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Public
Programs and Events At RCHS
Unless
otherwise noted,
all events take place at RCHS, 57 Second Street in historic downtown
Troy. Street parking is available. Call 518-272-7232 x17 for more
information.
Some
of our events require pre-registration. Register online and pay securely through Paypal,
or download our registration
form and mail it in with payment.
Please
add your name to our e-mail
list to stay up-to-date on RCHS events.
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History
Walks
RCHS' History Walks will
open your
eyes to the rich history that surrounds you in downtown Troy.
History Walks are offered on Saturdays from 10:30-11:30 am in May,
June, September and October. All walking tours begin and
end at the Market Table at the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market in
Riverfront Park. Members free, not-yet-members,
$5/person.
View Larger
Map
 HISTORY
WALK: Uncle Sam - the Man and the Myth
Saturday,
September
11, 2010; 10:30 - 11:30 am
How did we get from
Samuel Wilson, meat-packer and brick-maker, to
"Uncle Sam" the red-white-and-blue personification of the United
States? Join us for a walking tour of downtown Troy to explore the man,
the myth, and the sites associated with both.
HISTORY WALK: Before Collars & Horseshoes – Troy’s Early Industries
Saturday,
September 18,
2010; 10:30-11:30am
Before Troy became
famous for horseshoes, bells and detachable collars;
its wealth was derived from commercial endeavors and the early
industries of pottery, bricks, and meat slaughtering. This walking tour
will extend from the Hudson to the western slope of Mount Ida.
HISTORY
WALK - People, Place & Progress
Saturday,
September 25, 2010; 10:30 - 11:30 am
This
introduction to Troy history and architecture looks at how the city
evolved from its initial founding in 1789 as a village to its 19th
century heyday and on into the 21st century.
HISTORY WALK: Underground Railroad & Abolition
Saturday, October 2,
2010; 10:30 -11:30 am
Troy was a hotbed of
abolitionist activity in the 19th century. This
walking tour will highlight the sights associated with the African
American community in the first half of the 19th century. Included will
be sites associated with the rescue of escaped slave Charles Nalle by
thousands of Trojans and the now famous Harriet Tubman.
HISTORY WALK: Troy's Amazing Architecture
Saturday,
October 9,
2010, 10:30 - 11:30 am
This walking tour uses
Troy's rich 19th and 20th century built
environment to explore and learn about a range of styles and types of
buildings.
FAMILY HISTORY WALK: History Underfoot and Overhead
Saturday,
October 16,
2010, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Families with kids 5 and
up will enjoy this walk through Troy's past.
We'll look at the buildings around us for clues that tell us about the
past and get hands-on with history.
HISTORY WALK – The Ladies of Second Street
Saturday,
October 23,
2010; 10:30 - 11:30 am
Walk along Second Street
and learn about the women who shaped the City
and its institutions, supporting important causes like women’s
education and the right to vote.
HISTORY WALK - The Business of Dying in 19th Century Troy
Saturday,
October 30,
2010; 10:30 - 11:30 am
Take a walk on the
darker side of 19th century Troy. Learn about the
unique industries that developed in response to epidemics and the
emerging Victorian sentimentality around death and mourning customs.
History Talks
RCHS on
the Road: Outreach Presentations
RCHS
can come to you! We bring special presentations on the history of
Rensselaer County to groups in and around Rensselaer County. Potential
presentation topics include an introduction to Rensselaer County
history, the Underground Railroad, Uncle Sam, and more. To schedule an
outreach presentation for your group, contact County Historian Kathy
Sheehan at 518-272-7232, x15.
Lunch & Learn Programs
Our
new Lunch & Learn series offers you the chance to learn about some
of the treasures in the RCHS collection and enjoy a gourmet lunch
afterwards at Daisy Baker's
Restaurant, just a block down the
street from the Historical
Society.
LUNCH & LEARN: Jewelry from the Collection
Thursday, August 12,
2010, 11am –12pm program, 12pm –1pm lunch
Get a personal guided
tour of some of the smaller
treasures of the RCHS collection. From earbobs to watchfobs, we’ll
explore the personal adornments essential to a well-dressed 19th
century lady or gentleman. Top off your day with a delicious 3-course
lunch at Daisy Baker's Restaurant, just a block down the street.
RCHS members $27/per
person; Not-yet-members $30/per person – includes program and lunch. Registration required by August
10, 2010.
LUNCH & LEARN: Toeing the Line
Thursday, October 21,
2010, 11–12 program, 12–1 lunch
Before Imelda Marcos and
Manolo Blahnik, cobblers’ creations ranged
from delicate evening slippers to high button boots and children’s
christening shoes. View the array of 19th footwear in the collection
and take a step into the past. Our program concludes with a delicious
3-course lunch at Daisy Baker's Restaurant, just a block down the
street.
RCHS members, $27/per
person; not-yet-members $30/per person – includes program and lunch. Registration required by October 19, 2010.
A Bite of History
Do you have a taste for
history? Take a bite of it with our new morning programs! Explore a
themed selection of objects from the RCHS collection and enjoy a
delicious bagel breakfast.
A BITE OF
HISTORY: From The "Jell-O Girl" to the "Arrow Collar Man"
Thursday, July 15, 2010;
8:30am – 10am
Advertising slogans,
gimmicks and popular icons, such as Cluett,
Peabody & Co.'s "Arrow Collar Man" were ways companies sold their
wares to a growing nation of consumers hungry for the ingenious product
that would make life easier, faster and cleaner! Join RCHS staff as we
look at some of our popular and unique advertising artifacts. RCHS
members $12/person; Not-yet-members $15/person includes program
and bagel breakfast. Register by July 13, 2010.
A BITE OF HISTORY: Jugs, Crocks, and Pots
Thursday, September 16,
2010,
8:30am – 10am
In
one of Troy's earliest industries, potters like the famous Israel
Seymour harvested clay from slopes of Mt. Ida to manufacture thousands
of utilitarian vessels that were shipped throughout the country via the
Erie Canal. See rare examples from RCHS' collection of the work of area
potters and learn about the design, process and manufacturing of this
"19th century Tupperware". RCHS
members, $12/person; Not-yet-members
$15/person includes program and bagel breakfast. Register by
September 14,
2010.
A BITE OF HISTORY: Military Memorabilia
Thursday, November 11,
2010, 8:30am - 10am
The RCHS military
collection covers wars from the
Revolutionary War to the First Gulf War. Join RCHS staff as we look at
these evocative objects from swords to military trunks and uniforms. RCHS
members $12/person; Not-yet-members $15/person includes program
and bagel breakfast. Register
by November 9, 2010.
Hidden History
Knock
off a little early from work and get a sneak peek into
restricted-access historic interiors. Register
for one
program or
the whole series. Members $12/program,
$45/series, not-yet-members $15/program, $50/series.
HIDDEN HISTORY:
169
River Street Renovation
Tuesday,
July 27, 2010; 4:30-5:30 pm
We begin our explorations
with a
tour of 169 River Street, a
renovated warehouse building on Troy’s
riverfront and a great example of adaptive re-use. Owners Robert &
Gladys Hirsch will show us their loft apartment and the newly re-opened
storefront. August brings us to Lansingburgh and the 1786 Melville
House, September to the Lighting
Research Center in the historic Gurley
Building, and October to the unique historical re-creation work
of the Rensselaer Model Railroad
Society.
HIDDEN
HISTORY: Herman Melville House
Tuesday,
August 24, 2010; 4:30-5:30 pm
The
1786
Melville House was home to Herman Melville while he wrote his first two
novels and is now home to the Lansingburgh Historical Society. Join us
for a tour of this historic building, including its “Attic Museum”
which highlights Lansingburgh’s unique contributions to the area
economy.
HIDDEN HISTORY:
Lighting
Research Center/Gurley Building
Tuesday,
September 28, 2010; 4:30-5:30 pm
This
National Historic Landmark building was built in 1862 and opened just 8
months after the original building on the site burned to the ground in
the Great Fire of Troy. Rensselaer’s innovative Lighting Research
Center occupies floors of the building that were once home to
production lines for Gurley’s world famous surveying equipment.
HIDDEN
HISTORY: Rensselaer Model Railroad
Society
Tuesday,
October 26, 2010; 4:30-5:30 pm
Hidden
deep within the RPI campus and not normally open to the public, the
Rensselaer Model Railroad Society has created a 33 feet wide by 123
feet long historically accurate railroad layout of 1950s Troy. RMRS has
generously opened their doors for us to see this unique re-creation.
For more information, please visit http://railroad.union.rpi.edu.
Please note – the layout is not handicapped accessible and for safety
reasons, is only open to ages 12 and up.
Temporary Exhibitions
George
Shear’s Houses on the Hudson
Friday, June 25,
2010 - December 23, 2010
 George Ellsworth Shear
is an architect with a longtime interest in the
history of residential architecture in America. Where ever his travels
have taken him, he has carefully observed and sketched the local
architectural vernacular. His recent work focuses on the historic homes
lining the east shore of the Hudson River and the remarkable
architecture of Troy.
Building
Portraits from the Collection: Curator's Choice
June 25,
2010 - November 20, 2010
 The
built environment is familiar to us all, but ever-changing. As part of
our mission to tell the stories of
the past in Rensselaer County, it is often the buildings we pass by
each day
that hold the key to understanding how our communities have become what
they
are today. And yet, it is also possible to walk right by without really
seeing them and learning from them.
As part
of RCHS’s current look at architecture in Troy and Rensselaer County,
Curator
Stacy Pomeroy Draper has made a selection of building "portraits" to
pique your curiosity, whet your appetite and give some idea of the
scope of the
museum’s holdings related to architecture.
Some of these images are well-known, others have not been seen for many
years or are brand new additions to the collection. The exhibit,
in
the Grimm Gallery West, will be on view until November 20, 2010.
Dr.
Reed Bontecou, Civil War Surgeon
Friday, September 10,
2010 - December 23, 2010
Opening Celebration -
Friday, September 10,
2010; 6 – 9 pm; Program begins at 7pm
 | | 1861 Carte de Visite of Dr. Reed Bontecou |
Born and raised
in Troy,
Dr. Reed Bontecou was a surgeon in the 2nd NY
Infantry during the Civil War and was among the first surgeons to treat
battle injuries during the war. While in charge at Harewood General
Hospital, Dr. Bontecou's interest as an amateur photographer led him to
document patients with combat and war injuries.
This new
exhibition in
the RCHS Library Lobby is based on materials
relating to Dr. Bontecou purchased by the Capital District Civil War
Roundtable and recently given to RCHS. Also included in the exhibit are
objects and research from Dr. Matthew Farina, a pediatric cardiologist
who has researched Dr. Bontecou for many years. This exhibit is the
first in a series to mark the 150th Anniversary of the war that changed
our young nation.
The opening
night
program will feature Bob Mulligan, retired curator at
the New York State Museum, in the character of Civil War soldier Rice
Cook Bull, along with a lecture by Dr. Farina on the life and career of
Dr. Bontecou.
Permanent
Exhibitions
UNCLE
SAM: The Man in Life and Legend
 Uncle
Sam, aka Samuel Wilson (1766-1854) is
undoubtedly Troy's most famous son. Sam Wilson arrived in
Troy in the late 18th century, participated in the community's early
growth and success, and was a witness to the expansion of our nation
and the development of our national identity.
A
new
exhibit
at RCHS, Uncle Sam: The Man in Life and
Legend, examines both the real man and the national
symbol using objects from the museum's collections, including
archeological artifacts from the site of one of Sam Wilson's houses and
historical prints and images of our national symbol. Visitors will be
able to see how the story of the man and the legend evolved and learn
how this real person and the national icon continue to impact us today.
Resourceful
People
Orientation Gallery
This
introductory
exhibit presents an orientation to the museum and Rensselaer County
history, through highlights from the permanent collection and an
interactive computer tour of the county past and present.
The
Hart-Cluett House
On
the National Register
of Historic Places, the Hart-Cluett House was home to three prominent
families in Troy before it was donated to the Historical Society in
1953.
Tours
showcase the noteworthy architecture of the 1827 Federal-style town
house and the social history of the people who lived and
worked there. Tours
include the first and
second floors of the house, and the lower level, including the house's
original kitchen.
Join
us
for one of our monthly themed tours of the Hart-Cluett House or contact
us to schedule a time for an alternate time with prior notice.
Standards-linked school
tours of the house use readers'
theater to
bring the diverse stories of the 19th-century residents of the house to
life.
Click here
for more information on the Hart-Cluett House
Second Saturday
House Tours
SECOND SATURDAY
HOUSE TOUR: Kids in the House!
Saturday,
September 11,
2010; 2-3 pm
Before
the Hart-Cluett
House was a museum, it was home to many young Harts and Cluetts. This
family-friendly tour focuses on the experiences of the children of the
house from infancy through adolescence. RCHS
members free;
not-yet-members $10/person.
SECOND SATURDAY
HOUSE TOUR: Meet the Families
Saturday,
October 9,
2010; 2-3 pm
Join
us for a tour
focusing on the three families who lived in the Marble House from 1827
to 1953. We will be reading excerpts from diaries, letters, newspapers
and other documents to bring the house alive again while focusing on
the many collection items that were “really” in the house during more
than 125 years of family occupancy. RCHS
members free;
not-yet-members $10/person.
SECOND SATURDAY
HOUSE TOUR: The Well-Dressed House
Saturday,
November 13,
2010; 2-3 pm
Join
us for a look at
the wallpapers and window treatments that were used in the Marble House
during more than 125 years of private ownership. Learn about how these
valuable decorative elements were cared for, reused on occasion, and
updated stylistically.
RCHS
members free;
not-yet-members $10/person.
Troy
Night Out: One Night
Wonders
ONE
NIGHT WONDERS
is RCHS' series of
programs for Troy Night Out.
Each month we bring out a themed selection of artifacts from the
collection - for one night only.
ONE NIGHT WONDERS: You Scream, I Scream…
Friday, July 30, 2010; 5
–8 pm. Free admission & light refreshments.
We All Scream… For Ice
Cream! It wouldn’t be summer without ice cream. Learn about some of
Troy’s historic ice cream manufacturers and confectioners, view
outrageous ice cream molds, and enjoy a bite of everyone’s favorite
treat. On view Troy Night Out only!
ONE
NIGHT WONDERS: From Earbobs to Watchfobs
Friday, August 27, 2010; 5 –8 pm.
Free admission & light refreshments.
It’s all about the
bling! Explore some of the smaller treasures from the RCHS collection
as we focus on 19th century jewelry for this Troy Night Out only!
ONE NIGHT WONDERS: What a Crock!
Friday, September 24,
2010; 5 –8 pm. Free admission & light refreshments.
Early potters shaped
clay from Troy’s Mount Ida into utilitarian vessels that carried the
name “Troy” across the country. See some of these rare and unusual
containers for one night only at Troy Night Out!
ONE NIGHT WONDERS: Mourning and Memorabilia
Friday, October 29, 2010;
5 –8 pm. Free admission & light refreshments.
How have loved ones been
remembered in years past? Miniature portraits, jewelry and a few
unusual mementos, all with stories to tell, will be out just for this
one night. No tricks, all treats.
Special
Events
SPECIAL EVENT:
Rensselaer County Historical Society Annual Meeting
Monday, September 13,
2010; 7 – 8:30 pm; Light refreshments served
September 1, 2010 marks
the 100th anniversary of the start of Albert and Caroline Cluett’s
ownership of what is now the Hart-Cluett House. Join us for the RCHS
Annual Meeting as we celebrate the century and the family that
preserved and donated their home so that all could enjoy it. After a
brief business meeting, Board member Douglas G. Bucher and Curator
Stacy Pomeroy Draper will discuss the Cluetts and one of their lasting
contributions, the scenic wallpaper that has graced the front hall for
100 years.
SPECIAL EVENT - History by Bike
Saturday, October 2,
2010, 12 – 2pm
RCHS teams up with the
Troy Bike Rescue for this unique two-wheeled exploration of local
history. We’ll journey from South Troy to Lansingburgh (about 10 mostly
flat miles), checking out the locations of notable Troy industries over
time. Free event! Meet at
Troy Bike Rescue, 51 Third Street, by 11:30 am or at 11am for bike
tune-ups.
SPECIAL EVENT – RCHS Annual Fund Raiser Gala & Silent Auction.
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday,
October 14, 2010; 5:30 pm – 9pm
Join us at the Franklin
Plaza as we honor Dr. Susan Scrimshaw, President of the Sage Colleges
and recipient of the 2010 Hart-Cluett Award. RSVP required. Call
518-272-7232 x11 for tickets.
For
Kids and Families
FAMILY PROGRAM: The Past at Play
Saturday,
August 7, 2010; 10 - 11:30am
Kids! Bring your
favorite adult for this kid friendly, grown-ups allowed tour of the
Hart-Cluett House, followed by lemonade, cookies, and historic games in
the courtyard. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Members
$10 for kid + adult, $5 each additional person; Not-yet-members $12/kid
+ adult & $7 for additional guests
FAMILY HISTORY WALK: History Underfoot and Overhead
Saturday,
October 16, 2010, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Members
free, not yet members $5;
Meet at the Market Table, Troy Farmers Market
Families
with kids 5 and up will enjoy this walk through Troy's past. We'll look
at the buildings around us for clues that tell us about the past and
get hands-on with history.
Family Night at the Greens Show
Thursday,
December 2, 2010; 5-8 pm
Make family memories
together during the Greens Show! Tour the Hart-Cluett House and enjoy
holiday stories under the tree, children’s crafts and photos with Santa
(fee charged). Free admission – House opens at 5pm; activities begin
at 6.
FAMILY PROGRAM: Take Tea with Mrs. Claus
Saturday, December 4,
2010; 10am; 10:45am; 11:30 am
Enjoy a guided
tour of the
Holiday Greens Show, followed by tea, cocoa and cookies with Mrs. Claus
in the Carriage House. Bring your favorite doll or teddy to share a
snack with you and get your picture taken together with Mrs.
Claus. Members $10 for kid + adult, $5 each
additional person; Not-yet-members $12 for kid + adult & $7 for
additional guests
July 2010
A BITE OF HISTORY:
From
the "Jell-O Girl" to the "Arrow Collar Man"
Thursday, July 15, 2010, 8:30am – 10am
Advertising slogans, gimmicks and popular icons, such as Cluett,
Peabody & Co.'s "Arrow Collar Man" were ways companies sold their
wares to a growing nation of consumers hungry for the ingenious product
that would make life easier, faster and cleaner! Join RCHS staff as we
look at some of our popular and unique advertising artifacts. RCHS members, $12/person;
not-yet-members $15/person includes program and bagel breakfast. Register by July 13,
2010.
Hudson River Dinner Cruise
Sunday, July 18, 2010; 1 - 6pm
Enjoy panoramic Hudson
River views as we cruise from Troy to the Athens Lighthouse and back
aboard the luxurious Captain J.P. II. As we pass through the lands that
were once owned by the Van Rensselaer and Livingston families we will
explore the Hudson through stories told by local author and noted
storyteller Hollis Palmer, author of Leave it to the Ladies, To Spend
Eternity Alone, and Victorian Rules, among others, while we savor a
delicious dinner on board. A journey not to be missed! Call
518-272-7232, x117 or reserve online at
www.rchsonline.org/tickets.html. $85/members, $95 not-yet-members
HIDDEN HISTORY: 169 River Street
Renovation
Tuesday,
July 27, 2010; 4:30-5:30 pm
Members $12/program,
$45/series, not-yet-members $15/program, $50/series
Knock off a little early
from work and get a sneak peek into restricted-access historic
interiors. We begin our explorations with a tour of 169 River Street, a
renovated warehouse building on Troy’s riverfront and a great example
of adaptive re-use. Owners Robert & Gladys Hirsch will show us
their loft apartment and the newly re-opened storefront. August brings
us to Lansingburgh and the 1786 Melville House, September to the
Lighting Research Center in the historic Gurley Building, and October
to the unique historical re-creation work of the Rensselaer Model
Railroad Society.
ONE NIGHT WONDERS: You Scream, I Scream…
Friday,
July 30, 2010; 5 –8 pm. Free
admission & light refreshments.
We All Scream… For Ice
Cream! It wouldn’t be summer without ice cream. Learn about some of
Troy’s historic ice cream manufacturers and confectioners, view
outrageous ice cream molds, and enjoy a bite of everyone’s favorite
treat. On view Troy Night Out only!
August 2010
FAMILY
PROGRAM: The Past at Play
Saturday,
August 7, 2010; 10 - 11:30am
Kids! Bring your
favorite adult for this kid friendly, grown-ups allowed tour of the
Hart-Cluett House, followed by lemonade, cookies, and historic games in
the courtyard. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Members $10 for kid +
adult, $5 each additional person; Not-yet-members $12/kid + adult &
$7 for additional guests
LUNCH & LEARN: Jewelry from the Collection
Thursday,
August 12, 2010, 11am –12pm program, 12pm –1pm lunch
Get a personal guided
tour of some of the smaller treasures of the RCHS collection. From
earbobs to watchfobs, we’ll explore the personal adornments essential
to a well-dressed 19th century lady or gentleman. Top off your day with
a delicious 3-course lunch at Daisy Baker's Restaurant, just a block
down the street.
RCHS members, $27/per
person; not-yet-members $30/per person – includes program and lunch.
Registration required by
August 10, 2010.
Canal Splash Walking Tour: From Buffalo to… Troy?
Saturday, August 14, 10am – 11:30am;
Although Albany is
officially the southern terminus of the Erie Canal, the Trojan Trader
carried the first freight headed west on the canal. Peruse
canal-related materials from the Historical Society Collection and
experience the canal’s impact on the city of Troy through a guided
walking tour of downtown Troy.
RCHS members, $5; not-yet-members $10
HIDDEN HISTORY: Herman Melville House
Tuesday,
August 24, 2010; 4:30-5:30 pm
The 1786 Melville House
was home to Herman Melville while he wrote his first two novels and is
now home to the Lansingburgh Historical Society. Join us for a tour of
this historic building, including its “Attic Museum” which highlights
Lansingburgh’s unique contributions to the area economy.
Members $12/program,
$45/series, not-yet-members $15/program, $50/series
ONE NIGHT WONDERS: From Earbobs to Watchfobs
Friday, August 27, 2010; 5 –8 pm.
Free admission & light refreshments.
It’s all about the
bling! Explore some of the smaller treasures from the RCHS collection
as we focus on 19th century jewelry for this Troy Night Out only!
September 2010
EXHIBIT OPENING:
Dr. Reed
Bontecou, Civil War Surgeon
Friday,
September 10, 2010; 6 – 9 pm; Program begins at 7pm
Born and raised
in Troy,
Dr. Reed Bontecou was a surgeon in the 2nd NY Infantry during the Civil
War and was among the first surgeons to treat battle injuries during
the war. While in charge at Harewood General Hospital, Dr. Bontecou's
interest as an amateur photographer led him to document patients with
combat and war injuries.
This new
exhibition in
the RCHS Library Lobby is based on materials relating to Dr. Bontecou
purchased by the Capital District Civil War Roundtable and recently
given to RCHS. Also included in the exhibit are objects and research
from Dr. Matthew Farina, a pediatric cardiologist who has researched
Dr. Bontecou for many years. This exhibit is the first in a series to
mark the 150th Anniversary of the war that changed our young nation.
The opening
night
program will feature Bob Mulligan, retired curator at the New York
State Museum, in the character of Civil War soldier Rice Cook Bull,
along with a lecture by Dr. Farina on the life and career of Dr.
Bontecou.
HISTORY WALK: Uncle Sam - the Man and the
Myth
Saturday, September 11,
2010, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Members free, not-yet-members $5; Meet at the Market Table,
Troy Farmers Market
How
did we get from Samuel Wilson, meat-packer and brick-maker, to "Uncle
Sam" the red-white-and-blue personification of the United States? Join
us for a walking tour of downtown Troy to explore the man, the myth,
and the sites associated with both.
SECOND SATURDAY
HOUSE TOUR: Kids in the House!
Saturday,
September 11, 2010; 2-3 pm
Before the Hart-Cluett
House was a museum, it was home to many young Harts and Cluetts. This
family-friendly tour focuses on the experiences of the children of the
house from infancy through adolescence. RCHS members free; not-yet-members
$10/person.
SPECIAL EVENT: Rensselaer
County Historical Society Annual Meeting
Monday, September 13, 2010; 7 – 8:30 pm;
Light refreshments served
September 1, 2010 marks
the 100th anniversary of the start of Albert and Caroline Cluett’s
ownership of what is now the Hart-Cluett House. Join us for the RCHS
Annual Meeting as we celebrate the century and the family that
preserved and donated their home so that all could enjoy it. After a
brief business meeting, Board member Douglas G. Bucher and Curator
Stacy Pomeroy Draper will discuss the Cluetts and one of their lasting
contributions, the scenic wallpaper that has graced the front hall for
100 years.
A BITE OF HISTORY: Jugs,
Crocks and Pots
Thursday,
September 16, 2010, 8:30am – 10am
In one of Troy’s
earliest industries, potters like the famous Israel Seymour harvested
clay from slopes of Mt. Ida to manufacture thousands of utilitarian
vessels that were shipped throughout the country via the Erie Canal.
See rare examples from RCHS’ collection of the work of area potters and
learn about the design, process and manufacturing of this “19th century
Tupperware.” RCHS members,
$12/person;
not-yet-members $15/person includes program and bagel breakfast.
Register
by September 14,
2010.
HISTORY WALK: Before
Collars & Horseshoes – Troy’s Early Industries
Saturday,
September 18, 2010; 10:30-11:30am
Members free, not-yet-members $5; Meet at the Market Table,
Troy Farmers Market
Before
Troy became famous for horseshoes, bells and detachable collars; its
wealth was derived from commercial endeavors and the early industries
of pottery, bricks, and meat slaughtering. This walking tour will
extend from the Hudson to the western slope of Mount Ida.
ONE NIGHT WONDERS: What a Crock!
Friday, September 24, 2010; 5 –8 pm.
Free admission &
light refreshments.
Early potters shaped
clay from Troy’s Mount Ida into utilitarian vessels that carried the
name “Troy” across the country. See some of these rare and unusual
containers for one night only at Troy Night Out!
HISTORY WALK - People, Place & Progress
Saturday, September 25,
2010; 10:30 - 11:30 am
Members free, not-yet-members $5; Meet at the Market Table,
Troy Farmers Market
This
introduction to Troy history and architecture looks at how the city
evolved from its initial founding in 1789 as a village to its 19th
century heyday and on into the 21st century.
HIDDEN HISTORY: Lighting Research Center/Gurley Building
Tuesday,
September 28, 2010; 4:30-5:30 pm
Members $12/program,
$45/series, not-yet-members $15/program, $50/series
This National Historic
Landmark building was built in 1862 and opened just 8 months after the
original building on the site burned to the ground in the Great Fire of
Troy. Rensselaer’s innovative Lighting Research Center occupies floors
of the building that were once home to production lines for Gurley’s
world famous surveying equipment.
October 2010
HISTORY WALK:
Underground
Railroad & Abolition
Saturday,
October 2, 2010; 10:30 -11:30 am
Members free, not-yet-members $5; Meet at the Market Table,
Troy Farmers Market
Troy
was a hotbed of abolitionist activity in the 19th century. This walking
tour will highlight the sights associated with the African American
community in the first half of the 19th century. Included will be sites
associated with the rescue of escaped slave Charles Nalle by thousands
of Trojans and the now famous Harriet Tubman.
SPECIAL EVENT - History by Bike
Saturday,
October 2, 2010, 12 – 2pm
RCHS teams up with the
Troy Bike Rescue for this unique two-wheeled exploration of local
history. We’ll journey from South Troy to Lansingburgh (about 10 mostly
flat miles), checking out the locations of notable Troy industries over
time. Free event! Meet at
Troy Bike Rescue, 51 Third Street, by 11:30 am or at 11am for bike
tune-ups.
HISTORY WALK: Troy's Amazing Architecture
Saturday, October 9,
2010, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Members free, not-yet-members $5; Meet at the Market Table,
Troy Farmers Market
This
walking tour uses Troy's rich 19th and 20th century built environment
to explore and learn about a range of styles and types of buildings.
SECOND SATURDAY HOUSE TOUR: Meet the Families
Saturday,
October 9, 2010; 2-3 pm
RCHS members free;
not-yet-members $10/person.
Join us for a tour
focusing on the three families who lived in the Marble House from 1827
to 1953. We will be reading excerpts from diaries, letters, newspapers
and other documents to bring the house alive again while focusing on
the many collection items that were “really” in the house during more
than 125 years of family occupancy.
SPECIAL EVENT –RCHS Annual Fund Raiser Gala
& Silent Auction.
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 14,
2010; 5:30 pm – 9pm
Join us at the Franklin
Plaza as we honor Dr. Susan Scrimshaw, President of the Sage Colleges
and recipient of the 2010 Hart-Cluett Award. RSVP required. Call
518-272-7232x11 for tickets.
FAMILY HISTORY WALK: History Underfoot and Overhead
Saturday, October 16,
2010, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Members free, not-yet-members $5; Meet at the Market Table,
Troy Farmers Market
Families
with kids 5 and up will enjoy this walk through Troy's past. We'll look
at the buildings around us for clues that tell us about the past and
get hands-on with history.
LUNCH & LEARN: Toeing the Line
Thursday,
October 21, 2010, 11–12 program, 12–1 lunch
Before Imelda Marcos and
Manolo Blahnik, cobblers’ creations ranged from delicate evening
slippers to high button boots and children’s christening shoes. View
the array of 19th footwear in the collection and take a step into the
past. Our program concludes with a delicious 3-course lunch at Daisy
Baker's Restaurant, just a block down the street. RCHS members, $27/per person;
not-yet-members $30/per person –
includes program and lunch. Registration required
by
October 19, 2010.
HISTORY WALK – The Ladies
of Second Street
Saturday,
October 23, 2010; 10:30 - 11:30 am
Members
free, not-yet-members $5;
Meet at the Market Table, Troy Farmers Market
Walk
along Second Street and learn about the women who shaped the City and
its institutions, supporting important causes like women’s education
and the right to vote.
HIDDEN HISTORY: Rensselaer Model Railroad Society
Tuesday,
October 26, 2010; 4:30-5:30 pm
RCHS members $12/program,
$45/series, not-yet-members $15/program, $50/series.
Hidden deep within the
RPI campus and not normally open to the public, the Rensselaer Model
Railroad Society has created a 33 feet wide by 123 feet long
historically accurate railroad layout of 1950s Troy. RMRS has
generously opened their doors for us to see this unique re-creation.
For more information, please visit http://railroad.union.rpi.edu.
Please note – the layout is not handicapped accessible and for safety
reasons, is only open to ages 12 and up.
ONE NIGHT WONDERS:
Mourning and Memorabilia
Friday,
October 29, 2010; 5 –8 pm. Free admission & light refreshments.
How have loved ones been
remembered in years past? Miniature portraits, jewelry and a few
unusual mementos, all with stories to tell, will be out just for this
one night. No tricks, all treats.
HISTORY WALK - The
Business of Dying in 19th Century Troy
Saturday,
October 30, 2010; 10:30 - 11:30 am
Members free, not-yet-members $5; Meet at the Market Table, Troy Farmers
Market
Take a walk on
the
darker side of 19th century Troy. Learn about the unique industries
that developed in response to epidemics and the emerging Victorian
sentimentality around death and mourning customs.
November 2010
A BITE OF HISTORY:
Military Memorabilia
Thursday, November 11, 2010, 8:30am – 10am
The RCHS military
collection covers wars from the Revolutionary War to the First Gulf
War. Join RCHS staff as we look at these evocative objects from swords
to military trunks and uniforms.
RCHS members, $12/person;
not-yet-members $15/person includes
program/bagel breakfast. Register by September
14,
2010.
SECOND SATURDAY HOUSE
TOUR: The Well-Dressed House
Saturday, November 13, 2010; 2-3 pm
Join us for a look at
the wallpapers and window treatments that were used in the Marble House
during more than 125 years of private ownership. Learn about how these
valuable decorative elements were cared for, reused on occasion, and
updated stylistically.
RCHS members free;
not-yet-members $10/person.
December
2010
54TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY
GREENS SHOW – “A DICKENS’ CHRISTMAS”
The Van Rensselaer Garden
Club decorates the rooms of the 1827 Hart-Cluett house with fresh
greens and flowers to evoke the works, life and times of Charles
Dickens. Don’t miss this unique Troy holiday tradition! Adults $5, Seniors $4, Children $3 (under
5 free).
Holiday Greens Show Member
Preview Party
Wednesday, December 1,
2010; 5-7 pm
RCHS members are invited to join us for a sneak peek at the holiday
magic that the Van Rensselaer Garden Club brings to the Hart-Cluett
House. Free admission and light refreshments.
Family Night at the Greens
Show
Thursday, December 2,
2010; 5-8 pm
Make family memories together during the Greens Show! Tour the
Hart-Cluett House and enjoy holiday stories under the tree, children’s
crafts and photos with Santa (fee charged). Free admission – House
opens at 5pm; activities begin at 6.
Greens Show, Wreath
Display and Silent Auction Open to the Public
Thursday, December 2 –
Sunday, December 5, 2010; 12 – 5 pm
Troy’s Treasures
December 2 – 4, 2010;
11:30am, 12:45pm & 2pm
RCHS and Daisy Baker's Restaurant offer this fantastic combination
package for groups of 2 or more. Enjoy two of Troy’s treasures –
admission to the Holiday Greens Show and a delicious 3-course lunch at
Daisy Baker's Restaurant, just a block away on Second Street. RCHS members, $27/per person;
not-yet-members $30/per person – includes program and lunch.
Candlelight House Tour
Friday, December 3, 2010;
5:30-8 pm; $10/person admission
See the Hart-Cluett House as you’ve never seen it before! RCHS staff
members will lead guided tours of the house aglow with candles.
FAMILY
PROGRAM: Take Tea with Mrs. Claus
Saturday,
December 4, 2010; 10am; 10:45am; 11:30 am
Enjoy a guided
tour of the Holiday Greens Show, followed by tea, cocoa and cookies
with Mrs. Claus in the Carriage House. Bring your favorite doll or
teddy to share a snack with you and get your picture taken together
with Mrs. Claus. Members $10 for kid + adult, $5 each
additional person; Not-yet-members $12 for kid + adult & $7 for
additional guests
Additional Information:
RCHS
is handicapped accessible and accredited by
the American Association of Museums.
Click
here for information on
school programs
Click here
for map, directions & hours
Call 518-272-7232 x. 17 for more information
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