Past Exhibition Programs:

When Work Stops and Fun Begins: Recreation in Rensselaer County, 1791-1999

Program Listing

Saturday, April 24, 1999, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sublime and Seldom Seen: Waterfall tours of Rensselaer County

Area naturalists Steve Young and Laura Lehtonen will lead a tour by car and foot to little-known but highly scenic waterfalls in western Rensselaer County at a time of year when they are most spectacular. Reservations are required, group is limited to 25 people, call 272-7232. Bring your own lunch. Free to the public. (Rain date, 5/1) Co-sponsor: R-TLC.

Sunday, April 25, 1999, 4:00 p.m.
Stepping Out: Community Contra Dance

Meet us at the Brunswick Grange for a fun session complete with live string band music. Circle, lines and square dances are taught. No partner needed and no experience needed -- families welcome too. (Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.) John Kirk, Trish Miller and George Wilson are our leaders and musicians. Cost: $5.00 adults; $1 for children 5-18. ($1 discount for RCHS, R-TLC and HMTD members). Sponsor: Hudson Mohawk Traditional Dances, Inc. Co-Sponsor: RCHS.

Saturday, May 8, 1999, 9:30 a.m. - 1:00p.m.
Oakwood Cemetery: a Natural and Historical Treasure

We will begin with at the Gardner Earl crematorium, an architectural masterpiece. A hike led by Kathryn Sheehan, RCHS Registrar, will highlight the cemetery's architecture, landscape and monuments. R-TLC director Bob Ingalls will lead a hike through Oakwood's significant and unique natural areas. Bring a bag lunch to eat at a scenic area overlooking the Hudson River valley. Come prepared for weather and walking the approximately 2.5-3.5 miles planned.  Meet at the crematorium, off Oakwood Avenue (Route 40) in Lansingburgh. Free to the public. Co-sponsors: R-TLC, Troy Cemetery Association, Friends of Oakwood Cemetery.

Saturday, May 15, 1999, 9:00 a.m.
Early Schools: Rural and Urban

The program will begin with the general history of public schools in the state and includes visits to several historic school buildings. Presentations will also cover researching the history of your school and the restoration of Schoolhouse #6 in Clums Corners. Participants may take an afternoon driving tour on their own to see historic school buildings in Brunswick, Schaghticoke, Hoosick and Grafton . Reservations are required, limited to 50 persons. Please call 235-4041. Free to the public. Sponsored by R-TLC; Co-sponsors: Brunswick Historical Society, Lansingburgh Historical Society.

Saturday, May 22, 1999, 1:00 p.m.
Spring Wildflower Walk

It's Spring and time to look for wildflowers while hiking in the Town Parks of East Greenbush and Schodack. The Moordener Kill passes through both parks. The Schodack Town Park is newly opened and trails are newly constructed and being developed. Meet at the Schodack Town Hall, Routes 9 & 150. Free to the public. Sponsor: R-TLC; Co-sponsor: RCHS.

Saturday, June 5th, 1999, Beginning at 9:00 a.m.
National Trails Day at the Grafton Lakes State Park and the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center.

National Trails Day is a day dedicated to showing support for all recreational areas. Volunteer your time to work on trails at both parks between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Volunteering will be followed by afternoon hikes, mountain biking and horseback riding. The more adventurous can take a 6-mile hike between Grafton Lakes State Park and the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. This hike along trails and back roads traverses a variety of habitats and involves only moderate ascents. Watch for details this spring! (The afternoon hike will begin around 12:30.)  Meet at Grafton Lakes State Park and Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center; for more information call 658-2055. Free to the public. Sponsor: Grafton Lakes State Park, Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. Co-sponsors: R-TLC, RCHS.

Sunday, June 13, 1999, 10:00 a.m.
Nature Study at Rendert Pond and Alps Mountain

A leisurely 3-mile hike along trails and abandoned roads on the Rensselaer Plateau near Alps, with easy ascents and descents will allow plenty of time for exploration. The route will pass through oak-chestnut forest and we will visit Rendert Pond and surrounding wetlands by land and water. We will picnic at the Pond, and our program will concentrate on ecological community and plant identification. Meet at Sand Lake Town Hall, Route 43. Free to the public. Sponsor: R-TLC ; Co-Sponsor: Hudson-Mohawk Chapter, Sierra Club.

Saturday, June 19, 1999, 10:00 a.m.
Nature Hike at Lock 4, Canal Park in Schaghticoke

Many of the resources which made Rensselaer County a location for industry and shipping are now the resources we associate with recreation. Bob Ingalls will lead a nature hike and we'll discuss some of the transportation history of the area. Meet at Canal Park, near Route 120 (River Road) south of the Stillwater Bridge Road, Route 125. Free to the public. Co-sponsor: R-TLC.

Saturday, June 26, 1999, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Fish Stories and Other Pursuits

Fly fishing -- sport or art? Members of Trout Unlimited, an organization devoted to devoted to preserving and protecting cold-water streams and fisheries, will be demonstrating fly fishing and fly tying. Come watch and try your hand at casting.   Meet at Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, Route 2, Grafton, call 658-2055 for more information. Free to the public. Sponsors: RCHS, R-TLC, Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, Trout Unlimited.

Saturday, July 17, 1999, 1:00 -4:00 p.m.
Nature Walk On A Road In Summer

Take a hike with us, a leisurely 3-miles along three back roads in Pittstown which have retained their scenic rural character. The route will pass the former hamlet of East Pittstown, old farms and Nepimore Creek and will highlight wildflower and other wildlife identification.  Meet at Parker School, Parker School Road off of Route 7, Pittstown. Free to the public. Sponsor: R-TLC; Co-sponsors: RCHS, Hudson-Mohawk Chapter, Sierra Club.

Saturday, July 24, 1999, 2:30-5:00 p.m.
Papscanee Creek Canoe Trip

The only portion of Papscanee Creek which remains navigable is in an area rich in Native American and Colonial history. The 3 to 4- mile route will pass through freshwater tidal wetlands and offer a view of the Hudson River with the Catskill Mountains in the distance. You must provide your own boat, flotation devices and necessary equipment, and must bring sufficient beverages. Free to the public. (Rain date: Sunday, July 25) Reservations are required, limited to 15 boats. Please call 235-4041. Sponsor: R-TLC; Co-sponsors: Hudson-Mohawk Chapter, Sierra Club, Rensselaer County EMC.

Saturday, August 7, 1999, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hudson River Canoe Trip

Find a boat, grab your paddle and travel the placid Hudson River between Lock 2 and Pleasantdale. We will pass through Champlain Lock 1, and paddle by uninhabited islands and spectacular clay banks, taking out at historic Lansing's or Halfmoon Ferry in Pleasantdale. You must provide your own boat, flotation devices and necessary equipment, and must bring sufficient beverages. Route will cover 6.5 miles, flat water. Free to the public. (Rain date: Sunday, August 8). Reservations are required, limited to 15 boats. Please call 235-4041. Sponsor: R-TLC; Co-sponsors: RCHS; Hudson-Mohawk Chapter, Sierra Club.

Friday, September 17, 1999, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Beginners' Orientation, 7:45 p.m.
Stepping Out: Old-fashioned Barn Dance

We'll provide the live string band music, caller and the floor. You bring your energy and soft-soled, non-street shoes for an evening of contra, circle and square dances. The Appalachian and French Canadian music comes from Irish and Scottish reels and jigs. Some of these dances have local history -- all of them are great for novices and the experienced. Paul Rosenberg, caller, George Wilson, fiddle. Absolutely no partners and no experience needed - dress comfortably.Meet at the Rensselaer Park Elementary School, Rensselaer Park Elementary School, 8th Avenue and 110th Street in Lansingburgh. Take 787 north to the end, turn right onto Ontario Street (Rte 470) and continue over the 112th Street Bridge into Lansingburgh, turn right and continue to 110th Street, turn left and drive to the end. Cost: $6.00 (RCHS, R-TLC and HMTD members, $5.00).   Co-sponsor: Hudson Mohawk Traditional Dances, Inc.

Saturday, September 25, 1999, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Flora and Foliage Along Back Roads And Trails

It's just the right time of year to catch fall wildflowers and autumnal foliage. Spend the day on a fairly long but moderately easy 6.5 mile hike beginning in Grafton Lakes State Park, descending the Rensselaer Plateau, into Pittstown State Forest and Ward Hollow, ending on Williams Road in Pittstown. We will pass some old farms, cellar holes and family cemeteries. A short detour in Pittstown State Forest will lead to rock outcroppings with lichens and bryophytes. Meet at Walker's Trail head, North Long Pond Road, Grafton Lakes State Park.  Free to the public. Sponsor: R-TLC; Co-sponsor: RCHS.

Saturday, October 2, 1999, 10:00 a.m.
Visit to Camp Rotary Scout Reservation, Berney Pond

Rensselaer County has long been the site of summer camps for kids. Bring your own camping stories to share as we take a 6-mile hike along the wooded trails and old roads in Poestenkill and Grafton, past wetlands, streams and a waterfall. Lunch will be under the pines overlooking Bernie Pond. The hiking will be moderately strenuous, with some short steep ascents and descents. A concurrent short, easy hike around Davitt Pond, featuring the Camp facilities, is also being planned.  Meet at Camp Rotary, end of Davitt's Pond Road, n. of County Route 79, Poestenkill. Free to the public. Sponsor: R-TLC; Co-Sponsors: RCHS, Camp Rotary.

Saturday, October 9, 1999, 10:00 a.m.
Hawk Watch over Petersburg Pass

Hawks migrate over the same routes every year, and this includes Rensselaer County's Petersburg Pass at an elevation of 2,000 feet. This is a spectacular area to view the annual fall flight and the autumn colors. Bring your binoculars and field guides and join the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club as we learn about these powerful birds of prey.   Meet at DEC sign for Petersburg Pass on Route 2. Free to the public. Sponsors: R-TLC & RCHS; Co-sponsor: Hudson Mohawk Bird Club. Call 658-2055 for more information.

Saturday, October 16, 1999, 9:00 a.m.
The Taconic Crest: Past, Present and Future

The day will begin with presentations on the history of the Taconic Hiking Club, founded in the 1920s, the Taconic Crest Trail, and the status of land preservation on the Taconic ridge. The hike will be over Berlin Pass via the old "Albany Road" of 1773 (Eastern Turnpike), to Berlin Road in Williamstown. After the hike, participants can view the newly-preserved Berlin Road property.  Meet at Berlin Elementary School, School St., Berlin (take L on Southeast Hollow Rd. from Route 22). For more information, call 658-2643 or 235-4041. Free to the public. Sponsor: R-TLC; Co-sponsors: RCHS; Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation; Taconic Hiking Club; Taconic Valley Historical Society.

Saturday, October 23, 1999, 10:00 a.m.; Hike at 12 noon
Thro' a Country Not Well Settled: The "Albany Road" of 1752-1773

The "Albany Road" was a Colonial road, begun in 1752, which connected Deerfield, MA with Albany. Meeting and refreshments will be followed by a presentation on the research project which is mapping and analyzing the road as part of the Conservancy's G.I.S. project. We will hike along a portion of the old colonial road, as well as the 1802 former Eastern Turnpike, observing early farm and other sites.  Meet at Berlin Methodist Church, S. Main St.; Note: For the hike only, meet at "Dutch Church" at 12 noon, junction of County Routes 41 and 42. Free to the public. Sponsor: R-TLC; Co-sponsors: Taconic Valley Historical Society, RCHS.

Saturday, November 6, 1999, 10 :00 a.m.
An Early Rural Neighborhood Comes to Life

Hiking along rural and abandoned roads in Nassau and Stephentown, we will visit a rural neighborhood of the 19th century where few of the old farms remain. R-TLC Director, Warren Broderick, will chronicle the story of the Eddy farm, owned by his ancestors on land leased from the Patroon, offer advice on how to document land ownership and personal histories in Rensselaer County, and relate the tale of a sensational murder of the past century, and a house haunted by a documented ghost.  Meet at Sand Lake Town Hall, Route 43. Free to the public. Sponsors: R-TLC; Co-sponsor: RCHS

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