Albany County Records

Albany County, home of the State Capital, is an area rich in history dating back to the early Dutch settlers. The nineteen municipalities that make up the county provide both rural and urban experiences for their residents, from lively downtown Albany, to peaceful Ravena. The county has continuous participated in the various wars and the communities have consistently shown their soldiers the respect and appreciation they have for their service. Today, many of the villages, towns, and cities in this county are participating in the Hometown Heroes Banner program. These banners, seen on streetlamps and utility poles all throughout the municipality, honor local veterans by displaying their picture with name, rank, branch, and the war or years served.

At the close of World War I, hometowns planned various events to celebrate their returning soldiers and honor their lost loved. Cohoes is one such city. Located ten miles north of Albany, Cohoes became a bustling area beginning in the mid-1800s, rich with textile factories. During World War I their factories helped produce supplies that were valued at $16,494,831.46. The first Red Cross vessel that left for over sea alone had 100,000 pounds of absorbent cotton on board that was manufactured in Cohoes. On June 8th and 9th, 1919, Cohoes held a welcome home celebration for its soldiers. A souvenir program was created, containing the names of all those served, as well as the actions taken on the home front in the city for the war. This two-day celebration consisted of church services and blessings, a parade, musical performances, speeches, a pageant, a banquet, dancing, and film screenings.  

Source
Hugh P. Graham, Cohoes City Historian, 1921, New York State Education Dept. Division of Archives and History World War I Veterans' Service Data and Photographs, 1917-1939. NYSA_A0412-78.

Our Honored Dead What matters death, if Freedom be not dead? No flags are fair if Freedom’s flag be furled, Who fights for Freedom goes with joyful tread To meet the fires of Hell again him hurled. And has for Captain Him whose thorn-wreathed head Smiles from the Cross upon a conquered world.
Sergeant Joyce Kilmer, 1919

“’Co. B” During the War

Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B01_F15_Cohoes
Description
Photograph of Cohoes troops standing in a kitchen at Camp Mohawk and a short article about the Company B of the 105th Infantry.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 1, Folder 15.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Learning Activities

The Local Draft Board

Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B01_F15_Cohoesdraftboard
Description
Photograph and short description of the Cohoes Draft Board, which was organized on July 14, 1917 and first briefly chaired by the Hon. Henry A. Strong until his death four months later. Medical examiner John F. McGarrahan served as his replacement.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 1 and Folder 15.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Learning Activities

Cohoes Homecoming

Identifier
NYSA_A0412-78_B01_F15_CohoesHomecoming
Description
Cover of a program inviting individuals to a welcome home celebration for the troops of Cohoes, NY.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. World War I veterans' service data and photographs, 1917-1938. Series A0412-78, Box 1, Folder 15.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Learning Activities