8th Annual NYS History Month Lecture Series (ONLINE)

 

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will be offering their 8^th Annual New York State History Month Lecture Series on Thursday evenings this October.  These lecture programs will be held online and cover a range of history connected to New York State. Each program will start at 7pm via the WebEx meeting platform.

October 5th - Allen Farber

From SUNY Oneonta & Caroga Lake Museum

“Paul Bransom: Canada Lake’s Animal Artist”

Known as the “Dean of American Animal Artists,” Paul Bransom was a prolific illustrator who’s work appeared regularly on the covers of magazines like The Saturday Evening Post, and he provided illustrations in some forty-five books including the 1912 edition of Jack London’s Call of the Wild and the 1913 edition of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. This presentation will introduce his work and his connections to what has come to be known as the Canada Lake Artists’ Colony.

 

October 12th - Derrick Pratt

From the Erie Canal Museum, Syracuse

“Pathway of Resistance: The Erie Canal and the Underground Railroad”

This constantly evolving talk examines the experience of African Americans along the Erie Canal Corridor, with a particular focus on the struggle for abolition. While parts of this story are unpleasant, slavery, racism, and resistance are critical to understanding our society today.

 

October 19th - Kelli Huggins

Independent Historian

“Looking for Railroad Jack: A Historian's Search for a Long-Lost Canine Celebrity”

 

In the 1880s and 1890s, there were few dogs as famous as Albany, NY's Railroad Jack. Along with his contemporary, the Postal Service's Owney, Jack captivated the public with his train-riding antics. When he died in 1893, his body was taxidermied and, subsequently, lost from the historical record. This talk will explain what Jack and fellow animal celebrities tell us about the history of the Gilded Age and will explore attempts to figure out what happened to him.

 

October 26th - Lisa Wiles

From Camillus Erie Canal Park

“Camillus on the Erie Canal”

A look at the interesting history of the Erie Canal at Camillus, NY.  Explore the Liz and Dave Beebe Camillus Erie Canal Park (established in 1972) and gain some interesting notes on its history and preservation. Today, its grounds feature more than 14 miles of trails, a re-watered section of the Old Erie Canal, and several landmarks, including Culvert 59 and a replica of a lockhouse.