Historic Cherry Hill
Contents -- June 2009
- Legislators Demonstrate Support Despite Difficult Climate
- NYSCA Increases Operating Support and Provides Critically Needed Capital Funds
- 'Reading Between The Lines' Series To Explore Travel And Tourism In The Empire State
- Hard Working Neighbors
- Seeing The World Through Rose-Colored Glasses
- History Fair
- New Outreach Program Enjoys a Successful Launch
- Cherry Hill Collections Hit the 'Cyber-screen'
Legislators Demonstrate Support Despite Difficult Climate
Facilities Support Assistant Jessica
Johnson, volunteers Emad Andarawis and
Charles Senrick, and Curator Deborah
Emmons-Andarawis roll one of the dozens
of carpets in the house in preparation for
restoration.
New York State Senator Neil Breslin, Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari and Assemblyman John McEneny have long supported Historic Cherry Hill's unique educational mission and preservation initiatives, and both Senator Breslin and Assemblyman Canestrari have made efforts to secure funds for Historic Cherry Hill from their allocations in the 2009-2010 New York State Budget.
Every object on exhibit throughout
the house--numbering approximately
3,000--has received careful attention
during the packing process.
Before embarking upon restoration, the museum must safeguard its collections on exhibit throughout the house, and Curator Deborah Emmons-Andarwis has begun this monumental task, supervising a team of staff and volunteers. Senator Breslin and Assemblyman Canestrari expressed support for this important project, directing funds from their respective sources towards it. Their continued commitment to the museum, even under trying financial and political circumstances, is greatly appreciated.
[contents]NYSCA Increases Operating Support and Provides Critically Needed Capital Funds
At its April 15 meeting, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) made two generous awards to Historic Cherry Hill, including a $25,000 General Operating Support grant from the Museum Program and a $50,000 Capital grant from the Capital Program in support of window restoration.
In summarizing its recommendations for funding, the Capital Program cited Historic Cherry Hill as one of two organizations that represent best practices and thoughtful planning in regards to caring for historic structures and collections. The Museum Program echoed the Capital Program's comments regarding Historic Cherry Hill's commitment to best practices in terms of collections care, adding that the site is a "national model for both small and historic house museums," and that its programs are grounded in deep scholarship. The museum is grateful for NYSCA's support over the years, which has contributed significantly to the site's accomplishments.
[contents]'Reading Between The Lines' Series To Explore Travel And Tourism In The Empire State
Historic Cherry Hill will host a free summer reading and discussion group for adults sponsored by the New York Council for the Humanities (NYCH). "Reading Between the Lines" is a program in which NYCH develops four book reading and discussion programs with graduate students at the State University of New York (SUNY)- Buffalo and the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center. 2009 Fellow Gregory Young of SUNY-Buffalo will facilitate 90-minutes sessions on books that explore the theme of exploration, expansion and development. The books will include: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Tales by Washington Irving, The Artificial River: The Erie Canal and the Paradox of Progress, 1817-1862, by Carol Sherrif, The Second Greatest Disappointment: Honeymooning and Tourism at Niagara Falls, by Karen Dubinsky, and Taxi! A Social History of the New York City Cabdriver, by Graham Russell Gao Hodges.
"'Reading Between the Lines' offers an unusual twist on the standard book group format with focused thematic discussions led by humanities scholars," said Council Executive Director Sara Ogger. The program is designed to promote lively, informed conversation about humanities themes and strengthen the relationship between humanities institutions and the public. The project is supported by the We the People initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
The series is free and the books will be available for loan to participants. Participation will be limited to 15. Dates and times of sessions will be settled soon. For more information, email or call the museum at info@historiccherryhill.org; (518) 434-4791.
The New York Council for the Humanities is a private, non-profit organization that helps all New Yorkers to lead vibrant intellectual lives by strengthening traditions of cultural literacy, critical inquiry and civic participation. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of either the Council or NEH.
[contents]Hard Working Neighbors
For the second consecutive year, Historic Cherry Hill enjoyed the services of a volunteer crew from KeyBank as part of its "Neighbors Make the Difference" Day. This year marked the 19th anniversary of the program, through which senior management, managers and staff come together in support of the bank's volunteer spirit and go to work as community servants. An energetic crew spent several hours sprucing up Historic Cherry Hill's grounds. The bank's support is greatly appreciated.
[contents]Seeing The World Through Rose-Colored Glasses
Historic Cherry Hill's Quadricentennial series, "Where the Past BEATS the Present: The Cherry Hill Family's View of their Hudson River Heritage", funded by the New York Council for the Humanities and co-sponsored by the Town of Bethlehem, began with an engaging lecture on April 19 by Historian Tamara Plakins Thornton. State Senator Neil Breslin was on hand to greet the crowd of more than 60 history lovers and introduce Dr. Thornton. Thornton, Professor of History at the State University of New York (SUNY)-Buffalo and frequent consultant to Historic Cherry Hill, spoke about the wrenching social, economic and personal changes experienced by the Cherry Hill family by the late 19th century, and how they responded to those changes by re-creating and romanticizing their past. She contrasted how their views of their heritage differed from the actual lives of their 18th century ancestors. Among the realities of colonial life Dr. Thornton discussed were the rum trade, slave labor, and advantageous marriages in creating elite fortunes.
The series will continue this summer, incorporating new research findings on the 18th century Cherry Hill Van Rensselaers. All events are free. Several require advance reservations, which may be made by calling Education Director Rebecca Watrous at (518) 434-4791 or emailing her at Rebecca@historiccherryhill.org:
Family Event
Saturday, August 22, 2009, 1-4 pm (rain
date, Sunday, August 23)
This fun-filled event for all ages will
feature re-enactments, interactive games
and activities on the grounds of Historic
Cherry Hill. Visitors will take part in
the Cherry Hill family's 20th century
celebration of their past and then visit the
1700s to discover the real history!
Tour of the House and Collections
Saturday, September 12, 2009, 10 am and
1 pm (part of New York State's Heritage
Weekend). Reservations required
This special tour, provided by Historic
Cherry Hill Curator Deborah Emmons-
Andarawis, will tell the stories of the
Cherry Hill family who lived in their 1787
Georgian-style home for almost 200 years.
The tour will highlight the collections and
architectural elements of the 18th century
and the Colonial Revival periods.
Trolley and Walking Tour
Saturday, October 3 and 10, 2009, 9:30 am
and 1:30 pm. Reservations required.
This combination trolley and walking
tour will focus on the landscape changes
from 1787-1963 as Cherry Hill evolved
from a 900 acre farm to an urban home
on five acres surrounded by immigrant
housing. Participants will also visit the
site of the family's 18th century dwelling
and merchant storehouse in Albany.
Using evidence from family manuscripts
and other primary sources, the tour will
emphasize the family's changing attitudes
towards their environment. The tour will
be led by Anthony Opalka, Albany City
Historian and Historic Cherry Hill Board
member, and Education Director Rebecca
Watrous.
History Fair
The 10th Annual Albany History Fair, expanded to four days in honor of the statewide Quadricentennial celebration, was honored with a Legislative Resolution introduced by State Senator Neil Breslin and adopted by the Senate on April 28.
Fair highlights included a fascinating presentation on Albany by New York State Assemblyman and historian John McEneny, an engaging walking tour by City Historian and Cherry Hill Board member Tony Opalka, exhibits by a dozen area historical organizations, traditional music by Tamarack, and tours of the tulips in Washington Park and planned restoration at Cherry Hill.
The 7th Annual "Sense of Place" Awards were presented at a special reception on Friday, May 1, honoring the important work being done by individuals and organizations in relation to the Quadricentennial. The Albany Institute for History & Art was recognized for its exhibition, Hudson River Panorama: 400 Years of History, Art and Culture, which draws on the museum's amazing permanent collections of art, artifacts and documents. The exhibition will be on view through January 4, 2010. Director Christine Miles accepted the award on behalf of the Institute.
Crailo State Historic Site received an award for its upcoming permanent installation, A Sweet and Alien Land: Colony of the Dutch in the Hudson River Valley. Erica Nuckles, having worked on everything for the exhibition from conducting research to directing filming and making reproduction costumes, accepted the award. The exhibition will open with a celebration on July 4 and 5.
Director and Captain William "Chip" Reynolds accepted an award on behalf of The New Netherland Museum/Half Moon. No feature has brought more historical flavor to Albany in recent years than the Half Moon, a full scale replica of the original Dutch ship of exploration sailed by Henry Hudson for the Dutch East India Company in 1609. The New Netherland Museum is the non-profit, educational institution that owns and operates the ship as a traveling museum dedicated to public education about life in New Netherland during the 17th century.
And Albany City Gardener Judy Stacey was recognized for her role in beautifying the City throughout the year by planting and maintining approximately 450 gardens throughout the City and for perpetuating its Dutch heritage through the planting of hundreds of thousands of tulips.
[contents]New Outreach Program Enjoys a Successful Launch
In an effort to serve its school audience while the house undergoes preparation for restoration work, Historic Cherry Hill's Education Director Rebecca Watrous, with assistance from Program Assistant Linda Dunkerley, has developed an innovative outreach program for 4th and 5th grades, "The Cherry Hill Case". Through the program, students build higher level thinking skills investigating six people who once lived at Cherry Hill in the mid 1800s. The investigation begins when the class receives a package of evidence in the mail as the basis for two pre-visit activities. The evidence includes documents, photographs and objects, introducing students to the place, time and people. Afterwards, a museum teacher visits the classroom bringing more primary source evidence about the historical characters to lead the students in further investigation. Students examine the evidence, gather information about each person, and draw conclusions about their personal connections to the Cherry Hill household. The Cherry Hill Case is "closed" when students participate in a document-based Reader's Theater activity which reveals details of 19th century life at Cherry Hill and the relationships between family members and servants. Hundreds of students from several schools have already participated in the new program. Here's what teachers have had to say:
"The children were excited. They loved the mystery of it, they learned a lot, loved touching 'the evidence' and loved acting out the historical characters."
"The presenters were wonderful with the students—very knowledgeable and engaging."
"The program was very effective because of the student-cooperative and self-directed learning."
"My students loved the whole program!"
[contents]Cherry Hill Collections Hit the 'Cyber-screen'
A palampore from the collection of Historic
Cherry Hill.
Visit the "Collections" section at the museum's website, www. historiccherryhill.org for a fascinating YouTube video highlighting a rare 18th century textile in the collection, a palampore. Curator Deborah Emmons- Andarawis explores the origins and significance of the piece, which is in remarkably good condition and which was discovered by early museum personnel hidden away in a trunk in the garret. Cherry Hill Board President Mike Beiter has become an adept cinematographer for the museum's YouTube productions, and we look forward to producing future installments highlighting the museum's unique collections and stories.
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