The Beat

Highlights New York's Progressive History of Promoting Social and Equal Rights

Opening Features Unveiling of Commemorative Statue of Harriet Tubman

Complements "CNY Rising" - The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the grand opening of the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, Cayuga County. The Center serves to emphasize New York State's progressive history of promoting social and equal rights, celebrate New York's equal rights pioneers, and encourage tourism at the region's many attractions and destinations. The $10 million Center is funded and supported through the Governor's Central NY Rising Initiative, the region's comprehensive strategy to revitalize communities and grow the economy.

"New York's history is rich with progressive champions who fought for justice and equality for all, and it is critical that we honor those whose heroic efforts forged a better path for everyone," Governor Cuomo said. "New York is the progressive capital of the nation and as we continue leading the way to ensure full equality, the Equal Rights Heritage Center will serve as a poignant reminder of these important pioneers and inspire us all to keep up the fight."…

 Albany, N.Y. – The New York State Museum will open The Historic Woodstock Art Colony: The Arthur A. Anderson Collection on November 10. On display through December 31, 2019, the exhibition features over 100 artworks – including paintings, lithographs, sculpture and works on paper – from the major collection of artwork of the historic Woodstock Art Colony that collector Arthur A. Anderson donated to the State Museum in 2017. This exhibition introduces to the public for the first time just a sample of the highlights of this extraordinary collection, which represents a body of work that together shaped art and culture in New York and forms a history of national and international significance.

“Digital Docent” Boosts Accessibility and Visitor Engagement

Ballston Spa, NY (Oct. 24, 2018) - The Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum has added a “Digital Docent” (SEO with Artificial Intelligence) to boost website visitor engagement. 

It was designed to make history and art more accessible to local residents and visitors by acting as a real-time guide when they are looking at online images.  The digital equivalent of a brick-and-mortar museum docent, the Digital Docent uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to know the entire Brookside Museum collection, and then make real-time recommendations that match visitor interests.

Glens Falls, N.Y.—The Hyde Collection is exhibiting a collection of French prints from the Museum's permanent collection to accompany the Adirondack Film Festival screening of Mrs. Hyde, a French film about an ornery teacher who is transformed by a powerful jolt. 

A Century of French Printing, 1838 – 1938 includes twelve prints chronicling how technological advances steered the course of the medium's evolution. As the country faced social, political, and economic changes, and rose to the height of western culture, printing allowed for the broad dissemination of art among homes of all economic classes.

Prints decorated the homes of the burgeoning middle class, they illustrated newspapers, books, and magazines, and they advertised products and forms of entertainment of the age. Commercial printing was a new avenue for artists such as Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939) and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864–1901) to fund their artistic endeavors, freeing them of the burden of securing a patron like artists of the past. …

Acquisition in partnership with Open Space Institute ensures this National Historic Landmark will be forever protected

Ticonderoga, N.Y. – The Fort Ticonderoga Association today announced that it has acquired 47 acres on the east face of Mount Defiance, ensuring the entire historically important mountain will be forever protected. The acquisition was made possible through partnership with the Open Space Institute (OSI) which provided a $46,000 grant for the purchase and related expenses.

“Fort Ticonderoga has a long history of land conservation and historic preservation dating back to 1820 when William Ferris Pell purchased the garrison grounds and placed a fence around the fort ruins marking the earliest act of preservation by a private individual in America,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “This recent acquisition is an important addition to our 2000-acre historic campus and will preserve the historic land and its natural beauty forever.”…

Scots-Irish Immigration and Defense of the New York Frontier, 1740 to 1778

Scheduled for Saturday, October 27 at 1:00 pm

Utica, N.Y. – Join independent historian Terry McMaster to explore settlement and development along colonial New York’s western frontier.  This presentation is enhanced with maps and illustrations from 18th century sources demonstrating the migration and settlement of culturally and ethnically diverse peoples including Scots-Irish settlers in frontier villages such as Cherry Valley, Unadilla and Onaquaga and early 18th century Native American settlements. This program takes place in the History Center's main gallery on Saturday, October 27, 2018 starting at 1:00 PM.

Terry McMaster is an independent historian whose research focuses on the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley and on the settlement patterns, family connections, and border warfare along colonial New York’s western frontier in the 18^th century.  He has presented his research at Fort Plain Museum’s “American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley” conference, Hyde Hall,  and m…

New Paltz, NY – Historic Huguenot Street (HHS) has been awarded a $14,000 New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Planning Grant to prepare for a year of women’s history centered programming at the 10-acre National Historic Landmark District in the Village of New Paltz, NY.

HHS was notified of the award in early October. “We are extremely grateful for this grant which will support us as we take the time needed to develop and plan for a comprehensive array of programs in 2020 that celebrate the centennial of votes for women,” said Kara Gaffken, Director of Public Programming. “Each year, we host dozens of programs including community favorites like Cider Market, Trick-or-Treat, Haunted Huguenot Street, and A Holiday on Huguenot Street; but developing and planning new programs that are particularly relevant to today, takes time. And this grant gives us that time.”…

Hundreds of Columbus Day Weekend Events Planned to Showcase State's History

Program Encourages Heritage Travel and Tourism Across the State

NEW YORK – October 4, 2018 – Empire State Development (ESD) and I LOVE NY, New York State's Division of Tourism, are encouraging residents and visitors to experience hundreds of events scheduled for the upcoming Path Through History Weekend, scheduled for October 6-8. I LOVE NY will continue to highlight Path Through History Weekend events on its website, social media platforms, and the award-winning I LOVE NY app.

The museum will also host a free discussion at noon as part of Museum Day,

Looking for Frederick Douglass: Resources in Libraries, Museums, and Archives

Rochester, N.Y., September 4, 2018—The George Eastman Museum will be open to the public for FREE on Saturday, September 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the spirit of Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day, the Eastman Museum is opening its doors to all visitors for the day to encourage the Rochester community to experience the photography exhibitions David Levinthal: War, Myth, Desire and Gail Albert Halaban: Out My Window, and the History of Photography Gallery, as well as hands-on activities for all ages in the Discovery Room.

Author to Speak on New Book ‘Las Villas of Plattekill’ at Walkway’s Ulster Welcome Center 

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.— Author Ish Martinez will explore a time when “Las Villas” were the most popular vacation resorts for Latinos in the Northeast when he speaks about his new book, “Las Villas of Plattekill and Ulster County,” during a Walkway Lecture Series presentation scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26th at Walkway State Park’s Ulster Welcome Center. …