February 2016 – 2016 Intro to Digital History

Walking Tour Proposal

February 29, 2016March 7, 2016drjones

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?hl=en&hl=en&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=zGg8oF4Nd4wA.kw9C9C9giQrw

1. Israeli AME Church; The Israeli AME Church served as a station on the Underground Railroad, It was established in 1828. Harriet Tubman slept on the east wall of the basement, and several areas in the church have labeled as hiding places for slaves. Abolitionists, including Frederick Douglas visited Israel Church.
“Israel AME Church – History.” Israel AME Church – History. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.israelame.org/fiamac history.html.

Albany City Hall; “Albany has had three buildings for its City Hall. In the earliest period city government functions were carried out from a building on Broadway. Later, in the mid 1830s, a building was built on Eagle Street. This building played a role in the City’s history and also in the City’s Underground Railroad story.” The Eastern New York Anti-Slavery Society was formed in 1842. The organizing meeting,was held in the old City Hall building in Albany.
“Underground Railroad Sites In The City Of Albany – Underground Railroad History Project.” Underground Railroad History Project. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/underground-railroad-sites-in-the-city-of-albany/.

The New York State Capitol Building; The New State Capitol Building was not the original site but plays the part of emancipation laws being accepted by new york state legislative during the 1800’s.

The Albany Public Library; William H Johnson, a black abolitionist. After a career including the Underground Railroad, he put together an autobiography. A copy can be found in the Pruyn Room of the Albany Public Library and in the New York State Library Archives.
“William H. Johnson” Accessed February 29,2016. http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/abolitionist-william-h-johnson-born

Stephen and Harriet Myers 194 Livingston ave; Myers is one of the most important figures in the local story because he was regarded as the Superintendent of the Underground Railroad in Albany in the 1850s. He and his wife no doubt assisted hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of fugitive slaves seeking freedom in the north and Canada.\
“Underground Railroad Sites In The City Of Albany – Underground Railroad History Project.” Underground Railroad History Project. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/underground-railroad-sites-in-the-city-of-albany/.

2. Google estimates the walk will take 41 minutes.

3. The theme of my Walking Tour is how certain sites in Albany were connected or used during the Underground Railroad era, and some of the abolitionist who assisted or were activists during this time period as well. The story of my tour will connect all my sites to specific people or government movements that helped fight for the emancipation of slavery. In my opinion the audience of my tour will be educators and school aged people ranging from adolescents to college students. I plan for my tour to be very educational and informative as well as entertaining the impact of local history on the local community. My aspirations for this tour is that visitors will respect how the importance of local history impacted America on a larger scale. I would also like for my tour to teach visitors that when they seek change, they must become the change they seek.

4.
http://www.blackpast.org/files/blackpast_images/Stephen_A__Myers.jpg
This is an actual photo of Stephen Myers, the image rights belong to the Public Domain.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albany_City_Hall#/media/File%3AAlbany_City_Hall_1832.png
Albany City Hall in the 1800’s, that ultimately burnt down. The image rights belong to the Public Domain.

5. Prices for admissions of all five places?
How do I make this educationally interesting?
Should I exchange a site for the albany museum for educational purposes, or just add it to the actual tour?

Midterm- Albany Historic Buildings/Architecture

February 29, 2016March 7, 2016zbarberis

1) New York State Museum- Museum dedicated to showcasing the rich history of the state of New York through a variety of programs and exhibits. Located on the Empire State Plaza, this is an example of the style of building that was considered to be the future of architecture in the 1960’s.

“New York State Museum, Albany, New York.” New York State Museum, Albany, New York. Accessed February 29, 2016. https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/.

Alfred E. Smith State Office Building- An example of Albany’s older architecture, this building was completed in 1928 and is reminiscent of the older style of building you might see in New York City.

Wikipedia. Accessed February 29, 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_E._Smith_Building.

New York State Capitol- This building has been the head of New York’s government since the 1880’s and is the workplace of the Governor and the legislature. This is an example of Albany’s older architecture.

“New York State Office of General Services – Convention and Cultural Events – Capitol Tours.” New York State Office of General Services – Convention and Cultural Events – Capitol Tours. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.ogs.ny.gov/esp/ct/tours/Capitol.asp.

Albany City Hall- This is another example of Albany’s older architecture and is home to the government for the city of Albany.

“The Official Site of the City of Albany, NY.” City Hall. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.albanyny.org/Government/CityHistory/CityHall.aspx.

New York State Executive Mansion- A third example of the 1800’s style of building in Albany, this mansion has been home to the Governor of New York since 1875.

“New York State Office of General Services – Convention and Cultural Events – Executive Mansion Tours.” New York State Office of General Services – Convention and Cultural Events – Executive Mansion Tours. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.ogs.ny.gov/esp/ct/tours/mansion.asp.

2) Google estimates this tour will last 37 minutes

3) The theme of this tour is going to be the history of unique, historical, architecture that the city of Albany has to offer. The five sites are each unique in that they each have certain distinct qualities of architectural theory. The audience for this tour would be for all ages. This would be a nice opportunity for those in the community to take a closer look at what they see everyday. Most people just walk by and take these architectural marvels for granted. Another population that could make use of the walking tour is the various organizations and student groups that come to the area everyday. Every day hundreds of people come to this area of downtown Albany for various reasons. On this tour they would be able to take a glimpse at the historic buildings that Albany is full of. What people can take away from this tour is a unique look at history combined with architecture. It will also take a look at some things that you don’t really see on a regular tour or from a street view when you walk by on a regular day. If you choose to actually book a tour with the various sites you can get an even more in depth look at the historic that Albany has to offer. These sites are all connected by the fact they are all maintained by the great state of New York and hold some sort of historic significance in one way or another.

4)New York State Capitol

New York State Executive Mansion

5)What architectural content will I choose to include?

How long will I want people to dedicate to each location?

Should I include information about the inside of the buildings as well?

Museums of Albany

February 29, 2016March 7, 2016John Epp

The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, located at 194 Livingston Avenue was a vital cog in the Underground Railroad which operated during the 19th century. The purpose of the railroad was to aid runaway slaves from the South through the North and to safety, specifically in Canada. This particular home was owned by Stephen and Harriet Myers whom also had other properties throughout the city, however this is the only surviving one today. “The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence.” 2016. Underground Railroad History Project. Accessed February 29. http://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/the-stephen-and-harriet-myers-residence/.

Home to the Albany Country Historical Association, the Ten Broeck Mansion is the former residence of General Abraham Ten Broeck and his wife, Elizabeth Van Rensselaer. General Ten Broeck served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress and commanded the New York Militia at the Battle of Saratoga. He would later go on to serve as a mayor of Albany, a state Senator and a judge. “Ten Broeck Mansion | Albany NY.” 2016. Accessed February 29. http://www.tenbroeckmansion.org/.

Located on Washington Avenue, the Albany Institute of History & Art is home to a multitude of collections ranging from local art to an exhibit on Ancient Egypt which includes an actual mummy with sarcophagus! Built in 1791, it is honored to have the privilege of being one of the oldest museums in the United States. I have had the pleasure of visiting the museum on a number of occasions and truly enjoy each trip. “Albany Museum – Albany Institute of History and Art.” 2016. Accessed February 29. http://www.albanyinstitute.org/.

At a cost of half a billion dollars (adjusted for inflation, original cost was $25 million), the New York State Capital building began constructing in 1867 and would require a staggering thirty-two years to complete. Noted for its architectural styles which include the Italian and French Renaissances along with Romanesque, the Capital is home to the Governor’s office along with the NYS Assembly and the Senate. The famed “Fire of 1911” nearly destroyed the entire building, fortunately all was not lost. Unfortunately, much of the library and archives were lost. A major aesthetic element of the interior are the elaborate staircases containing the intricate carvings of notable figures such as George Washington and Susan B. Anthony. One of the largest collections of flags is also on display in the Flag Room where over 1,000 flags, many from the Civil War, are on display. “New York State Assembly Home.” 2016. Accessed February 29. http://assembly.state.ny.us/.

Finally, the New York State Museum is located just a stone’s throw from the Capital building. First established in 1836, the museum has moved from various homes until it found a permanent location in the beautiful Empire State Plaza. Some of the more iconic exhibits include Fire Engine Hall, the Cohoes Mastadon, and even a 100 year old Carousel that is still functional today!

“New York State Museum, Albany, New York.” 2016. Accessed February 29. https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/.

The purpose of my tour is to offer a short walk to some of the main museums located in the capital region. While there are more, these are the ones I feel would serve the public the greatest in the shortest amount of time possible. Museums offer such fascinating and creative exhibits, it is a shame more people do not visit and support them. I can recall a class of mine freshman year letting out a collective groan when we were told we would be required to visit a museum and write a short paper on the visit. Not a lot of people want to sit in a classroom and learn about a period in history. Museums offer an experience, one where you interact with the exhibits and if you are not careful, you just might learn something! My targeted audience is the general public that wishes to learn something about Albany. Each one of my walking tour points are areas directly relating to Albany history ranging from the Revolutionary War, through the Civil War, and into modern day. According to Google Maps, this tour would take the average person about 40 minutes to complete.

To further my research I may want to consider the following:

1.) While the larger museums, such as the NYS Museum and the Albany Institute of History and Art, are able to receive large federal funds along with private donations, how can the smaller museums such as the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence afford to keep the doors open?

2.) How many visitors does each location receive on a yearly basis?

3.) What kind of public outreach programs does each utilize to draw interest?

Protests and Riots in Albany, NY: Proposal

February 29, 2016March 7, 2016Lahja

http://1) https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Morris+St+%26+Partridge+St,+Albany,+NY+12208/Washington+Park,+Albany,+NY/New+York+State+Capitol,+Albany,+NY/Times+Union+Center,+51+South+Pearl+Street,+Albany,+NY+12207/33+State+St,+Albany,+NY+12207/@42.6545579,-73.7856114,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m32!4m31!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de0a505abb8085:0x161cd85dd9ec928c!2m2!1d-73.785361!2d42.660726!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de0a4801bf9ad5:0xcad41c3810048804!2m2!1d-73.7727908!2d42.6583548!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de0a3aa5dc0b2b:0x72aed557f8df2510!2m2!1d-73.757339!2d42.652835!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de0a23955e9771:0x6c5c715665f19384!2m2!1d-73.755216!2d42.6486671!1m5!1m1!1s0x89de0a21296e006b:0xc8a1385231eacc51!2m2!1d-73.7508426!2d42.6489091!3e2

a) Our tour begins at the old site of St. Vincent Institute, a Catholic School on Morris Ave (between South Main and Partridge St) in Albany. In 1951, the girls at St. Vincent chose to protest racy outfits, specifically off the shoulder dresses, by wearing their uniforms to prom.
b) My second source brings us to Washington Park. Also during the 1950’s (1957 to be specific), a free concert was held; however, the teenaged girls at the concert did not care for the music because it was too slow. They protested by throwing rocks at the band playing during the concert. Many adults were outraged, as the concert was free, but many parents understood. They knew their daughters preferred more fast-passed music to dance to.
c) Next, we proceed to the State Capitol where protests were happening against the Iraq war (in 2005). During September of this year, many protests happened asking the government for peace. However, this protest was pro troops. One could see on the signs that many are for George Bush, who was President at the time. One sign says “Osama says… I [heart] Cindy Sheehan. Washington Post reported that Cindy Sheehan was the mother of a soldier who was killed in Iraq. She responded by creating Gold Star Families for Peace, and began many anti-war protests (Fletcher, Michael. 2005. “Cindy Sheehan’s Pitched Battle.” Washington Post, August 13). After, the tour travels a few blocks to the Times Union Center. In 2013, parents, teachers, and students gathered in favor of NYSUT at a protest called “One Voice United.” They protested common core testing and data-collection in schools which were criticized as being corrupt. Protesters were also upset with the new system for taking away teacher’s ability to be individual. They said that this ultimately is hurting the student with public money (“One Voice United: The Complete Program.” 2013. NYSUT.).
d) My last source is an advertisement, from 1921, urging people to get riot coverage. The question still remains, why? Many things were going on in the United States during this time which could have caused aggravation. First off, there was lots going on in the United States in politics. Woodrow Wilson was completing his term as president, leading to a new presidential election. In addition, the 18th Amendment had just gone into effect in 1920, making the sale and usage of alcohol illegal through Prohibition (U.S. Const. am 18). However, the biggest factor probably was the Tulsa Race Riot in 1921. This was a riot which happened in Tulsa, Oklahoma. According to the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, a black man and white woman were in an elevator together in Tulsa, leading to his arrest. The Tulsa Tribune issued a report which spurred a riot (“1921 Tulsa Race Riot.” 2016. Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.). After the riot ended, about 300 were dead, 800 were injured, and 35 city blocks were destroyed. One could only imagine that this led to a feeling of national fear, leading to people wanting riot insurance. Further research will need to be done to see how this effected the Albany area.
2) Google maps estimates that this tour will take 51 minutes.
3) The theme of my tour is protests in Albany, New York. It ranges from small, sudden protests, to well organized and peaceful ones. This tour is geared towards all audiences. Some protests focus on legislation, some are geared toward society, while others are responses to other protests. These protests can appeal to almost all audiences because the issues vary so much. The advertisement from the 1920s may be a response to race riots, while the protest in the park was toward slow music and the societal norms that young girls should listen to calm, sophisticated music. I hope that others will understand how many ideas and points of view are expressed during various time periods. We, as an American society, are able to express our views in many different ways. Protesting and rallying can help to show what these ideas are and how they can exercise these ideas and freedoms available to them. I also hope that people understand that doing something small could be considered a protest, and that some many can be peaceful. I feel that with today’s media, many protests are seen as violent acts. Although some of the actions featured in this tour were violent; many were peaceful protests of people coming together, listening to music, and expressing their opinion. Albany is a prime area to protest because it is the capitol of New York State, and New York has always been known as a powerful state.
4) My first protest focuses on young girls protesting new style changes. Credit is due to the owners of the picture, which is the Albany Historical Flickr group. It shows that young girls could protest peacefully, but draw attention to their cause. One peaceful protest on my tour focuses on a pro-war protest to support peace, and the American troops. It is free to use.
5) I have to look more into my last source, the 1920s riot insurance advertisement. What was going on specifically in Albany to create riot insurance? Were riots prominent, or were citizens afraid of riots, such as the riot in Tulsa?

Midterm- Albany Churches Proposals

February 29, 2016March 7, 2016smackesey

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception– The walking tour starts with the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Eagle Street. It is a Roman Catholic Church that opened its door in 1852. It is in the architectural style of Gothic Revival. Bishop Mccluskey established the Cathedral. The Cathedral was built for 250,000 (today it would be equivalent to about $6.5 million).

St. Peter’s Episcopal- Next the walking tour will lead you to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on State Street. The church’s first established in 1715, it was the first Anglican congregation to come this part of the Hudson River. In 1803 the original building was destroyed and by 1878 was completed. The design takes on a French Gothic Revival Architectural style that was created by Richard UpJon and his son Richard M. UpJohn. The church was deemed as a National Register of Historic Place in 1972. Five years later is became a National Historic Landmark.

Historic St. Mary Church- The tour makes it way to the Historic St. Mary Church on Lodge Street. This church is a Roman Catholic church that was built in 1870 with a Italian Romanesque Revival architectural. Created by Charles C. Nichols and Fredrick Brown. St. Mary’s was part of the earliest Catholic missionary world that was established in the New World. After becoming a church in the 19th century it has gone through two different reconstruction, caused by the increase of the immigration population.

First Church in Albany- Next stop will be the First Reformed church or it also was called the North Dutch Church located on North Pearl Street. In 1656 it was a dedicated church, build with huge stone. It was called the “Blockhouse” because it was also used for a defense structure in case of an attack. Phillip Hooker was the architect. In addition to the church Hooker also was the architect for Albany Academy, City Hall and for the original State Capitol building.

The Cathedral of All Saints- Next up is the Cathedral of All Saints, located on South Swan Street. William Croswell Doane was the first Bishop of the Cathedral. The Cathedral was also called the Pioneer Cathedral. It was built of Gothic Revival Architectural style by Robert W. Gibson who designed many churches in and around NYC.

“First Church in Albany.”(2016) First Church in Albany. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

“History.” (2016) Historic St. Mary’s Churchon Capitol Hill. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

Pape, William H, Reverend. “Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Albany New York.” Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Albany New York. N.p., 2012. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

Robert, Anne, and Marcia Cockwell. “St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Albany.” – Albany New York. University at Albany’s University Art Museum., 2016. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

“Robert W. Gibson.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Nov. 2015. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

“The Cathedral of All Saints In The City of Diocese of Albany .” (2016) The Cathedral of All Saints. N.p., 2016.Web.29 Feb. 2016.

Google map estimates that the tour of the churches of Albany will take 29 minutes to complete.

The themes of my walking tour is the churches of Albany. Other themes that I will be showing the architecture of the church and the influence of the European culture that was brought over when the New World was being settled. The potential audience for this walking could be everyone, but more specifically the religion community of the capital district. Sunday School teachers could take there students to these churches to show how the different religion there in within Albany. This tour could be have the potential of an easier field trip for elementary teachers in the Albany School District. The First Church of Albany was created while Henry Hudson was first establishing Albany. I took also think that this tour will attract people who are interest in the architecture of Albany, the impact the Europe had on these churches. One of the big take away of this walking tour will be the diversity of religions that were established here in Albany.

Cathedral of Immaculate Conception

St. Peter Episcopal

What religion denomination had influencing power within Albany during the 19th century?

What there other architectural style architects were influences by?

Are there other churches that were popular during this time but are no lower around?

Empire State Plaza

February 29, 2016March 7, 2016nmorelle

Locations:

1.New York State Capitol Building, home to the Governor and Legislative bodies of New York State.

2. The Legislative Office Building, just across State Street every office for each New York State Assembly and Senate member.

3. New York State Museum, the educational center for all of New York States history.

4. The Egg, host to entertainment for the capital region.

5. Empire State Plaza, the center of politics and entertainment in downtown Albany.

n.d. New York State Assembly . Accessed February 28, 2016. http://assembly.state.ny.us/directions/.

n.d. New York State Museum . Accessed February 28, 2016. https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/.

n.d. Office of General Services . Accessed February 28, 2016. http://www.ogs.ny.gov/esp/ct/tours/Capitol.asp.

n.d. Office of General Services . Accessed February 28, 2016. http://www.ogs.ny.gov/esp/.

n.d. The Egg. Accessed February 28, 2016. http://www.theegg.org/.

A short walking tour but filled with so much history the Empire State Plaza walking tour takes roughly twenty one minutes. All locations are in one isolated location in downtown Albany around our first location the New York State Capitol building. From there the Empire State Plaza was built to bring entertainment and government to one central location. The Legislative office building that houses the offices of Assemblymen and Senators alike is filled with political history that you’d expect from the state capitol. The New York State Museum sits directly across from the Capitol Building, filled with all things that shows the greatness of New York State. Just a few short steps from the museum is the Egg. Named for it iconic shape it has hosted all forms of entertainment, from musicians to comedians. The rest of the Plaza is home to office buildings dedicated to different departments of the state but the Plaza is used for so much more. Art work from local and national artists parades the outer walkway while the ends are stage ready for free concerts during the summer. There is also a scenic over downtown Albany as well a memorial to firefighters. This tour is dedicated to be family friendly. It’s a shirt distance that can be walked by old and young alike, families will be able to enjoy historical tours of the Capitol Building and the New York State Museum, then take a tour of the Empire Plaza that has playgrounds for children as well as events almost every weekend in the summer. Food tucks and farmers markets are great ways to get a taste of local life. The great thing about Albany is the political history, it surrounds Albany and gives it a unique twist from other cities in New York, but like other cities it has the entertainment factor that can be enjoyed by all ages. The center city for the capitol region has seen many acts. The best place to get a taste of all Albany has to offer is right in the Empire State Plaza.

Empire State Plaza

New York State Capitol Building

To continue my research I still need to gain more information on the Legislative Office Building. Find out who runs the Empire State Plaza and see what demographics would enjoy this tour.

Entertainment Centers of Downtown Albany

February 29, 2016March 7, 2016skfmn

Albany has been the capital of New York State since 1797, and yet many visitors- foreign or domestic- confuse New York City as the pinnacle of all that is New York. When I was taking a walk down in the Empire State Plaza, there was a group of foreign visitors being led around on a tour, and as they passed by, I heard the tour guide ask them what the capital of New York State was. Rather proudly, they all answered New York City. He smugly responded that they were all wrong; it was, in fact, Albany- right where they were standing. They all responded with surprise and disbelief. If Albany is the capital of New York, then why does everyone believe it’s New York City? Our government rests here, yes, but we also have a plethora of entertainment centers that cater to different venue needs and performers. Unlike New York City, our capital offers venues available from national headliner tours, such as those of Frank Sinatra and Green Day at the Times Union Center, to local theaters, like that of the Park Playhouse, which offers a free venue to local community theaters over the warmer months. Everyone from local theater or musical classes, to big-time musical managers will enjoy a walking tour of the many entertainment venues available in Albany, New York, whether they’re on a class trip, taking a stroll on a spring evening, or scoping out their next performing center.

Stops will include:

The Park Playhouse
The Park Playhouse: The Park Playhouse is a theater located in Washington Park along the Washington Park Lake. The purpose of the Playhouse is to “augment the quality of life for a diverse audience in the Capital District by producing FREE musicals and plays in an outdoor setting, and providing arts education programs to young people in the community.”

The Washington Armory: The Washington Armory, formerly constructed as an armory for the Tenth Battalion of the New York National Guard, now provides local sports teams and smaller, local bands a revue in which to perform.

The Egg Theater: Despite sitting in the heart of perhaps the most historic part of New York State, the Egg Theater was only built in the 1960s. The Egg “was established to present quality performances, accessible to all citizens of New York State, highlighting the unique and extraordinary artists from New York State, across the country and around the globe.” It is one of the more popular performing art centers in the Capital District for more national headliners performing in the area.

The Times Union Center: Along with The Egg, the Times Union Center is one of the most notable performing arts centers of the Capital District, with headliners that have included Frank Sinatra, Green Day, and Elton John.

And the Palace Theater: When you imagine what an old-timey theater might have looked like in the height of popularity for musicals, you’d probably imagine the Palace Theater. To this day, the front sign remains lit up with flashing bulbs more reminiscent of jazz clubs and Broadway in the 50s. It stands as the “sole survivor” of a number of similar, flashy theaters that were built in Albany before the 1930s.

The Palace Theater

The tour will take approximately 40 minutes, with the longest stretch taking you through Washington Park, and another stretch taking you through the Empire State Plaza.

Both of my photos are the property of private photographers who held events at the two theaters where the photos are included. I think it’s sort of meta, that the photos of are events being held in the places where my entertainment-center-orientated tour is. Three questions I still need to consider:

When did the Armory turn from an actual armory for the National Guard into an entertainment center? This could be an interesting point to bring up on a guided tour, especially if we’re looking to increase tourism from either entertainment industry leaders or even from a militaristic stand point.
Why is the palace Theater the only theater remaining in Albany from this time period? What happened behind the scenes that ensured its survival? Another interesting point that could be brought up on a guided tour.
How many times has the Times Union Center changed hands/owners? Yet another interesting point that could be discussed on a tour!!

Citations: (in order of use, because I couldn’t figure out if there was a way to insert superscript in a WordPress psot)

“Our Mission.” Park Playhouse. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.parkplayhouse.com/mission/.

“About the Armory.” The Armory. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.albanyarmory.com/about/.

Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation. “About – The Egg.” The Egg. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.theegg.org/about.

“History.” Timesunioncenter-albany.com. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.timesunioncenter-albany.com/center-info/history/.

“History | Palace Theatre | Albany NY.” History | Palace Theatre | Albany NY. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://palacealbany.com/History/History.aspx.

Albany’s Public Parks Walking Tour Proposal

February 29, 2016March 7, 2016cpecoraro

1) The pathway begins in Lincoln Park which is located in Albany, NY. This park has pools that are seasonally used for the public and also for private swimming instruction. It is a short walk away from the Empire State Plaza as well as Washington Park. It is not quite as big as Washington Park, but it still has lots of land and it also has a playground for the kids. The second location is just outside of Lincoln Park and it is Hudson-Jay Park. This is a small community park that does not have things like a playgrounds or fields for sports. It is just a small grassland and it can be used by the public to hang out and relax with family and friends and enjoy the company of others. The third location is Washington Park. This is a large park that has handball courts, basketball courts, a lake and sitting benches so people can stop and enjoy the view. Washington Park is a great place for any audience because it has something for everyone. It is great to get some exercise via running or sports, big events or gatherings like tulipfest and it is also a great place to relax and enjoy life all while in a natural setting. My fourth location is also within Washington Park but it is more specifically the Park Playhouse. This structure is used free of charge for performances like dramas, plays and even musical acts. It is a seasonal venue, being open for the summer while there is nice weather. My fifth location is the lake in Washington Park. It is a large lake and has a bridge that can be walked across in order to get a better view of the lake and even the rest of the park.

“Lincoln Park.” – Albany, NY. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.albany.org/listings/Lincoln-Park/486/.

The Official Site of the City of Albany, NY.” Parks & Facilities. 2013. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.albanyny.org/Government/Departments/Recreation/ParksandFacilities.aspx

“Downtown Albany BID.” Search | Downtown Albany BID. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.downtownalbany.org/search/node/washington park.

Washington Park Lake.” Wikipedia. February 10, 2016. Accessed February 29, 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Park_Lake.

2) Google estimates that my walking tour will last approximately 39 minutes.

3) The theme of my walking tour is to visit the public parks of Albany, mainly Washington Park. I choose this theme because the parks of Albany should be exploited by the public. It is free of charge to go for a walk there or bring your family and friends for a day outside. This walking tour can suit all ages of people and all different kinds of groups of people, whether it be an immediate family or just a bunch of friends that want to enjoy a nice day outside. People who go on these tours will be exposed to three different parks and these parks vary a lot from each other so everyone gets to experience a different environment in each of the parks. Some people may want to be active and play sports with others meanwhile others will be just as happy with sitting on a picnic blanket with a few loved ones. Parents can bring their children with them and all of them will have a great time together. There are many different aspects of these parks that almost anyone and everyone of all demographic groups will find something they see as enjoyable or interesting while walking on this path.

4) Washington Park Lake

Tulips in Washington Park

5) What other popular events take place at parks?

What dates do the seasonal venues or activities begin/open and end/close?

What historical events took place pre-1860 in these parks?

Walking Tour Proposal

February 29, 2016March 7, 2016tmckenna

1) The Washington Ave (10th Battalion) Armory was built in 1890 and was the first National Guard unit in the city. This is interesting because of how large the National Guard has grown today. And this unit was also activated to fight during the Spanish – American War.
2) Fort Frederick was a British in the 1680s. It was used to protect Albany during the French and Indian War. Later it was used by Americans during the revolution to house British prisoners.
3) The Battle of Henry Johnson statue is a memorial for Sgt. Henry Johnson who was recently posthumous awarded the Medal Of honor during WW1. He was apart of the only all black combat platoon during the war. Meaning he overcame discrimination and paid the ultimate sacrifice saving others.
4) The Colonial Hospital is where wounded troops from the battles of Ticonderoga and Saratoga were treated.
5) Birthplace of the Union is where Ben Franklin presented the first proposal to unionize the nation.

According to google maps, the walk will take approximately 31 minutes.

The overall theme of my tour will be about military history. However it does include some African American history as well. It will be directed for generally anyone who is interested in the roll the military played in Albany and the formation of this country! I’ve always had a particular interest in military history so this topic was fairly easy to choose and it was easy to find information because of Albanys historic past. The takeaway of this tour will show that Albany played a major role in many wars that America has been involved in. And that it should be appreciated because many times there isn’t enough credit given to our military.

For the photo of Sgt. Henry Johnsons memorial, there are some rights reserved where we are free to share as long as we do not use the image for commercial purposes or alter the image in anyway. While the image of the armory we may use the image for educational purposes. Both of these images are pictures the actual building or statue that the walker will see. However the picture of Sgt. Johnson is a current day one, the other one of the armory may be different because it looks like it is an older drawing of the building.

1) Do you think it would be more beneficial to use older pictures of the sites or current day pictures of the location?
2) Would it make more sense if all of the events were from the same time period?
3) What is the current conditions of sidewalks that i chose for the paths?

Walking Tour Proposal

February 29, 2016March 6, 2016sgreene2

A) Locations on my Tour

Henry Johnson Memorial – My walking tour starts off at this memorial for Sergeant Henry Johnson. Sergeant Johnson was active during World War I. He moved to Albany as a teenager. He enlisted for the Army and following World War I was considered a war hero. He died in 1929. Johnson was awarded the Purple Heart by President Clinton in 1996.
Washington Ave Armory – The next stop on the tour is the Washington Avenue Armory. The Armory was built in 1890 for the 10th Battalion of the New York State National Guard. It eventually became home to several basketball teams before falling into disuse. In 2004 the Albany Basketball and Sports Corporation purchased the Armory and renovated it.
George Washington Travels through Albany – My next stop is a marker on Washington Avenue. George Washington traveled down Washington Avenue during his tours of the the Mohawk Valley in 1782 and 1783. It is on Washington Avenue near Swan Street.
USS Slater – The next stop is the USS Slater. The former USS Slater is now the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum. There are tours of the ship from April through November.
Schuyler Mansion – Schuyler Mansion was home to Revolutionary War hero, Senator, and entrepreneur Phillip Schuyler. Him and his wife, Catherine Van Rensselaer, came from powerful Dutch Families. His daughter Elizabeth married Alexander Hamilton. The wedding took place in the mansion. There are tours of the mansion year round.

1. Ohlhous, Howard C. “The Battle of Henry Johnson Marker.” The Historical Marker Database. May 18, 2011. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=42675.

2. “About the Armory.” The Armory. 2014. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.albanyarmory.com/about/.

3. “Historic Markers.” NYS Museum: Historic Markers. May 5, 2005. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/historicmarkers/hisaction.cfm.

4. “Destroyer Escort Historical Museum.” USS Slater. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://www.ussslater.org.

5. “Schuyler Mansion Historic Site.” New York State Parks. 2016. Accessed February 29, 2016. http://nysparks.com/historic-sites/33/details.aspx.

B) Google estimates my tour will take a total of 48 minutes.

C) The organizing theme of my tour is Albany history, specifically Albany’s military history. I am looking for places that can show Albany’s military history as well as how it can connect to American history in general. The audience for my tour is probably a slightly older audience. I would not say it is exclusive to older people, but I would say that an older person would probably be the average member of my audience. I could also see this being an elementary school field trip, but as a general audience member I would stick with males who are out of school. I would say my average audience member would be a 25+ male. I feel that teenagers may be bored by some things on this tour, although that is not definite. I feel males would enjoy the war elements of the tour more than females. The big takeaway I am hoping would come from going on my walking tour is a better sense of Albany’s history overall. I feel like after going on my walking tour you would not only learn a lot more about Albany’s own history, but you would also learn about Albany’s spot in the history of the United States. The overarching theme of my tour is the militaristic hot spots of downtown Albany. There are many important spots in Albany that have a lot of value historically. George Washington rode down these streets and Alexander Hamilton was married downtown. Early America and Albany’s history are intertwined in many ways and that is a main point I want to come out during my walking tour. Each of my locations is a piece of Albany history, but also plays some sort of role in American History and that is how each of my locations is connected to each other. They are not all specifically related time wise or subject wise, but overall the theme of Albany and American history intertwining connects every piece of my map.

D) USS Slater

The first image is a photo of the USS Slater from Flickr. This photo has a copyright attached to it and is not in the public domain. The USS Slater is one of the stops on my walking tour of Albany.

Schuyler Mansion

The second image is a photo of the Schuyler Mansion in downtown Albany. It was also found on Flickr. This photo falls into the category of Creative Commons.

E) Three additional questions I need to research to finish my project:

Who was Phillip Schuyler and what role did he play in the Revolutionary War?
What role did Henry Johnson play in World War I and why was he awarded the Purple Heart by Bill Clinton?
What exactly did the USS Slater do and when was it active?