Expressing Gratitude this Season | | |
Students dressed in costumes for Thanksgiving celebrations.
Identifier
NYSA_14655-88_B58_01
Source
New York State Archives. New York (State). Dept. of Health. Bureau of Communications Production. Photography Unit. Photographic prints and negatives of department officials, facilities, and activities. 14655-88. Box 58.
| | Archives Partnership Trust Launches New Programs to Support New York’s Educators | | |
The Archives Partnership Trust is expanding opportunities for New York State educators to bring history to life in the classroom with two new initiatives through the RDL Gardiner Foundation Education Resource Center for New York State History.
Made possible by gifts totaling $500,000 from Chet and Karen Opalka and George R. Hearst III, the new Opalka Family Teacher-in-Residence Program and George R. Hearst III Teacher Fellowship Program will give educators opportunities to explore archival collections, discover primary sources, and develop engaging, source-based classroom instruction.
“Historical records give students a direct link to the past and provide important lessons that can shape their future,” said George R. Hearst III, Vice Chair of the Archives Partnership Trust Board.
Chet and Karen Opalka (pictured above right with Teacher-in-Resident Toni Stevens-Oliver)
said, “We’re happy to continue our support which will ensure future educators and students continue to learn from the stories and records of those who came before us.”
These initiatives build on the Trust’s commitment to making New York’s rich historical resources accessible and meaningful for educators and students statewide.
The new programs join the Gardiner Education Resource Center’s growing portfolio of educational initiatives, including Consider the Source NY, New York Archives magazine, New York Archives Jr!, professional learning services, Student Research Awards, and the Larry J. Hackman Research Residency Program.
Interested in participating? Contact aptrust@nysed.gov to learn more about the new programs and opportunities for educators.
| | New State Archives Display: Behind the Walls | | |
Step inside the history of one of New York State’s oldest correctional institutions with Behind the Walls, a new display now open at the New York State Archives!
Featuring a compelling collection of historical records, photographs, artifacts, and oral histories, the exhibition explores the history of Sing Sing Correctional Facility and offers a closer look at the people, experiences, and stories behind its walls. Through these firsthand materials, visitors can discover how archival records help illuminate the complex history of one of New York’s most recognizable prisons.
The display will be available Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., November through January, in the 11th-floor lobby of the Cultural Education Center. Stop by and explore this fascinating piece of New York State history!
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NEW Empire State Archives and History Award
DATE ANNOUNCED
Save the Date: April 28th, 2027
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Honoree: Douglas Brinkley
Location: The Egg
Mark your calendar for an unforgettable evening celebrating history, scholarship, and the people who bring the past to life!
Join us for the Empire State Archives and History Award as we honor an outstanding voice in the field and gather with fellow supporters, scholars, and friends for a memorable night of inspiration, recognition, and community.
Tickets will go on sale soon. Be sure to mark your calendars. We look forward to celebrating with you.
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NYS Constitution Symposium
Registration coming soon!
| | SAVE THE DATE – April 20, 2027 Symposium on the 250th Anniversary of the New York State Constitution | The New York State Archives will host a full-day Symposium on the New York State Constitution to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the first New York State Constitution, adopted in Kingston, N.Y. on April 20, 1777.
The symposium will feature presentations by expert scholars from across the country who will discuss New York’s first constitution and legal development during the Revolutionary Era, ca. 1760-90. The original New York State Constitution and related original primary source documents will be on display before and during the symposium. |
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| New York’s 127 miles of coastline make it the state with the 14th longest coastline. Protecting the coastlines has been considered an essential defense since the War of 1812, when New York Harbor was fortified. Join Retired Colonel Richard Comstock for a unique program that focuses on New York’s coastal defenses during World Wars I and II. | | | |
Registration is Live: Nov 4th
"The Black Watch" at the Chapman Museum
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Join "New York Archives" magazine and the Chapman Museum for a riveting presentation led by New York State Archivist, Brian Keough.
Originally sent abroad to fight in the War of the Austrian Succession, The Black Watch later found solace in the Adirondacks. These highlands were not only reminiscent of the Watch’s homeland, but safeguarded their culture.
Brian Keough with discuss the Blacks Watch’s role in some of the bloodiest battles that took place in New York and their contributions to Scottish immigration in the United States.
| | ✨ A Night to Remember at Hearst Tower ✨ | | |
Last month, our Archives Partnership Trust Stewards gathered for an unforgettable evening high above New York City at the iconic Hearst Tower.
Nearly 100 guests attended and were captivated by the discussion about the rare 1777 Goddard Broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Katherine Goddard was one of the earliest female printers and postmasters in the U.S. The Goddard Broadside holds a special place in the story of American independence.
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A big thank you to Carol Berkin, Monica Gray, and Paul Grondahl for speaking on an incredible piece of history!
They breathed new life into an important chapter of our nation's history!
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We also got a moment to spotlight our middle and high school winners of the Student Research Awards for their research excellence!
They came to pick up their awards with their families during this very special night!
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Special thanks to APT Board Members, our host George R Hearst III, and Women@Work for an unforgettable evening.
In the spirit of the giving season, consider joining the Archives Partnership Trust family and help ensure that New York’s stories—past and present—continue to inspire generations to come.
💛 Become a part of the family today and be part of something truly special! 💛
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Here are the featured articles:
- "When the Valley Was No More" by Jack Jacobson covers how the Great Sacandaga Lake wasn't formed by accident or nature, but by New York State.
- "The Little Famine" by Harvey Strum discusses how the Warship "Constellation" brought food and clothing to help starving Irish suffering during the 1879-1882 famine.
- "From Cellmates to Teammates" by Seth Kershner shares of a time when organized football was a fixture in prison life across the state and nation.
- "Secession" by Ken Gottry uncovers how in 1781, an upstate town voted to secede from New York and the Union to join the republic of Vermont.
If you haven't subscribed yet, check out our link below. Our subscribers get full digital access to all of our current and past magazines.
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Our current Archives Jr! is based on the Fall article, "Stitching the Unfinished Revolution," is by David Frank, Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Partnerships at the New York State Education Department.
In the article, he dives into the Tapestry of New York—a digital collection that brings together creative work from students across the state as they reflect on what it means to belong, participate, and contribute to the ongoing story of New York and the nation.
The article highlights the spirit of creating, sharing, and learning together alive right here in our communities.
Remember, FREE copies of Archives Jr! are available to any educator or student in New York State.
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When at the Cultural Education Center
Be Sure to Check Out All Programs!
(Archives, Library, Museum)
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Archie's
Investigation Station
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Thursdays Weekly - 10:30 am
Kids Cove | Free
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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!
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Thursdays Weekly - 11:00 am
Discovery Place | Free
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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. | | | | |
