Material culture provides wonderful opportunities for studying aspects of the past that we cannot examine or understand fully through other means. In this richly illustrated presentation, Dr Carl Benn will explore the material culture of the Six Nations Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois, between 1700 and 1815. He will focus on how Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and Tuscaroras presented themselves to the world through their clothing. Key questions will centre on what clothing did they have? what did they want to communicate through their dress? how did outsiders understand what they saw? what does it mean for appreciating Haudenosaunee history? and how does material culture enhance historical understanding? Before coming to Ryerson University in 2008, Dr Carl Benn worked in the museum field for 34 years, latterly as Chief Curator of the City of Toronto’s Museums and Heritage Services. There, he fulfilled senior curatorial and managerial duties, restored historical properties, curated exhibits, and produced other public resources. Carl has published extensively, including six history books, the most recent being "A Mohawk Memoir from the War of 1812: John Norton– Teyoninhokarawen". His current book project is a history of the Royal Ontario Museum. Carl’s teaching at Ryerson focuses on museum history, curatorship, heritage management, material culture, and archaeology. This is a virtual talk presented on Zoom. Admission is $8, or free for members. To register as a non-member please visit schenectadyhistorical.org/tickets. Members do not need to register. A link for this program will be emailed to all Schenectady County Historical Society members the day of the virtual program.

A Virtual Celebration for Black History Month. Watch live at facebook.com/schenectadyhistorical.  A Facebook account is not required to watch. Hosted by the Schenectady African American Historical Records Project. Join us for a conversation with Miki Conn, Walter Simpkins, and Adonis Richards about their lives and memories as Black Schenectadians. This event is part of the Schenectady African American Historical Records Project, a public history project focused on preserving the heritage and historical records of African Americans in Schenectady. We’re launching a community survey which will ask a range of questions that we hope will help expand the community’s knowledge of the history of Black people in Schenectady and illuminate the historical records preserved within the community. We invite you to attend our virtual conversation and learn more about the project, survey, and community memories. Your participation will be an important part of developing the history, legacy and memory of the Black community in Schenectady. For questions and more information, contact Marietta Carr, librarian/archivist at Schenectady County Historical Society, at librarian@schenectadyhistorical.org or 518-374-0263 x3.