Michael Barrett to speak at Waterford Historical Museum’s March Lecture

The Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center will hold its final 2014-2015 winter lecture series event with Michael Barrett, Executive Director of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway. Barrett will present an illustrated lecture about Troy, New York’s role and impact in the Civil War. The lecture will begin at 7 PM on March 10th at CHROME FOOD AND SPIRITS, located at 405 Hudson River Road in Waterford, New York.

Although all the Civil War battles took place well south of Troy, New York, the city was involved in all aspects of the war. Strong pre-war abolition fervor and the riotous escaped slave incident of 1860 helped to shape the national consciousness. Her bustling industries and prominent military and political personalities did much to further the Federal war effort. Her soldiers bore the burden of participating in the every major battle, and avenged both the first and the last great casualties of the war.

Michael Barrett’s lecture is the result of over thirty years of research as he presents a true story about the people and events that made a city great during this tumultuous period in American history.

Attendees of the lecture are encouraged to enjoy a delicious meal or a cocktail during the lecture and are welcome to arrive early for a good seat. Admission for the lecture will be $6 for non-members and $5 for members. All proceeds help support the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center and its mission.

For additional information, please contact the Waterford Historical Museum by telephone at 518-238-0809 or by email at info@waterfordmuseum.com. You may also visit the website at www.waterfordmuseum.com or our Facebook page.

Waterford Historical Museum Job Posting

Job Title: Director of the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center

Location: Waterford, New York

Hours: Part-time (25 hours/wk); Monday-Friday 10 am – 3 pm

Salary: TBD (Will be based on qualifications and experience)

Description: To oversee the general operation of the Waterford Historical Museum, develop programming, maintain the collections database, and prepare exhibits. The Director will also be responsible for preparing an annual budget and developing and implementing fundraising strategies including but not limited to grant applications and private sector donations.

Qualifications:
• Education – Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Museum Studies, History, Education, or related field; Master’s Degree preferred

• Experience – Prefer at least two years of experience working with museums or similar organizations

Send cover letter and resume to:
Patricia Burke, President
Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center
2 Museum Lane
Waterford, NY 12188

Or email: info@waterfordmuseum.com

Deadline for submission of application: February 27, 2015, 5 PM EDT

Arcadia Book for Waterford is Progressing

I think we are all familiar with the iconic Images of America books published by Arcadia. We may see them at Barnes & Noble, museums, or local bookstores. We get a glimpse of yesteryear from towns and cities all over the United States. Often, we get this nostalgic feeling viewing black and white photos of the historic built environment and prominent people associated with a town/city from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It provides us with a sense of place and why that particular place developed in Anywhere, USA.

It seems like every town or city has at least one Arcadia book published about its history. So, the historic Town and Village of Waterford, spanning a history of two hundred years certainly has one. Right? Well, the answer is no. Recent efforts, led by former Waterfordian, Dick Herzog, plan to change that and get Waterford's first Images of America
book published.

A committee of local historians and Town and Village representatives began meeting at the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center in October to discuss the possibilities of the book. Things quickly progressed and a application was submitted to the Arcadia Publishing Company in December. A few weeks ago, the contract for the book was submitted.

The Waterford Arcadia Book Committee recently submitted a sampling of twenty historic photographs and captions to Arcadia for approval. The book will contain a selection of 180-240 images with captions, an introduction, acknowledgements, and six chapters, which will cover the following topics: 1. Business, Industry and Prominent People; 2. Neighborhoods and Residents; 3. Schools and Churches; 4. Disasters (Floods, Fire, Town Hall, and Union Bridge); 5. Transportation (Roads, Canals, Railroads, Trolleys & Bridges); 6. Civil Service (Police, Firemen and Military).

The committee is currently in the process of gathering historic photos of Waterford and preparing text for each photo's caption. Future announcements about the book will continue to be made to the public through press releases, newsletters, blog posts, etc. In addition, opportunities will made to the public in the coming months for anyone wising to contribute historic photographs that they may have of Waterford. Stay tuned!

February and March Lectures

Please join us for our final two lectures in February and March at Chrome Food and Spirits!

Thank you members and sponsors!

The Waterford Historical Museum Board of Trustees and Director would like to thank all of you who made donations for our annual appeal. This financial support greatly helps the museum with it general operations and maintenance throughout the year. Without you we could not be here to tell the great history and culture of Waterford through our exhibits, programs, and events. Much appreciated!

Sincerely,
Paul Archambault

2015 Winter Lectures Announced

The museum is pleased to announce its next three speakers for our Winter Lecture Series held at Chrome Food and Spirits.

On Friday, January 16th at 7 PM, Dr. Joe Goss returns to our lecture series with another exciting topic in the field of science. He will discuss how the human mind works while we are in sleep and dream mode. In addition, Goss will explore why humans sleep and how our dreams can be interpreted. Back by popular demand from his previous museum lectures, Dr. Goss, again, presents us a fascinating topic that will be sure to amaze.

On Tuesday, February 10th at 7 PM, Dr. Max Kintner, museum board member, will be discussing his ongoing medical mission work in Guatemala.Max Kintner has worked among the Guatemalan highland Maya for 25 years in educational, micro-development, and public health projects. Max will do a slide and lecture presentation about the highland Maya and his work facilitating medical missions, particularly a women’s reproductive health project in which he is currently involved.

Finally, to close out our 2014-2015 winter lecture series, Michael Barrett will speak about Troy, New York's role in the Civil War on Tuesday, March 10th at 7 PM. Barrett serves as the Executive Director of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway and Burden Iron Works Museum.

To read more about each lecture, please click on the appropriate link that lists the date. We encourage you to arrive early to get a good seat and enjoy a meal at Chrome Food and Spirits. The cost for each lecture is $6 for non-members and $5 for members.

ADA ramp completed at the museum

Taking a big step towards his Eagle Scout award, Josh Hosbach completed the ADA ramp at the museum. With the help of his father, Charlie, performing master carpentry skills and his mother, Carolyn, going the extra mile with landscaping and decoration around the ramp and porch, the project was a great success. The museum is so proud of Josh with his hard work and Eagle Scout achievement. We are honored that he chose the museum to complete his project. Much thanks goes to the Hosbach Family!

Pictured below from left to right are Josh and Charlie Hosbach, Paul Archambault, and Ward Patton at the ribbon cutting ceremony held on November 15th.