Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region

This week's historical organization plug is on the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital District. The following information was taken verbatim from its website.

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY PROJECT
194 LIVINGSTON AVENUE
ALBANY, NY 12210
TEL: 518-432-4432

WEB: https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org

MISSION UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY PROJECT RESEARCHES AND PRESERVES THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL HISTORY OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY AND UNDERGROUND RAILROAD MOVEMENTS, THEIR INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS, AND THEIR LEGACIES TO LATER STRUGGLES; IT ENGAGES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND DIALOGUE ABOUT THESE MOVEMENTS AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO MODERN SOCIETY. WHAT IS THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD? The Underground Railroad was the movement that enslaved African Americans used to gain freedom in the 19th Century. The Capital Region of New York State was visited by thousands of fugitives seeking freedom in the years prior to the Civil War. URHPCR, Inc. seeks to acknowledge the active underground railroad movement in our region, to raise awareness about and stimulate interest in this little recognized and inspiring part of our history, to understand it in its historic context, to encourage the recognition of local historic figures and the activities in which they engaged, to preserve that history, and to relate that history with us today. WHAT IS UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY PROJECT? Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. (URHPCR) is a non-profit organization that seeks: To promote and encourage knowledge and understanding of the Underground Railroad Movement and its genesis and legacy in the Capital Region and in New York State, and as a significant element of the history of the United States; To acknowledge the participation in, cooperation among, and felicity between African- and other Americans in the Underground Railroad Movement; To promote and encourage historical research on the Underground Railroad Movement in the Capital Region, in New York, and in the United States; To gather, preserve, display, and make available for study artifacts, relics, books, manuscripts, papers, photographs, and other records and materials relating to the history of the Underground Railroad Movement in the Capital Region and New York State; To encourage the suitable marking of places of historic interest relating to the Underground Railroad Movement in the Capital Region; To purchase, gift, devise, or otherwise acquire the title to or the custody of historic sites and structures relating to the Underground Railroad Movement in the Capital Region, to preserve and maintain such sites and structures, and to interpret them for the benefit of the public; and To place the Underground Railroad movement in its proper context as the first civil rights movement, and as part of the ongoing struggle for equity, freedom, and justice. Since its incorporation in 2003, this effort has created a strong program of education and research that celebrates and preserves the story of the Underground Railroad in Albany and the Capital Region and its relationship with us today.URHPCR has identified the key primary and secondary figures and their activities, and has developed a general outline of the local history of the movement. We offer here research about local Underground Railroad figures and the local story. We ask you to help us in this work. If you would like to help us in the programs we do please get in touch with us. The story of the local Underground Railroad is compelling, dramatic, and something that can help us in the present day as we struggle with many of the issues that arose then and are still with us today. These are issues such as civil rights, voting rights, education in the community and for African Americans, self-determination, constitutional rights questions, and even international relations. If you know of such information that can help us as we research and document the UGRR in the Capital Region, please contact us!

Rensselaer County Historical Programs

The following two articles come to me from today's Rensselaer County Advertiser newspaper. These events take place this weekend. Time is short.

Loyalist Presentation in Hoosick Falls
Historian Todd Braisted will deliver a presentation entitled "The Royalist Corps in the 1777 Burgoyne Campaign" at the Louis Miller Museum located at 166 Main St., Hoosick Falls, NY on July 29 at 2:00 PM

Braisted has appeared as a Guest Historian on the PBS Series "History Detectives." He is the author of Grand Forage 1778 as well as co-author of eight other books on the American Revolution. He has written over thirty published journal articles and lectured extensively throughout the United States and Canada. In 2015, Braisted was selected to become the official project historian for the town of Fort Lee's American Battlefield Protection Program grant.

The drive to Albany by General John Burgoyne in 1777 included not only British and German troops, but over 1,200 Americans, raised principally during the campaign. Some four battalions and several independent companies, collectively known as "Royalists," would continue in service, to one degree or another, through 1781. Their service during and after the campaign brought both honor and disappointment to those who commanded and served in the corps. To the British commanders in Quebec, they would mostly be the cause of headaches. Join us as we cover the careers of such people as Francis Pfister, John Peters, Ebenezer Jessup and Daniel McAlpin in their fight to maintain British rule in America!

Nassau History Story Day
Ever wonder what it was like growing up in Nassau years ago? Is there something you always wanted to know about Nassau? Or if you just want to hear a good story or two, join a panel Nassau's "mature" residents as they talk, reminisce and gossip at a Nassau History Story Day on Sunday, July 30th, at the Village Commons Park on John Street. Taking place between 2 and 4 pm in an informal setting under the tents; all are invited to take part in this free event. For more information see www.Nassau12123.com or call 766-2291. Rain or hot weather location will be Nassau Village Hall, Malden Street.

Friday Funny

Friday Funny

If you mess with my genealogical data, pictures, or tombstones. I will show you a level of crazy that will make your nightmares seem like a happy place!

Throwback Thursday : Charles Koreman?

The above Carte de Visite (CdV) came from the album of Henry Koreman (1841-1923). Henry was one of my great great grandfathers. Henry had a younger brother Charles (1844-1908) who enlisted in the Civil War but was discharged for being a minor, as can be seen below from the New York State Volunteers 177th Infantry rooster.

Family lore has it that his father, Cornelis Koreman, bought him out of military service only to have him re-enlist later into the NYSV 12th Calvary. The above CdV is of a young man in a Zouave uniform. Brief research finds that Company A of the 177th Infantry was also known as the Albany Zouave Cadets. Although Charles' rooster data indicates that he enlisted in Company E, could his company information be incorrect? And could this be Charles Koreman in a Zouave uniform?

Charles Koreman, NYSV 12th Calvary

The above tin-type is that of Charles Koreman in his 12th Calvary uniform. If this photo was taken near the time of his discharge, he was 21 years old. If the above CdV was taken at the time of his enlistment, Charles was 18 and not 19 as indicated in the rooster. I see a resemblance. Does anyone else?

Albany I Spy, August 12th

Albany I Spy
I spy with my little eye... Albany!

The fourth, almost-annual Albany I Spy will be kicking off in Downtown Albany once again Saturday, August 12! We're switching things up a bit this year though. The first five picture clues will be available to hunt early on August 7th and those last seven, you'll have to arrive at The City Beer Hall at noon, Saturday August 12 to find out what they are and you will be timed! That's right, Albany I Spy is now a timed event! Whichever team finishes the quickest will be crowned (figuratively only of course) the new kings and queens of Albany scavenger hunts.

Where to find the first five clues:

On Monday morning, August 7th, the first five clues will go live at albany.org/albanyispy

Make sure you register your team on the Eventbrite site by Friday, August 11 at 6 pm. We'll need to know how many people to expect.
Here are those sticky rules to make sure you're keeping it clean:

1) All team members need to stay with their teams at all times. You may not "divide and conquer." There will be spies throughout the city keeping an eye on what you are doing. Don't chance it. If your team is caught it could mean an immediate disqualification.

2)You may have up to six (6) people per team. Any more than that you will need to split up.

3) You may NOT use modes of transportation. This is a scavenger hunt for your feet. If you get tired and need a break, no worries, there are outdoor benches and indoor bar stools all over the place.

4) Your team must take a picture with each building/landmark/statue to prove you found it on the clock. Your entire team must be present in the photo with the exception of the team member taking the picture. No selfies! If you want to do silly things in your pictures, we can't stop you and in fact we urge you to do so.

5) Each team will be given one team sign that will need to be featured in each of your photos. You only get one so don't lose them.

6) You will have a three hour time limit. If you don't finish within the time frame you will receive a DNF but don't let that dissuade you, come on back to the City Beer Hall and enjoy drinks and some face time with your fellow local history nerds.

7) Having a hard time? Don't forget your Twitter feeds. Throughout the event additional clues will be posted to help you along.

8) This is supposed to be fun! It's great to be competitive but don't be a jerk.

9) Be aware of private property. All clues can be seen from the roads and sidewalks. Don't go trouncing through people's yards, there's no need to.

10) Don't break the law. Easy enough.

There will be prizes, because what kind of competition doesn't have cool local stuff to win? The first three teams to finish will get their choice of three prize packages from local businesses.

Tales From Sleepy Hollow at the Ten Broeck Mansion

Tales From Sleepy Hollow

When: Friday, Aug 4, 2017 - 7:30 PM 

Where: Ten Broeck Mansion Gardens, 9 Ten Broeck Place Albany, NY 12210

Cost: $15

Get ready for a good 'ol fashioned ghost story, steeped in the history and culture of upstate NY! Adapted from Washington Irving's beloved stories, "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," Tales From Sleepy Hollow brings both these classics to life like you've never seen them before!
 
Rip van Winkle is a man who "never stands when he can lean, never leans when he can sit, never sits when he can fall asleep, and would sooner die than do a good day’s work," much to the dismay of his long-suffering wife. So when a mysterious stranger invites him out for a wild night in the Catskills, he leaps at the opportunity for a little rest and relaxation. Little does he know he's in for a little more rest than he bargained for...
 
Ichabod Crane always has an angle. Wherever there's money to be swindled, food to be seized, and beautiful women to con, that's where you'll find him. Unfortunately for him, he finds all three in Sleepy Hollow, which is also where a certain headless spectre makes his home…
 
Come see both stories mingle and overlap in surprising ways in this original script by Marty Egan and Stephen Henel, offering both comedy and spookiness in a show that's sure to entertain the whole family!
 
Confetti Stage, Inc. and Ten Broeck Mansion partner again for their fourth year of bringing exciting outdoor theater to the Arbor Hill Community.

 As a special treat for the community, performances on Sunday, August 6th at 2PM and Thursday, August 10th at 7:30PM will be free to everyone! There will be light refreshments available to purchase at all performances. Students and children 12 and under get in for just $8! Watch Confetti Stage’s Facebook Page for more updates!
 
Tales from Sleepy Hollow is directed by Cory Haines and features: Laura Darling, Keyonn Everett, George Filieau, Spencer Flottman, Elizabeth Helmer, Chris Kowalski, John Nickles, Alyssa Plock, Joe Plock, John Quinan, Tricia Stuto, and John Whitehead; with puppet creation and design work by Carol Bosselman.

Ancestral Home : 445 Clinton Avenue, Albany

445 Clinton Avenue, Albany
Home of great great grandfather Charles William White
one of few homes on Clinton Avenue with a front lawn