New York State Department of Education

10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 07:22

State Museum Celebrates New York State History Month and American Archives Month With Second Annual Family History Day on October 6th

Media Contact:
Dora Ricci
(518) 474-1201
www.nysed.gov

Hands-On Family-Friendly Activities Highlight New York's Rich Cultural Legacy

Event Highlights 400th Anniversary of New Netherland

The New York State Museum (NYSM) invites families to join the second annual Family History Day on Sunday, October 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., as part of New York State History Month and American Archives Month. This free interactive event offers children, caregivers, families, and adults a chance to learn more about the rich history of New York through hands-on activities, crafts, and educational programming that bring history to life. In honor of the 400th anniversary of the founding of New Netherland, visitors will also learn about the diverse world of New Netherland through the Museum's exploration station. Attendees will also be able to view rare artifacts from the New York State Museum's collections and engage with Historians, Archaeologists, and Curators to learn more about their work.

NYSM Chief Curator for History Dr. Jennifer Lemak said, "Family History Day provides an opportunity for our historians to share our incredible collections and stories from the past with children and adults. It is the perfect way to kick off New York History Month, especially since learning about our past will help inform our future."

New York State Historian Devin Lander said, "New York State's history plays an important role in the lives and communities of New Yorkers today. We are thrilled to welcome children and their families to the New York State Museum to learn more about our shared history. Family History Day provides an opportunity to make history accessible to younger audiences. We invite children and their families to learn more about their communities' past, enjoy discovering the history around them, and find their place in preserving and creating history for the future."

New York Archivist Brian Keough said, "History and Archives Month is a great opportunity to celebrate the importance of family in history. The State Archives is pleased to support genealogy and family history communities by providing access to tools, programs, and resources to explore family and community connections within over 280,000 records. Exploring and preserving family history is a rewarding journey that strengthens connections between past and present generations."

In celebration of Family History Day on Sunday, October 6th, interactive activities and special presentations are planned to highlight the 400th anniversary of New Netherland's founding will include:

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Speak with featured experts from the New York State Archives, New Netherland Research Center, and NYSM Curator of Historical Archaeology Michael Lucas.
  • Children and families can participate in traditional games that have been played for over 400 years and create historically inspired crafts to take home.
  • Guests can also ride the New York State Museum's historic 110-year-old carousel.
  • Numerous history-focused cultural institutions from the community will also be available to share information about our local history and the fun activities they offer. Each institution will offer unique insights and resources, allowing families to deepen their connection to New York's rich historical significance. They include the New York State Talking Book and Braille Library, National Bottle Museum, USS Slater, Shaker Heritage Society, Hart Cluett Museum, Warren County Historical Society, Schenectady County Historical Society, New York State Library, New York State Archives, Albany Firefighters Museum, Crailo State Historic Site, and Albany Historical Association.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Join Culinary Historian and interpreter of African American history at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Lavada Nahon for a delectable exploration of New Netherland and early New York's rich foodways with her special program, "Culinary Crossroads: A Flavorful Journey Through New Netherland and Early New York" in the Huxley Theater. Food-related Dutch documents and artifacts from the New York State Archives, Library, and Museum will be on display before and during the program.

The following free programs are open to the public and are scheduled for October as part of the broader celebration of New York State History and Archives Month.

  • Stop by on Sunday, October 20th, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Museum Lobby to learn about Albany's rich history with Dr. Michael Lucas, curator of Historical Archaeology, as he uncovers the layers of our past in this gallery talk, "Albany's Hidden History: An Archaeological Journey Through Time." Explore the groundbreaking discoveries beneath Albany's streets-from the remnants of Fort Orange, New Netherland's first permanent Dutch settlement, to the remains of the 18th-century Quackenbush-Douw rum distillery. Gain unique insights into the city's evolution through archaeological finds that help us to learn about daily life, trade, and the growth of one of North America's oldest European cities. This presentation will provide a glimpse into the artifacts and stories that shape Albany's legacy.
  • Join us for an enlightening lecture on Sunday, October 27th, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Huxley Theater, "Warrior of the Revolution: Colonel Louis Cook of the Seven Nations of Canada," with author Darren Bonaparte, on Colonel Louis Cook, a significant figure in the American Revolution. Known by his Mohawk name, Akiatonharónkwen, Cook defied alliances and played a crucial role in the Continental Army, navigating complex relationships with British and American forces. This lecture will explore his life, his rivalry with Joseph Brant, and his lasting impact on New York State. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the story of a man who shaped history through his extraordinary journey.
  • New York Archives Magazine Online Speaker Series will feature a virtual event on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Author, constitutional lawyer, and historian of crime, Alex Hortis, will present his latest book, The Witch of New York: The Trials of Polly Bodine and the Cursed Birth of Tabloid Justice. Hortis will take an in-depth look into New York's legal history and folklore by exploring the fascinating story of Polly Bodine and the rise of tabloid justice in 19th-century New York. This virtual event offers an exciting opportunity for history enthusiasts to engage with the state's rich and sometimes dark past.

The State Museum is a program of the New York State Education Department's Office of Cultural Education. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is normally open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the Museum website.

The New York State Archives holds many of the oldest and most important archival treasures in the nation. The Archives preserves and makes accessible over 250 million records of New York's State and colonial governments dating from 1630 to the present. The State Archives provides free access to photographs, artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and other materials that tell the story of New York's history via its Digital Collections on the Archives website.

The Archives Partnership Trust was founded in 1992 to build an endowment and provide project support to enhance humanities programs, increase access to these outstanding treasures, and continue the preservation of New York's historical records. Since its founding, the Partnership Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has supported exceptional projects and programs. These include the Research Residency Program, the Student Research Awards Program(link is external), history conferences, special exhibitions, public education programs, book signings and lectures, publications, teacher training institutes, preservation projects, and more.

The State Museum, State Library, and State Archives are programs of the New York State Education Department's Office of Cultural Education. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or by visiting the Office of Cultural Education website.

The year 2026 will mark the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the foundational document of the Revolution that occurred between 1775 and 1783 and resulted in the creation of the United States of America. As such, New York State will commemorate this time in our history by recognizing not only the contributions of New Yorkers during the Revolutionary War but also the ongoing efforts over 250 years to advance the ideals of equality and freedom. Through exhibitions, public programs, publications, and events, the commemoration will explore the state's pivotal role in the evolution of these principles. It will also focus on how New York has been a significant force in those historic moments of change, such as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, the labor movement, and LGBTQ+ rights. For more information, visit the New York State 250th Commemoration Commission webpage.