Events

Find Your Own Path Through History at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on June 9, 2016

Celebrate history and create memories during this year’s Path Through History Weekend on June 18 and 19 at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) . The Path Through History (opens in a new tab) program is an established state-wide series of events that consists of many organizations that participate in a focus on local history.

During the last almost two centuries, the Erie Canal has been the waterway used as the path for so many traveling through the wonderful Mohawk Valley (opens in a new tab) and across New York State. Schoharie Crossing is the only location where all three of the major phases of the canal can be witnessed.

For 2016 the site will be holding a Schoharie Crossing Scavenger Hunt that will ask questions pertaining to all aspects of this great historic site. Questions range from historical facts, to plant and animal spotting as well as getting you to really seek out things you may otherwise miss on your visit. The challenge is worth it and a whole lot of fun too!

The site will be hosting Scavenger Hunt participants on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The passport can be turned into Visitor Center staff during operating hours or sent to the site by no later than July 1st. A winner will be selected at random and an announcement made.

To print a copy of the 2016 Mohawk Valley Path Through History Schoharie Crossing Scavenger Hunt Passport visit the New York State Parks webpage for Schoharie Crossing or pick one up at the Visitor Center. Discover fascinating facts about the Erie Canal and Fort Hunter as you answer questions for a chance to win a prize package. Please – only one entry per person. Get out there, Explore and Enjoy! PathScavHunt (opens in a new tab)

For more information about this event and more, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516 or email: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov (opens in a new tab) .

National Get Outdoors Day Event at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on June 3, 2016

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) welcomes children to celebrate and enjoy National Get Outdoors Day (opens in a new tab) by attending a wildflower walk at the site on June 11^th starting at 11:00am from the Visitor Center, 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter, NY 12069. The walk will take children along the Woodchuck Walk to the Towpath Trail and return to the Visitor Center. During this one mile walk, children will be introduced to flower species, as well as a few other plants that are common to the area and found along these trails. After returning, children will participate in a flower pressing lesson and be encouraged to make one of their own to take home. This event is free, however donations are always appreciated.

Every year, by Presidential proclamation, June is designated as National Great Outdoors month to highlight the rich natural beauty of America by encouraging citizens to get outdoors and experience the great opportunities of local, State and National Parks. Organizations around the country have planned events to recognize the importance of the environment with a focus on the enhancement of peoples’ quality of life as well as preserving natural beauty and resources. The Get Outdoors Day or GO Day campaign seeks to encourage Americans, especially our youth, to seek out healthy, active outdoor lives and embrace our parks, forests, refuges and other public lands and waters.

Schoharie Crossing State Historic site is also proud to be a part of the 5th Annual Saratoga-Capital Region Geocache Challenge (opens in a new tab) . For information about these events and more, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516 or email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov (opens in a new tab) . For more information about New York State Parks, visit the website at www.nysparks.com (opens in a new tab) .

Annual Rhubarb Festival at Nellis Tavern

Posted on June 2, 2016

The Palatine Settlement Society (opens in a new tab) trustees have planned the 20^th Annual Rhubarb Festival. It will be held on Sunday June 5, 2016, at the historic 1747 Nellis Tavern, NYS Rt. 5 (east), St. Johnsville, NY from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The rhubarb pie baking contest with guest judges starts at 12:00 PM sharp. Lunch items along with all kinds of rhubarb delicacies will be available. Musical entertainment will be provided by Revisions, a barbershop quartet from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Admission is free but donations are always welcome. Proceeds go toward the continuing restoration and preservation of the 1747 Nellis Tavern, including our wall stenciling restoration. Tours will be available.

For more information, contact Mary Davis, President; 315-866-2619

Putman Porch Music Back for Another Year

Posted on May 31, 2016

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) has announced the second year for the Putman Porch Music (opens in a new tab) series will start on Thursday, June 2^nd at 6:00pm. The 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 more information contact the site: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov (opens in a new tab) (518) 829-7516.

Capital Region Audubon Bird Walk and Presentation at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on May 17, 2016

Schoharie Crossing hosts a terrific bird walk and presentation by the Audubon Society of the Capital Region on Tuesday, May 24^th. The bird walk will start at 5:00pm at the Visitor Center on Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter, with the presentation to follow in the Enders House at 6:30pm.

Birders know that the region is terrific for the varied species that can be found, and at Schoharie Crossing they have a tremendous birding habitat complete with waterways, wetlands, reforested spaces and more. Bird species counts by local birders have noted over twenty-eight different types of birds along the trails on an average day and several other species coming through the region on their yearly migration such as the Surf Scoter. Other birds often spotted along the trails and waterways of the site are herons, killdeer, pileated woodpeckers, loons, warblers, orioles, sparrows, hawks, osprey, wood ducks, mallards, bald eagles, and more.

The National Audubon Society connects the enthusiasm for birding with the conservation of resources and bird habitat. This local chapter of the National Audubon Society is dedicated to the protection, conservation and enjoyment of birds, wildlife and the environment in the Capital Region of New York State. Their mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.

A short meeting of the Friends of Schoharie Crossing will occur and refreshments will be available. This free event is open to the public and will take place at Schoharie Crossing, 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter, NY 12069.

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

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by more than 60 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 us on Twitter.

Visitor Center Opens for 2016 Season

Posted on April 28, 2016

Visitor Center Opens for 2016 Season

The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site Visitor Center in Fort Hunter will re-open for the 2016 season at 1:00pm on Sunday, May 1st. Hours at the Visitor Center are 10:00am-5:00pm Wednesday through Saturday and Sundays 1:00pm-5:00pm from May until October 31^st. Stop in and visit the site to witness the engineering marvel of the Erie Canal and check out the “Little Short of Madness” exhibit as well as artifacts from the colonial Fort Hunter and the Lower Castle Mohawk Village. Schoharie Crossing is the best place to witness Erie Canal history and enjoy a day walking the towpath trails, kayaking the creek or cycling the Canalway trail.

The Visitor Center and other portions of the site will be hosting several great events this year such as Canal Days on July 9^th & 10^th, the Not Just for Kids Storytelling series on Sunday’s from July 31^st to September 11^th, Putman Porch Music on Thursdays in June, and many more. Guests are welcome to come join in the fun all season.

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

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

Magical Northeast Landscapes

Posted on April 20, 2016

Magical Northeast Landscapes

The Schoharie Crossing welcome’s local painter Deborah Angilletta to present on Magical Northeast Landscapes. The talk will be held on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30pm in the Enders House, adjacent to the Visitor Center, located at 129 Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter, New York.

As a child Angilletta loved to roam the fields and woods of her grandparent’s farm and now as an artist she captures that spirit of beauty in paintings of Northeastern landscapes. Her early connection with the countryside provides the ability to create masterful works that capture the sense of wonder you felt as a child. The award wining artist will discuss her process as well as the passion for art.

The Friends of Schoharie Crossing begin their 2016 schedule with this event. A brief meeting of the group will occur prior and refreshments will be available. This free event is open to the public. A full schedule of 2016 events for the site may be found on www.nysparks.com and the site’s Facebook page.

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

Open Mic Poetry Cafés -Schoharie Crossing celebrates National Poetry Month

Posted on April 6, 2016

Schoharie Crossing To Celebrate National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate Schoharie Crossing will be hosting two open mic Poetry Cafés on Wednesday, April 13^th and 27^th at 6:30pm. National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives.

The open mic style event encourages poets as well as poetry enthusiasts to join in the celebration by participating in the reading of original poems or some of their favorite published works. The evening will include those readings as well as coffee and refreshments. This event is open to the public and free to attend, however donations are appreciated. The Poetry Café will be held at the Enders House on Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter.

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

American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies in the Founding of the Republic Book Discussion

Posted on March 4, 2016

The book discussion scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25^th at the Montgomery County Department of History & Archives, Old Courthouse, 9 Park St., Fonda, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 23^rd, 2016 at 10am. Please call the Department of History & Archives at (518) 853-8186 for further information. The book to be discussed is American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies in the Founding of the Republic (2008) by Joseph J. Ellis. Acclaimed historian Joseph J. Ellis brings his unparalleled talents to this riveting account of the early years of the Republic. The last quarter of the eighteenth century remains the most politically creative era in American history, when a dedicated group of men undertook a bold experiment in political ideals. It was a time of both triumphs and tragedies—all of which contributed to the shaping of our burgeoning nation. Check your local library for available copies or book can be purchased online or at major bookstores.

Benefit Antique Show for Nellis Tavern

Posted on February 18, 2016

On Saturday, March 5, 2016, 10 AM until 4 PM the Arkell Museum (opens in a new tab) will once again be the site of an antique show organized for the benefit of the 1747 Nellis Tavern (opens in a new tab) historic site of St. Johnsville. Admission will be $5.00; a combo ticket for $10.00 will include entry into both the show and museum galleries. Etchings by Rembrandt (opens in a new tab) will be the special opening exhibit in the museum.

A wide variety of affordable antiques and collectibles will be offered for sale by knowledgeable and friendly dealers. The show is eclectic and will include paintings, glassware, postcards, jewelry, china, quilts, coverlets and furniture. Interesting items, spanning the 18^th c. to the mid-20^th c., can be found here.

In addition to the usual well-known local dealers, new to the show this year will be the following: Allen Boice from Madison, NY who specializes in refinished NYS cherry and tiger maple furniture; Charles and Shirley Schmitt from Ilion, NY who will be bringing prints and children’s books; Gene Abruzzi who recently moved to this area from Pennsylvania and specializes in toys and paintings; and Dr. Joseph Semowich from Rensselaer, NY with a variety of early historical items and prints. Dr. Semowich is also curator of the new (not yet opened) Museum of Prints and Printmaking in Schenectady, NY.

There will also be appraisal services on site so those who attend the show can find out the value of their own treasures; any two items for $5.00. This year the appraisers are George Heigel and Wallace Schmidt. Tasty homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts will be available for purchase.

For those wanting to spend the day in the area, there are several antique shops in Canajoharie. Brotherhood Antiques (opens in a new tab) , operated by Joe and Audrey Fowler, offers items from 10 different dealers in addition to consignment pieces. The Settlers Block (opens in a new tab) next door, operated by Jim Sancho, has a large inventory of furniture, art and a variety of small items. Chris Takacs, owner of Fort Plain Antiques (opens in a new tab) (2 miles west) offers large architectural and salvage items along with general line antiques. JR’s Auction and dealer center is now located on NYS Rt. 5 just east of St. Johnsville and west of the Nellis Tavern.

All proceeds from this show will be used for the continuing restoration and maintenance of the 1747 Nellis Tavern by the Palatine Settlement Society. Check out their website at: www.PalatineSettlementSociety.org (opens in a new tab)

For additional information contact Donna Reston at 518.843.1601

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Category: History