Press

ALBANY, NY – State historic sites and cultural institutions will provide exciting hands-on activities, unique artifacts and information about upcoming regional events during the fourth annual “New York State’s Great Places and Spaces” on Saturday, January 12 from noon to 4 p.m. at the New York State Museum. The free event is inspired this year by the Museum’s Civil War exhibit, “An Irrepressible Conflict: The Empire State in the Civil War.”

Visitors will learn more about the important role New York State played in the Civil War through activities and information provided by fifteen state historic sites and cultural institutions. The event will be held in several first floor galleries including Adirondack Wilderness, Birds of New York, and South Hall.


The Iron Jacks, a singing group that specializes in songs about U.S. sailors of the Civil War era, will perform throughout the afternoon. There will also be a guided tour of the Civil War exhibit at 1 p.m. and a “hands-on” cart of Civil War era reproduction objects where visitors can get first-hand experience with materials used by soldiers and citizens during the Civil War era.


Participating institutions include the Grant Cottage State Historic Site, Watervliet Arsenal Museum, John Brown State Historic Site, Shaker Heritage Society, Iroquois Indian Museum, Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, North Country Underground Railroad Museum, Gerrit Smith Estate National Landmark, National Abolition Hall of Fame & Museum, Olana State Historic Site, Thomas Cole Historic Site, Johnson Hall State Historic Site, Crailo State Historic Site, the U.S. Naval Landing Party as well as the State Museum and Library.


The New York State Museum is a program of the 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. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Further information can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.