PREVIOUS RCHS EVENTS

2009

Threatened Churches of Troy
Thursday, February 19, 2009, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, lecture begins at 6.
Due to the public interest in this talk, it has been moved from RCHS to the Bush Memorial Center at Russell Sage College.  The Bush Center is an adaptive reuse of the former First Presbyterian Church and provides the perfect setting for this topic.

Many of our downtown churches are threatened by declining attendance and the demands of maintaining historic structures. In Troy, the Roman Catholic Church plans to close six of the fourteen churches in Troy; two of the five Episcopal Churches are for sale, and others are also threatened. Unfortunately, many of the most threatened churches seem to be the oldest and most historic.

Architectural historian Ned Pratt will survey the important architecture and stained glass of these churches, and examine several examples of the adaptive reuse of historic churches, including four in Troy itself.

Ned Pratt is a preservation consultant and President of the local chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians. He has an interest in the stained glass and architecture of area churches, and has given talks and tours of area churches and stained glass for the Hudson Mohawk Gateway, Hudson Valley Community College, the Sage colleges, Historic Albany, and for Oakwood Cemetery - to mention just a few.

This timely illustrated talk is co-sponsored by the Rensselaer County Historical Society and the Turpin Bannister Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians.

SPECIAL EVENT: Up River Opening
Friday, February 27, 2009, 5-8 pm
Spend a festive evening in downtown Troy! Come in out of the cold and check out the Up River exhibition after hours. Free admission and light refreshments.

MEMBERS (and More) NIGHT:
Rensselaer County's River - An Illustrated Lecture
Thursday, March 12, 2009, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, lecture begins at 6 pm

Rensselaer County Historian Kathy Sheehan uses historic maps and photographs to explore the changing face of the Hudson River within Rensselaer County. Come learn how the river has transformed the county - and been transformed by it. RCHS Members and not-yet-members are all invited to share in this informative and entertaining talk and then socialize and enjoy light refreshments afterwards.

Up River 2019: A Talk with John Cronin
Thursday, March 26, 2009, 5:30 - 7:30 pm; Lecture begins at 6 pm

What might an exhibition like Up River look like a hundred years from now? What landmarks and legacies will our generation leave on the Hudson's shores? How is sensor technology changing the field of environmental science and what does that mean for the Hudson and rivers worldwide? We close the Up River exhibition with a look forward from noted environmental visionary John Cronin, Director and CEO of the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries. Please join us for what is sure to be an engaging and thought-provoking discussion. Free and open to the public, light refreshments served.

John Cronin, Director and CEO of Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, has a long and distinguished career in environmental policy, advocacy and education. He began his work on the Hudson River in 1973, at the prodding of folksinger Pete Seeger, and since then has worked as an advocate, a state and congressional legislative aide, a commercial fisherman, and director of the Pace Academy for the Environment at Pace University School of Law. For 17 years, he served as Hudson Riverkeeper, during which time his work in citizen environmental enforcement gained widespread prominence, and served as the inspiration for 170 similar programs around the world. He has been the subject of print, broadcast and documentary profiles that have brought international attention to the story of the Hudson River's rebirth. The Wall Street Journal called him "a unique presence on America's major waterways, and Time Magazine honored him as a "Hero for the Planet."

ONE NIGHT WONDERS: Silhouettes and Shadow Portraits
Friday, March 27, 2009, 5 - 8 pm
The popular "one night wonders" series returns, with a slight twist. Many TNO sites will be hosting kid-friendly activities to make for a fun family evening out. RCHS will bring out some of our collection of silhouette portraits - and invites you to try your hand at making one of your own! Free admission and light refreshments.

ONE NIGHT WONDERS: Keep the Lights On!
Friday, April 24, 2009, 5 - 8 pm
From candlesticks to compact florescents - changes in lighting technology have - quite literally - impacted the way we see our world. Imagine yourself back in the era of gas lamps and Edison's amazing electric bulb - for one night only! Free admission and light refreshments.

SPECIAL EVENT: The Philadelphia Story
Saturday, April 25, 2009, 8 pm

Help “Keep the Lights on and the History Alive” while you enjoy a classic comedy. On the eve of her wedding, the lovely but spoiled Tracy Lord juggles the attentions of not one, not two, but three eligible men at her parents’ elegant home outside Philadelphia. The wedding is on – but who will be the groom? This 1939 romantic comedy was written specifically for Katherine Hepburn and was nominated for six Academy Awards.

Ticket proceeds from the Saturday, April 25, 2009 preview of the New York State Theatre Institute’s production of The Philadelphia Story at the Schacht Fine Arts Center of Russell Sage College in Troy will be donated to the Rensselaer County Historical Society to help the 82-year old organization in its fight to stay open.

Tax-deductible tickets are available for $30 (Friends of the Family), $50 (Wedding Party), and $100 (Honored Guests) levels. Tickets are available at the door.

HISTORY WALK: Troy’s Great Fire of 1862
Saturday, May 9, 2009, 10:30 - 11:30 am
One of the most formative events in Troy’s history happened on May 10th, 1862 when within just a few hours a major bridge over the Hudson and more than 500 buildings in the city were destroyed by a huge conflagration known even today as “The Great Fire.” Using excerpts from newspapers and the letters and recollections of people who lived through this event, you will walk back into history as you retrace the progress of this fire and see what impacts this disaster had - not only locally, but nationally.

EXHIBITION OPENING - Historians in Training
Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 6 - 8 pm

For three months, 25 tenth grade students from Troy High have researched the stories behind transportation-related artifacts from the RCHS collection, and told the story of these objects in newspaper articles to be published in the Record.

Their articles reveal the history behind the objects, telling stories that have not been told before and providing others in the community with new access to the history of our community.

Enjoy an ice cream sundae and celebrate with us as we showcase these talented young historians and the stories they have unveiled from the RCHS collection.

ONE NIGHT WONDERS: "To Protect and Serve"
Friday, May 29, 2009, 5 - 8 pm
For this Troy Night Out we celebrate Troy's public servants with a one-night-only exhibition of police and fire related objects from the collection. Imagine yourself fighting fires in early 20th century firemen's gear and see what made it into a 19th century police blotter. Free admission and light refreshments.

ONE NIGHT WONDERS: School's Out!
Friday, June 26, 2009, 5 - 9 pm
School is out and it's time to play! Come check out toys and games from the RCHS collection and learn how kids amused themselves before "Wii was born!" Objects are on display for one night only, so don't miss it. Free admission and light refreshments.

HUDSON RIVER DINNER CRUISE
Sunday, July 19, 3-9pm
$85/ for members of RCHS, Historic Albany, and Columbia County Historical Society
$95/ not-yet-members

2009 Times Union "Best Local Artist" and historian Len Tantillo narrates scenic and historical highlights along the Hudson as we cruise from Troy to the Athens Lighthouse and back aboard the luxurious Captain J.P. II, enjoying a delicious dinner along the way. Tickets available online or by mail(pdf). Photo shows Athens Lighthouse from 2008 RCHS boat cruise.

ONE NIGHT WONDERS: Wearing History
Friday, July 31, 2009, 5 - 8 pm
We wear T-shirts to mark all sorts of civic and community events. You probably have some in your drawer that you just can't bear to throw out... Put them on and show them off as you check out our collection of shirts commemorating Rensselaer County events from the Witenagemot Oak to the Troy Turkey Trot and the fall of the Green Island Bridge. Or, if you're ready to part with your treasured tees, bring them in and we'll see if they belong in the halls of history! Objects are on display for one night only, so don't miss it. Free admission and light refreshments.

ONE NIGHT WONDERS: College Night!
Friday, August 28, 2009, 5 - 9 pm

RPI, Sage, HVCC... Rensselaer County has a rich tradition of higher education. Whether you're a frosh, a soph or an alum, you'll want to see the fascinating college-related documents and artifacts that we'll bring out from the collection - for one night only. Free admission and light refreshments.

HISTORY WALK: Uncle Sam - the Man and the Myth
Saturday, September 12, 2009, 10:30 - 11:30 am
How did we get from Samuel Wilson, meat-packer and brick-maker, to "Uncle Sam" the red-white-and-blue personification of the United States? Join us for a walking tour of downtown Troy to explore the man, the myth, and the sites associated with both.

HISTORY WALK: People, Place & Progress
Saturday, September 19, 2009, 10:30 - 11:30 am
This introduction to Troy history and architecture looks at how the city evolved from its initial founding in 1789 as a village to its 19th century heyday and on into the 20th century. The sites of many important events will be discussed along with some of the people who made the name Troy known around the world.

HISTORY WALK: Jacob Vanderheyden and the Village of Troy
Tuesday, September 22, 1:30 - 2:30 (leaves from Sage Park)
Before Troy was Troy, it was known as Vanderheyden, after Jacob Vanderheyden, the Dutch farmer who laid out the streets and alleys of what is now the city of Troy. Explore the one square mile area in the city's downtown historic district where the early settlement of Troy took place. This program is presented as part of the City of Troy's celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage and the Hudson River Valley Ramble.

SIGNS AND SYMBOLS: Hudson River Municipal Seals
A Lecture and Book Signing by Marvin Bubie
Tuesday, September 22, 3:00 - 4:00pm
Marvin Bubie's new book On the Trail of Henry Hudson and our Dutch Heritage through the Municipal Seals of New York deciphers the often over-looked history embedded in these objects. Join us for a fascinating look at the iconography of municipal seals and its connection to the Dutch history of New York State.

ONE NIGHT WONDERS: 1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration!
Friday, September 25, 2009, 5 - 8 pm; talk at 6:30

Kate Johnson, Curator and Director of Collections for Historic Hudson Valley, will speak on the 1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration, which lit up the Hudson Valley from New York City to Troy. This two-week long party attracted millions and highlighted the Empire State as a must-see destination.

Kate Johnson's book about the 1909 events - The Hudson-Fulton Celebration: New York's River Festival of 1909 and the Making of a Metropolis - was the winner of a 2009 Award Towards Excellence award from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network.

RCHS will bring out ephemera from the 1909 celebration to accompany Ms. Johnson's talk. Free admission and light refreshments.

HISTORY WALK: Jacob Vanderheyden and the Village of Troy
Saturday, September 26, 2009, 10:30 - 11:30 am (leaves from Troy Farmers Market)
Before Troy was Troy, it was known as Vanderheyden, after Jacob Vanderheyden, the Dutch farmer who laid out the streets and alleys of what is now the city of Troy. Explore the one square mile area in the city's downtown historic district where the early settlement of Troy took place. This program is presented as part of the City of Troy's celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage and the Hudson River Valley Ramble.

RENSSELAER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S
ANNUAL GALA BENEFIT in honor of ANNE CARROLL,
Recipient of the 2009 Hart-Cluett Award
Thursday, October 8, 2009 - Franklin Plaza Ballroom, Troy

Please join us as we honor Anne, a long time supporter of RCHS. Her passion for history includes her role as Betsey Hart's mischevious housemaid "Bridget" in the school education program; sponsoring workshops for realtors on the value of Troy's many architectural assets; and generous RCHS benefactor and former board member. Her warmth and enthusiasm are well known in the entire community.

HISTORY WALK: "To Protect and Serve"
Saturday, October 3, 2009, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Firehouses, church bells, and night constables - and a dash of murder and mayhem. This walking tour focuses on the colorful history of Troy's municipal police and fire departments, from their volunteer origins to today's public servants.

FAMILY HISTORY WALK: History Underfoot and Overhead
Saturday, October 10, 2009, 10:30 - 11:30 am
History is everywhere in Troy. Families with kids ages 5 and up will enjoy this interactive walk through Troy's past. We'll look at the buildings around us for clues that tell us about the past and get hands-on with history. You'll come away saying "I never knew that about Troy!"

HISTORY WALK: Troy's Amazing Architecture
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 10:30 - 11:30 am
This walking tour uses Troy's rich 19th and 20th century built environment to explore and learn about a range of styles and types of buildings. You'll never see it the same way again!

LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING: The Poestenkill by John Warren
Thursday, October 22, 2009, 6:30-8:00pm, free
Writer, historian, and educator John Warren has written the first history of the Poestenkill – the middle of the three streams that have shaped Rensselaer County. The Poestenkill has been home to American Indians who hunted, gathered, fished and farmed along its shores, frontier Dutch farmers and traders, colonial tradesmen, merchants, millers, and lumbermen, and nineteenth century iron, steel, textile, and paper workers. RCHS is pleased to host John Warren for a book talk and signing.

HISTORY WALK: Underground Railroad Walking Tour
Saturday, October 24, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Troy was a hotbed of abolitionist activity in the 19th century. This walking tour will highlight the sights associated with the African American community in the first half of the 19th century. Included will be sites associated with the famous rescue of escaped slave Charles Nalle by thousands of Trojans and the now famous Harriet Tubman.

ONE NIGHT WONDERS: Murder and Mayhem
Friday, October 30, 2009, 5 - 8 pm
Get in the mood for Halloween with artifacts from Rensselaer County's spookier side. From mourning regalia to might-be murder weapons - come see what we bring out from the collection for this Troy Night Out - if you dare! Free admission and light refreshments.

HISTORY WALK: Murder and Mayhem
Saturday, October 31, 2009, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Who knows what ghosts might haunt the streets of Troy? You will, after taking part in this walk through the more colorful stories of Troy's past.

2008

6th Annual Hudson River Cruise - July 20-21, 2008

Join us aboard the Capt. JPII for a two-day, one-night, journey on the Hudson River, "America's Rhine". Cruise past famous lighthouses, great Hudson Valley estates, West Point and the Palisades all while enjoying wonderful meals and spectacular vistas.  The next day, we travel back to the early 18th and 19th centuries with special guided tours at the Richmond Town Historic Site located on Staten Island. 

Honoring Rensselaer County's "Greatest Generation"

The Rensselaer County Historical Society and the Troy Area Senior Service Center will keep the Independence Day spirit alive with a celebration of Rensselaer County World War II veterans. Veterans, families, and RCHS members are invited to a brunch on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 from 10:30 - 12.

This brunch also serves as an opportunity for those veterans who visited the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. with the Patriot Flight Committee to meet again and share their thoughts and memories while being recognized for their invaluable service to their communities, the United States of America and the world.

The program for the event includes a display of World War II artifacts from the Historical Society’s collection and a screening of the WMHT film No Ordinary Lives: The War Years in Troy, New York, featuring first hand accounts of life on Rensselaer County’s home front. At the conclusion of the event, the veterans will sign a certificate from the Patriot Flight that will be presented to the Historical Society to be housed with our World War II Archives.

"The Trial of Bat Shea" comes to life to benefit RCHS

On September 19 and 20, 2008 at 8 pm, the Rensselaer County Historical Society will present the premier of Jack Casey’s play THE TRIAL OF BAT SHEA with an original musical score at Russell Sage College’s Bush Memorial Hall. Bat Shea is a true story about a tragic murder at the polls, a sensational trial which revealed deep class and religious biases, and a wrongful execution. The play depicts Troy as an 1894 industrial giant with many strong personalities vying for control of the reins of power. As a result of the murder trial, U.S. Senator Edward J. Murphy was dethroned as a state party boss and Troy attorney Frank Black became New York Governor.

An initial reading at Revolution Hall, March 12, 2006, saw an overflow crowd, and was soon followed up with a performance at HBO Studios in Manhattan on July 24, 2006 for the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences. Since then, Mr. Casey has reworked the material and, with musical director, Adam Jones (Albany Park Playhouse and Cohoes Music Hall) he has added a dozen songs and orchestration to the script to provide tone and emotional coloration.

Immigrant Life in Lowell
Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Like the collar factories and iron foundries of Troy, the mills of Lowell Massachusetts provided work and a new way of life for immigrant workers. Janet Shideler, Associate Dean and Graduate Program Director at Excelsior College, will provide an illustrated talk giving insight into the lives of these workers. Prepare for our Lowell bus trip, or just come to learn. No admission charge.

Historic Lowell Bus Trip - October 3, 2008

Step back in time! We'll travel from Troy to Lowell National Historic Park, where we'll trace the footsteps of immigrant mill girls and workers through an historic boarding house and feel the rumble of 90 working power looms. Enjoy lunch on your own in one of Lowell’s restaurants. After lunch, we’ll take a trolley ride through historic downtown Lowell. We leave at 7am and travel to Lowell in a luxury motorcoach, returning around 7:30 pm.

2008 Thomas Phelan Endowed Lecture
"Samaritans, Saints & Sinners"
Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Surgeon and writer Richard Selzer was born in Troy, the child of a doctor and an artist. His mother wanted him to become a writer, but Selzer chose to follow in his father's footsteps, graduating from Albany Medical College in 1953.

In the 1970s, Selzer began writing again, sharing stories of doctors, patients, and the remarkable human body. His essays and stories are required reading in many bioethics and medical humanities classes. Dr. Selzer's many published works include Confessions of a Knife, Letters to a Young Doctor, Taking the World in for Repairs, and his autobiography, Down from Troy: A Doctor Comes of Age. He has received numerous awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a National Magazine Award.

In addition to his talent with the written word, Dr. Selzer is also a witty and accomplished speaker. For the 2008 Phelan Lecture, Dr Selzer will share stories from his childhood in Troy and his illustrious career as an author and medical doctor.

The Rensselaer County Historical Society's Thomas Phelan Endowed Lecture Series was established in 1997 in recognition of Reverend Phelan’s longtime preservation efforts and support of the educational and cultural vitality of Rensselaer County.

2006

New York Council for the Humanities - Reading Between the Lines - "Re-Examining George Washington"

A series of four lively conversations that explored the life and impact of George Washington from a wide variety of perspectives. Each 90-minute conversation centered on a book selected by Ryan Staude, a Ph.D student in the History Department of SUNY Albany. This was a free monthly reading group and all books in the series were available to borrow for free.

March - April 2006

Center for Creative Retirement: Women in Troy

An exploration of women in the 19th century who lived in Troy and other areas of Rensselaer County. The first session began at Hudson Valley Community College with the topic "Now is the Time/Women Must Wait: Suffrage and Anti-Suffrage in Rensselaer County." The second session was held at RCHS for the "Ladies of Second Street" walking tour. The program concludes at RCHS, with a tour of the Hart-Cluett House.

The Language of Federal Architecture: A Tale of Two Houses

Douglas Bucher and Roderic Blackburn compared and contrasted the architecture of the Hart-Cluett House in Troy and the James Vanderpoel House in Kinderhook. This joint program was offered by RCHS and the Columbian County Historical Society, and included a lecture, reception and house tour.

May 2006

RCHS Preservation Weekend 2006: Cemeteries

The Preservation Weekend included the following events:

Stone Strategies: Documentation and conservation of historic cemeteries workshop

Rensselaer County History Day: Discovering Rensselaer County cemeteries

A bus trip to Mount Auburn Cemetery in Boston

Movable Feast

A celebration of a new beginning for the Hart-Cluett House Museum to aid in the continuing restoration of Troy's greatest treasure.

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