Press

ALBANY, N.Y. - The New York State Museum will host a performance of Civil War songs, a two-day encampment and review of Civil War art this fall in connection with its exhibition, "Eye of the Storm: The Civil War Drawings of Robert Knox Sneden."

The "Eye of the Storm" exhibition will be at the museum October 5th through December 31. The programs include:

Rally 'Round the Flag: A 77th NY Regimental Balladeers Music Gathering

Saturday, October 19, 2 p.m.

From 1861 to 1865, over 600,000 New York volunteers saw their national, regimental, and unit banners hallowed by the baptism of battlefield fire. The 77th NY Regimental Balladeers pay tribute to New York soldiers of the Civil War and their battle flags in song and spoken word. Proceeds from the sale of their CD "Rally 'Round the Flag" will benefit the New York Battle Flag Preservation Project.

Civil War Camp Life

Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3, 1-4 p.m.

Members of the 125th New York Regiment recreate a Civil War encampment in the museum providing insight into a soldier's daily life.

Civil War Art at the New York State Museum: The Henry and Fay Collections

Wednesday, November 20, 7 p.m.

Ronald Burch, senior historian and curator of art and architecture, will review the museum's collection of artwork by Edward Lamson Henry and John G. Fay. As young men, both witnessed Civil War action along Virginia's James River. Henry captured scenes of federal troop activity in 1864. A year earlier, Captain John G. Fay of Albany's Third Regiment, New York Infantry, saw and recorded action in the same area. Henry's sketches and Fay's watercolors will be on exhibit as an adjunct to the "Eye of the Storm" exhibition featuring the Civil War watercolors of Robert K. Sneden from the collection of the Virginia Historical Society.

The New York State Museum, a cultural program of the New York State Department of Education, was founded on a tradition of scientific inquiry. Started in 1836, the museum has the longest continuously operating state natural history research and collection survey in the United States. The state museum is located on Madison Avenue in Albany. It is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except 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.

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*Color slides are available by calling 518-486-2003.

The New York State Museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.