Wednesday, January 23, 2019

John W. Taylor: New York’s (Almost Only) Speaker of the House

The title Speaker of the House of Representatives has received lots of attention during the past few years. It’s hard to believe that the nation’s fourth-most-populous state (New York—nearly always number one, and in the top five since 1790) has only one native who served in that position.

Well, technically, there are two, but one of them served 99.82 percent of the pair’s total time in office—to be explained later. If you’re from Northern New York and dislike the idea of people owning people, you’ll be pleased at his strong stance for freedom during one of our nation’s most turbulent times. » Continue Reading.


Sunday, January 20, 2019

When The 1918 Influenza Pandemic Reached Keene

influenza articleLocal historian and author Margaret Bartley is set to give a talk on the impact the 1918 Influenza Pandemic had in the Town of Keene at the Keene Valley Library.

Bartley has collected individual stories and photos that help convey the impact the public health crisis had on the relatively isolated community. She will detail the devastating flu’s impact on Keene and the surrounding Adirondack region. Bartley estimates 90% of the hamlet’s population was infected. At one point in 1919, there were so many deaths town officials struggled to bury the bodies. » Continue Reading.


Saturday, January 19, 2019

Murder in Troy: The Welshman And William Wesson (Conclusion)

What follows is the conclusion of the murder story that was begun here last week, ending with testimony from several witnesses, including the defendant. This picks up in the trial’s final phase.

During closing statements, defense attorney Jeremiah K. Long pleaded for his client’s life: “The charge of murder in the first degree is a fearful one. To condemn this aged man to death will be a fearful responsibility for every individual juror. The facts did not warrant a conclusion of deliberate killing. The ends of justice might be satisfied by the infliction of a lighter penalty than death…. None of the circumstances showed that the crime was premeditated. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, January 17, 2019

MLK’s Poor People’s Campaign Revival in Saranac Lake

A celebration of the life of Martin Luther King has been set for Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 7 to 8 pm at the First Presbyterian Church Great Hall, 57 Church Street in Saranac Lake.

After listening to Dr. King’s words on the need for social and economic justice, Joe Paparone will speak on the revival of Dr. King’s last project, the Poor People’s Campaign, and discuss continuing this legacy today. There will be music and refreshments. » Continue Reading.


Friday, January 11, 2019

Museum’s Cabin Fever Sunday Talks Begins with Tahawus

Adirondac in 1994 Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake (ADKX) has announced their 2019 Cabin Fever Sunday Series, featuring seven events that look deeper into Adirondack history and culture.

The first event, Tahawus: Birth of a Hamlet and a Club, is set for January 13, at 1:30 pm. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Murder in Troy: Thomas Jones Kills William Wesson

On the evening of June 27, 1892, in a St. John’s Street boarding house in South Troy, New York, 66-year-old Thomas Jones was nearing the end of a three-day bender. He was fond of drawing a .32-caliber pistol and showing it off, something Jones had done repeatedly that day, much to the alarm of others. He hadn’t been on the job for several days at the Burden iron works, and had argued repeatedly with a coworker and co-resident of the boarding house, 22-year-old William Wesson, even offering to fight him in a duel. It was dismissed as nothing more than the ramblings of an old, annoying drunk. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Horse Artifacts Focus of Fort Ti Program Sunday

fort ticonderogaFort Ticonderoga’s wintertime Fort Fever Series returns in 2019 and features programs led by Fort Ticonderoga museum staff who will share their latest research and discoveries.

The first program, presented on January 13, 2019, is  “Half-Spanish, Part-Hungarian, & All-American: Cavalry Treatises, Saddles & Objects in Fort Ticonderoga’s Collection.” Join Vice President of Public History Stuart Lilie to explore the horse artifacts in Fort Ticonderoga’s collections and the unique stories of American saddlery that they tell. The Collections of Fort Ticonderoga include saddles, documents and other pieces which record the ongoing evolution of American military saddlery beyond the long 18th century. » Continue Reading.


Monday, January 7, 2019

Great Camp Santanoni Winter Weekends

Camp Santanoni Historic AreaThree Winter Weekend events will be held for the sixth consecutive year at Camp Santanoni in Newcomb.

The events will take place during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, January 19-21; Presidents Day holiday weekend, February 16-18; and the weekend of March 16-17.

These Winter Weekends have grown in popularity in recent years as cross-country skiers and snowshoers access the historic great camp property to rest, tour the buildings, and view interpretative displays. » Continue Reading.


Monday, January 7, 2019

Historic Preservation Grants Available

Genesee Country Village and MuseumPreserve New York grant applications are now open.

Launched in 1993 through a partnership between The Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Preserve New York makes grants for historic structure reports, building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Community Xmas Trees: Historically Rooted in the Adirondacks

Community Christmas trees are an American tradition that bring people together regardless of income, faith, political persuasion, or pretty much anything that divides us. Whether sponsored by a city, town, church, or civic organization, community trees are placed in an outdoor public setting for anyone to enjoy.

It’s a rare treat to share something so nonpartisan: whatever you might personally like about the holidays is what you’ll take away from viewing the tree or sharing in song and merrymaking with fellow citizens. And it’s nice to know that America’s first community Christmas tree, the one that spawned a movement still going strong more than a century later, was an Adirondack balsam. » Continue Reading.


Sunday, December 30, 2018

US Presidents in Clinton County Talk in Plattsburgh

The Clinton County Historical Association has announced a program “Connections with History: U.S. Presidents in Clinton County,” set for Monday, January 14, at 4 pm, at the Lake Forest Senior Living Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh.

“Connections with History” is an illustrated talk on U.S. Presidents and other important historical figures who have visited Clinton County and their connections with each other. » Continue Reading.


Saturday, December 29, 2018

Holiday Humor: Regional Letters to Santa from Long Ago

Plenty of laughs are scattered throughout this year’s collection of letters (unedited) to Santa. Check out the first two for an idea of what to expect. Enjoy!

From 1901: Gloversville Daily Leader

Broadalbin.
Dear Santa Claus: — I wish you would bring me a hand sleigh so I can ride down hill.
We live close by a hill where all the girls and boys ride and it is awful aggravating to see all of them riding down hill when I cant ride. I will be very thankful if you will bring me a sleigh and I won’t ask for anything more play things till next Christmas.
Yours With Best Wishes For a Merry Christmass And a Happy New Year, Beulah Fish. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Saranac Lake’s Trudeau Building Wins Major Grant

trudeau buildingHistoric Saranac Lake has been awarded a $500,000 Environmental Protection Fund grant from the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to support the purchase and rehabilitation of the Trudeau Building. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Jefferson County’s Charles Sherman: Huckleberry Charlie (Conclusion)

In summer 1920, as he had done for at least 60 years, Charles Sherman was out on Pine Plains picking huckleberries. His usual tour of North Country fairs was in the works, a highly anticipated journey by Charlie and his admirers alike, but he began feeling poorly and decided not to go. He remained active until early October, but from that point forward was confined to the house as his health deteriorated. It was finally determined that cancer was gradually taking his life.

An outline of his unusual history was published in the Ogdensburg Republican-Journal, reviving fond memories of the good times had by all whenever Charlie came to town. » Continue Reading.


Sunday, December 16, 2018

Huckleberry Charlie’s Saga Continues

In June 1917, Charlie Sherman showed up as usual in Watertown to apprise his friends at the Daily Times how things were going. After discussing the blueberry crop, he mentioned his new cat, Snowball, who “could roll over three times without stopping.” A surprise once again was his attire, but not in the customary way: instead of a flashy, multicolored wardrobe, “his suit being of a sober, mixed gray, but to the sport type.”

The year played out in typical fashion, with Charlie selling berries during the summer and touring the fairs in the fall. As had become customary, he also played a role in Watertown’s Labor Day parade. “Charles Sherman, bedecked with emblems, lodge insignia, etc., was given a prominent place in the parade, and even preceded the Fourth Artillery band at times when he considered the occasion demanded. The parade was witnessed by a large crowd of Watertown people who lined the Square on all sides, as well as [seven] other streets taken in on the line of march.” » Continue Reading.



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