2023
“Madams, Mobsters and Murders in the Hudson Valley”
Presented by Anthony Musso
Monday, September 11, 2023
Slavery, Segregation & Staatsburgh:
The History & Legacy of Enslavement at Staatsburgh State Historic Site
PRESENTED BY ZACHARY VEITH
Monday, July 10, 2023
The History & Legacy of Enslavement at Staatsburgh State Historic Site
PRESENTED BY ZACHARY VEITH
Monday, July 10, 2023
Governor Morgan Lewis enslaved people of African descent at his estate, Staatsburgh. Yet, when his great-granddaughter, Ruth Livingston Mills, lived at Staatsburgh at the turn of the 20th century, the staff was exclusively White and of European descent. At the same time, a free Black community was able to grow and thrive in the surrounding hamlet of Staatsburg. Veith will lead a conversation exploring the transition from a Black presence at Staatsburgh during the early 19th century to the apparent absence of Black people at the estate during the Gilded Age. This one-hour program will include historic photographs and documents related to this history, notably a letter from Staatsburgh’s archives written by “Founding Father,” John Jay, discussing his 1790 purchase of an enslaved man named Peter Williams, from Morgan Lewis. The presentation will focus on recent research into theBlack people living and working at the Staatsburgh estate and in the neighboring hamlet of Staatsburg, bringing in the larger context of racial oppression and JimCrow, to present audiences with a new perspective on Staatsburgh.
“WOMEN AND THE D&H CANAL”
Presented by BILL MERCHANT
Monday, May 1, 2023
The Delaware & Hudson Canal was an important industrial enterprise in 19th century America, marketing Pennsylvania anthracite coal through its Canal and later its extensive railroad network. It relied on the labor of marginalized peoples-immigrants, women, children and people of color-to construct and operate its Canal. Historian Bill Merchant has conducted extensive research on the plight of the many marginalized peoples who comprised the vast majority of the workforce. Although women are the most ignored by history, this presentation relates how women contributed to its immense success, using stories from primary sources and many period images.
Presented by BILL MERCHANT
Monday, May 1, 2023
The Delaware & Hudson Canal was an important industrial enterprise in 19th century America, marketing Pennsylvania anthracite coal through its Canal and later its extensive railroad network. It relied on the labor of marginalized peoples-immigrants, women, children and people of color-to construct and operate its Canal. Historian Bill Merchant has conducted extensive research on the plight of the many marginalized peoples who comprised the vast majority of the workforce. Although women are the most ignored by history, this presentation relates how women contributed to its immense success, using stories from primary sources and many period images.
“My Doughboy Grandfather,
Learning a Story Never Told”
Presented by Nora Quinlan
Monday, March 6, 2023
On April 4, 1917, after the sinking of the ship Lusitania, the United States entered the “War to End all Wars” also then known as the great War and now known today as World War I. More than 4 million Americans served in the United States Army, Marine Corps, National Guard or other services. Doughboy became the popular term referring to a member of the American Exploratory Forces in World War I.
Using the story of her Irish grandfather, John Lyons, Nora Quinlan will do a presentation on how the world was turned upside down by the War and how, at the age of 24, he was shipped overseas to serve as a machine gunner in some of the most deadly battles of World War I
Attendees will also be shown how to find information on their Doughboy ancestor using the United States Draft Registration cards, military records (when available) burial and prisoner of war records. She will also review international records, women in the services and the impact of the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918 and World War I.
Learning a Story Never Told”
Presented by Nora Quinlan
Monday, March 6, 2023
On April 4, 1917, after the sinking of the ship Lusitania, the United States entered the “War to End all Wars” also then known as the great War and now known today as World War I. More than 4 million Americans served in the United States Army, Marine Corps, National Guard or other services. Doughboy became the popular term referring to a member of the American Exploratory Forces in World War I.
Using the story of her Irish grandfather, John Lyons, Nora Quinlan will do a presentation on how the world was turned upside down by the War and how, at the age of 24, he was shipped overseas to serve as a machine gunner in some of the most deadly battles of World War I
Attendees will also be shown how to find information on their Doughboy ancestor using the United States Draft Registration cards, military records (when available) burial and prisoner of war records. She will also review international records, women in the services and the impact of the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918 and World War I.
2022
2020
March 2
Geology and History of Rosendale Cement
presented by Steven Schimmrich
Geology and History of Rosendale Cement
presented by Steven Schimmrich
February 3
“Not The New York Central”
A Unique Look at Local Special Railroads
presented by John Duda
“Not The New York Central”
A Unique Look at Local Special Railroads
presented by John Duda
January 6
I Went to France – and I Survived and Came Home
One Local WWI Soldier’s Story
presented by Richard (Rick) Brooks
I Went to France – and I Survived and Came Home
One Local WWI Soldier’s Story
presented by Richard (Rick) Brooks