Historic Cherry Hill
Fifth Annual Albany History Fair
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 30, 2004
CONTACT:
Liselle LaFrance, Historic Cherry Hill, (518) 434-4791
Nancy Peters, (518) 463-6776
Elizabeth Griffin, Historic Albany Foundation, (518) 465-0876
Kathy Quandt, Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, (518) 434-0405
Fifth Annual Albany History Fair to be held May 2nd
Public invited to step back in time and experience life in Albany in 1827
Albany, NY - March 30 - Historic Cherry Hill, the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, and Historic Albany Foundation are sponsoring the fifth annual Albany History Fair on Sunday, May 2nd from noon to 4:00 p.m. The fair will be held at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, located at historic Quackenbush Square at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Broadway in Albany. The fair is open to the public and most events and activities are free or carry a small charge. There is also ample free parking behind the Visitors Center.
Albany in 1827 is the theme of this year's fair that honors two historic milestones
1827 is the year that New York State abolished slavery and the year that capital punishment was last employed in Albany. Visitors to the fair will learn about Albany's role in the Underground Railroad and the constellation of the Big Dipper, referred to as the Drinking Gourd, that helped lead people along the railroad to freedom.
Historic Cherry Hill's most popular publication, Murder at Cherry Hill, now in its third printing, tells the true story of the murder committed at this historic house that resulted in the last public hanging in Albany. Visitors to the fair will have the chance to attend a presentation about the crime and sign up for a Murder Investigation Tour at Cherry Hill in the coming months.
Tours and activities
Activities include walking tours highlighting the Erie Canal and Albany's unique downtown architecture. The fair will also feature displays and exhibits, demonstrations, refreshments, and a presentation on the history of Shaker hymns. Visitors will be entertained during the fair by the music of Shaker Creek.
19th Century fun and games for children and adults
Children will have the chance to play popular 19th Century games-such as Rolling Hoops Graces, and Jacobs Ladder-take horse and carriage tours, and learn the important role that a group of stars in the sky played in the struggle for freedom.
Sense of Place Awards recognize the people, places, and events that make Albany unique
Sponsors of the fair are seeking nominations for the ‘Sense of Place' Awards that honor and celebrate the historic treasures and the people, places, and events that make Albany and its neighborhoods unique. Deadline for nominations is Friday, April 16th at 4:00 p.m.
Each entry will receive an award of recognition, which will be presented at the Albany History Fair's Awards ceremony beginning at 3:45 p.m. All submissions will be exhibited and honored during the fair and throughout the month of May at the Visitors Center. Each year, hundreds of people celebrate the region's rich heritage at the History Fair, taking in a variety of displays, demonstrations, tours, music and interactive activities. For more information on the nomination process, contact Carol Wallace at (518) 462-1550 or CWallace66@aol.com.
For more information on the Albany History Fair:
Historic Cherry Hill: www.historiccherryhill.org
Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center: www.albany.org/VisitorsCenter/Events/index.shtml#VCEvents
Historic Albany Foundation: www.historic-albany.org
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