Hudson Anniversary

This year marks the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage up the Hudson River. Looking for the elusive northeast passage to Asia, he sailed the Half Moon up the river in 1609, a decade before the Mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Also in the year 1609, Samuel de Champlain’s expedition reached Lake Champlain. To make this a bicentennial as well as a doubly quadricentennial year, 202 years ago Robert Fulton brought his steamboat Clermont on its maiden voyage up the Hudson. Many events have been planned to commemorate these historic feats; some events require a bit of travel but we will be be able to enjoy other activities right here in Schuylerville.

Beginning with the armchair variety of travel, the Old Saratoga Historical Association is sponsoring a reading and discussion of Tom Lewis’s fine book, "The Hudson, A History". There are still a few books available at the library for those who wish to join the discussion at the library on March 12th, at 7:30 PM. The book is also available in paperback, or used: ask Rachel at Old Saratoga Books.

Winter weather makes indoor activities appealing. Happily, several area museums are opening exhibits relating to the history and settlement of the Hudson River valley. The Albany Institute of History and Art is presenting “Hudson River Panorama, 400 Years of History, Art, and Culture”, beginning on February 7th. The exhibit will explore the people, events, and ideas that shaped the the valley, and the influence that the river had on the settlement, agriculture, transportation, and industrial growth of the area. Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10-5. Their website gives directions to the museum: http://www.albanyinstitute.org.

The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls is presenting the first major survey of marine artist Thomas Chambers’ work, opening February 8th. Chambers’ mid nineteenth century marine and landscape paintings contained many Hudson River scenes and were celebrated for their lively pattern and color. The Hyde Collection is at 161 Warren Street, http://www.hydecollection.org. Their hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5, Sunday, 12-5.

An exhibit at the New York State Museum (http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/exhibits) has an exhibit “Light on New Netherland”, only on view until February 9th. It examines Dutch history in colonial America, beginning with Henry Hudson’s voyage in 1609 and continuing with fur trading and the establishment of communities throughout the eastern seaboard. The state museum is open daily, 9:30-5.

For the youngsters, the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology at at 250 Jordan Rd. in Troy is presenting “Horseshoes and Waterwheels, New York’s Tech Valley of the 1800’s”, as well as “The Living Indoor Hudson River”, featuring live animals and touch-screen games. Museum hours are Thursday-Sunday, 10-5, http://www.cmost.com.

These should keep you busy until warm weather brings some outdoor happenings. We are looking forward to having family fun activities down by the river, our own Hudson Riverfront. Keep tuned for announcements of spectacular events to come!


Dotty Robinson, SACofC webmaster