From the Director's Desk
Happy Spring Friends!
As I write this, I am sitting in the Amtrak waiting room in Chicago’s Union Station waiting to board the California Zephyr for another train adventure. No doubt I will find something that will relate to Rensselaer County! Stay tuned! Outside the door is Route 66, the road that conjures images of cruising along in a snazzy convertible, stopping to see the Petrified Forest or the world’s largest Catsup bottle. Route 66 runs from Chicago to Los Angeles. It’s a long road across the United States, but it’s not the longest. That prize goes to Route 20 that covers 3,365 miles from Boston, MA to Newport, OR. A portion of Route 20 runs through Rensselaer County, beginning at the Hudson River at Rensselaer, through East Greenbush, Schodack, and Nassau before crossing into Columbia County. Like many roads, they followed long established trails forged by Native Americans, then widened as turnpikes in the late 18th and early 19th century.
Route 20 played an integral role during the American Revolution when in December of 1775, Col. Henry Knox moved this “noble train of artillery“ that included 59 cannons and associated artillery and supplies, from Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga to the Continental Army camp outside Boston, MA. A monumental task to say the least and one they accomplished in a little over a month, arriving in January, of 1776.
I bring this event up to highlight National Historic Landmark Day, April 26th! Along with the many NYS blue and yellow historic markers that can be found throughout Rensselaer County, the Knox Trail Markers were installed in 1926, to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Knox’s expedition. 56 locations were chosen between New York State and Massachusetts. The New York markers were designed by Henry James Albright, an Albany painter, sculptor, and potter. There are three Knox Trail Markers in Rensselaer County along Routes 9 & 20 ( Columbia Turnpike) . The first one heading west to east from the Hudson River is at the intersection of Aiken Avenue and Route 9&20. Heading east the next marker is at the corner of Brookview Road and 9&20 in front of the Dutch Reformed Church. The third marker is in a small plot of land at the intersections of 9& 20 where the road splits; Route 9 heads south and Route 20 continues east to Nassau.
These markers as well as NYS Historic Markers, turnpike markers etc. remind us of the incredible history of Rensselaer County. We drive by them all the time, never giving them much thought. My challenge to you all is slow down and read the signs, I guarantee you will be fascinated by the story, and will want to learn more. Take a photo and bring it with you to the museum, make an appointment to use the research library or stop in on our new Thursday night open till 8 night ! it’s kind of like open mike night! I will be there most Thursday nights, we will have some formal lectures (check the events page), but other nights it will be an open casual forum where we will just talk history! Anna Doren has a full slate of walking tours, and Hart Cluett House tours, check them out and join us for a walking tour! You will get at least 5,000 steps in! History fun and exercise too !
I want to thank all of you who came to our gala fundraiser at Franklin Plaza. A special thanks to our sponsors, honorary committee, and to those of you who donated but could not attend. It was a wonderful event and the gala committee and staff get a huge round of applause for the exceptional job they did with all the preparations.
Kathryn T Sheehan
Executive Director/Rensselaer County & Troy City Historian