Press

The New York State Museum will celebrate New York State History Month in November with a variety of free, public programs for children, families and adults. The Museum will also open a new exhibition that explores the history of the Shaker community on November 15, The Shakers: America's Quiet Revolutionaries.

"November is New York State History Month," said State Museum Director Mark Schaming. "The Board of Regents and the State Museum understand the importance of history education. New York's history is central to American history. Across the State and at the State Museum, New Yorkers can learn about the Empire State's history at our wonderful museums and educational institutions. From talks with historians to children's educational activities, there's a free history program for everyone, everywhere in New York."

"New York State History Month is a time for all New Yorkers to appreciate the importance of the Empire State's history and visit some of the extraordinary cultural institutions and historic sites throughout New York," said New York State Historian Robert Weible.

The Museum has created a webpage to celebrate New York State History Month:http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/historymonth . The website features a list of history programs and statewide history organizations, educational resources, and a "New York Minutes" feature which includes a New York State history fact of the day for every day in November.

Below is a schedule of free programs at the Museum to celebrate New York State History Month, including a special presentation by Harold Holzer, one of the county's leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era. Holzer will speak about the Civil War, his new book on President Lincoln, and the catalog book for the State Museum's 2012 award-winning Civil War exhibition. For more information about any of the programs below, visit http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/historymonth .

American Experience: The Rise and Fall of Penn Station
Film Screening, November 2, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Lasting Impact: The Waterford Flight
Lecture, November 12, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Behind the Scenes Tour: State Museum Shaker Collection
Tour, November 15, 1:00 PM (pre-registration is required, call 518-474-0575)

Cities Under Pressure: How the Great Migration Affected Upstate New York
Lecture, November 19, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

New York State's Great Places and Spaces
Family Program, November 22, 12:00 – 4:00 PM

Gallery Tour of The Shakers: America's Quiet Revolutionaries
Tour, November 22, 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Civil War History: Special Presentation by Harold Holzer and Double Book Signing
Lecture and Book Signing, November 24, 7:00 PM

Celebrating 100 Years of the New York State Museum's Carousel
Family Program, November 29, 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Preserving the Carousel: The History and Conservation of the Museum's Carousel
Lecture, November 29, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

The New York State Museum is a program of the New York State Education Department's Office of Cultural Education. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the Museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.