New York Archives is proud to announce the 2025-2026 Online Speaker Series
hosted by Tom Ruller, retired NYS Archivist and Archives Partnership Trust board member.
Registration is FREE!
Tune in at 12:30 p.m. every month from September to June for an online discussion of history-themed topics. Registrants will receive a Zoom meeting link and password 24 hours before the event. View each event below and click the registration link to receive your Zoom link to the event.
Unfriendly to Liberty
Tuesday, September 16 - Previously Recorded
Join us for the kickoff of the new season of our Online Speaker Series, "Unfriendly to Liberty." This will be a thought-provoking hour with historian, author, and State Archives Hackman Resident Alum, Christopher F. Minty, as he discusses his groundbreaking book, "Unfriendly to Liberty: Loyalist Networks and the Coming of the American Revolution in New York City." Minty will explore the roots of loyalism in New York between 1768 and 1776—offering a fresh perspective on the political culture and allegiances that shaped the city in the lead-up to the American Revolution.
The Journey of the Seneca Chief Yesterday and Today
Thursday, October 30 - Previously Recorded
Join Duncan Hay, author and historian; Rebecca Hughes, executive deputy director of canals, New York State Canal Corporation; and John Montague, Buffalo Maritime Center, for a journey down the Erie Canal. Celebrate the journey of the Buffalo Maritime Center's full-sized replica of the Seneca Chief as it embarks from Buffalo to New York Harbor. On it's bicentennial, we will discuss the impact of Erie Canal yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
The Arsenal of the Air: Long Island's WWII Legacy
Tuesday, November 18 - Via Zoom
Join us in conversation with Joshua Stoff, curator, author, and historian, to discuss how the aviation industry in Long Island aided in achieving victory in World War II. Discover how Long Island born aircrafts, Grumman and Republic, became known as outstanding fighters in the sky.
10 Years Later: Inside the Investigation of the 2015 Clinton Prison Escape
Tuesday, December 2 - Via Zoom
New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang takes you inside the Inspector General’s far-reaching investigation into the 2015 Clinton Prison Escape, the terrifying three-week manhunt, the lasting impact on prison oversight, and the crucial role that inspectors general play in American democracy.
Opening the Airways:
How Black Women Broke the Color Barrier in the Sky
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - Via Zoom
Join New York State Archives' Jasmine Bumpers and Jamie Brinkman as they share the story of Dorothy Franklin and Patricia Banks: two women who fought for inclusion in the air and broke the color barrier in the sky.
The World's Borough
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - Via Zoom
Queens, New York, proudly known as the ‘World’s Borough,’ has long been a mosaic of cultures, communities, and change. Join author and cultural historian Lawrence R. Samuel for a fascinating talk tracing the history of residential development in Queens—from the rapid growth of the 1920s to the vibrant, diverse neighborhoods we see today. Discover how waves of migration, urban planning, and community building shaped Queens into one of the most dynamic boroughs of New York City..
From Boats & Votes: The Erie Canal and the Woman Suffrage Movement
Wednesday , March 11, 2026 - Via Zoom
Join us for an engaging program with historian Pamela Vittorio as we explore the Erie Canal—not just as a waterway of commerce, but as a powerful engine of social change. Learn how the canal shaped the movement of people and ideas across New York State, fueled reform movements, and ultimately helped pave the way for women’s suffrage and the passage of the 19th Amendment. This lively discussion will connect one of America’s greatest engineering achievements to the fight for equality and democracy.
Bread Basket of the Revolution: Richest Soil in New York
Tuesday April 14, 2026 - Via Zoom
With our speaker Commissioner Richard Ball, explore how New York’s fertile farmland became a crucial resource during the Revolutionary War. This talk uncovers the stories of the region’s farmers, soldiers, and communities who transformed the state’s rich soil into the “bread basket” that fed an army and sustained cause for independence.
All Aboard! New York's Short Line Railroads
Tuesday May 12, 2026 - Via Zoom
Join us for an hour-long fascinating journey through the history 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. Discover the stories of the trains, the towns they served, and the people who kept them running.
New Eyes on Alice: Queering the Museum
Tuesday June 2, 2026 - Via Zoom
Join us for an engaging conversation exploring "New Eyes on Alice Austen," the groundbreaking permanent exhibition at the Alice Austen House Museum. The exhibition highlights Austen’s remarkable contributions to photography, immigration history, women’s history, and LGBTQ history. It fully embraces Austen's personal story and centers her loving 55 year relationship with Gertrude Tate. Discover how this new lens on Austen’s story invites visitors, students, and scholars to experience her life’s work with greater honesty, context, and connection than ever before.
