03/13/2022
Delaware Avenue: A PATH THROUGH HISTORY (DA-APTH)
Delaware Avenue - A Path Through History | Facebook
The Delaware Avenue Heritage Corridor in Cohoes is truly a Path Through History. This route along the Hudson River that connects Green Island with Waterford, proceeds through Cohoes and north to Peebles Island State Park, has many layers of history. The area was once a Native American riverfront trading post, then a Revolutionary War route, then home to the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad and industry along the riverfront and is now a developing residential area. Join us as we relive the history of this mile and a half trail.
What: Celebrating the history of the area with re-enactments, historic tours, a self-guided tour, and cannon firing and a trolly ride.
When: Saturday June 11, 2022, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Opening ceremony 10:45 a.m.
Cost: FREE to the public
Where: Delaware Avenue Heritage Corridor including Van Schaick Mansion, Matton Shipyard and Peebles Island State Park. This follows the Delaware Avenue Trail portion of the State-wide Empire State Trail.
Sponsored by the General Gansevoort Chapter of DAR, Spindle City Historic Society, Friends of Peebles Island in conjunction with City of Cohoes, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and Peebles Island State Park. With assistance from Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Commission and Playhouse Stage Company.
Join us to travel along one of the most historic routes in upstate New York. A guided walking tour will begin at the Van Schaick Mansion at 11:00 a.m. and kick off with a cannon fire salute. The Historic Van Schaick Mansion dates to 1755 and is the site where in the summer of 1777 over 5,000 troops encamped while the generals strategized and planned the Battles of Saratoga. Re-enactors will be on site to discuss the American Revolution and the in-depth history of this site. Two stops along the way will be staffed all day and everyone will be encouraged to explore at their leisure.
Explore the trail to see the Van Schaick Cemetery and discover some of the fascinating Native history of this area. Move north to a stop at the intersection of Ontario Street. Here displays and more re-enactors will talk about the rail line and the Industrial Revolution.
Continue your walk toward Peebles Island. Along the route stop at the site of the Matton Shipyard. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is working with the NYS Department of Parks and Recreation to restore this site as a working museum. Information will be available at this site about the Canal and the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway.
Continue over the bridge to Peebles Island. This site was an early Native American settlement, and it is the site of the Revolutionary War Breastworks. This was to be a stronghold to try and stop the British from advancing into Albany. While you are here taking a guided hike or walk on your own around this beautiful Island, view the historic signage that tells the history of Cluett Peabody Company, manufacturers that owned the Island at the turn of the last century. The first guided walking tour along Delaware Avenue will end at 1:00 p.m. at the breastworks with a cannon fire salute.
At 2:00 p.m. the second guided tour will begin at Peebles Island and travel in the reverse direction ending at the Van Schaick Mansion at 4:00 p.m. A self-guided tour brochure will also be available at both ends that will allow everyone the opportunity to do the walking tour on their own pace. Attendees have the option to start at either end of the route. Parking will be available near the Van Schaick Mansion and near Matton Shipyard and at Peebles Island. A free trolly will be running from the Mansion to the Peebles Island Visitor Center and back throughout the day.
Van Schaick Mansion Event Schedule
11:00 a.m. Cannon Firing
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Re-enactors from the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment will have an encampment on the grounds.
Glenn Bentz is a Living Historian, who appears before the audience in Regalia (Traditional Clothing), using the Oral Tradition to explore the History and Culture of the Haudenosaunee People of New York State and beyond. Through lectures and demonstrations, he will take you from the Creation story to the Revolutionary War.
General Peter Gansevoort Chapter Member and Master Gardener Patty O’Hare will discuss the newly created Perennial Herb and Pollinator Flower Garden. Learn about the plants and herbs that were abundant during the 18th century.
Mansion Tours will be offered at:
Noon & 2:30 p.m.
Storytelling with Joe Bruchac: Will incorporate the Van Schaick Cemetery and Natural Indian Spring
1:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist, and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Co-author with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles, and stories have appeared in over five hundred publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola.
4:00 p.m. Cannon Firing
Food vendors will be at both ends of the tour for your enjoyment.
All events are free.
Intersection of Delaware & Ontario Event Schedule
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Costumed actors from the Playhouse Stage Company will be on site to discuss the rail line and the Industrial Revolution. Historic displays will be available for your review.
Matton Shipyard Event Schedule
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Explore the grounds of one of the most famous tugboat manufacturers. Visit an information table from the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition to learn more about the Erie Canal in the Capital region.
Peebles Island Event Schedule
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Take a guided hike around beautiful Peebles Island and learn about the Native American settlement, early Dutch settlers, the Revolutionary War fortifications, industry on the island and the many features of the historic site.
1:00 p.m. Cannon Firing
2:00 p.m. Cannon Firing
Food vendors will be at both ends of the tour for your enjoyment.
