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
Location: Guenther Enrollment Services Center, Room 252
Registration has already began.
A Visit to the Burden Iron Works Museum with Michael BarrettLocated in the former office of one of the most important firms in the history of iron and steel, the museum covers the industries that made Troy one of the birthplaces of the American industrial revolution. Among other things, the area gave the world the detachable collar and cuff, the hook-headed railroad spike, the armor for the USS Monitor, machine-made horseshoes at a rate of 51 million per year, the modern fire hydrant, heating and cooking stoves and so much more. Course fee includes a $10 materials fee.
51003
$20
1 Session, Burden Iron Works Museum
Fri.,, 10/18, 10 a.m. - Noon
Michael Barrett, Instructor
Murder at Cherry Hill: A Dramatic Tour of a Fateful EveningA rifle shot, a scream, and the Cherry Hill household erupts into chaos! On May 7, 1827 a notorious murder occurred at Cherry Hill mansion that resulted in two sensational trials and Albany’s last public hanging. Join us at Historic Cherry Hill to investigate the scene of the crime and relive the differing perspectives of those who witnessed that fateful night. Attendees will receive our popular “Murder at Cherry Hill” book and enjoy light refreshments at the end of the program. Course fee includes a $20 materials fee.
50651
$30
1 Session, Cherry Hill
Fri., 10/25, 4 - 6 p.m.
Visit Historic Grant’s CottageUlysses S. Grant, hero of the Civil War and 18th President of the United States, died at Grant Cottage, in the town of Wilton, NY, on July 23, 1885. Today, the rooms and their furnishings are as they were that sad morning of Grant’s death. You’ll tour the cottage and hear about the General’s tragic but ultimately triumphant and inspiring final year, and guide Steve Trimm will share little-known and fascinating stories about U.S. Grant. Grant Cottage is full of marvelous and unexpected tales. A walk out to Promontory Point on a clear day is amazing, with views of the Berkshires, Green and Adirondack Mountains. This is a two-and a- half hour program with a lot of standing and walking. Please wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking on paved and uneven surfaces, and dress for the weather. Course fee includes a $10 materials fee.
50326
$20
1 Session, Grant’s Cottage
Thurs., 10/10, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m..
Lea Darling, Coordinator
Capitol Hauntings: A Historical Ghost Tour of the New York State CapitolExplore the haunted history of one of New York State’s architectural treasures, the Capitol building in Albany. Find out about the night watchman who still makes his rounds, despite his death in the 1911 fire. Search for the missing murals above the Assembly Chamber – and the eccentric artist who painted them. Examine the strange gothic creatures carved in stone on the famous Million Dollar Staircase. These and other “strange incidents” will be the subject as we walk the halls with Stuart W. Lehman, assistant curator for the New York State Capitol. Our Capitol Hauntings tour will start at the tour desk on the first floor of the Capitol. Please note that everyone will have to go through metal detectors and show photo identification before entering the building.
50051
$10
1 Session, Capitol Information Desk
Mon., 10/28, 3:30 - 5 p.m..
Mel Witkowski, Coordinator
The Schuyler Sisters and Their Circle: Exhibit and Docent Tour at Albany Institute of History and ArtThe exhibition will discuss the wide-ranging intellectual, social, and political interests of Catharine Van Rensselaer Schuyler and her daughters Angelica, Elizabeth, and Margaret (Peggy) – three sisters who witnessed history unfold in Albany, New York, Philadelphia, Paris, and London. As the wife of Alexander Hamilton, Eliza had a front row seat to events that shaped this country in the years immediately following the revolution. For many years, Angelica lived abroad where she entertained royalty, diplomats, and artists in Paris and London. She maintained life-long friendships with the prominent figures she met, like Thomas Jefferson, and patronized artist John Trumbull. Peggy married Stephen Van Rensselaer III, who ranks 10th on Business Insider’s list of wealthiest Americans of all time.
The exhibition will use clothing, decorative arts, portraits, and manuscripts from the Revolutionary Period to the Federal Period to tell the stories of the Schuyler women. The exhibition will be installed in the second floor galleries of the museum. The Albany Institute has secured the loan of the rarely-exhibited John Trumbull portrait of Angelica Schuyler Church with her child and servant from a private collection, and significant loans from Columbia University, New-York Historical Society, Museum of the City of New York, and Metropolitan Museum of Art, among many others. Course fee includes a $8 materials fee.
51204
$18
1 Session, Albany Institute
Fri., 10/4, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Marie D’Entrone, Coordinator
Crailo and its Dutch Lifestyle: 350 YearsCrailo, the museum of the Colonial Dutch in The Hudson River Valley, offers so much to discover. Join us for a tour of the floodways and domesticity in the 17th century colony of New Netherland. By closely examining archaeological artifacts, historic reproductions, documents and Dutch genre paintings, a rich picture of the Dutch lifestyle 350 years ago along the Hudson River is revealed. The tour will end in Crailo’s kitchen cellar, where a costumed interpreter will share recipes, cooking techniques and typical menus of a Dutch American home of the 1600s. Course fee includes a $4 materials fee.
51199
$14
1 Session, Meet at Crailo
Fri., 10/18, 10 a.m. - Noon
Cynthia Serbent, Coordinator
The History of the Watervliet ArsenalRobert “Bob” Pfeil retired from the Watervliet Arsenal last year after 51 years of service. In this presentation, he will be talking about the history of the Watervliet Arsenal, including location, organizations, missions, military housing, Erie Canal, bridges, cemetery and ghosts.
51197
$25
1 Session, WIL 113
Mon., 10/21, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Bob Pfeil, Instructor
The Tragedy of Alexander HamiltonAlexander 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.
50671
$25
1 Session, WIL 113
Thurs., 11/7, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Jack Casey, Instructor
Understanding Your Ancestry DNA TestWhether 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.
50822
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Tues., 11/19, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Dougherty, Instructor
Using Ancestry.com for Your Family History
Ancestry.com is the internet’s largest genealogy website, with 15 million plus DNA testers and more than three million subscribers worldwide as of 2017. Its many features can be a great advantage to those researching their family history, but all that information can also be confusing and intimidating. Join experienced Ancestry user and professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty to find out what exactly Ancestry.com has to offer, how to perform effective searches, how to find the information you are looking for, and how to create an online family tree that is both accurate and interesting enough to share!
51157
$15
1 Session, WIL 113
Tues., 10/15, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Lisa Dougherty, Instructor
