New Scotland Historical Association

All events are at the Wyman Osterhout Community Center unless otherwise noted, and the museum will be open a half hour before the event start time. Click on the PDF icon at the bottom of the page to download a full schedule of our 2022-2023 programs.

​

Oct. 4, 2022 (7:30pm) From Dutch Jenever and Colonial Rum to Empire Rye: The Story of Distilling in New York State – Pioneer craft distiller and co-founder of the Albany Distilling Company, John Curtin will discuss the fascinating history of distilling in New York and our region from its colonial beginnings to the recent emergence of farmhouse and craft distilling.

​

Nov. 1, 2022 (7:30pm) Suffrage and Its Limits: Why the suffrage centennial still matters – The Women’s Suffrage Centennial (2017 in New York and 2020 nationally) put a brief spotlight on the long struggle for women’s right to vote. However, the suffrage victory proved to be a limited step on the road to women’s full political and legal equality. Dr. Susan Lewis will review what we have learned from the suffrage centennial, discuss the evolution of the suffrage movement into the League of Women Voters and the (failed) push for an Equal Rights Amendment, and consider the efforts from 1920 to the present to have women and women’s issues more completely represented in American politics.

​

Dec. 4, 2022 (2:00pm) Songs of Our Empire State –Renowned local musicians Tom Lindsey, Michael Eck and Paul Jossman, collectively known as the Lost Radio Rounders, will explore the fascinating and diverse history of New York State through historic songs. You’ll go whaling with "The Montaukers," fighting Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne at "The Battle of Saratoga," and taking a trip to Buffalo on "The Erie Canal."

​

Feb. 5, 2023 (2:00pm) Civil War in the Mohawk Valley: The Battle of Oriskany - The Revolutionary War in the Mohawk Valley it was largely a civil war between neighbors, siblings, and fathers and sons. Historian Terry McMaster will discuss the Battle of Oriskany, one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War and the major players that influenced and participated in actions that tore the Mohawk Valley apart including the Herkimers, Johnsons, Brants, Butlers, the Palatine German, Dutch and Scots-Irish settlers, and the Mohawk, Oneida, Seneca and other Native participants. 

March 5, 2022 (2:00pm)  Where a Kill is not a Kill and a Fly not a Fly – Dr. Charles Gehring, Dutch language scholar, Director of New Netherland Research Center, and New Scotland resident, will discuss the origin and meaning of Dutch family and place names prominent in the regions that were part of New Netherland.

​

April 4, 2023 (7:30pm) Enterprising Waters: The History and Art of New York’s Erie Canal - Brad Utter, Senior Historian and Curator at the New York State Museum and co-author of Enterprising Waters: The History and Art of New York’s Erie Canal, will discuss the artifacts, documents, images, and artworks that illustrate the history of the Erie Canal from its inception until today. Focusing on the Capital Region, he will touch on themes of politics, engineering, commerce, and life on the canal  illustrated by full color images of artifacts, documents, and images featured in the book and the exhibit on which it was based.

​

May 2, 2023 (7:30pm) The Gilded Age Rises Again in Troy, NY - Kathryn Sheehan, Rensselaer County & Troy City Historian will present an illustrated lecture on how Troy’s 19th century architecture became an integral backdrop to the Julian Fellows HBO series, The Gilded Age. Kathryn worked with the location scouts and production designer on locations throughout the city as well as providing information on how Troy appeared during the Gilded Age, who the major players were in the city at the time that represented “old” money and “new” money.  Kathryn will also share some of the behind-the-scenes stories that happened during the filming for season one. 

 

All Programs will be held at the Wyman Osterhout Community Center

 

O