NYS Archives Celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Month | | While visiting Hong Kong Gov. Hugh L. Carey tries Chinese sweets with Fung Tung (Assistant Director of Housing) and Sir Murray MacLehose in 1981 (Image NYSA_13703-83_B12_010). | | What's New at the NYS Archives | |
New on the 11th Floor:
The Art of the Vessel From Skiffs to Ships
| | |
A new spring display is now up! “The Art of the Vessel: From Skiffs to Ships” highlights images of early 20th century ships, submarines, boats, and other watercrafts from various series in the New York State Archives.
Photographs will be showcased in the 11th floor lobby of the Cultural Education Center through the end of June.
Be sure to check it out!
| | | |
In a first-of-its-kind exhibition, NY History is using the paintings of Rembrandt and his contemporaries to help envision the life of a little Dutch settlement that would eventually become New York in the show, "Old Masters, New Amsterdam."
Running from May 1st through August 30th, the exhibit will showcase works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Frans Hals, and Jan Steen, many of them never before shown in New York.
Also on display will be the Flushing Remonstrance, from May 1st-9th, on loan from NYS Archives! For the rare opportunity to see this 17th-century document, visit the New York Historical and let the Old Masters introduce you to New Amsterdam.
| | | |
In 1949 and 1950, the New York State Freedom Train, inspired by the national Freedom Train, carried 83 documents from New York’s history to cities and towns statewide. These records are now available in digital format thanks to the New York State Archives Partnership Trust, giving educators, researchers, and the public direct access to materials that have shaped our lives.
Documents include the Flushing Remonstrance, a draft of the Emancipation Proclamation handwritten by President Abraham Lincoln, and an engrossed copy of the United States Constitution ratified by the New York State Convention in 1788.
The documents, alongside accompanying learning activities, are available on the Revolutionary War 250th Commission Resources website .
Additional educational resources, including Revolutionary War themed articles from New York Archives Magazine and New York Archives Jr., the New York State 250th Commemoration Field Guide, and sample learning activities for each interpretive theme are available on ConsiderTheSourceNY.org.
| | | |
Last month, we celebrated our favorite Jr! Archivist, Archie, with a birthday bash to remember!
He spent the day surrounded by friends, laughter, and a little bit of history—just the way he liked it. Everyone got to decorate beaver puppets, color in their own crowns, and even start a personal archive!
Even his best pals, State Archivist Brian Keough and Tad the Frog (from the Clifton Park–Halfmoon Library), joined in on the fun!
Huge thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate, sing, and spend time with us. Archie is grateful when he gets to share his love of history with everybody.
| | |
Archie the Jr! Archivist had a busy and exciting April 15th celebrating Homeschool Day. He met with dozens of curious young learners, sharing stories from New York’s past and sparking interest in the world of archives.
Archie also handed out plenty of Archives Jr! inserts—our free educational resource for New York State students and educators in grades 4–8. It was a day full of discovery, connection, and future historians in the making!
Do you want your own copies of Archives Jr!? Check out our link to request your free classroom sets.
| | May 12th: Online Speaker Series | |
|
All Aboard! New York's Short Line Railroads | Join us for a fascinating journey through the history of some of New York’s short line railroads. Often overlooked in favor of the major lines, these smaller railroads played a vital role in connecting local communities, fueling commerce, and shaping the state’s economy. Our speakers will help to discover some of the stories of the trains, the towns they served, and the people who kept them running. | | | | | 2026 New York History Conference Registration | Now Open! | | |
The 2026 New York History conference will be held at Marist University on June 11-12, 2026.
Registration is now open for the 2026 New York History conference!
Visit the conference website below to register and to access information on hotel lodging, keynote events, sponsorship opportunities, and conference sessions.
| | | |
Have you subscribed yet?
Our cover story is of the art of the Oreo.
Dunk? Twist? Everyone has their technique. Now, read about the classic cookie's origin story.
Don't forget, subscribers have full digital access to all of our current and past magazines.
| |  | |
A new season brings a new issue of Archives Jr! that explores the Student Research Awards. A student you know in your life could apply and be recognized for research excellence!
Remember, FREE copies of Archives Jr! (and entries to the Student Research Awards) are available to any educator or student in New York State.
| | |
When at the Cultural Education Center
Be Sure to Check Out All Programs!
(Archives, Library, Museum)
| |
Archie's
Investigation Station
| |
Thursdays Weekly - 10:30 am
Kids Cove | Free
| |
Dive into the world of Archie the Jr! Archivist. Come explore a fun learning activity inspired by an issue of New York Archives Magazine, where students can discover fascinating history, analyze primary sources, and engage with interactive projects!
| | | |
Thursdays Weekly - 11:00 am
Discovery Place | Free
| |
Curious about New York's past?
Come uncover the stories behind the state's history— one document at a time!
Each session offers a peek into New York State’s rich and surprising history through carefully chosen original documents, photographs, and videos.
An expert archivist will be on hand to share stories, answer your questions, and reveal how we uncover and preserve the past. You never know what fascinating piece of history you’ll discover!
| | | New York Archives Partnership Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, supports education, preservation, and outreach programs not funded by the state in order to make accessible archives from nearly 400 years of New York's colonial and state governments. Visit us at nysarchivestrust.org and considerthesourceny.org. | | | | |
