-
Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 27: Joel Munsell
•
Of all the Albany Bicentennial Tablets that have disappeared, perhaps the most ironic and unjust is the tablet celebrating printer and publisher Joel Munsell – no one has done more to record and preserve the history of the city of Albany, and in thanks, we commemorate him with: exactly nothing. Without his work, particularly…
-
Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 26 – Crailo
•
Once again, one of Albany’s Bicentennial markers is missing – and this one wasn’t even in Albany. The Bicentennial Committee listed the following text on Tablet No. 26: Tablet No. 26 —Johannes Van RensselaerIn bronze, 7×16 inches, set in the wall of the original mansion on the Greenbush banks. Inscription: “This Manor House, Built…
-
Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 25 – Manor House
•
Continuing our slow march through the tablets placed in honor of the bicentennial of Albany’s charter as a city, we have a marker that denoted the site of what was for many years the most important house in Rensselaerswyck – the manor house of the patroon. Tablet No. 25 — Manor House, Albany Bronze tablet,…
-
Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 24 – City Gate
•
Continuing our review – our very slow review – of the historical markers that were placed around Albany in honor of the bicentennial of the city’s charter in 1886. City Gate where News of Burning of Schenectady was Received.Bronze tablet, 24×32 inches, in face of north wall of American Express building, at Broadway and Steuben…
-
A Visit from St. Nicholas
•
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…
-
There Was More to Kate Than We Knew
•
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…
-
Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 22 – Foxen Kill
•
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…
-
Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 21 – First English Schoolmaster
•
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…
-
Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 20 – First Theater
•
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…
-
Albany Bicentennial Tablet No. 19 – Washington’s Visit
•
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…