“Architecture is the biggest unwritten document of history.” — Daniel Libeskind It doesn’t take much effort to love architecture when you consider it to be beautiful. It makes both the motivation to learn more about a building’s history, as well as the desire to save it should it be neglected, much easier. But what if…
Read More
You may be familiar with the story of Alexander Hamilton, one recently popularized by the musical Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton’s father-in-law was Philip Schuyler, a United States senator from New York, who resided in Albany. During the American Revolution, Schuyler worked closely with an ordinary man who became a spy; that man was Moses Harris —…
Read More
Welcome to the Post Card Chronicles. If you’re like me, it’s just too hard to resist a stack of old postcards. There’s a need to pick them up and look at all the images of far-off places, important sites, unusual events, or exotic themes. Once you’ve stopped on a particular card that catches your eye,…
Read More
Most of us are probably familiar with the old saying “your home is your castle”. During the late Victorian period, many architects wanted to make your home look like one as well…at least sort of. From the 1880s to the early 1900s, the architectural style known as Queen Anne swept America. Although named after Queen…
Read More
When Richard VanDusen Jr. established his nursery and garden supply business on West Mountain Rd. in 1963, it is highly unlikely he would have considered it as a roadside attraction. Yet, I cannot help but think that it would be quite comfortable in that niche. Roadside attractions are meant to draw attention and are…
Read More
Fall in the North Country brings with it some much anticipated events…the vibrant colors of the changing leaves, the back-to-school routines, and of course, apple season. New York has a rich history of apple production dating back to the 1600’s. Traditions such as going picking as a family, cold cider and warm cider donuts on…
Read More
Today this country and this area are confronting a serious epidemic caused by a virus. Every day in the news media we are seeing stories of how people are acting or reacting to the suggestions or mandates proposed to prevent the spread of the disease. Just over 100 years ago, this country and this area…
Read More
Recently, I posted an image on our Instagram account @chapmanmuseum of the Kiley’s sign on the northwest corner of Elm and South St. Several people recognized and commented on it. Judging from the likes and messages, this wall painting has a fan club. The funny thing about signs is that they can transcend their role…
Read More
Our last blog covered the remarkable story of 19th century stone builder and preacher, Reverend George Brown. But what about the many stone walls around the area whose builders remain anonymous and whose histories are unknown? Is it possible to learn anything about those walls, or from them? The answer is “yes”. Though we may…
Read More
If you have ever wandered through the lobby of the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, NY and found yourself by the elevator, you may have noticed an unusual feature. Attached to the wall is a beautiful cast metal mailbox. It bears the raised lettering that states “Letter Box” and an embossed eagle design, beneath which…
Read More