November 2010

The marble-faced structure known as the Hart-Cluett House is one of the finest intact houses of the late Federal period in America. Constructed as a gift for his only child, Betsey Howard Hart, and her husband, Richard P. Hart, by wealthy New York merchant and banker William Howard, the house represents the best in design and craftsmanship of the period. The house was architecturally sophisticated, exhibiting many stylistic details associated with homes of the same period in New York City. The house was technologically advanced, as well, as evidenced by its heating and plumbing systems.

The Hart-Cluett house has survived virtually intact in Troy while its contemporaries in New York City have all been destroyed. A restoration effort, begun in 1983, recreated its 19th century appearance. Visitors can tour the home and learn about the prominent Hart and Cluett families.

The home that Bronck built in 1663 is the oldest home in upstate New York. The complex today is made up of the 1738 brick house, the original home, and 3 additional barns. Visitors can tour the dwellings that are furnished with period art and furniture. Also open are 19th-Century Dutch and Victorian horse barns.

Construction was begun in early 1873, and the lighthouse was completed and put into operation on November 14, 1874. The facility served as a manned lighthouse until the 1950s at which time the lighthouse was automated and a named facility was no longer a necessity. Today, the Lighthouse still serves an aid to navigation, guiding ships safely around the Middle Ground Flats.

Since its opening, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse has been operated and maintained by the United States Coast Guard. However, in 1967, then Governor, Nelson A. Rockefeller, established the Hudson River Valley Commission to explore possible uses for the Hudson River Lighthouses. The Commission recommended that the Coast Guard deed over or lease the facilities to public or not-for -profit groups. These groups would then rehabilitate, maintain and operate the facilities for public benefit.

Visitors can see the bunk in which the keeper once slept and examine modern navigational techniques used to guide ships around the dangerous shoals known as the Middle Ground Flats.

Founded in 1804, the New York Historical Society's holdings cover four centuries of American history, and include one of the world’s greatest collections of historical artifacts, American art and other materials documenting the history of the United States as seen through the prism of New York City and State.

Collection strengths include local history of New York City and State; colonial history; the Revolutionary War; American military and naval history; religions and religious movements, 18th and 19th century; the Anglo-American slave trade and conditions of slavery in the United States; the Civil War; American biography and genealogy; American art and art patronage; the development of American architecture from the late 18th to the present; and 19th and 20th century portraiture and documentary photographs of New York City.

The collections include 2 million manuscripts, 500,000 photographs, 400,000 prints, 350,000 books and pamphlets, 150,000 architectural drawings, 20,000 broadsides, 15,000 printed maps, 10,000 newspapers and 10,000 dining menus.

Over the years, the island has served as the backdrop for a number of historic events. In 1986, it was the setting for the relighting of the newly refurbished Statue of Liberty by President Ronald Reagan. In 1988, President Reagan hosted a U.S.-U.S.S.R. summit with Mikhail Gorbachev on Governors Island, and in 1993 the U.N. sponsored talks on the island to help restore democratic rule in Haiti. In 1995, the Coast Guard closed its facilities on Governors Island and, as of September 1996, all residential personnel were relocated. President Clinton designated 22 acres of the Island, including the two great forts, as the Governors Island National Monument in January 2001, and on April 1, 2002, President George W. Bush, Governor Pataki, and Mayor Bloomberg announced that the United States of America would sell Governors Island to the people of New York for a nominal cost, and that the Island would be used for public benefit.

Visitors can take guided walking tours, interact with living history characters, and rent bicycles to explore the island’s scenic views. A 10-minute ferry ride leaves from the Battery Maritime Building every hour.

A small museum features exhibits on the evolution of large artillery and the arsenal’s role in the war. Visitors can view 60- to 120- millimeter Abraham Tank mortars as well as a British 24 Pounder surrendered on October 7, 1777 at the Battle of Saratoga.

General George Washington considered West Point to be the most important strategic position in America. Washington personally selected Thaddeus Kosciuszko, one of the heroes of Saratoga, to design the fortifications for West Point in l778, and Washington transferred his headquarters to West Point in l779. Continental soldiers built forts, batteries and redoubts and extended a l50-ton iron chain across the Hudson to control river traffic. Fortress West Point was never captured by the British, despite Benedict Arnold's treason.

Several soldiers and legislators, including Washington, Knox, Hamilton and John Adams, desiring to eliminate America's wartime reliance on foreign engineers and artillerists, urged the creation of an institution devoted to the arts and sciences of warfare. President Thomas Jefferson signed legislation establishing the United States Military Academy in 1802. He took this action after ensuring that those attending the Academy would be representative of a democratic society.

The house was built by Casparus F. Pruyn, the business agent of Stephen Van Rensselaer III and his son, William P. Van Rensselaer. Rensselaerswyck was a manor laid out on both banks of the Hudson River in 1630 and confirmed to the Van Rensselaer family in a perpetuity in 1685. The manor passed down through the eldest sons until the inheritance practice was forbidden in New York state after the Revolutionary War. Stephen Van Rensselaer, the last patroon to inherit the entire estate, died in 1839 and divided the land holdings amongst his heirs. His two oldest sons, Stephen and William received the West and East Manor respectively.

Visitors can enjoy time with the hosts at the museum, internationally acclaimed duo pianists and soloists, Vladimir Pleshakov and Elena Winther. The Pleshakov Piano Museum features several different displays, including early and modern keyboard instruments ranging from the days of Michelangelo to the days of Mozart and Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt. These are veritable "time machines" creating a living link with the past historically, emotionally, artistically and spiritually. The museum is even equipped with pianos made famous by association with Nicholas I of Russia, Queen Victoria, the White House, Clementi, Field, and Vienna Philharmonic.

Guided tours and mini concerts are offered daily at the museum.

The New York State Archives was established in 1971 and opened its doors to the public in 1978. It is a program of the State Education Department, with its main facility located in the Cultural Education Center on Madison Avenue in Albany. There it cares for and provides access to more than 130 million documents that tell the story of New York from the seventeenth century to the present.

From its main facility, it also administers statewide programs that reach out to state agencies, local governments and community organizations.

Archives staff are located in nine regional offices around the State to address the archives and records management concerns of every area of the State.