For Black History Month, we're opening up the archives for a series of presentations and displays on the following topics, related to local Black history. We hope to see you! -Union College Special Collections -Jerry Burrell Arts Collaborative -African American Burial Ground at Vale -SCHS Collections -Schenectady African American Historical Records Project - Screening of  a new MLK documentary from PBS - Screening of our "History Erased" documentary

Location: SUNY Schenectady, Stockade Building, Room 101 In the first decades of the 19th century, hundreds of enslaved Schenectadians gained their freedom. These newly freed Black citizens would continue to face social and economic limitations in their employment. However, one particular profession promised a certain prominence. This presentation examines the role of Black barbers as leaders in their communities and advocates for the rights of others. Presented by Mike Diana of SCHS and sponsored by SUNY Schenectady's Office of Diversity & Inclusion. Free and open to the public.

This virtual program is part of our Winter Speaker Series, and will be presented on Zoom. A Zoom link will be emailed to all current SCHS members before the program. Christopher Scott, author of “Chain of Title: An Adventure to Uncover the 350-Year Legacy of the Old Grist Mill,” will discuss the historical research process, which is universal to anyone interested in history or genealogy. He will focus on methods and approaches to navigating the historical repositories (physical and online) to get to the truth, and emphasize how to get beyond dry facts to bring a history to life.

Join us just in time for Valentine's Day as Chef Jen teaches us how to craft chocolate truffles! We'll start off with one of Chef Jen's signature welcome drinks, and then spend the evening learning two truffle recipes: one with booze, and one without. We will also have a vegan/dairy free recipe, so everyone can enjoy the treat. Attendees will take home a box of truffles to enjoy, or give as a gift! The chocolate truffle's origins are disputed, but certainly began in a French kitchen around the turn of the 19th century. It's possible their invention was a happy surprise. Today, there are three main types of truffles: American, Swiss, and European. Chef Jen is the owner and chef of Dinner Vacations, and an SCHS member. She is a graduate of the United States Personal Chef Institute (USPCI).

In this workshop, we'll felt an adorable little bear, using wool from our herd. Choose between a polar bear, brown bear, or black bear, and join us in making a cute gift for friends, family, or even yourself. Our experts will guide you through the process from start to finish, and we'll provide all materials and equipment. This craft is recommended for anyone 12+. It involves using sharp needles which can puncture skin if not used properly. Participants should possess good manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and ability to work with focus and care.      

Not everyone at the Mabee Farm was free to live and pass down their stories for posterity. The Farm was also home to generations of enslaved people like Sam, Bate and Cato whose voices have been lost to history. In this tour, we try to see the Mabee Farm as they would have known it- we hope to understand the experiences of hundreds of other enslaved people in Schenectady’s history. This program is offered as part of Black History Month. This tour is free for SCHS members (RSVP required), or $10 for non-members.  

Join us this night of the full Snow Moon for a candlelight walk through the woods of the Woestyne. Afterwards, we’ll make a fire in the Inn’s historic fireplace, and storytellers will share colorful tales from our area. Warm drinks will be served to fight off the night’s chill. Admission is $10 for non-members, and $5 for members.

This virtual program is part of our Winter Speaker Series, and will be presented on Zoom. A Zoom link will be emailed to all current SCHS members before the program. Tyler Putman of the Museum of the American Revolution will present “Following the Army: Soldiers and Civilians in the Revolutionary War." Join us for an exploration of life on the home front and on campaign with the armies of the Revolutionary War. In the eighteenth century, military families sent soldiers to fight, raised children, made military supplies, and even traveled with the armies in the field. Explore the stories of the civilians who supported the military on and off the battlefield and what their work tells us about the American Revolution. Tyler’s talk will of course include the legacy and significance of SCHS’ very own Liberty Flag!

Instructor Karen Anthony of Karen’s Paint pARTies will teach us to paint a cozy winter scene.  No artistic experience necessary -- you will be lead step by step to produce your very own masterpiece! Price includes 11x14 stretched canvas, all painting materials, and a selection of munchies -- plus mimosas, of course! Feel free to BYOB, as well. Ages 10+ only, please. All ticket sales final.

This virtual program is part of our Winter Speaker Series, and will be presented on Zoom. A link will be emailed to all current SCHS members the morning of the program. Historian Catherine Haag will discuss her recent work, “The Lives of GE’s Armature Workers in the Late 1800s.” Who were the early employees of Edison’s General Electric? The answer might surprise you. The story of early skilled, semiskilled, and especially unskilled workers at General Electric has been difficult to uncover. Fortunately, a register of workers dating to the 1890s allows for an in-depth look at unskilled workers at General Electric in Schenectady during the 1890s. Through census data and city directories the lives of some of the workers can be fleshed out, opening a window into this early time period.

Spend the winter break with us! Today the Mabee Farm will host special winter educational activities. Baking on the hearth, colonial crafts and even a behind-the-scenes tour of our artifact collections. Tickets are $10 for everyone 5 and up; free for SCHS members at Family+ levels, but RSVP required.

This is an in-person program at Mabee Farm.  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. And of course, we’ll be able to taste the results! This is an outdoor event in so be prepared for winter temperatures! Tickets are $5 for members / $10 for non-members. Under 5 is free.  

This virtual program is part of our Winter Speaker Series, and will be presented on Zoom. A Zoom link will be emailed to all current SCHS members before the program. Archaeologist Matthew LoBiondo will discuss his recent work, “Bead Color Symbolism and Colonialism in the Mohawk Valley.” Glass beads played a vital role in the social and spiritual lives of 17th-century Mohawks, reflecting their responses to colonialism, disease, and migration. By examining bead colors from the Veeder site (a Mohawk village), we can better understand how Mohawks navigated these challenges and expressed their cultural identity. Their selection of specific bead colors sheds light on the villages’ inhabitants state of being, and provides a way to further understand the intersection of colonialism and Native American interactions.

Join us for a curated wine tasting by and for local wine lovers. Whether you call it Zinfandel, Primitivo, or Crljenak Kaštelanski, no one can resist this robust, fruit-forward red wine. Wine connoisseur Buffy Leonard and city historian Chris Leonard will lead us on a tasting and history tour of their six favorite expressions of this grape from all around the world. $33; pre-registration required. Must be 21+ with valid ID. All ticket sales are final.    

This program is part of our Winter Speaker Series, and will be presented in-person at SCHS.  Author Dana Cudmore will discuss his new book, “The Cave Electrician’s Widow: The Tragedy at Howe Caverns & Dramatic Courtroom Fight for Justice.” Part mystery, part courtroom drama, part travelogue, this is the untold story of two men’s mysterious underground deaths in 1930 at the famous Howe Caverns in upstate New York and the dramatic courtroom battle that followed.