2025 Programs
Searching for Timbuctoo Viewing and Discussion with NYS Archivist, Brian Keough and Director, Paul Miller
Thursday, February 20, 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.,
Huxley Theater, New York State Museum
Join New York State Archivist, Brian Keough for an in-person viewing of WMHT’s short film, In Search of Timbuctoo followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Paul Miller. On display for one day only, the 1846 Receipt Book of Land Grants from Gerrit Smith documents 3,000 deeds granted to African Americans and poor white people giving them the wealth needed to have the right to vote in New York. Before or after the program, be sure to visit the State Museum’s Exhibit, Timbuctoo: Gerrit Smith’s Experiment in Adirondack Hall.
Also featured are Treasures from the State Archives: Gerrit Smith 1846 Receipt Book Display and the State Museum’s exhibit: Timbuctoo: Gerrit Smith’s Experiment
New York Heritage Bits & Bytes:
with Schenectady County Historical Society, Siena College, and New York Archives Magazine
In this episode of New York Heritage's "Bits & Bytes," we dove into an inspiring partnership between Siena College students, the Schenectady County Historical Society, and New York Archives Magazine.
Using digitized collections from NY Heritage, students in Prof. Jennifer Dorsey’s Honors NYS History class explored the Samuel Jones Family Papers—and their research led to a published article in the Winter 2025 issue of "New York Archives" Magazine!
Embattled:
The Triumphs & Trials of Black New York Soldiers
Where: Office of Cultural Education Building, 11th Floor Lobby
When: Throughout the month of February
The New York State Archives and New York State Library’s Manuscripts and Special Collections will present a joint display for Black History Month. “Embattled,” focuses on the achievements of Black military regiments and their fight for equality on and off the battlefield. The display features a variety of images, letters, government documents and other records from the Civil War, World War I and World War II eras and will be showcased in the 11th floor lobby of the Cultural Education Center during the month of February.
The Flushing Remonstrance
"Let Everyone Remain Free"
Visit The New York Public Library between April 8 - and April 10 for a joint exhibit featuring the seldom-viewed Flushing Remonstrance, on loan from the New York State Archives!
Authored in 1657 by Dutch settlers in modern-day Flushing, Queens, the Flushing Remonstrance petitioned Director-General Peter Stuyvesant to withdraw his edict banning Quaker worship, citing the colony’s promise of religious tolerance under Dutch governance.
This exhibition was made possible by the New York Public Library, The New York State Archives, NYC Landmarks60 Alliance and the New York State Archives Partnership Trust. Special thanks to Trust Steward, Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel.
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Archie's Birthday Bash!
Saturday, April 26th
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
NYS Museum
Free
No Registrations Required (Just your bright smiles for Archie)
Archie's Birthday Party is almost here! Join us as we celebrate our favorite Jr! Archivist. There will be sweet treats, crafts, and fun surprises! (First Come, First Serve)
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New York Archives Magazine &
Museum of Chinese in America
Watch Now
Celebrating Chinese American Women
New York Archives Magazine and the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) celebrated #AAPIHeritageMonth with a special event celebrating Chinese American Women Pioneers: Theodora Chan Wang & Virginia Kee! Their incredible story is featured in our Spring 2025 issue.
We were so honored to welcome Virginia Kee herself, alongside fellow trailblazer May Ying Chen, for a conversation on civic engagement, activism, and the enduring strength of community leadership. Panelists reflected on the importance of archives in preserving these often-overlooked stories.
New York History Conference
June 5-6, 2025
Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY
Theme: Constructing the Empire State: Innovation, Environment, and Imagination in New York History
Join us for the New York State History Conference in June 2025! This exciting event brings together historians, educators, and enthusiasts from across the state to explore New York’s rich and diverse history. Stay tuned for more information about sessions, speakers, and registration. Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this chance to connect, learn, and celebrate New York State history!
Boats, Barges, & Big Ideas: The Erie Canal in the Capital Region
July 23rd - 6:00 PM (In-Person)
Co-hosted by the New York Archives Magazine, the Hart Cluett Museum, and the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center, this panel will discuss the Canal’s impact on the Capital Region and beyond.
"The Courage to Meddle" Frances Perkins’ Legacy in Action
July 29th - 12:30 PM (Via Zoom)
Join us for a powerful virtual presentation led by Mary Reid in celebrating the life and legacy of Frances Perkins — the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet and the driving force behind many pillars of the modern American social safety net. Perkins' story is one of conviction, compassion, and quiet, unstoppable courage.
“When there are problems,” Perkins once said, “we must have the courage to meddle.”
Let’s honor that call together by remembering her legacy that not only impacted New York, but the entire nation.
"Roosevelt's War on Words" Evening Panel & Activities
October 7th - 6:00 PM
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
641 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202, Buffalo, NY 14202
Calling all history buffs, language lovers, and trivia champs! Join us for a fast-paced, fun-filled evening at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site as we dive into one of the most unexpected presidential battles of all time:
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt tried to change the way America spelled. (Ever write “tho” instead of “though”? Yeah… you can thank TR.)
Come for the history, stay for the spelling drama—and leave questioning how you spell “enuf.”
Presented in partnership with Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site and NYS Archives Partnership Trust.
The story is also featured in the Summer 2025 Issue of New York Archives Magazine.
Dominican Studies Panel – Honoring Legacy Through History
October 16th - 5:00 - 7:00 PM
In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, join us for a powerful conversation with scholars and community leaders exploring Dominican heritage, activism, and cultural memory in New York.
Our panelists include: Dr. Edward Paulino of John Jay College (CUNY), along with Jhensen Ortiz and Jessy Perez-Camilo from the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from our brilliant panelists as they unpack stories of resilience, identity, and the monumental journey behind Dominicans in New York.
Raging Erie Book Discussion
October 26th - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Mark Ferrara, Professor of English at State University of New York at Oneonta and author of The Raging Erie: Life and Labor Along the Erie Canal (Columbia University Press, 2024) will discuss his recent book and some of the stories of the people who lived, and worked, along the banks of the canal, emphasizing the forgotten role of the poor and working class in this epochal transformation.
Brian Keough, New York State Archivist will talk about and show examples of records documenting New York's canals from the earliest Erie Canal surveys to the completion and operation of the Barge Canal spanning 1794-1958 (bulk 1817-1926) and totaling over 2,560 cubic feet. These archival documents are part of the holdings of the New York State Archives and Records Administration, part of the Office of Cultural Education in the State Education Department.
This is an In-Person Event
Taking Manhattan
2:00 PM November 2nd
Taking Manhattan tells the riveting story of the birth of New York City as a center of capitalism and pluralism, a foundation from which America would rise. It also shows how the paradox of New York’s origins—boundless opportunity coupled with subjugation and displacement—reflects America’s promise and failure to this day. Russell Shorto, whose work has been described as “astonishing” (New York Times) and “literary alchemy” (Chicago Tribune), has once again mined archival sources to offer a vibrant tale and a fresh and trenchant argument about American beginnings.
