Historic Cherry Hill
News Archive
2011
WAMC's Alan Chartock conducted an hour long interview with HCH's Director, Liselle LaFrance about all things Cherry Hill. The link below will take you to WAMC's page where you can click to listen to the original broadcast.
Click here to reach WAMC's page and listen to the radio broadcast
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - March 2011
Click here for the March 2011 issue.
2010
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - October 2010
Click here for the October 2010 issue.
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - June 2010
Click here for the June 2010 issue.
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - February 2010
Click here for the February 2010 issue.
2009
Lacquer Worktable
This object was owned by three separate women at Cherry Hill in Albany, New York. Now on loan to Historic Cherry Hill from the Albany Institute of History & Art, the table's socio-historical significance is explored by Historic Cherry Hill Curator Deborah Emmons-Andarawis.
Video highlights from the August Hudson 400 Family Event
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - June 2009
Click here for the June 2009 issue.
Explore Albany's Stories & Traditions at the Tenth Annual
400 Years of History in 4 Days
May 1-4, 2009
Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center
Historic Quackenbush Square (Downtown Albany, Broadway & Clinton Ave.)
(518) 434-0405 www.albany.org
Day 3 (Sunday, May 3rd) includes Historic Cherry Hill Tour of Planned Restorations, 1-4 pm, $3. Reservations: 434-4791
Click here for all the details (PDF, 1.9MB)
Arts Day Video Testimony
Historic Cherry Hill was asked to produce YouTube testimony for a joint meeting of the New York State Assembly and Senate Committees on Arts and Tourism, held as part of Arts Day on February 3, 2009. The testimony, and YouTube response from Assembly Member John J. McEneny may be seen here:
Hudson 400 Program Series
Join us for an exciting variety of programs on the theme of history versus nostalgia. The program series is funded by the New York Council for the Humanities and co-sponsored by the Town of Bethlehem. The four programs are free to the public.
Cherry Hill was home to five generations of the Van Rensselaer family and their descendents from 1787-1963. Cherry Hill's first owner, Philip Van Rensselaer, built his Georgian-style home on a 900 acre farm in what was then the Town of Bethlehem. Philip, a descendent of the first Dutch Patroon, was a Hudson River trader and farmer who served as the town's first supervisor. The program series will incorporate new research findings on Philip and his wife, Maria, and contrast their 18th century lives with the later family's nostalgic views of this past.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Scholar's Talk - Where the Past Beats the Present: The Cherry Hill Family's View of Their Hudson River Heritage. The series begins with a talk by noted historian Dr. Tamara Plakins Thornton, Professor of History at the State University of New York (SUNY)-Buffalo. By the late 19th century the Cherry Hill family experienced wrenching social, economic, and personal changes. Dr. Thornton will explore why the Cherry Hill family responded to these changes by re-creating and romanticizing their past and how these views of their heritage differed from the actual lives of their 18th century ancestors. Among the realities of colonial life Dr. Thornton will discuss are the roles of the rum trade, slave labor, and advantageous marriages in creating elite fortunes.
When: 2:00 p.m.
Where: Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Family Event - 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!
When: 1:00 ? 4:00 p.m. Rain date: Sunday, August 23.
Where: Historic Cherry Hill, 523 ? South Pearl Street, Albany.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Tour of the House and Collections - This special curator's tour 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.
When: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Space is limited; reservations are required. Call 434-4791.
Where: Historic Cherry Hill, 523 ? South Pearl Street, Albany.
Saturday, October 3 and 10, 2009
Trolley and Walking Tour - 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 staff.
When: 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each day. Space is limited; reservations are required. Call
434-4791.
Where: Historic Cherry Hill, 523 ? South Pearl Street, Albany.
2008
Saturday, October 25, at 1:00 p.m.
In 1827, a murder occurred at Cherry Hill, home of the prominent Van Rensselaer family. The crime aroused tremendous public interest and marked the last public hanging in the city of Albany. The event also touched upon some important issues of the day such as women's roles and legal rights, social class, punishment and the law, and slavery in New York. Join us for this two-hour tour which will include following the footsteps of the killer on the night of the murder and a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Cherry Hill household. Recommended: wearing comfortable shoes since we will be going outside and climbing staircases inside. Please dress for the weather.
Advance registration and payment are required. Tour size is limited.
Cost: $18.00 for adults; $10.00 for children, ages 12-17
HCH members: $12.00 adults; $7.00 children
Proceeds will support Historic Cherry Hill's education mission.
Call 518-434-4791 or Click here to let us know you are interested, and we'll send you the signup and payment form.
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - July 2008
Click here for the July 2008 issue.
Living Resources Captures Cherry Hill in Photographs
Click Here!
Saturday, June 7, 2008, 1:00 p.m. [tour full]
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - March 2008
Click here for the March 2008 issue.
2007
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - November 2007
Click here for the November 2007 issue.
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - July 2007
Click here for the July 2007 issue.
Grounds for Celebration
June 3, Historic Cherry Hill, 1-4 p.m.
Details in the February newsletter.
Saturday, May 19, 2007, 1:00 p.m. &
Saturday, October 20, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
Paw Print on History:
The 8th Annual Albany History Fair
May 6, Noon-4 p.m., Albany Visitors Center
Details in the February newsletter.
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - February 2007
Click here for the February 2007 issue.
2006
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - October 2006
Click here for the October 2006 issue.
Saturday, October 28, 2006, 1:00 p.m.
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - June 2006
Click here for the June 2006 issue
Seventh Annual Albany History Fair
Details
2005
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - December 2005
Click here for the December 2005 issue
A New Old Piece to the Puzzle
Details
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - July 2005
Click here for the July 2005 issue
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace - Member Update online
Click here for the April 2005 update
Sixth Annual Albany History Fair to be held May 1st
Details
2004
Help Support our Project Team
Details
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - November 2004
Click here for the November 2004 issue
Curator Secures Prestigious IMLS Grant
Details
Best Selling Murder At Cherry Hill In Its 3rd Printing
Details
Keeping Place, Keeping Pace online - May 2004 now online
Click here for the May 2004 issue
Fifth Annual Albany History Fair to be held May 2nd
Details
2003
Grand Opening of Historic Cherry Hill's Edward Frisbee Center for Collections & Research
Details
Volunteers Needed for Innovative Program
Details
New Tour Hailed as an Exciting Departure
Details
New Fourth Grade Education Unit Published
Details