The following two articles were found in today's Rensselaer County Advertiser newspaper.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD ALONG THE HUDSON RIVER PRESENTATION
To mark Black History month, the Esquatak Historical Society will present a talk on the story of the Underground Railroad and activity in this region on Friday, February 16th. Noted historians and educators Paul and Liz Stewart are co-founders of the Underground Railroad Project of the Capital Region and have dedicated their lives to documenting this part of our local history.
The Underground Railroad was the movement that enslaved African Americans used to gain freedom in the 19th Century. The Capital Region of New York was visited by thousands of fugitives seeking freedom in the years prior to the Civil War.
The program starts at 7 pm and will take place at the Schodack Town Hall located at the corner of Routes 9 & 20 and Schuurman Road in Schodack. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.esquatak.com.
Town of Sand Lake History Notes
Bob Moore, Town Historian
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Happy New Year to all and time for some upcoming events and general news relating to Sand Lake history. The Hazel Drew case is still active, and besides the continued investigation by Mark Marshall and others, John Hoser has completed the movie trailer for the Hazel Drew documentary. I participated in the last piece of filming with Kathy Sheehan, Rensselaer County Historian, in December. Check out the trailer on line at www.hazeldrew.com.
The Poestenkill Historical Society is hosting Mark Marshall and me on Tuesday, February 27th, at 7:00 to discuss the developments in the Hazel Drew case. The event will be held at Town Hall. Coming up in March, the Sand Lake Historical Society will present Ron Hughes, the author of Who Killed Hazel Drew? The event will be held at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts and begins at 7:00. The September event filled, so get there early.
Free to all.
There has been a marked increase in interest in our local history. The Sand Lake and Sand Lake Revisited books have been selling briskly at town hall and a number of people have been stopping into my office with info and photos from our town's past. I've been sharing historic photos on my facebook page but above is Henry Nennsteil, in front of 12 Mosher Rd. that is across from Teal Pond. Today the home is owned by Paul Mardon. special thanks to Dave Mardon.
25 January 2018
Deiseroth Confectioner and Baker
The following undated receipt was found in papers and records at the German-American Club of Albany. The club is in possession of papers, etc. from a few now defunct German organizations. Unfortunately their holdings are very few.
This site, corner of Third Avenue and Elizabeth Street, continued as a bakery for many years. German-born Otto Theibe purchased the building around 1929 and operated Otto's Bakery there until 1966. It is unfortunate that very few of these old-world artisan businesses still exist. Today's fancy supermarkets have put most family owned bakers and butchers out of business.
Information on Otto's Bakery was found in an undated Times Union article on Elfrieda Textores; whom was a retired Bethlehem social studies teacher and member of the German-American Club of Albany.
Ancestral Homes : 47 Alexander Street, Albany
 |
| 47 Alexander Street, circa 2014 |
The home above, 47 Alexander Street, was that of my 2nd great-granduncle, Stephen Behrhof. Younger brother of my great great grandmother Margaret Behrhof Koreman. Stephen was a tailor who worked with his nephew Henry Koreman Jr. A 1900 Albany city directory lists their business as
Koreman & Behrhof, clothier, 276 South Pearl.
An article from the Knickerbocker News on 03 September 1968, 1:1 by Charley Mooney mentions William Lofink saying "I just made my weekly payment of $1 at Koreman & Behrhof's, 276 South Pearl Street where they sell $15 suits. Then I stopped at George Deiseroth's bakery, Third Avenue and Elizabeth Street (this will be the focus of the next blog post).
An article from the Knickerbocker News on 03 September 1968, 1:1 by Charley Mooney mentions William Lofink saying "I just made my weekly payment of $1 at Koreman & Behrhof's, 276 South Pearl Street where they sell $15 suits. Then I stopped at George Deiseroth's bakery, Third Avenue and Elizabeth Street (this will be the focus of the next blog post).
This home is no longer standing if my memory serves me correctly. A series of homes were torn down soon afterward. Many of the homes in this section of the South End were built circa 1855-1860.
24 January 2018
Man of Mystery : Earl Stewart
A number of years ago my father purchased an ornately carved antique box with the name Earl Stewart carved into it. Now the question is; who was Earl Stewart? The box engraving is hand carved and it is a great example of Americana history. Notice the carved mountains, eagle, and three windmills. These are probably symbolic for Earl.
More questions, was this box made by Earl Stewart? or was it made for him? Was Earl a painter or some type of craftsman? Perhaps we will never know. But I am putting this out on the Internet in the hopes that someone might be knowledgeable on him.
Photos of this work of art are below.
More questions, was this box made by Earl Stewart? or was it made for him? Was Earl a painter or some type of craftsman? Perhaps we will never know. But I am putting this out on the Internet in the hopes that someone might be knowledgeable on him.
Photos of this work of art are below.
23 January 2018
Cleaning &/or Restoring Gravestones
So... you want to clean gravestones and or rehab them. My question to you is... are you crazy? OK, just kidding, it is very rewarding, but do you know what is involved, what to do, what not to do, and more importantly do you know or realize your limitations? These are questions that need to be asked in order to accomplish your task safely for both yourself and for the gravestone. It seems easy, just grab some water, yes; some brushes, perhaps if you have the correct brush; household cleaners, and get to work; no, no, no! Did I already say no?
For starters, the go-to chemical for cleaning gravestones is D2 Biological Solution. It is sold locally in the Albany area; in either one gallon or five gallon containers. It is expensive but it is the only approved chemical for cleaning biological growth off gravestones. Biological growth is moss, mold, or various lichens. Biological growth is not dirt. Dirt may or may not be removed with the use of D2. For actually cleaning a gravestone Orvus soap has been used by other conservators. I have no experience with using Orvus on gravestones. So I cannot speak on cleaning techniques with Orvus.
Before I decide to clean a gravestone the first thing that I do is look the stone over and ask myself the following questions. Does the stone really need to be cleaned? I do not simply clean every gravestone that is discolored. Only ones that are illegible and those that require repair are what I clean with D2. Is the gravestone damaged? If it is broken, can I easily handle it? During the inspection ask yourself this question, will I damage the stone more than it already is if I attempt a cleaning? If the answer is yes, leave it alone. Do not mess with it. Leave it to the pros. Most important, if I start working on this stone will it fall and possibly on me? If the stone is large always position your body away or on the side of the stone so that if it does fall it will not land on you.
Regarding damaged gravestones, the photo below shows what is known as delamination. Delamination occurs when weathering opens and a weak spot forms where the the outer layer of the stone begins to separate and flake off in layers. Do not attempt a repair on this unless you are a professional.
Cleaning with Clorax is a huge no no. Clorax will damage the stone because it is a caustic chemical. Salts within the Clorax will soak into the porous stone, especially marble, and begin to eat away at the stone. This reaction will cause damage known as sugaring. Below is an example of sugaring.
Moss, lichens, and other plant growth that enter small cracks in the stone will also eventually cause more damage with the roots digging further into stone which will allow for water to enter the opening and begin a freeze thaw process that can break the stone at the crack.
When repairing a broken stone; in the below picture, the stone is a tablet grave marker from a local cemetery. Notice the incorrect side bracing and what do you think the end result was.
The cleaning process that I use follows as such.
Gravestones, especially marble stones can be found in cemeteries in three different manners. First, many of tablet style gravestones are larger than you think. The photo below shows Mary Cline's gravestone. Her stone is almost five feet long with the majority of the stone buried in the ground for stability. Her stone was excavated, straightened, and back filled with compacted stone dust. Over the period of years her stone began to lean due to gravity and conditions of the soil.
Next to Mary's stone is her husband, Russell. His marble stone is attached to a marble base via pins and mortar. The photo below shows another plot that was in need of attention. The pins and pin holes are clearly visible in the photo.
Iron pins held the marker to the base and mortar was applied under the stone and around the joint where the stone meets the base. Over time the mortar fails and seems to vanish.
The iron pins are removed because they tend to rust and oxidize which causes the pin to expand and this can cause the stone to break. Have you ever notices rust like discoloring and upward cracks on the stone just above the base. That is from oxidation. The iron pins are replaced with stainless rod that is cut to length and secured with a special type of lime mortar called Lithomex. The Lithomex is placed under the stone and also pointed around the joint where the stone meets the base to seal the joint.
Lithomex is porous and allows the stone to "breathe." Never repair gravestones with Portland cement. Repairs with Portland cemetery can further damage the stone because Portland is much harder and stronger than marble and lime gravestones which will cause the gravestone to break and not the Portland. When a stone is repaired with lime based Lithomex the repair will break if needed and not the stone itself.
The third way that marble stones are found in cemeteries is in the mortise and tenon or tab and socket method. This is where either a small "tab" in the center of the stone fits into a slot in the center of the base or the whole tablet fits into a large slot in the base. Below is a photo of a base where the tablet fits into the slot.
This large stone below did not have a base. For some reason the base was gone and only way to keep the stone upright was to fabricate a new base. Making a new base is relatively easy. Cement, 2 x 6s, screws, and insulating foam is all that I use. The foam is cut to custom width and depth according to the size of the stone. When the base is cured the foam is removed and you have a slot where the stone can be inserted. The slot is slightly larger than the stone and is partially filled with the lime based mortar. After the stone is inserted the joint is sealed with additional Lithomex.
Putting broken gravestones back together can be a process, especially if much of the stone is missing. The epoxy that I use is Akemi Akepox 2030. It is a two part epoxy that is very strong. Not much is needed to make repairs. Just dab along the break line, secure with clamps, and then infill with Lithomex to fill and hide the crack.
Finally, gravestones are heavy. Some are light enough that they can be picked up and set in place by hand and some cannot. Therefore mechanical means are necessary to safely lift a stone in place. Below is an example of a stone that was too heavy to lift; so the tripod, hoist, and soft nylon straps were brought in to safely make needed.
As a final note, when attempting this work, be safe, do the right thing, have fun, and enjoy!
For further information on cleaning or restoring gravestones, please see:
Online Sources
Association for Gravestone Studies
Cemetery Conservators for United Standards
Chicora.org
Iscga.org
Print Sources
Strangstad, Lynette. A Graveyard Preservation Primer. New York: Altamira Press, 2013
Jones, Melanie S. Aspects of Stone Weathering, Decay and Conservation. London: Imperial College Press, 1997
For starters, the go-to chemical for cleaning gravestones is D2 Biological Solution. It is sold locally in the Albany area; in either one gallon or five gallon containers. It is expensive but it is the only approved chemical for cleaning biological growth off gravestones. Biological growth is moss, mold, or various lichens. Biological growth is not dirt. Dirt may or may not be removed with the use of D2. For actually cleaning a gravestone Orvus soap has been used by other conservators. I have no experience with using Orvus on gravestones. So I cannot speak on cleaning techniques with Orvus.
Before I decide to clean a gravestone the first thing that I do is look the stone over and ask myself the following questions. Does the stone really need to be cleaned? I do not simply clean every gravestone that is discolored. Only ones that are illegible and those that require repair are what I clean with D2. Is the gravestone damaged? If it is broken, can I easily handle it? During the inspection ask yourself this question, will I damage the stone more than it already is if I attempt a cleaning? If the answer is yes, leave it alone. Do not mess with it. Leave it to the pros. Most important, if I start working on this stone will it fall and possibly on me? If the stone is large always position your body away or on the side of the stone so that if it does fall it will not land on you.
Regarding damaged gravestones, the photo below shows what is known as delamination. Delamination occurs when weathering opens and a weak spot forms where the the outer layer of the stone begins to separate and flake off in layers. Do not attempt a repair on this unless you are a professional.
 |
| Photo courtesy gravestonematters.org.uk |
Cleaning with Clorax is a huge no no. Clorax will damage the stone because it is a caustic chemical. Salts within the Clorax will soak into the porous stone, especially marble, and begin to eat away at the stone. This reaction will cause damage known as sugaring. Below is an example of sugaring.
 |
| Photo courtesy Internet search |
Moss, lichens, and other plant growth that enter small cracks in the stone will also eventually cause more damage with the roots digging further into stone which will allow for water to enter the opening and begin a freeze thaw process that can break the stone at the crack.
 |
| Photo courtesy chicora.org |
When repairing a broken stone; in the below picture, the stone is a tablet grave marker from a local cemetery. Notice the incorrect side bracing and what do you think the end result was.
The cleaning process that I use follows as such.
- the stone is first checked for stability and damage (we do not want to incur further damage to the stone)
- if the stone has heavy lichen growth, I begin by gently scraping the growth off with a soft scraper or popsicle stick (we want the stick to wear down and not the stone)
- next the stone is gently scrubbed with water and a soft nylon bristle brush to further remove biological growth
- the stone is then rinsed with clean water from a pump garden sprayer
- D2, poured into a spray bottle is then sprayed on all faces of the stone and allowed to remain on the stone for 15 minutes
- after 15 minutes, with fresh water the stone is again scrubbed with the soft nylon bristle brush
- more D2 may need to be applied and scrubbed in
- the stone is given a final rinse with the pump sprayer
- the stone will definitely be cleaner, but within 3 months time the stone should be noticeably brighter. One thing to remember is that all gravestones are not created equal. Some clean up better than others. Sad but true.
Gravestones, especially marble stones can be found in cemeteries in three different manners. First, many of tablet style gravestones are larger than you think. The photo below shows Mary Cline's gravestone. Her stone is almost five feet long with the majority of the stone buried in the ground for stability. Her stone was excavated, straightened, and back filled with compacted stone dust. Over the period of years her stone began to lean due to gravity and conditions of the soil.
Next to Mary's stone is her husband, Russell. His marble stone is attached to a marble base via pins and mortar. The photo below shows another plot that was in need of attention. The pins and pin holes are clearly visible in the photo.
 |
| All three stones in need of restoration Notice the securing pin & pin holes |
Iron pins held the marker to the base and mortar was applied under the stone and around the joint where the stone meets the base. Over time the mortar fails and seems to vanish.
The iron pins are removed because they tend to rust and oxidize which causes the pin to expand and this can cause the stone to break. Have you ever notices rust like discoloring and upward cracks on the stone just above the base. That is from oxidation. The iron pins are replaced with stainless rod that is cut to length and secured with a special type of lime mortar called Lithomex. The Lithomex is placed under the stone and also pointed around the joint where the stone meets the base to seal the joint.
 |
| Notice the Lithomex seal around the base of the stone |
Lithomex is porous and allows the stone to "breathe." Never repair gravestones with Portland cement. Repairs with Portland cemetery can further damage the stone because Portland is much harder and stronger than marble and lime gravestones which will cause the gravestone to break and not the Portland. When a stone is repaired with lime based Lithomex the repair will break if needed and not the stone itself.
The third way that marble stones are found in cemeteries is in the mortise and tenon or tab and socket method. This is where either a small "tab" in the center of the stone fits into a slot in the center of the base or the whole tablet fits into a large slot in the base. Below is a photo of a base where the tablet fits into the slot.
This large stone below did not have a base. For some reason the base was gone and only way to keep the stone upright was to fabricate a new base. Making a new base is relatively easy. Cement, 2 x 6s, screws, and insulating foam is all that I use. The foam is cut to custom width and depth according to the size of the stone. When the base is cured the foam is removed and you have a slot where the stone can be inserted. The slot is slightly larger than the stone and is partially filled with the lime based mortar. After the stone is inserted the joint is sealed with additional Lithomex.
 |
| Fabricated new base |
Putting broken gravestones back together can be a process, especially if much of the stone is missing. The epoxy that I use is Akemi Akepox 2030. It is a two part epoxy that is very strong. Not much is needed to make repairs. Just dab along the break line, secure with clamps, and then infill with Lithomex to fill and hide the crack.
 |
| Original condition Gravesite of my great great grandfather's sister |
 |
| Initial cleaning and epoxying |
 |
| Broken stone attached to base |
 |
| More expoxying and clamping |
 |
| Before final crack infilling |
Finally, gravestones are heavy. Some are light enough that they can be picked up and set in place by hand and some cannot. Therefore mechanical means are necessary to safely lift a stone in place. Below is an example of a stone that was too heavy to lift; so the tripod, hoist, and soft nylon straps were brought in to safely make needed.
As a final note, when attempting this work, be safe, do the right thing, have fun, and enjoy!
For further information on cleaning or restoring gravestones, please see:
Online Sources
Association for Gravestone Studies
Cemetery Conservators for United Standards
Chicora.org
Iscga.org
Print Sources
Strangstad, Lynette. A Graveyard Preservation Primer. New York: Altamira Press, 2013
Jones, Melanie S. Aspects of Stone Weathering, Decay and Conservation. London: Imperial College Press, 1997
21 January 2018
Capital District Genealogical Society : January 2018 Meeting
The first 2018 CDGS meeting is coming up on 27 January. Details about this program and the society are below.
January 27, 2018
Keith Swaney
Keith Swaney, senior archivist at the New York State Archives, will explore the Archives holdings on World War I that are useful for genealogy and local history. He will discuss military service records and records that document local communities efforts on the home front to support the war effort. He will describe locating both digitized and non-digitized records through the Ancestry.com New York portal and the State Archives' finding aids and digital collections searches.
Regular Meetings:
Held at William K. Sanford Library
Town of Colonie
629 Albany Shaker Road
Loudonville, NY 12211
4th Saturday of month, except 3rd Saturday of month in May and November; no meeting in December.
All regular meetings begin at 1:00 PM.
Computer Resources Group meets 2:30 PM
1:00 - 2:30 Meeting and Speaker
2:00 - 2:30 Refreshments with meet and mingle time (our
speaker usually is usually available for questions during this time)
2:30 - 3:30 Internet Resources Discussion
Election of Officers - November
CDGS has a "sale" table set up during the meeting, bring any genealogy magazine, maps and/or books and put a price on them, it is 50/50, you get half of the sale, or you can donate your half to the society.
The Capital District Genealogical Society was organized in 1981 with the following purpose:- To teach members and other interested persons how to trace their family roots, lineage, or heritage
- To provide help to those seeking information via queries on relatives and/or family who in the past had connections to the Capital District and adjacent counties
- To educate the general public and membership by conducting special programs relevant to the purpose of the Society
- To coordinate the interests and concerns of persons and/or organizations throughout the Capital District area, New York State and the country in the development of information and resources to better serve the purpose of the Society, the membership and the public at large.
20 January 2018
Spindle City Historic Society Meeting
The following announcement was found yesterday in a recent Colonie/Latham Pennysaver newspaper.
Spindle City Historic Society Meeting
COHOES - January 31, 2018. 58 Remsen St., Cohoes, NY 12047. The monthly meeting of the Spindle City Historic Society will take place at the Cohoes Visitors Center, 58 Remsen Street, Cohoes at 6 p.m. on January 31, 2018. After a short business meeting the featured speaker will be David McDermott, who will talk about the 100th Anniversary of the Marconi Club. The public is invited. There will be no charge for admission.
Spindle City Historic Society Meeting
COHOES - January 31, 2018. 58 Remsen St., Cohoes, NY 12047. The monthly meeting of the Spindle City Historic Society will take place at the Cohoes Visitors Center, 58 Remsen Street, Cohoes at 6 p.m. on January 31, 2018. After a short business meeting the featured speaker will be David McDermott, who will talk about the 100th Anniversary of the Marconi Club. The public is invited. There will be no charge for admission.
18 January 2018
Genealogy & History Programs at HVCC
The following was cut and pasted from the web site of Hudson Valley Community College's Office of Community and Professional Education.
Below are upcoming inexpensive non-credit programs for anyone interested in local history and genealogy. Contact the Hudson Valley office for further information:
Office of Community and Professional EducationPhone: (518) 629-7339
Fax: (518) 629-8103
Email: communityed@hvcc.edu
Location: Guenther Enrollment Services Center, Room 252
Architecture Worth Saving in Rensselaer County: 50 Years Later
In 1965, Bernd Foerster, a professor of architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, published a book to document urban and rural architecture built before 1929. Foerster felt these buildings were threatened by the urban renewal movement in Troy and the expansion of the interstate highway system. His photographs covered a wide range of urban and rural houses, churches and businesses. Instructor Kathryn Sheehan has re-photographed all the sites from Foerster's original publication to see if the buildings are still there and if so, what condition they are in. She is also authoring a new publication that will have a chapter including buildings that were not in the first publication. To accomplish this she is working closely with the county's 14 town historians and other local architects and historians. Kathryn has also expanded the time frame of the new publication to include buildings constructed before 1965.
60952
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Wed., 4/18, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Kathryn Sheehan, Instructor
Troy's Tiffany Treasures
Troy is said to have more Tiffany stained glass per square mile than any other city in the nation. One of the top restoration experts refers to Troy as "The Mother Lode of Tiffany Glass." While it can be argued that is a slight exaggeration, we are still blessed with astonishing amounts, including some of the most famous windows that Louis Comfort Tiffany ever created. This illustrated lecture will give you a peek at some of the stained glass grandeur that the 19th century industrial fortunes made possible.
60941
$25
I Session, WIL 113
Fri., 4/27, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Michael Barrett, Instructor
A Look at Crailo and Schuyler Mansion State Historic Sites
Heidi Hill, site manager of Crailo and Schuyler Mansion State Historic Sites, will give two presentations. The first will focus on Crailo, the historic estate of the Van Rensselaer family, now a museum dedicated to the Colonial Dutch in the Hudson River Valley. It will focus on the 17th century Dutch colony that has been owned by the state since 1924. Catharine Van Rensselaer Schuyler was born and grew up at Crailo and in 1755 married Philip J. Schuyler, who became the Major General of the Northern Department during the Revolutionary War. Together they built the home that is known today as Schuyler Mansion (1761-1765). This important showcase of a house was only part of their holdings. This second lecture will focus on the lavish 18th century lifestyle at the mansion and the illustrious guest that were attracted by the family's hospitality, power and influence.
60962
$16
1 Session, WIL 113
Fri., 3/16, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Heidi Hill, Instructor
Irish Genealogy 101
There's never been a better time to discover your Irish roots! With more and more genealogy resources becoming available online, including the collection of Catholic parish records from the National Library in Dublin digitized in July 2015, finding your elusive Irish ancestor is within reach for many. Join professional and genealogist-in-residence for the Irish American Heritage Museum, Lisa Dougherty, for an overview on utilizing resources in both the USA and Ireland to make your ancestral journey back to the Emerald Isle a memorable and successful one!
60942
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Tues., 3/20, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Dougherty, Instructor
Understanding Your Ancestry DNA Test
Whether you have done an ancestry DNA test or are just thinking about it, you are probably wondering just what it all means. This workshop, with professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty, will provide an overview of DNA basics, what you can expect from an ancestry DNA test, why ethnicity estimates are not the most important part of the test and how DNA can help you discover more about yourself and your family history.
60943
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Tues., 4/10, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Dougherty, Instructor
Mahican, Mohican, Mohegan?
Nobody's quite sure how to spell their name in English, but this Native American tribe was once a force to be reckoned with in the Hudson Valley. Their nation stretched from Dutchess County northward to Lake Champlain. The Mohawks, famed as the fiercest of warriors, feared them. Who were these First Americans? Where did they go? And why? Steve Trimm, amateur historian and tour guide at Grant Cottage State Historic Site, will answer these questions.
60944
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Mon., 4/23, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Steve Trimm, Instructor
The Tragedy of Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton led the Federalist Party for over a decade, and served as Secretary of the Treasury, inventing fiscal policy that laid the foundation for a prosperous modern commercial nation. Yet shame over his humble origins dogged him and made him hypersensitive to criticism. Jack Casey, an author, attorney and former political leader, who just completed his historical novel, "Hamilton's Last Clash," will explore this uniquely American tragedy. While showing why Hamilton is the most influential of the founding fathers upon our way of life, Jack will share his views on the darker side of American adversarial politics, and will also acquaint attendees with Revolutionary-era songs he will play and sing.
60832
$25
1 Session, WIL 113
Mon., 4/16, 1-3 p.m.
Jack Casey, Instructor
The Erie Canal - America's First Great Public Work
Jack Casey will discuss his historical novel A Land Beyond the River which portrays New York State's rise to national preeminence (1810-1825) as "The Empire State." Hudson Valley heiress Eleanora Van Rensselaer falls in love with a "real man" from the west, ship captain Daniel Hedges, a smuggler on Lake Erie. Soon the War of 1812 erupts and ends their affair. Only after each suffers great loss can they reconnect and join forces to assist DeWitt Clinton in realizing his vision, a 363-mile canal across New York State. Yet even as they collaborate, canal opponent Martin Van Buren employs a dark secret to blackmail Eleanora, and she must choose between her vast wealth and the man she loves. A Land Beyond the River was published by in paperback by Bantam Books (1988), and in hardcover by Jack's imprint, Diamond Rock Publishing, Inc. (2005). He will enhance his discussion with a few canal songs.
60930
$25
1 Session, WIL 113
Mon., 4/16, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Jack Casey, Instructor
A Tour of the New York State Capitol Focusing on WWI
As the nation commemorates the centennial of American participation in World War I, we'll examine how New York State and its citizens played a critical role in the United States' efforts during the war, and discusses its significance to understanding history today. Find out about Harlem Hell Fighters and the 369th Infantry Regiment in WWI, which will be one of our topics as we follow Stuart W. Lehman, education coordinator for the New York State Capitol. Our tour program will also include a look at New York and New Yorkers in the WWI exhibit in the New York State Capitol and a behind the scenes gallery tour of the new exhibit at the Vietnam Memorial Gallery. Be prepared to show a photo ID.
60960
$12
1 Session, meet at the Visitors Center on the Empire State Plaza
Wed., 3/28, 2- 4 p.m.
Marie D'Entrone, Coordinator
Knickerbocker Family Mansion - Ghosts, Tour and Lunch
The Knickerbocker Historical Society will be our hosts as they tell us about the history of the Knickerbocker Mansion, which dates from about 1770. They will arrange for historical 'ghosts' to give moving first-hand accounts of their lives and experiences, and they will explain the renovations – the not-for-profit Society rescued the mansion from certain demolition and has continued to restore it. Our visit concludes with a chance to tour the mansion and to a colonial lunch cooked with authentic recipes, a delicious side to the history of the mansion! Course fee includes $25 materials fee.
60018
$35
1 Session, Knickerbocker Family Mansion
Wed., 5/16, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Jean Chenette, Coordinator
Marie D'Entrone, Instructor
Below are upcoming inexpensive non-credit programs for anyone interested in local history and genealogy. Contact the Hudson Valley office for further information:
Office of Community and Professional EducationPhone: (518) 629-7339
Fax: (518) 629-8103
Email: communityed@hvcc.edu
Location: Guenther Enrollment Services Center, Room 252
Architecture Worth Saving in Rensselaer County: 50 Years Later
In 1965, Bernd Foerster, a professor of architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, published a book to document urban and rural architecture built before 1929. Foerster felt these buildings were threatened by the urban renewal movement in Troy and the expansion of the interstate highway system. His photographs covered a wide range of urban and rural houses, churches and businesses. Instructor Kathryn Sheehan has re-photographed all the sites from Foerster's original publication to see if the buildings are still there and if so, what condition they are in. She is also authoring a new publication that will have a chapter including buildings that were not in the first publication. To accomplish this she is working closely with the county's 14 town historians and other local architects and historians. Kathryn has also expanded the time frame of the new publication to include buildings constructed before 1965.
60952
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Wed., 4/18, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Kathryn Sheehan, Instructor
Troy's Tiffany Treasures
Troy is said to have more Tiffany stained glass per square mile than any other city in the nation. One of the top restoration experts refers to Troy as "The Mother Lode of Tiffany Glass." While it can be argued that is a slight exaggeration, we are still blessed with astonishing amounts, including some of the most famous windows that Louis Comfort Tiffany ever created. This illustrated lecture will give you a peek at some of the stained glass grandeur that the 19th century industrial fortunes made possible.
60941
$25
I Session, WIL 113
Fri., 4/27, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Michael Barrett, Instructor
A Look at Crailo and Schuyler Mansion State Historic Sites
Heidi Hill, site manager of Crailo and Schuyler Mansion State Historic Sites, will give two presentations. The first will focus on Crailo, the historic estate of the Van Rensselaer family, now a museum dedicated to the Colonial Dutch in the Hudson River Valley. It will focus on the 17th century Dutch colony that has been owned by the state since 1924. Catharine Van Rensselaer Schuyler was born and grew up at Crailo and in 1755 married Philip J. Schuyler, who became the Major General of the Northern Department during the Revolutionary War. Together they built the home that is known today as Schuyler Mansion (1761-1765). This important showcase of a house was only part of their holdings. This second lecture will focus on the lavish 18th century lifestyle at the mansion and the illustrious guest that were attracted by the family's hospitality, power and influence.
60962
$16
1 Session, WIL 113
Fri., 3/16, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Heidi Hill, Instructor
Irish Genealogy 101
There's never been a better time to discover your Irish roots! With more and more genealogy resources becoming available online, including the collection of Catholic parish records from the National Library in Dublin digitized in July 2015, finding your elusive Irish ancestor is within reach for many. Join professional and genealogist-in-residence for the Irish American Heritage Museum, Lisa Dougherty, for an overview on utilizing resources in both the USA and Ireland to make your ancestral journey back to the Emerald Isle a memorable and successful one!
60942
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Tues., 3/20, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Dougherty, Instructor
Understanding Your Ancestry DNA Test
Whether you have done an ancestry DNA test or are just thinking about it, you are probably wondering just what it all means. This workshop, with professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty, will provide an overview of DNA basics, what you can expect from an ancestry DNA test, why ethnicity estimates are not the most important part of the test and how DNA can help you discover more about yourself and your family history.
60943
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Tues., 4/10, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Dougherty, Instructor
Mahican, Mohican, Mohegan?
Nobody's quite sure how to spell their name in English, but this Native American tribe was once a force to be reckoned with in the Hudson Valley. Their nation stretched from Dutchess County northward to Lake Champlain. The Mohawks, famed as the fiercest of warriors, feared them. Who were these First Americans? Where did they go? And why? Steve Trimm, amateur historian and tour guide at Grant Cottage State Historic Site, will answer these questions.
60944
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Mon., 4/23, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Steve Trimm, Instructor
The Tragedy of Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton led the Federalist Party for over a decade, and served as Secretary of the Treasury, inventing fiscal policy that laid the foundation for a prosperous modern commercial nation. Yet shame over his humble origins dogged him and made him hypersensitive to criticism. Jack Casey, an author, attorney and former political leader, who just completed his historical novel, "Hamilton's Last Clash," will explore this uniquely American tragedy. While showing why Hamilton is the most influential of the founding fathers upon our way of life, Jack will share his views on the darker side of American adversarial politics, and will also acquaint attendees with Revolutionary-era songs he will play and sing.
60832
$25
1 Session, WIL 113
Mon., 4/16, 1-3 p.m.
Jack Casey, Instructor
The Erie Canal - America's First Great Public Work
Jack Casey will discuss his historical novel A Land Beyond the River which portrays New York State's rise to national preeminence (1810-1825) as "The Empire State." Hudson Valley heiress Eleanora Van Rensselaer falls in love with a "real man" from the west, ship captain Daniel Hedges, a smuggler on Lake Erie. Soon the War of 1812 erupts and ends their affair. Only after each suffers great loss can they reconnect and join forces to assist DeWitt Clinton in realizing his vision, a 363-mile canal across New York State. Yet even as they collaborate, canal opponent Martin Van Buren employs a dark secret to blackmail Eleanora, and she must choose between her vast wealth and the man she loves. A Land Beyond the River was published by in paperback by Bantam Books (1988), and in hardcover by Jack's imprint, Diamond Rock Publishing, Inc. (2005). He will enhance his discussion with a few canal songs.
60930
$25
1 Session, WIL 113
Mon., 4/16, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Jack Casey, Instructor
A Tour of the New York State Capitol Focusing on WWI
As the nation commemorates the centennial of American participation in World War I, we'll examine how New York State and its citizens played a critical role in the United States' efforts during the war, and discusses its significance to understanding history today. Find out about Harlem Hell Fighters and the 369th Infantry Regiment in WWI, which will be one of our topics as we follow Stuart W. Lehman, education coordinator for the New York State Capitol. Our tour program will also include a look at New York and New Yorkers in the WWI exhibit in the New York State Capitol and a behind the scenes gallery tour of the new exhibit at the Vietnam Memorial Gallery. Be prepared to show a photo ID.
60960
$12
1 Session, meet at the Visitors Center on the Empire State Plaza
Wed., 3/28, 2- 4 p.m.
Marie D'Entrone, Coordinator
Knickerbocker Family Mansion - Ghosts, Tour and Lunch
The Knickerbocker Historical Society will be our hosts as they tell us about the history of the Knickerbocker Mansion, which dates from about 1770. They will arrange for historical 'ghosts' to give moving first-hand accounts of their lives and experiences, and they will explain the renovations – the not-for-profit Society rescued the mansion from certain demolition and has continued to restore it. Our visit concludes with a chance to tour the mansion and to a colonial lunch cooked with authentic recipes, a delicious side to the history of the mansion! Course fee includes $25 materials fee.
60018
$35
1 Session, Knickerbocker Family Mansion
Wed., 5/16, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Jean Chenette, Coordinator
Marie D'Entrone, Instructor
Walking Tour of Troy's Historic Washington Park and Surrounding Homes, and Tea
Enjoy taking a step back in time to see and experience the genteel living of the nouveau rich of Troy's Washington Park. You will be able to see firsthand, the loving care taken to rehabilitate and update many of these one-of-a-kind homes of the emerging upper middle class of the 19th century and visit their own private park. A tea reception will be held in our last home visit on the tour.
Enjoy taking a step back in time to see and experience the genteel living of the nouveau rich of Troy's Washington Park. You will be able to see firsthand, the loving care taken to rehabilitate and update many of these one-of-a-kind homes of the emerging upper middle class of the 19th century and visit their own private park. A tea reception will be held in our last home visit on the tour.
There will be lots of walking on mostly uneven surfaces: sidewalks, grass, roads, and some home interiors with multiple flights of stairs, climbing up and down. Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will be on your feet for all of the tour. Meet in Washington Park across from the front of 195 Second Street. Parking is along the bordering streets of Washington Park - Washington Place, Second Street, Third Street and Washington Street. Course fee includes $15 materials fee.
60460
$25
1 Session, meet in Washington Park across from the front of 195 Second Street
Mon., 4/30, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lea Darling, Coordinator
60460
$25
1 Session, meet in Washington Park across from the front of 195 Second Street
Mon., 4/30, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lea Darling, Coordinator
The Restoration of Pat's Dutch Barn in the Rensselaer Technology Park
Pat's Barn is truly a unique and special place; you will feel the authentic charm and elegance of this historic Dutch barn, which was restored in 2009, the instant you walk through the front door. Patricia Roberts took the initiative to preserve this rich piece of history, so the barn was appropriately named after her. Pat's Barn is now used for RPI programs, retreats, conferences and special events. Michael Wacholder, project coordinator, will share insights in to the behind-the-scene details that went into this project.
60961
$12
1 Session, meet at Pat's Barn
Thurs., 4/26, 1 - 3 p.m.
Presenters: Michael Wacholder, Keith Van Amburgh
Jean Chenette, Coordinator
Pat's Barn is truly a unique and special place; you will feel the authentic charm and elegance of this historic Dutch barn, which was restored in 2009, the instant you walk through the front door. Patricia Roberts took the initiative to preserve this rich piece of history, so the barn was appropriately named after her. Pat's Barn is now used for RPI programs, retreats, conferences and special events. Michael Wacholder, project coordinator, will share insights in to the behind-the-scene details that went into this project.
60961
$12
1 Session, meet at Pat's Barn
Thurs., 4/26, 1 - 3 p.m.
Presenters: Michael Wacholder, Keith Van Amburgh
Jean Chenette, Coordinator
Visit Historic Grant's Cottage
Guide Steven Trimm will provide a tour of the historic cottage and share little-known stories about U.S. Grant. Grant Cottage is full of marvelous, unexpected and sometimes improbable but true tales. Steve will share all of them with you. Following his program, we will depart for a tour of the cottage and we'll have the chance to marvel at the views of the Berkshires, Catskills and Green Mountains from Promenade Point. We may even have a secret family member of Grant's with us to share more stories of the illustrious President U.S. Grant. This may be up to a 2.5-hour program and requires standing during the cottage segment of the tour. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress warmly. We will meet at the Grant Cottage Visitor's Center to begin our tour. Course fee includes $10 materials fee.
60457
$20
1 Session, meeting at the Grant Cottage Visitor's Center
Mon., 5/7, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lea Darling, Coordinator
Guide Steven Trimm will provide a tour of the historic cottage and share little-known stories about U.S. Grant. Grant Cottage is full of marvelous, unexpected and sometimes improbable but true tales. Steve will share all of them with you. Following his program, we will depart for a tour of the cottage and we'll have the chance to marvel at the views of the Berkshires, Catskills and Green Mountains from Promenade Point. We may even have a secret family member of Grant's with us to share more stories of the illustrious President U.S. Grant. This may be up to a 2.5-hour program and requires standing during the cottage segment of the tour. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress warmly. We will meet at the Grant Cottage Visitor's Center to begin our tour. Course fee includes $10 materials fee.
60457
$20
1 Session, meeting at the Grant Cottage Visitor's Center
Mon., 5/7, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lea Darling, Coordinator
The Saugerties Lighthouse
Join us at the Saugerties Lighthouse, an 1869 landmark on the Hudson River that now stands proudly as a living museum and a renowned bed and breakfast. Step back in time over a hundred years to experience the charm and rustic simplicity of life in the middle of the river. Furnished as it may have looked in the early 20th century, the light-house contains a small museum, gift shop, parlor, kitchen, keepers' quarters, and two guest bedrooms. The operational light tower offers a panoramic view of the Hudson River Valley and Catskill Mountains.
Join us at the Saugerties Lighthouse, an 1869 landmark on the Hudson River that now stands proudly as a living museum and a renowned bed and breakfast. Step back in time over a hundred years to experience the charm and rustic simplicity of life in the middle of the river. Furnished as it may have looked in the early 20th century, the light-house contains a small museum, gift shop, parlor, kitchen, keepers' quarters, and two guest bedrooms. The operational light tower offers a panoramic view of the Hudson River Valley and Catskill Mountains.
Because of its location on the river, tours must be scheduled with tide schedules in mind. The lighthouse can be reached via a half-mile nature trail of dirt and rock paths with wooden bridges and boardwalks and sandy trails. It is at the end of Lighthouse Drive in the village of Saugerties. Suitable, comfortable shoes are recommended. Course fee includes an $8 materials fee.
60470
$18
1 Session, meet at the lighthouse, Saugerties, NY
Thur., 5/17, noon - 1:30 p.m.
Paula Johannessen, Coordinator
60470
$18
1 Session, meet at the lighthouse, Saugerties, NY
Thur., 5/17, noon - 1:30 p.m.
Paula Johannessen, Coordinator
New Post on Friends of the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery Blog
Due to numerous reasons. The most obvious one being Winter. Work has ceased at the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery until we begin to thaw. A post was recently published on the Friends of the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery blog for those who are not aware of it. Much was accomplished at the cemetery this year and plans for further work are being developed. A link to the "Friends site is above. Simply click on Friends of the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery.
09 January 2018
Tombstone Tuesday : Slingerland Vault Update
In March of 2017, an article was posted on the Slingerland vault. That blog post can be found here. It appears that more people are interested in rehabbing the vault now; including a direct descendant of the Slingerlands. Last week the Times Union posted an article on these new developments with the desire for the vault restoration. Below is the Times Union article by Larry Rulison.
Bethlehem
On a small mound of earth behind the old Mangia restaurant in Slingerlands, hidden from view, sits a monument to local history, the Slingerland family burial vault.
Inside the 1852 structure are former congressman and famous anti-slavery champion John I. Slingerland and his brother William Henry, Slingerland's first postmaster, along with several of their family members, including their father, John A. Slingerland.
While the structure is one of the most important historical artifacts in Albany County, it has become so run-down it could be mistaken for a pile of rocks in a stand of trees, not the sacred final resting spot of two of the most important local civic leaders of the 19th century.
And no one may be feeling more angst these days over the condition of the vault than Sue Virgilio of Niskayuna. Virgilio, who visited the vault for the first time this past summer, is a direct descendant of John I. Slingerland and is part of a small movement to have the vault restored.
"It broke my heart to see the condition of the vault," Virgilio said. "And that's why I wanted to be involved."
Virgilio discovered just within the past year that John I. Slingerland is her great great great grandfather. She figured out the connection after her mom got her an AncestryDNA kit last Christmas and she began looking into her family's history on Ancestry.com.
Her mom's maiden name is Slingerland. But Virgilio and her mom never knew their exact connection to the Slingerland family after several male relatives, including Virgilio's grandfather, who was an only child, died young.
John I. Slingerland, in addition to serving in both Congress and the state Assembly and helping to ensure that the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad was built through the town of Bethlehem, was also a leading voice in the anti-slavery movement in the decades leading up to the Civil War. Slingerland supported an early version of the Homestead Act, the law that President Lincoln signed in 1862 granting federal land to small family farmers. Southern slave owners viewed the act as a threat to their existence. Slingerland also gave three-quarters of an acre of land in his will to a man believed to have been a family slave, and he supported the rights of farmers
Virgilio is now part of a committee trying to save the vault and raise money from the public for its repair. Others on the committee are Susan Leath, the town historian, Virgilio's mom, other Slingerland family descendants and neighbors who live near the vault, which isn't just a symbol of the Slingerland brothers, but also the rest of the Slingerland family and the community itself.
Virgilio met Bob Mullens, a Slingerland family member and carpenter from Feura Bush who grew up knowing he was part of the Slingerland family and joined the committee after taking a walking tour with Leath.
Mullens has also researched John I. Slingerlands extensively and worries his story and those of other important figures can easily be lost through time.
The Slingerland family traces its local roots back to a Dutch trader named Teunis Slingerland, who came to Albany around 1650 and later purchased 10,000 acres along Onesquethaw Creek in present-day New Scotland, Bethlehem and the town of Coeymans from the Mohawks.
Today, descendants like Mullens still make their home on the same land, and Virgilio spent her early years there, with some of her most cherished memories visiting her grandmother's mid-1700s farm house in Coeymans Hollow.
What would become the future hamlet of Slingerlands, however, was not part of that original Teunis Slingerland tract. John A. Slingerland, the father of the congressman John I. Slingerland, built a home around 1790 at what is now 1575 New Scotland Road on land leased from a Van Rensselaer patroon, the ancestral landowner who controlled much of the land in Albany County until the breakup of the manor in the mid-1800s.
John I. Slingerland died at that house on Oct. 26, 1861, just months after the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and the breakout of the Civil War, long after the last patroon died, setting off the anti-rent wars that led to the breakup of the patroon manor and more widespread land ownership.
In 2012, the Slingerlands Historic District, consisting of roughly 100 buildings, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The hamlet was originally named Normanskill before being renamed Slingerlands in 1870 in honor of the Slingerland family. The Slingerlands had spurred an era of growth and development, including bringing the Albany & Susquehanna railroad that connected it to the city of Albany in 1863.
Despite this rich history, the Slingerland burial vault has not been well preserved. For decades there has been worry over what to do with the burial plot, a 60-by-85-foot piece of land that is owned by the town of Bethlehem but is in desperate need of repair and landscaping.
Although the vault is accessible from the former Mangia parking lot by foot, it actually sits directly behind the property of Georgia Fishburn, whose home was built in 1890, nearly 40 years after the vault was erected.
When the vault was built, there was nothing blocking the view of the structure from the road, and there likely were no trees around it like today, making it an impressive monument that rose from the ground for all to see coming through Slingerlands. That's not the case now.
"Most of the residents of Bethlehem are sadly not aware of the Slingerland family vault," said Fishburn, who is a member of the group. "It is hard to see from the road especially during the summer months. I would like to see this vault restored and protected for our future generations."
Committee members also worry about the future of the Mangia site. In September 2016, the owner of the property showed town planners an informal proposal to build apartments and a bank on the former restaurant site. However, the project has yet to move forward and the Mangia building has since been filled with two new tenants, including a dance studio.
Noting that the soil above the burial vault is sinking, Leath said much restoration work would be needed at the site, although she declined to reveal the estimated cost. The hope is that private funding from the public will pay for the work.
"It's not too bad, but we'd like to get it restored, a nice fence around it and a historical marker, all those things," Leath said. "You know it costs money of course. There's such a large extended Slingerland family, and I'm not so much worried about the money, frankly. The town can only do so much. They have their limitations. So it will take the community coming together with donations, and it's going to be a long-term thing. And then there's just the long-term maintenance of the area as well."
Saving the Slingerlands Vault
DNA kit kick start's direct descendants mission to rescue an abandoned treasure
Bethlehem
On a small mound of earth behind the old Mangia restaurant in Slingerlands, hidden from view, sits a monument to local history, the Slingerland family burial vault.
Inside the 1852 structure are former congressman and famous anti-slavery champion John I. Slingerland and his brother William Henry, Slingerland's first postmaster, along with several of their family members, including their father, John A. Slingerland.
While the structure is one of the most important historical artifacts in Albany County, it has become so run-down it could be mistaken for a pile of rocks in a stand of trees, not the sacred final resting spot of two of the most important local civic leaders of the 19th century.
And no one may be feeling more angst these days over the condition of the vault than Sue Virgilio of Niskayuna. Virgilio, who visited the vault for the first time this past summer, is a direct descendant of John I. Slingerland and is part of a small movement to have the vault restored.
"It broke my heart to see the condition of the vault," Virgilio said. "And that's why I wanted to be involved."
Virgilio discovered just within the past year that John I. Slingerland is her great great great grandfather. She figured out the connection after her mom got her an AncestryDNA kit last Christmas and she began looking into her family's history on Ancestry.com.
Her mom's maiden name is Slingerland. But Virgilio and her mom never knew their exact connection to the Slingerland family after several male relatives, including Virgilio's grandfather, who was an only child, died young.
John I. Slingerland, in addition to serving in both Congress and the state Assembly and helping to ensure that the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad was built through the town of Bethlehem, was also a leading voice in the anti-slavery movement in the decades leading up to the Civil War. Slingerland supported an early version of the Homestead Act, the law that President Lincoln signed in 1862 granting federal land to small family farmers. Southern slave owners viewed the act as a threat to their existence. Slingerland also gave three-quarters of an acre of land in his will to a man believed to have been a family slave, and he supported the rights of farmers
Virgilio is now part of a committee trying to save the vault and raise money from the public for its repair. Others on the committee are Susan Leath, the town historian, Virgilio's mom, other Slingerland family descendants and neighbors who live near the vault, which isn't just a symbol of the Slingerland brothers, but also the rest of the Slingerland family and the community itself.
Virgilio met Bob Mullens, a Slingerland family member and carpenter from Feura Bush who grew up knowing he was part of the Slingerland family and joined the committee after taking a walking tour with Leath.
Mullens has also researched John I. Slingerlands extensively and worries his story and those of other important figures can easily be lost through time.
The Slingerland family traces its local roots back to a Dutch trader named Teunis Slingerland, who came to Albany around 1650 and later purchased 10,000 acres along Onesquethaw Creek in present-day New Scotland, Bethlehem and the town of Coeymans from the Mohawks.
Today, descendants like Mullens still make their home on the same land, and Virgilio spent her early years there, with some of her most cherished memories visiting her grandmother's mid-1700s farm house in Coeymans Hollow.
What would become the future hamlet of Slingerlands, however, was not part of that original Teunis Slingerland tract. John A. Slingerland, the father of the congressman John I. Slingerland, built a home around 1790 at what is now 1575 New Scotland Road on land leased from a Van Rensselaer patroon, the ancestral landowner who controlled much of the land in Albany County until the breakup of the manor in the mid-1800s.
John I. Slingerland died at that house on Oct. 26, 1861, just months after the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and the breakout of the Civil War, long after the last patroon died, setting off the anti-rent wars that led to the breakup of the patroon manor and more widespread land ownership.
In 2012, the Slingerlands Historic District, consisting of roughly 100 buildings, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The hamlet was originally named Normanskill before being renamed Slingerlands in 1870 in honor of the Slingerland family. The Slingerlands had spurred an era of growth and development, including bringing the Albany & Susquehanna railroad that connected it to the city of Albany in 1863.
Despite this rich history, the Slingerland burial vault has not been well preserved. For decades there has been worry over what to do with the burial plot, a 60-by-85-foot piece of land that is owned by the town of Bethlehem but is in desperate need of repair and landscaping.
Although the vault is accessible from the former Mangia parking lot by foot, it actually sits directly behind the property of Georgia Fishburn, whose home was built in 1890, nearly 40 years after the vault was erected.
When the vault was built, there was nothing blocking the view of the structure from the road, and there likely were no trees around it like today, making it an impressive monument that rose from the ground for all to see coming through Slingerlands. That's not the case now.
"Most of the residents of Bethlehem are sadly not aware of the Slingerland family vault," said Fishburn, who is a member of the group. "It is hard to see from the road especially during the summer months. I would like to see this vault restored and protected for our future generations."
Committee members also worry about the future of the Mangia site. In September 2016, the owner of the property showed town planners an informal proposal to build apartments and a bank on the former restaurant site. However, the project has yet to move forward and the Mangia building has since been filled with two new tenants, including a dance studio.
Noting that the soil above the burial vault is sinking, Leath said much restoration work would be needed at the site, although she declined to reveal the estimated cost. The hope is that private funding from the public will pay for the work.
"It's not too bad, but we'd like to get it restored, a nice fence around it and a historical marker, all those things," Leath said. "You know it costs money of course. There's such a large extended Slingerland family, and I'm not so much worried about the money, frankly. The town can only do so much. They have their limitations. So it will take the community coming together with donations, and it's going to be a long-term thing. And then there's just the long-term maintenance of the area as well."
07 January 2018
Greenbush Historical Society Meeting
Greenbush Historical Society Meeting
Join the Greenbush Historical Society to explore more local history at our next program on January 21st, at 2PM, at the East Greenbush Library. Jim Cochran will speak about the "Fabulous Cushing Boys." This program will examine the lives of four area brothers and their exploits before, during, and after the Civil war. One brother was relatively nondescript; one was much more brave and daring. (In fact, he earned a Medal of Honor after the Battle of Gettysburg.) The third brother led a virtual suicide mission with some men from Albany and Rensselaer to became the "American idol" of his day. Two of the brothers are buried locally - in the Albany Rural Cemetery and the Beverwyck in Rensselaer. Our presenter for this spellbinding story - Jim Cochran - is a retired literature teacher and part-time American Historian. Our meeting Jan. 21 will also be a great opportunity to purchase your 2018 North Greenbush Historical Calendar for only $10. (Currently available at the Wynantskill Town Clerk's office.) The program itself is free and open to all, but we do ask that you register with the Library by calling 518.477.7476. Light refreshments will be served.
Join the Greenbush Historical Society to explore more local history at our next program on January 21st, at 2PM, at the East Greenbush Library. Jim Cochran will speak about the "Fabulous Cushing Boys." This program will examine the lives of four area brothers and their exploits before, during, and after the Civil war. One brother was relatively nondescript; one was much more brave and daring. (In fact, he earned a Medal of Honor after the Battle of Gettysburg.) The third brother led a virtual suicide mission with some men from Albany and Rensselaer to became the "American idol" of his day. Two of the brothers are buried locally - in the Albany Rural Cemetery and the Beverwyck in Rensselaer. Our presenter for this spellbinding story - Jim Cochran - is a retired literature teacher and part-time American Historian. Our meeting Jan. 21 will also be a great opportunity to purchase your 2018 North Greenbush Historical Calendar for only $10. (Currently available at the Wynantskill Town Clerk's office.) The program itself is free and open to all, but we do ask that you register with the Library by calling 518.477.7476. Light refreshments will be served.
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