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Category: History

Events

Here for America 250? Make a Summer of It in Montgomery County

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America 250 may be what brings you to Montgomery County, but summer here has a way of turning a history trip into something bigger.

That is the beauty of this place. You can spend the morning walking through a Revolutionary War story, then end the day with live music on the waterfront, a meal in a canal town, a walk through an art museum or a quiet view over the Mohawk River.

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If you are visiting to celebrate America 250 at our Revolutionary War-era historic sites and museums this summer, leave yourself time to wander. Around every fort, battlefield and historic marker, you’re bound to find parks, restaurants, trails and farms nearby.

Canajoharie

Canajoharie makes a strong case for lingering after visiting historic sites like the Van Alstyne Homestead. The village has a walkable feel, a strong sense of place and one of the county’s standout cultural stops in the Arkell Museum.

Inside, visitors will find American art, Mohawk Valley history and exhibits that connect the region to a much larger story. It is the kind of museum that fits naturally into a summer weekend because it does not need to take over the whole day. You can step inside for art and context, then step back out into the village for coffee, lunch or a little more exploring.

Keep Right Café is an easy stop for coffee, food and community atmosphere, while Taco 29 gives visitors a casual, flavorful place to refuel. If your visit lines up with the Canajoharie Farmer’s Market, you can add fresh local goods to the day and get a taste of the agricultural side of Montgomery County.

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Just outside the village, Wintergreen Park and Gorge add a completely different kind of experience. The park is known for natural water features, Canajoharie Falls and the “Pot that Washes Itself,” making it a beautiful stop for anyone who wants to trade museum walls for trees, water and a short outdoor adventure.

Fort Plain

Fort Plain has a way of making visitors slow down. It is close to some of Montgomery County’s most compelling America 250 stories at Fort Plain Museum and Stone Arabia, but it also has plenty to offer when you are ready for coffee, lunch, a treat or a place to stay.

Highwheeler Coffee is a welcoming stop for handcrafted coffee and tea, the kind of place that works whether you are beginning the day or taking a mid-afternoon break. For something heartier, Fiddlehead Craft Sandwich serves food made with real, minimally processed ingredients, including roasted meats, fried chicken sandwiches and plant-based options. Later in the day, Eisenadler Brauhaus adds a local craft beverage stop with authentic Bavarian-style brews and atmosphere.

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Fort Plain also gives visitors a few ways to make the trip feel more like a getaway. Haslett House offers a Gilded Age stay, while The Stead at Lyons Family Homestead gives guests a farm-stay experience surrounded by nature and animals. Both fit the feeling of a summer trip that is less about rushing from place to place and more about settling into Montgomery County for a while.

Out and About

One of the best things about Montgomery County in summer is how easy it is to move from history to fresh air.

The Erie Canalway Trail is always a good place to start, whether you are biking, walking or simply looking for a scenic stretch of the Mohawk River. The trail connects communities, river views and canal history in a way that makes even a short outing feel rewarding.

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For a different kind of walk, Landis Arboretum offers old-growth forest, gardens, native plant collections, wetlands and miles of trails. It is a peaceful place to spend a few hours, especially for visitors who want something quieter between busy event days.

If you are looking for a more relaxed overnight outdoors, Erie Canal RV Resort & Campground in St. Johnsville near Fort Klock gives visitors room to spread out, unwind, fish, boat or simply enjoy the canal setting. It is an easy reminder that Montgomery County can be a place to do a lot, or a place to do very little for a while.

Summer Traditions

Summer in Montgomery County also comes with the sights and sounds of local tradition.

At Fonda Speedway, Saturday night stock car racing brings energy to the historic fairgrounds with a half-mile dirt track and a crowd that knows how to spend a summer evening. The Fonda Fairgrounds are also home to the annual Fonda Fair, along with horse shows, farm expos and other events through the warmer months.

You can also catch the county-wide Music on the Mohawk summer concert series with performers filling outdoor venues in all of our canal communities, including Riverlink Park in Amsterdam. For sports fans, taking in an Amsterdam Mohawks baseball game is also a popular pastime on summer evenings.

America 250 gives visitors a powerful reason to come to Montgomery County. The Revolution was real here. The stories are deep here. The landscape still carries them.

But once you arrive, there is more waiting. Come for the history and celebration, then give yourself time to find everything around it.

Urban Exploration in the ‘Rug City’

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Take a walk along the Chuctanunda Creek Trail in Amsterdam, New York, and you’ll discover more than nature. History and natural beauty collide along this small waterway that had a huge impact on the industrial development of this city along the banks of the Erie Canal.

The Chuctanunda Trail runs through the city of Amsterdam, New York, and offers a glimpse of its industrial past. Photo credit: Historic Amsterdam League (opens in a new tab)
Aerial view of the Sanford Mills complex near Amsterdam, New York. Photo credit: Historic Amsterdam League (opens in a new tab)

“The Canal was a big feature, but probably the main reason that Amsterdam grew here like it did was the Chuctanunda Creek and that’s because of the water power,” said Jerry Snyder, co-founder of the Historic Amsterdam League. “That’s why Amsterdam was even here. That’s what started it all.

“On early maps, you can see it’s referred to as the never-failing stream,” he said.

Thanks to a gradual 300-foot drop from the foothills of the Adirondack mountains, the Chuctanunda powered early mills that eventually spawned a unique industrial legacy in what was once called the “Rug City.”

It was here that textile mills graduated to a core group of carpet manufacturers led by S. Sanford & Sons, which was established in 1838. Sanford grew quickly and other carpet manufacturers – namely Shuttleworth Brothers Company and McCleary, Wallin & Crouse – followed. At one point, the Sanford’s operations included about 40 buildings.

“The trail gives you the opportunity to see not only the natural beauty of the creek, but also some of the industrial buildings that are still left,” Snyder said. “We do still have most of the Sanford complex. That’s like walking through a time capsule because you can see the evolution all the way from the early limestone buildings to sort of modern-day factories.”

It’s a unique experience in a city that was once filled with an ecosystem of factories that grew with each other. From boxes to buttons to brooms, these once provided the heartbeat of this busy city.

Courtesy of the Historic Amsterdam League (opens in a new tab)

Inman Manufacturing/American Box Machine Co.

Founded by Horace Inman in 1874 to supply paperboard boxes to local industry, the Inman Manufacturing Co. pioneered the use of machinery to eliminate extensive handwork in box manufacture. Originally built only for in-house use, the equipment designed, patented and manufactured by Inman’s American Box Machine Co. quickly became the worldwide industry standard. Inman and his companies received medals for design and innovation at the 1893 Columbian Exposition.

Chalmers Knitting Co.

The Chalmers Knitting Co. was founded in 1901 on the use of “Porosknit,” a new locally developed breathable knit fabric, for the manufacture of men’s underwear. National advertising, including a landmark Times Square sign, spurred demand. At its peak, 600 mill employees produced 1,300 dozen garments there daily. The company passed from local ownership in 1945, with the Chalmers brand name continuing until 1957.

Courtesy of the Historic Amsterdam League (opens in a new tab)
Courtesy of the Historic Amsterdam League (opens in a new tab)

Coleco Industries

Founded in 1932, Coleco arrived in Amsterdam in 1964 for the production of recreational equipment such as backyard pools. Successful expansion into the electronic game field in 1976 was accompanied by expansion of the company’s local presence and workforce, peaking at over 4,000 in the early 1980s. Despite the enormous popularity of their Cabbage Patch Dolls, Coleco’s financial decline led by the ill-fated Adam home computer resulted in their 1988 bankruptcy.

Amsterdam Broom Co.

Founded in 1884 and destroyed by fire in 1909, the original mill was replaced by a larger structure, increasing the annual production capacity of 4 million brooms. At one time the largest independent broom manufacturer in the world, production in the city ended in 1966.

Courtesy of the Historic Amsterdam League (opens in a new tab)
Courtesy of the Historic Amsterdam League (opens in a new tab)

Hampshire Pearl Button Co.

Harvey Chalmers & Son Hampshire Pearl Button Co. began operation near the mouth of the Chuctanunda Creek in 1898. The first pearl button maker to advertise to consumers, Hampshire grew to become the world’s largest pearl button producer, only to see its market lost to zippers and plastics. Closed in 1964, the mills were razed in 1966.

While these mighty industries may have faded from the landscape, there are still many historical structures to explore in Amsterdam.

“We do have 13 properties on the historic registry and that makes an interesting little tour in and of itself,” Snyder said. “We do have very diverse architecture in the city. We have houses all the way from the early 1800s up through the modern day.”

And then there’s that Chuctanunda Creek Trail, which starts at the foot of the spectacular Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook (MVGO) and winds its way through the city and along the water. The four-mile journey featuring waterfalls, bridges and dams gives a glimpse of the glorious past and modern charm of Amsterdam, which remains one of the historic jewels of Montgomery County.

The Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook (MVGO) offers magnificent views of the Mohawk River in a park-like setting.

The Buzz About Moses Quinby, The Man Who Revolutionized Beekeeping in the 1800s

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With so much history and boundless nature to explore in Montgomery County, you never know what you might discover. Take famed resident Moses Quinby, for instance, who made history in his natural surroundings.

Quinby was a beekeeper from the Erie Canal community of St. Johnsville, New York, who is widely regarded as the “Father of American Beekeeping.”  Born in Westchester County in 1810, he moved to Greene County in the early 1820s and settled in St. Johnsville around 1853.

Moses Quinby
The bellows smoker was one of Moses Quinby’s revolutionary beekeeping inventions. Photo credit: Margaret Reaney Memorial Library (opens in a new tab)

His inventions quickly became the standards of the practice. Quinby is credited with development of the bellows smoker, a critical tool of the trade. The bellows smoker solved a centuries-old problem for beekeepers. The non-toxic smoke calms the bees and allows their stewards to inspect and maintain the hives.

In addition, he invented one of the first honey extractors and a knife to prepare comb honey for extraction. These advances became essential as the demand for honey exploded during the Civil War, when a shortage of sugar cane hit the North because supplies had been cut off from the South.

A prolific writer, Quinby shared his elite beekeeping knowledge through numerous articles for agricultural publications and several books. His most famous book,  Mysteries of Beekeeping Explained, was published in 1853 and became the beekeeping bible.

Quinby, a devout Quaker, believed his knowledge should be shared freely. He never patented any of his inventions and lived a humble life even though he was one of the first commercial beekeepers in the country.

He died in St. Johnsville in 1875. After his death, son-in-law Lyman C. Root revised Mysteries of Beekeeping Explained and added illustrations, furthering the legacy of Quinby’s critical work that is still in print to this day.

NYS History Month Series At Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

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Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site announces that it will conduct the eighth annual Tuesday Talk series to recognize New York State History Month this October.  Each week a speaker will present on regional or New York State related history.  All presentations are free and open to the public. They will begin at 6:30 PM in the Enders House adjacent to the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center, 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter. Refreshments will be provided, and donations are always appreciated.

On October 4th, Anne Clothier from the Saratoga Historical Society at Brookside Museum will present, “Medicine, Maladies, and Mortality.”  This presentation will include a display of medical instruments as Clothier discusses how illnesses influenced the lives of our ancestors.  Her focus will be toward medical technology and at home practices between 1750-1920.

Tuesday, October 11th Cassandra Castle from the Herkimer Historical Society will discuss some of that county’s history. Discover some curious facts about its people and places. Castle will cover how Herkimer County was founded, who it’s named for and some of the mysterious events that have happened in its history.  The program is designed to be a wicked good time, showing how Herkimer County is a diamond in the crown of the Mohawk Valley.

October 18th, Brad Utter, a Senior Historian and Curator at the New York State Museum will be discussing the Button Fire Engine Company. For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, New York State was a hotbed of fire engine and apparatus manufacturing. One of the main players in that industry was Lysander Button of Waterford. Starting around 1831, Lysander Button worked his way up the ladder from mechanic turned inventor to owner of the firm that would eventually take his name. Utter will present the results of his latest research on Mr. Button, his company, and the engines they made, which were said to set the “Standard of the Age.”

Rounding out the series, on Tuesday, October 25th is Caitlin Sheldon, who is an independent historian that focuses on clothing of by-gone eras. She will present, “Dress in the Gilded Age.” Learn about the fashions that inspired the HBO show, “The Gilded Age,” and watch a dressing demonstration of the many layers and pieces that make up the lady’s fashionable ensemble. Caitlin Sheldon is a public librarian by day and hobby historical costumer in any bit of spare time she has. Sheldon has been sewing historical costumes since 2014 and takes inspiration from movies and shows as well as from the historical documents she finds in her library’s archives.

 

New York State History Month:

October is designated as New York State History Month by the New York State Legislature with the addition of Section 57.02 to the state’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.  “The purpose of this month shall be to celebrate the history of New York State and recognize the contributions of the state and local historians.”  New York State History Month represents an opportunity for historians, cultural institutions, and the public to assert the vital importance of preserving and learning about our state’s history.

For information about this program, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov, or visit our Facebook page.

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 78 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.

Not Just for Kids Storytelling Series Returns for 30th Year

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The Friends of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site are excited to announce that the 30th Annual Not Just for Kids Storytelling series will occur at the Erie Canal historic site in 2022.  Award winning storytellers from the region will perform tales to intrigue, legends to compel, and stories that illustrate how we are all connected as human beings. The series is open to the public and is meant for all ages. It runs on Sunday evenings at 6pm from July 31st to August 28th outside the Schoharie Crossing Visitor Center, 129 Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter, New York.

Eileen Mack and Claire Nolan will begin the series on July 31st with a set of stories they call “Blessings of Trees & Earth: Stories Honoring the Natural World.”  These talented and accomplished tellers are from the Capital-Region with years of experience engaging audiences of all ages.

On August 7th, Lale Davidson will perform “Folktales and Family Tales: Quaking Bogs, Fairy Queens, and Mystery on the High Plains.”  Davidson comes from a strong line of storytellers, from Kentucky cousins telling family tales around the kitchen table to her mother conjuring Greek gods on camping trips across Europe. This program combines Irish fairy tales about chasing corpses through quaking bogs with true family tales of mysterious lights on the high plains in South America, taken from her magical realist novel, Blue Woman Burning. She’ll also tell stories from her collection, Strange Appetites, published by Red Penguin Books.

August 14th, the multi-talented Tim Van Egmond will dazzle the audience with, “The Eye of the Beholder,” a program of tales about epiphanies of beauty and insight. Have you ever had an experience in which something suddenly raised your awareness and appreciation, and it’s as if curtains were pulled away or you were seeing with new eyes? Including folktales and a personal tale, these stories have shifts in perspective like this, openings for the mind and the heart that lead to new understanding.

Turtle Clan member of the Onondaga Nation, Perry Ground has been telling stories for more than 25 years as a way of educating people about the culture, beliefs, and history of the Haudenosaunee (sometimes known as Iroquois) Confederacy. Ground will be at Schoharie Crossing on August 21st with “Stories from the People of the Longhouse.” This presentation is filled with traditional Haudenosaunee legends that have been told for hundreds of years. These stories teach about the beliefs, customs, and history of the Haudenosaunee people.

Concluding the series will be The Storycrafters on August 28th.  Barry Marshall, and Jeri Burns, PhD have been working together as The Storycrafters since 1991 and have been the recipients of the National Storytelling Network’s “Circle of Excellence” Award.  They believe in the time-tested wisdom of traditional stories and share that wisdom with today’s audiences. They strive to honor world cultures by telling the old stories in respectful ways, often integrating the musical instruments, songs or dances indigenous to that region. Then of course, look out for their original modern renditions of the oldest stories … some of their most requested material.

This free series is rain or shine. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the outdoor performances. If raining, we will hold performances inside the Enders House adjacent to the Visitor Center. Donations are always greatly appreciated and gladly accepted.

The grounds for the site are open all year from sunrise to sunset.  Visitor Center hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 4pm. Group reservations available for off hours.

For information about these events 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.

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 78 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.

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Great Outdoors Month Events Planned at Schoharie Crossing

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Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will celebrate June as Great Outdoors Month by offering fun opportunities to enjoy the outdoor spaces at the Erie Canal site. Great Outdoors Month is a month-long celebration of responsible, healthy outdoor recreation on local, state, and federal lands and waters.

The return of Putman Porch Music on Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:00pm will be a great way to enjoy an evening of musicians jamming Americana, Roots, Bluegrass, and Folk tunes. Kicking off on June 2nd, 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.  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. 

Get outdoors and peddle your way on World Bicycle Day, June 3rd at 6:00pm from Yankee Hill Lock to Karen’s Ice Cream. This staff lead ride will be along the Empire State Trail, covering three miles each way.  The site encourages families to participate and enjoy a delicious ice cream cone before riding back.

On National Trails Day, Saturday, June 4th, Schoharie Crossing is collaborating with ECOS: The Environmental Clearinghouse to offer a paddle on the Schoharie and Mohawk River starting at 9am and a guided nature–walk at 1pm from the Visitor Center. Bring your canoe or kayak to the Schoharie Aqueduct Boat-launch on Dufel Rd, just off NYS Rt. 5S for a leisurely paddle to explore the nature and history of these waterways. Overall, we’ll paddle about three miles and discover some fascinating connections this spot has to places near and far. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the paddle and before the nature walk, starting from 129 Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter. We’ll traverse about a mile of the old canal towpath, were mules once pulled barges.  Now, these paths are lined with interesting plants, wildflowers, birds, and other critters we might see along the way.

Saturday, June 18th we’ll host a picnic at Empire Lock as we celebrate International Picnic Day. At 11:30am, we’ll take a short half-mile walk from our Visitor Center to Empire Lock to enjoy a Bring Your Own Picnic together.This is a great way to spend part of the day before Father’s Day! Discover some beauty among the towpath trail and historic Erie Canal features.  The site will provide a Picnic Basket Shuttle, transporting your lunch and keeping it safe from Yogi.

These events are a fun way to add miles to the Canalway Challenge, a program sponsored by the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. More information on this free challenge can be found online at: https://eriecanalway.org/canalway-challenge

To wrap up the month, on Tuesday, June 28th at 6:30pm the Friends of Schoharie Crossing host environmental educator and author, Anita Sanchez for Puddles! “There’s nothing shallow about a puddle! Puddles are homes, bathtubs, and drinking fountains for wildlife. They also provide a key ingredient for many animal homes: mud!” This hands-on program will introduce naturalists to the animals that use puddles as a habitat. We’ll meet some puddle-loving creatures, including snails, and have some close-up experience with mud.  

The grounds for the site are open all year from sunrise to sunset.  Visitor Center hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 4pm. Group reservations available for off hours.

For information about these events 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.

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 78 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.

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Putman Porch Music at Yankee Hill Lock. Photo Credit: Halldor Sigurdsson

Behind the Scenes – Benedict Arnold: Hero Betrayed Presented by James Kirby Martin and Thomas Mercer

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Behind the Scenes – Benedict Arnold: Hero Betrayed Presented by James Kirby Martin and Thomas Mercer

Monday, April 11, 2022

7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Registration: This is a free Zoom Event and Registration is Required, Please Click Here (opens in a new tab)

Buy or Rent the Movie: Access to Benedict Arnold: Hero Betrayed, Please Click Here (opens in a new tab)

Buy the Book: To purchase a copy of James Kirby Martin’s Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary Hero: An American Warrior Reconsidered, Please Click Here (opens in a new tab)

Selections from the provocative new documentary will be shown. James Kirby Martin, executive producer of the film and author of the book upon which it is based will present the historical context and Tom Mercer producer and script writer will talk about the making of this ground breaking cinematic documentary.

Narrated by Martin Sheen and with literally a cast of thousands and dramatic special effects Revolutionary War events never before presented on film are brought to life.

James Kirby Martin – Executive Producer & Chief Historian

Martin is a nationally recognized scholar of Early American history, especially the era of the American Revolution, and he is also well known for his writings on various aspects of American military and social history. He received his B.A. degree from Hiram College (summa cum laude) and then earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He began his teaching career at Rutgers University, where he earned the rank of Professor of History and also served for a period as Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1980, he moved to the University of Houston, having accepted the assignment of serving as Department Chair of History with the mandate to foster the development of a cutting edge program fully devoted to excellence in teaching and the production of high quality scholarship.

Martin helped found the Papers of Thomas Edison project at Rutgers University and for a few years was a member of its board of advisers. He also served on the advisory board of the Papers of William Livingston project. He was the general editor of a book series on the “American Social Experience” (New York University Press) and likewise was a consulting editor for a book series entitled “Conversations with the Past” (Brandywine Press). Martin is currently serving on the advisory board of editors of the “Critical Historical Encounters” book series sponsored by Oxford University Press. He has done consulting with some of the nation’s most eminent law firms in regard to the history of various consumer products, including alcohol and tobacco, and has both appeared on and advised on television programs aired by the History Channel and American Heroes Channel. He advises on historical issues with Talon Films of New York and has become involved in the development of screen plays designed to bring major historical events and personalities to movie audiences. Martin serves as historian adviser to the Oneida Indian Nation of New York. He is a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Fort Plain Museum.

Tom Mercer – Producer & Writer

Tom Mercer grew up steeped in Revolutionary War history. As a youth he enjoyed riding his bicycle around the Saratoga Battlefield — a truly magical place on the bluffs overlooking the Hudson River. Typical family outings during childhood were visits to historic sites and museums all around the region where the northern campaign of the Revolution was fought. He and his mother shared a fascination with the paradox of Benedict Arnold, hero and traitor. Indeed, a frequent topic of dinner table conversation. If there was ever any doubt, his classmates got confirmation Tom Mercer was a history geek when he gave an award winning address about the Battle of Saratoga at his High School graduation.

Mercer studied film at Ithaca College where he graduated with a dual major in History and Politics. A twenty-year career in government gave way to a second career as an independent filmmaker. He wrote and directed the feature film UNCIVIL LIBERTIES, a highly acclaimed political thriller, and several short films shown at festivals in the US and Europe.

Tom has found the long commitment to making BENEDICT ARNOLD: HERO BETRAYED with his two principle partners to be an incredibly rewarding endeavor. If this film helps give his home region and its local hero the proper respect deserved for their contribution to the founding of the nation Tom says it will have been worth the years of effort and sacrifice.

This event is made possible through an Anonymous Donor – Thank you all for your support!

The Fort Plain Museum & Historical Park is a 501(c)3 Non-profit Organization

Cheese Factory System Lecture offered by Schoharie Crossing

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Schoharie Crossing will be hosting the first of their Third Thursday Winter Lecture series on January 20th at 7pm via the online platform WebEx.  Patrick Reynolds from the Oneida County Historical Center will discuss Jesse Williams and the Cheese Factory System.

Just North of Rome, NY, the modern cheese industry was born in 1851.  Jesse Williams was a successful farmer and cheese maker but believed by working together as cooperative dairies, farmers could maximize their profits.  This led him to start the first cheese factory in the United States, a move that revolutionized agriculture not only locally, but across the nation.

On the 100th anniversary of Jesse’s cheese factory, John H. Kraft, president of Kraft Foods, proclaimed that “pioneers like Jesse Williams… [fathered] the ideas and tools that have made America great.” This man, Kraft said, “exemplified the spirit which has made the dairy industry the largest agricultural industry in America.”

Jesse Williams died in 1864 at age 67. At that time Oneida County was making over eight million pounds of cheese per year.  Williams never patented his cheese-making inventions but gave them to the agricultural world.

Patrick Reynolds is Director of Public Programs at the Oneida County History Center.  He is a graduate of the Cooperstown Program in Museum Studies.  He has worked in museums throughout the United States including Hanford Mills Museum, Berks County Historical Society, Rome Historical Society, and The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

This program is free and open to the public.  No registration is required. A link to the WebEx can be found on the Schoharie Crossing Facebook or by contacting the site directly.  For more information about these programs, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov, or visit our Facebook page.

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 78 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

Winter Presentations from Schoharie Crossing

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The Erie Canal historic site, Schoharie Crossing will host several online programs this winter on a variety of history related topics. Presentations will be offered in two series: Lunchbox Lessons and the Third Thursday Lectures. Both series will be offered live online and most will be recorded for later viewing on YouTube.
In January, the Lunchbox Lesson will be on Tuesday the 11th at 12noon featuring site staff discussing the importance and history of broom manufacturing in the Fort Hunter area. On the Third Thursday, Patrick Reynolds from the Oneida County Historical Society will discuss Jesse Williams and the Cheese Factory System at 7pm on the 20th.
During the month of February, the Lunchbox Lesson will discuss food preservation and its impact on westward expansion at 12noon on Tuesday the 8th. Bill Merchant will discuss the D&H Canal for the Third Thursday Lecture at 7pm on the 17th.
For March, the Lunchbox Lesson will discuss Women’s Suffrage on Tuesday the 8th at 12noon. Former NYS Archives staff, Craig Smith will speak on fascinating facts within the historic canal contracts held in the state’s collection on the 17th at 7pm.
On April 21st, Derrick Pratt from the Erie Canal Museum will present on the historic Weighlock building in Syracuse. That program starts at 7pm and wraps up our Third Thursday Lecture series.
These programs are free for the public and available on the Webex meeting platform. No registration is required, and links can be found on NYS Parks website or social media. If you would like a direct link email, please contact the site. For more information about these programs, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov, or visit our Facebook page.

Erie Canalway IMPACT! Grants Support Education and Tourism along the Erie Canal

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Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, is pleased to announce that seven organizations have been selected to receive Erie Canalway IMPACT! Grants totaling $64,323. Funded projects include vital work to showcase canal heritage and welcome people to explore the canal in their local communities.

“We are thrilled to support these community-driven projects to strengthen the Canalway Corridor as a vibrant place to live, work, visit, and play,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “These exciting projects will foster greater awareness and pride in New York’s canals that will have lasting benefits for residents and visitors.”

The grants range from $2,000 to $12,000 and will leverage an additional $161,107 in private and public project support. Over the past 13 years, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has made 90 grants to communities and non-profit organizations that have spurred $2.4 million in additional investments in heritage preservation, recreation, and education.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “It is an honor to join with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in supporting education, recreation, and tourism along New York’s canal system. The history of our canals provides the framework for our State’s great legacy, and we look forward to supporting and enhancing awareness of these storied waterways for years to come through these IMPACT! Grant projects.”

2020 ERIE CANALWAY IMPACT! GRANTS
Corn Hill Navigation, Pittsford

Award: $8,954

Improve educational and program delivery with new technology at a new visitor center being developed at Corn Hill Landing in Rochester.

 

Erie Canal Museum, Syracuse 

Award: $9,015

Develop programming related to the Empire State Trail including a Syracuse-based Trail Ambassador Program and trail amenities that raise user awareness of the museum. Pilot both weekend and Corridor-wide trail rides.

Explore & More: The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum, Buffalo

Award: $11,454

Design and present an Erie Canal themed educational play experience every Wednesday throughout 2022 that will engage children and families.

 

Friends of Stewart Park, Ithaca 

Award: $5,900

Design and install five outdoor interpretive signs that showcase the history of the Erie Canal and Cayuga Lake as they relate to the City of Ithaca.

 

National Abolition Hall of Fame, Peterboro

Award: $12,000

Design and install two outdoor interpretive signs within the Village of Canastota to raise awareness of the National Abolition Hall. Funds will also support a reenactment of a dramatic event that shaped the abolition movement in the United States.

 

Schoharie River Center, Esperance

Award: $12,000

Implement a series of educational programs with at-risk urban and rural youth to investigate water quality on the Erie Canal/Mohawk River and adjacent tributaries.

 

Village of Brockport, Brockport
Award: $5,000
Design and install a pair of outdoor interpretive signs that celebrate the history, design, and operation of the Village’s iconic lift bridges.

 

ABOUT THE ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR
Nearly 200 years after its construction, the Erie Canal remains an iconic symbol of American ingenuity and determination. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor preserves our extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York.
www.eriecanalway.org