10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 07:22
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.
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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.
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.