Upcoming February Local History Programs

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.