News
January 26, 2016The Spirit of New York
Bruce W. Dearstyne will discuss his new book, The Spirit of New York: Defining Events in the Empire State’s History. This book relates 16 key events in New York history, from the promulgation of the first state constitution in April 1777 through the resilience of the Fire Department of the City of New York during and after 9/11. There are lots of adventure stories along the way — for instance, the history behind James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans, the anti-rent wars of the mid 19th century in our region, the first flight from Albany to New York City, and the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Fire company fire in 1911. Each chapter is built around one event — what led up to it, the event itself, and what happened as a result.
Dr. Bruce W. Dearstyne, the author of The Spirit of New York, holds a PhD in history from Syracuse University. He served on the staff of the New York Office of State History and was for many years a program director at the New York State Archives. He has taught New York State History at SUNY Albany, SUNY Potsdam, and Russell Sage College.
Date: Saturday, February 13, 2016
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Schenectady County Historical Society
Cost: $5; SCHS members free!
