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A Visit from St. Nicholas
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On December 23, 1823, the Troy Sentinel made cultural history, as the first newspaper to publish Clement Moore’s Christmas poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” now perhaps better known as “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.” It was written by Clement Moore of New York City, read aloud in his home in the Christmas season…
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There Was More to Kate Than We Knew
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Taking a little break from the bicentennial markers to do some cleanup, but they’ll be back soon. Years back now, we wrote a post about the incredible embroidery of Catherine Hewitt Pfordt. At Philadelphia’s Centennial Exhibition in 1876, her embroidery was recognized “for great taste in design and workmanship, displaying extraordinary skill.” Catherine Pfordt…
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Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 22 – Foxen Kill
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Continuing with our series on the bicentennial tablets placed around the city of Albany in honor of the bicentennial of its charter – but we don’t have a lot to say about a long-missing plaque for a long-gone watercourse. Bronze tablet, 16 x 22 inches, in southern wall of building north-west corner of Canal…
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Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 21 – First English Schoolmaster
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Continuing with our series on the bicentennial tablets placed around the city of Albany in honor of the bicentennial of its charter, we come to one that’s a little unusual in that its copy primarily quotes a license granted by the colonial governor to the first teacher of English in Albany. As described by…
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Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 20 – First Theater
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Continuing our series on the tablets placed about Albany in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the city’s charter, this one marked the location of the first theater (or theatre, however you like to spell it) in Albany. The tablet was described by the Bicentennial Committee as: Bronze tablet, 16×22 inches, placed in the…
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Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 19 – Washington’s Visit
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Continuing our series on the tablet placed in honor of Albany’s charter bicentennial in 1886, we come to a marker that was intended to celebrate George Washington’s visit to the city. From its placement, it seems to have survived until about 1969, but after that its whereabouts are unknown. Tablet No. 19 – Washington’s Visit.Bronze…
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Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 18 – Lydius Corner
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After a long hiatus (in part brought on by life in general, in part brought on by a major hack of our websites that needed cleaning up), we’re back to our histories of the tablets placed around Albany in celebration of the city’s charter bicentennial in 1886. This one marks the Lydius Corner, perhaps…
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Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 17 – Vanderheyden Palace
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Continuing our series on the tablet placed in honor of Albany’s charter bicentennial in 1886, we come to a marker that was intended to celebrate the Vanderheyden “palace.” Unfortunately, the tablet has been missing for more than 130 years – the building it commemorates has since been succeeded by three other buildings, and now…
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Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 16 – Old Elm Tree Corner
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Hoxsie had to take an extended break for a whole bunch of reasons. Now we’re continuing our series on the tablets placed in honor of the bicentennial of Albany’s charter as a city in 1886. One of those was placed at perhaps Albany’s second most prominent intersection, State and Pearl, to mark the historic…
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Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 10 – Schuyler Mansion
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Continuing our series on the tablet placed in honor of Albany’s charter bicentennial in 1886. This one marked one of Albany’s most historic houses. It is fortunate that the house still stands and provides interpretation of events that occurred there. It is unfortunate that as far as we can tell, this historical marker has…