A Visit to Fort Ticonderoga, Part 3

We spent the better part of a day at Fort Ticonderoga, taking in the magnificent sights of the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain, absorbing the amazing and sometimes tragic history, and exploring the fort’s numerous labyrinthine pathways and alcoves. And this was all before we had even entered one building! Read Part 1 and Part [...]

A Visit to Fort Ticonderoga, Part 1

Fort Ticonderoga, an historic site in New York near the Vermont border (Lake Champlain) has everything: breathtaking views of the Adirondack high peaks, walking paths through gardens and restored pre-colonial buildings, hands-on stuff and lots of climbing and exploring for the kids, and oodles and oodles of ancient history– well, as ancient as America can [...]

The Erie Canal Village, Rome, NY, Part 1

Finally! I’d been wanting to visit this Village again ever since I visited when I was 14 years old. What a wonderful, wonderful place. Step back in time, literally. If it wasn’t for your wristwatch and cellphone, you’d think you were back in 1807.

Peterboro Prepping For Civil War Weekend

I was delighted that WKTV reports some good news: Peterboro already preparing for Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. PETERBORO, N.Y. – 1861 marked the beginning of the American Civil War. The 19th Annual Peterboro Civil War Weekend Committee plans to include programs that reflect the 150th anniversary of that conflict. Among the plans in the [...]

The Living History Weekend, German Flatts, NY

This event in German Flatts is held every autumn, next to the historic Fort Herkimer Church. On the day of our visit, drenching rains kept us from enjoying the reenactments. But it didn’t keep us from exploring the area, the church of our ancestors, and of meeting some terrific people.

Fife and Drums of Yorktown at Fort Ticonderoga, NY

There are some absolutely terrific Revolutionary War reenactment videos on YouTube. Many of them are recorded by visitors to the event; some are “ok” but others are really, really good. I spent the better part of an evening enjoying the dozens of videos of all the wonderful events here in Upstate New York. I especially [...]

Civil War Re-enactment Coming Up!

I love it when I hear about these re-enactment events BEFORE they occur. It seems that I always hear about them in the news after they have happened, and I miss out on all the fun! I’m really hoping to go to this one: the Annual Civil War Weekend in Peterboro, NY. Peterboro invites everyone [...]

Oriskany Battlefield: Bloodiest Battle of the American Revolution

There is an element of deep sadness here. This was the battleground of the bloodiest battle in the fight for American independence. But it set off a shockwave of victory that helped to change the course of the war. Hundreds of men died here. We came to give our respects, and found time to have a little fun, too.

The Erie Canal Blacksmith

I finally got this video uploaded to YouTube. Took me all day! It’s the Blacksmith demonstration we saw while at Erie Canal Village in Rome, NY. I love watching these things. This guy is relatively new, but I think he did a great job. And those double-bellows are amazingly large.

NYC Lawmaker Bill To Restrict Museum Firearms

Another kooky “do-gooder” in New York City wants to heavily regulate antique firearms. This could kill the museum and re-enactment business in Upstate New York. A New York City lawmaker’s plan to regulate antique firearms like other weapons could have severe economic repercussions for museums and historical societies around the state and prevent hundreds of [...]

Next Page »