Local Scots-Irish settlers were highly rebellious toward British rule, and, almost to a person, fought for the Rebel American side during the American Revolution. 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 18th century. This event will be held via Zoom. Admission is $5 or free for SCHS members. All participants should register at www.schenectadyhistorical.org/programs

Join Dr. Evan Haefeli for an expert look at Mohican and Iroquois relations in the 1670s. Using oral traditions alongside the documentary record, Dr. Haefeli uncovered a little known peace forged between the Mohicans and the Iroquois League on the eve of King Philip's War. The resulting alliance altered the regional balance of power and provided the foundation for Mohican diplomacy for the next century and a half. Dr. Evan Haefeli is Associate Professor of History at Texas A&M University, whose work has ranged from the frontier between New France and New England, to early Native American history, obscure revolts in colonial New York, book publishing in colonial America, and religious toleration New Netherland. He is currently finishing a book for the University of Chicago Press on the politics of religious toleration and English overseas expansion from 1497-1688, and editing a volume of essays entitled Anti-Catholicism: The Anglo-American Experience c. 1600-1850. This event will be held via Zoom. Admission is $5 or free for SCHS members. All participants should register at www.schenectadyhistorical.org/programs

What is the relationship between Leisler's Rebellion and the 1690 Schenectady Massacre? In the 17th century rebellion, merchant and militia captain Jacob Leisler seized control of southern New York. As his power expanded north to Albany, Leisler called for elections at Schenectady in January 1690. However, the next month, invaders burned Schenectady and massacred its people. How is this all connected? Dr. David William Voorhees is the Director of the Jacob Leisler Institute for the Study of Early New York History, and managing Editor of de Halve Maen. His published works include The Concise Dictionary of American History (1983), The Holland Society: A Centennial History 1885-1985 (1985) as well as numerous articles on late seventeenth-century New York. He is currently a consultant to Historic Hudson and Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY. In 2010 Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands presented Dr. Voorhees with knighthood in the Order of Orange Nassau. This event will be held via Zoom. Admission is $5 or free for SCHS members. All participants should register at www.schenectadyhistorical.org/programs

As winter cold begins to recede, the ground unfreezes and the sap starts to run. On a New York farm, the first harvest of the year was always maple syrup. In this family-friendly program, you’ll learn the process for yourself from colonial techniques to later innovations. Each ticket holder will receive a syrup sample to take home COVID safety will be observed and face masks will be required at all times. This is an outdoor event so be prepared for winter temperatures. Pre-Registration Required. Tickets are $10/person, for adults and kids 4+. Members are free. This event is sold out.

Dr. Jaap Jacobs is a Professor in the University of St Andrews History Department with a specialization in the history of the Dutch Republic and its colonies. Dr. Jacobs has written several books, his most recent is "The Colony of New Netherland: A Dutch Settlement in Seventeenth-Century America." Dr. Jacobs is currently working on a biography on Petrus Stuyvesant. He'll discuss colonial fortifications from Kingston, NY northwards, ending with Schenectady. This is a virtual program, which is free for SCHS members, otherwise $5. Registration is at www.schenectadyhistorical.org/programs. A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants prior to the virtual program