Alfred Winslow Jones (1900-1989) created the first hedge fund in 1949, but his motives may seem peculiar in retrospect. This “lifelong Democrat or (Norman Thomas) socialist” thought hedge funds — far from becoming bywords for inequality — might stabilize markets, produce conditions of common prosperity, and encourage socialist-style policies of wealth redistribution. Where and when did Jones learn his socialist ideals? As a schoolboy growing up in the G.E. Realty Plot during Schenectady’s Progressive Era turn to municipal socialism. Socialist Schenectady’s effects, it turns out, have reached far beyond the banks of the Mohawk…just not in the way its champions hoped. David Huyssen is a U.S. historian and Visiting Scholar at the Free University’s J.F.K. Institute in Berlin. He is author of Progressive Inequality (Harvard U.P., 2014) and has taught history at Yale, Wesleyan, the New School, NYU, and the University of York (UK). His writing and commentary on capitalism and class relations have appeared in numerous U.S. and European venues — including the Los Angeles Times, BBC, Le Monde, and Deutsche Welle — and his latest academic article, “The ‘Background Conditions’ of the Hedge Fund in General Electric’s Schenectady” appeared in Transatlantica’s March 2021 issue. Huyssen grew up in New York. 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.

From bounty land to pensions, there are no shortages of genealogical records for soldiers from the War of 1812. Brian Rhinehart will discuss why these records were created, how to make sense of them, and what those records can contain for your ancestors. 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.

Jakubowski's recent research delves into the history of Schenectady's schools -- how reforms over the last 200 years affected Electric City schools and the once rural but now suburban schools around Schenectady County.  He will explore how the local Schenectady County area was part of rural, urban, and then suburban growth, decline, change, and practice and policy implementation. Casey Jakubowski, PhD is the author of two books, Thinking About Teaching, and A Cog in the Machine. After 20 years of K-12 experience, Dr Jakubowski now works with education students at the college level. He teaches courses in history, and is working on a manuscript on the history of education reform in New York State. 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.  

Join us for the exhibition opening of "Painted Forward: Past to Present" at the Mabee Farm Historic Site! Artist Tina Johnston will discuss the nature of her artwork and the catalyst for this body of work. Light refreshments provided. "Painted Forward" presents paintings from the 1860s to 1920s repurposed in silk and reimagined with the figures holding digital devices. The luminosity and soft texture of silk, along with the gentle lines and melting colors provides visual serenity and adds new meaning to these historic images. Local artist Tina Johnston is mesmerized by the radiance of silk; the capricious movement of liquid dyes is infectious. Johnston lives and paints in the Capital District of NY and is a member of the Schenectady Art Society. $10 or FREE for members

Earth Night is an evening celebration of sustainability and living in harmony with the planet. Gather together with friends and neighbors as we present down-to-earth music, art, and workshops that honor Mother Earth and our natural surroundings. The fun starts at 4pm, and we'll be on site until 8, finishing the evening with a campfire and stories from the Earth.

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at forging, this is the perfect opportunity to learn the basics of blacksmithing in a fun, inclusive environment. Starting with building a coal fire, you will learn about the various tools of the shop and progress to hand forging functional objects. Spend the day exploring your creativity…and walk away with some finished pieces showcasing your new skills! This workshop is $150 and open to students 16+. Since 1985, blacksmith John Ackner has been making historical and restoration hardware, decorative pieces, and custom weaponry.