run out. Lunch will be provided to those that volunteer until noon.

We ask that anyone interested in participating register online with Parks & Trails New York at www.ptny.org by April 25^th. There will be an additional date for trail work on I Love My Park Day, May 4^th.

Last year the event along the canal system saw over 200 community organizations that held over 100 events with over 3,500 volunteers pitching in. This is a fantastic way to show your pride in the canal system, New York State Parks and local history. Meet up location is located at 553 Queen Anne Road, Town of Amsterdam. We look forward to seeing you here!

For more information contact David at the site: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov (518) 829-7516.

Quilt Barn Trail

Posted on October 24, 2018

The Fulton Montgomery Quilt Barn Trail (opens in a new tab) continues to grow with 150 squares along the trail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lTkTIPUXCY&feature=youtu.be

Fulton Montgomery Quilt Barn Trail (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lTkTIPUXCY&feature=youtu.be)

Fall Foliage Report: October 17-23

Posted on October 18, 2018

I LOVE NY started the “New York Fall Foliage Report (opens in a new tab) ” on September 12 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Montgomery County has started its own annual report this year as well.

Mohawk Valley Welcome Center at Lock E-13

Reporting station: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) , Fort Hunter

Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 40%

Brilliance: Average

Predominating colors: Still green with mostly yellow with hints of orange and red

Rating: Nearing Peak

While there is still green in many places, the leaves are changing fast and the wind has blown several off the trees. This weekend and over the next would be ideal to still see some color.

This weekend is packed with more events!

Lock 13 10_17_18 — Mohawk Valley Welcome Center at Lock E-13

The Historic Amsterdam League (opens in a new tab) host the annual “Ghosts of the Past Tour”. Do you have the courage to walk the historic Green Hill Cemetery in the dark? There is only one way to find out!

The 1^st Annual Palatine Bridge 19^th C. Themed Old- Fashioned County Fair (opens in a new tab) is this weekend. The event boasts craft and food vendors, children’s activities including pony rides, music and more!

George Steele will be on hand at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and Landis Arboretum (opens in a new tab) for an “Owl Prowl” this weekend. During this hootin’ good family program listen for, look for, and should you be so lucky, see owls. Learn about the owls of the region and explore these nocturnal birds of prey.

The circa 1729 Van Alstyne Homestead & Museum (opens in a new tab) hosts their 7^th Annual Soup Tasting, Craft Fair, and Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday. There will be delicious soups donated by local chefs, and eateries, fall seasoned crafts available by vendors from far and wide, and delicious harvest specialties grown by local producers. As well as local and international artists on hand with their beautiful works on display and live music performed.

Explore our countryside, enjoy our events (opens in a new tab) , and take in the autumn season!

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Category: General News