Events

Fall Foliage Report: September 19 – 25

Posted on September 19, 2018

I LOVE NY starts 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.

Reporting station: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) , Fort Hunter and Down by the River Kayak Rentals (opens in a new tab) , Amsterdam

Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 10%

Brilliance: Average

Predominating colors: Mostly green hints of yellow and red

Rating: Just beginning

The leaves are just beginning to change in Montgomery County. While green is still predominant, there are touches of red and yellow.

The calendar is full of events including live music, historic celebrations, and agricultural events. The Ames Museum (opens in a new tab) is celebrating the end of summer and the 1747 Nellis Tavern (opens in a new tab) is open for tours through September.

On Sunday, September 22 there are a few great events happening.

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is teaming up with Down by the River Kayak Rentals to host introductory kayaking lessons for children. These courses are intended for beginner or novice level paddlers ages 14 to 17. Audrey Egelston of Down by the River Kayak Rentals will facilitate the two-hour introductory sessions. Space is limited and pre-registration is required (opens in a new tab) for this free program.

In Canajoharie, Montgomery County Historian/RMO Kelly Yacobucci Farquhar will lead a walking tour of the Village of Canajoharie on Saturday, September 22 at 11 am. The tour will highlight various sites associated with the African Americans who lived in Canajoharie during the 19th century as well as potential abolitionist activity. Brochures will identify the sites on a map of the Village of Canajoharie and the walking tour will include a portion of the sites, not all, but the brochures/maps will be available long after the walking tour. For more information please contact: Jenna Peterson Riley | (518) 673-2314.

At Old Fort Johnson the Annual Fall Fundraiser will be held from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Featuring a sampler of the county’s best homemade soups, breads and pies. Enjoy amazing regional cooking while supporting the preservation of Old Fort Johnson. Limited seating, advance tickets recommended.$25 adults, $10 children includes unlimited soup samples, bread, pie, beverage and a special limited edition commemorative mug. Held rain or shine under tents in our beautiful gardens.

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

Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!

1.800.743.7337

Fall Foliage Report: September 12-18

Posted on September 13, 2018

Reporting station: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) , Fort Hunter and Down by the River Kayak Rentals (opens in a new tab) , Amsterdam

Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 5%

Brilliance: Dull

Predominating colors: Mostly green with some yellow

Rating: Just beginning

The leaves are just beginning to change in Montgomery County. While green is still predominant, there are touches of yellow.

On Sunday is the annual Sundae on the Farm (opens in a new tab) located at Dykeman & Sons, Fultonville. A specialty of this farm is their rotary parlor and a robotic post-dipper. Learn about these new technologies on the farm while having fun. There will be educational activities, food, different varieties of farm animals, and more.

On Sunday, September 22, Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is teaming up with Down by the River Kayak Rentals to host introductory kayaking lessons for children. These courses are intended for beginner or novice level paddlers ages 14 to 17. Audrey Egelston of Down by the River Kayak Rentals will facilitate the two-hour introductory sessions. Space is limited and pre-registration is required (opens in a new tab) for this free program.

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

Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!

1.800.743.7337

Canal Days at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

Posted on July 5, 2018

Schoharie Crossing (opens in a new tab) will host the annual Canal Days Festival on July 14 & 15 from 11am – 4pm both Saturday and Sunday. This event is a free community festival celebrating the Erie Canal and the character of the people and towns along the way. This event is part of the continuing celebration of the Erie Canal Bicentennial. The Erie Canal was started in 1817 and completed in 1825.

This year’s festival will feature a participatory balloon art installation by Airigami. This company has been creating unique and stunning art displays which have been showcased around the world. As part of the Canal Days festivities, they will be supervising the creation of a large Erie Canal packet boat mural out of environmentally friendly balloons.

Canal Days will offer a variety of other attractions including wagon rides, the Utica Zoomobile, horse shoeing demonstrations, Tri County Old Time Engine display, games, food vendors, Down By the River Kayak (opens in a new tab) demos, a Canalway trail guided bicycle ride with the Adirondack Velo Club on Saturday at 1pm, and The Dudley Observatory will have a solar telescope to safely view the sun on Sunday. Various community organizations will be participating including the Montgomery Sheriff’s Department, the Mohawk River Basin Program, Capital Mohawk PRISM and the New York State Archeology Association. Sean The Prankster will perform magic at 1:30 on both Saturday and Sunday. The New York State Canal Corporation (opens in a new tab) will bring their popular working model of an Erie Canal lock as well as an actual Erie Canal tug boat.

On Saturday, the nationally known modern country band, Tompkins Drive will have two performances. In addition, The Friends of Schoharie Crossing will host a chicken barbeque. Also on Saturday will be the official opening of the 2018 art show which features paintings inspired by recreation among the built and natural environments at Schoharie Crossing.

On Sunday, the program will feature the music of the Jump Daddies swing band. There will also be a Rat Pack Cruzers Car show with prizes for best of show.

We are grateful to our many generous partners and sponsors. These include the NYS Canal Corporation, the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor, Price Chopper, Alpin Haus, WEXT 97.7, Judith-Ann Realty, the Wine Barrell, Bourbon Street Wine and Liquor Warehouse, Arlene’s Artist Materials, Olde Brick House Café, Mary Jane’s Market and the 518 Grill.

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

Putman Porch Music Series

Posted on May 24, 2018

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) has announced the return of the Putman Porch Music series for its fourth year starting on Thursday, June 7th 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 (opens in a new tab) . Find and like us on Facebook (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) .

The Fort Plain Museum’s American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference

Posted on April 19, 2018

The Fort Plain Museum’s American Revolution Mohawk Valley Conference (opens in a new tab) is back for 2018 and registrations are now being accepted. Pre-registration is required and please sign-up immediately, last year was a near sell-out. The Conference is held on June 7-10, 2018. Most of the conference will be held at the Fulton-Montgomery Community College (opens in a new tab) .

This year there are 11 Author/Historian Presentation and Panel Discussion. Starting on Thursday, June 7^th, Michael E. Newton will present “Alexander Hamilton’s Revolutionary War Service”. On Friday, June 8^th,Russell Shorto will present “Revolution Song: America’s Founding Era in Six Remarkable Lives”.

On Saturday/Sunday, June 9^th and 10^th, there are the following presentations:

Edward G. Lengel – George Washington and the Burning of New York City, 1776
Eric H. Schnitzer – “Hessians” at the Battle of Bennington, 1777
James L. Nelson – Benedict Arnold’s Navy: The Story of the Rag Tag Fleet that Lost the Battle of Valcour Island and Won the American Revolution
Don N. Hagist – Redcoats Along the Mohawk: British Soldiers in Western New York, 1777-1783
Bruce M. Venter – Benedict Arnold’s Nemesis: Colonel John Brown’s Fateful Journey to the Mohawk Valley
Jennifer DeBruin – Traitors, Spies & Heroes: Loyalist Espionage in the American Revolution
Glenn F. Williams – Sir William Johnson, the Iroquois Confederacy and Lord Dunmore’s War
John Buchanan – Two Warriors: George Washington and Sir William Howe
Wayne Lenig – The Tryon County Committee of Safety
New this year, a Panel Discussion where presenters and the audience will discuss which side they would choose, Patriot or Loyalist?

Stone Arabia Church — ©Mitch Wojnarowicz

On Thursday, June 7^th, there is a Bus Tour of the 1778 Battle & Raid Sites. The bus tour will feature the events of 1778; the Battle of Cobleskill, the Cherry Valley Massacre, Springfield, Andrustown, Adam Helmer’s Run, Fort Herkimer and Fort Plain/Rensselaer (opens in a new tab) . There is a lunch stop in Cooperstown.

New this year, is a Genealogy Day, this is held on Friday, June 8^th. Guests can visit the Mohawk Country (opens in a new tab) historic sites located throughout Montgomery County. Sites will have presentations and/or historians on hand to discuss the families that fought on both sides during the American Revolution.

On the evening of Saturday, June 9^th, “An Evening with Washington and Madison” including an all new Fundraiser Dinner held at the Bridge Walk at the Perthshire (opens in a new tab) . Join George Washington and James Madison, portrayed by Brian Hilton and Kyle Jenks, as they discuss their journeys to upstate New York and other founding moments.

To register or for further information such as pricing, locations and more details, please visit http://www.fortplainmuseum.com/conference (opens in a new tab) or email info@fortplainmuseum.org (opens in a new tab) or call 518-774-5669. This is the museum’s yearly fundraiser with 100% going back into museum exhibits and upkeep, your support is greatly appreciated.

If Rivers Could Speak at Schoharie Crossing

Posted on October 19, 2017

If Rivers Could Speak

On October 24, 2017 Alden (Joe) Doolittle will present an evening of storytelling at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site. His program entitled “If Rivers Could Speak, The Stories They’d Tell,” offers stories of the Mohawk Valley, its people and places. From the Iroquois and early European settlers to the Revolution and the Erie Canal, Joe will tell tales of how the valley affected the history and development of our nation. The event is free. The program, hosted by the Friends of Schoharie Crossing, starts at 6:30. Refreshments are served after the performance. All are welcome.

Joe Doolittle has applied his humorous good-natured style with audiences throughout the state. He has developed many historically based tales about the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys. He is a coproducer of Story Circle at Proctors, a resident company offering a variety of programs at the theater. In 2103, he was honored by the National Storytelling Network with the Oracle Award for Leadership and Service in the Northeast Region. In 2015, the League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling gave him the Brother Blue and Ruth Hill Award for exceptional leadership in Storytelling.

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

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

2016 Fall Lecture Series Fort Plain Museum

Posted on October 5, 2016

Fort Plain Museum (opens in a new tab)

389 Canal Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339

fortplainmuseum@yahoo.com (opens in a new tab)

518-774-5669

Lectures start at 7:00pm

Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

Thursday, October 13

“War on the Middleline – The Founding of a Community in the Kayaderosseras Patent in the Midst of the American Revolution” by James E. Richmond

Thursday, October 20

“Sir William Johnson and the Evolution of the Mohawk Valley Fur Trade” by Michael Perazzini

Thursday, October 27

“350 Years of Firearms” including the Hamilton/Burr Dueling Pistols by John Phillips (Phillips will discuss and showcase replica Hamilton/Burr Dueling Pistols made before the American Revolution Bicentennial)

Thursday, November 3

“Forgotten Pioneers: African Americans in the Mohawk Valley” by Wayne Lenig and “West African Drumming in Colonial America” (drumming demonstrations included) by Charles Lenig

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

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site Seeks Participants for the 2016 Canal Days

Posted on February 17, 2016

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) is planning for the 2016 Canal Days to be held on Saturday, July 9^th and Sunday, July 10^th around the Visitor Center in Fort Hunter, NY. This annual event is a fun mix of games, food, music, education, recreation, a car show and more! The event attracts visitors from all over the region to the site and community.

The historic site is seeking participants from community organizations, local crafters, vendors and groups that may wish to be a part of this terrific event. The historic site features acres of space available for the festival and activities. Free parking will be available.

For more information, please contact Janice at the site (518) 829-7516 or Schoharie.Crossing@parks.ny.gov.

Schoharie Crossing Annual Winter Writing Contest

Posted on February 17, 2016

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) is once again conducting a Winter Writing Contest (opens in a new tab) . This year the contest is asking for poems to be written by children as well as adults. Local judges will read, review and select winners for each of the three categories: Child (up to 12 years old), Young Adult (13-17), and Adult (18 and up).

Traveling on the canal was always quite the experience. It could often be difficult and dangerous or it could also be a way to a better life. That diversity of experiences from Albany to Buffalo along the artificial river meant that each person had a unique story to tell. For this year’s contest, the site is asking that submissions of poems that express your own interpretation of a travelers experience on the Erie Canal be sent in no later than 5pm on April 6^th.

Each poem should demonstrate an understanding of the social, economic and engineering systems that were part of traveling across New York State on the Erie Canal. Your poem could be set during any era of canal travel, from the 1820’s up until today.

Prizes this year are $100 each for the Adult category, Young Adult and the child category. Submissions may be sent via mail to Schoharie Crossing Writing Contest, P.O. Box 140, Fort Hunter, NY 12069, or electronically to: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov.

For contest topics, rules and guidelines or other information, please contact the site or find us on Facebook (opens in a new tab) . (518) 829-7516.

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