2022 New York Archives Magazine Speaker Series
Exploring the People and Places that Make New York Great
January 18 - Online via Zoom
When conducting genealogical research, sometimes a family's most treasured document or greatest clues can be found in repositories you may not have considered. Join us for an informative discussion on utilizing different types of archives and how they can be woven together to tell a more complete picture.
Risk-Takers and Change-Makers: A Conversation
with Mary Liz and Paul Stewart, co-founders of the Underground Railroad Education Center
February 1 - Online via Zoom
Join Tom Ruller and Mary Liz and Paul Stewart for a discussion of the men and women whose efforts empowered the abolitionist cause and laid the foundation for today’s civil rights movement in the United States. Learn more about the many records and resources available that document the work, bravery and leadership of those that fought for change.
Hidden in the Archives: Stories of New York’s Forgotten Female Figures
March 15, 2022 - Online via Zoom
Jasmine Bumpers, New York State Archives
Amy Murrell Taylor, Professor of History, University of Kentucky
Jennifer Burns, Lecturer of African Studies, SUNY Albany
Though the stories of several prominent historical female figures have been explored, many more stories of everyday women whose impact on government, civil rights, labor, education, and war exist. Hear accounts about some of these interesting, lesser known 19th century New Yorker women that were found in historical repositories throughout the state.
New York State as a Leader in Environmental Protection
April 26, 2022 - Online via Zoom
Aaron Mair, "Forever Adirondacks" Director, Adirondack Council
Tom Ruller, New York State Archivist
The environment has become one of the most critical issues of our time. Environmental policies developed in New York State have set national and international precedents. Join Tom Ruller and Aaron Mair as they discuss the history of environmental affairs reflected in records preserved at the State Archives and how, for over 125 years, New York has taken steps to steward our natural environment.
December 1813: The Fall of Fort Niagara and the Burning of the Niagara Frontier
May 10, 2022 - Online via Zoom
Richard Comstock, LTC, Retired and APT Steward
Richard V. Barbuto, Professor Emeritus of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and former NYSA Hackman Research Resident
Join guest host Richard Comstock and author Richard Barbuto as they discuss the War of 1812 and the human catastrophe of the burning of the Niagara Frontier in December 1813. Only one home was spared along the 37-mile-long border and upwards of 6,000 refugees fled into the snowy forests heading for the Genesee River and safety.
History Education: Bringing History Organizations and Educators Together
June 7, 2022 - Online via Zoom
Dr. Kristi Fragnoli, President, New York Council for History Education (NYCHE) and Professor, Lally School of Education, College of St. Rose
Jennifer Hesseltine, North Country Liaison and K-12 Education Consultant & Strategist
Lavada Nahon, Interpreter of African American History for the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Jordan Jace, Assistant Director, Education and Development and State Coordinator, New York Council for History Education
Learn more about efforts to build a statewide network of historians, archivists and educators for the promotion of authentic history education that elevates the voices of the underrepresented, uses historical records, and develops the next generation of active and engaged New York State citizens. The conversation will focus on applying a regional approach to this work given the demographic and geographic diversity of New York State and ConsidertheSourceNY.org.
Defending Gotham in 1814: Why New York City is NOT the Home of the Star-Spangled Banner
September 14, 2022 - Online via Zoom
Richard Comstock, LTC, Retired, and Steward of the Archives Partnership Trust
Richard V. Barbuto, Professor Emeritus of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Join us for an engaging discussion of the defense of New York City during the War of 1812. New Yorkers remembered the British occupation of their city during the Revolutionary War. Now, they learned of the catastrophic British attack on Washington, D.C. and were bracing for an even larger and more destructive onslaught. Learn how they prevented a British invasion and how their work left a permanent mark on New York City.
Sojourner Truth, Slavery, and the Justice System
October 4, 2022 - In-Person and Online Event at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Presented by the Historical Society of the New York Courts in collaboration with the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York State Archives, and Unified Court System
Sojourner Truth stands today as an iconic activist. She was born into slavery but escaped to freedom. Shortly after freeing herself, she began the process of restoring her family and went to court in Ulster County to free her son — and won. Truth became the first Black woman to win a lawsuit, and while the records of this historic case were preserved, at some point in the ensuing 200 years they were lost — only to be recovered in 2022, igniting greater understanding of Truth’s undaunting courage.
This program will tell the story of Sojourner Truth’s inspiring life, and will also focus on the detective story of how the records were recovered and the important role of archives in preserving documents for future generations and teaching history to better inform the future.
Who Owns a Photo of Your Face? The Right to Privacy & The Courts
October 18, 2022- Online via Zoom
Dr. Bruce W. Dearstyne, author of The Spirit of New York: Defining Events in the Empire State’s History and The Crucible of Public Policy: New York Courts in the Progressive Era
Henry M. Greenberg, Esq., Greenberg Traurig LLP shareholder & Vice Chair of the Historical Society of the New York Courts
This session explores the 1902 landmark decision Roberson v. Rochester Folding-Box Company and the privacy issues that reverberate today, Illustrating the powerful role of the courts in our lives. Co-sponsored by the Historical Society of the New York Courts.
Immigration is Key to the Future: Upstate New York Demonstrates
November 15, 2022 - Online via Zoom
Until now there was no comprehensive effort by which to judge the impact of immigrants on Upstate New York. Scott Fein, editor of Immigration: Key to the Future — The Benefits of Resettlement to Upstate New York and Tom Ruller, New York State Archivist, peer through the historical lens to examine how refugees have contributed to and even rejuvenated their communities by offsetting demographic and economic decline through paying taxes, rebuilding housing stock, opening new businesses, and taking unfilled jobs.
Censorship in Cinema: Zooming In
December 13, 2022 - Online via Zoom
Laura Wittern-Keller, University at Albany, SUNY
Tom Ruller, New York State Archivist
Movie Censorship in New York: an Early Cancel Culture? In the days before the Motion Picture Association developed a film rating system, movie producers and distributors had to apply for a permit with New York’s Division of Motion Picture to show their film in the state. The New York State Archives preserves the largest collection of film scripts from 1921-1965 in the world. Learn more about the contribution these scripts add to the history of censorship in New York and trace the shifting of American attitudes toward sex, religion and morality.
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