TROY, NEW YORK, HISTORY WALKS

Saturday Troy History Walks in May and June

By Editorial Staff on May 6, 2014

The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) offers walking tours of historic downtown Troy on Saturday mornings this May and June. Tours depart from the Market Table at the Troy Farmer’s Market at 10:30am. The cost is $5 per person, RCHS members attend for free.

Each week brings a different theme for the tours, which are led by RCHS staff. Tours frequently incorporate historic photographs and readings from letters and diaries.

Reservations can be made in advance by calling 518-272-7232, ext. 12 or by emailing ilenefrank@rchsonline.org. For more information, please visit RCHS website, www.rchsonline.org.

Schedule of History Walks

Saturday, May 10 Great Fire
On Saturday, May 10, 1862, sparks from a passing train set the covered wooden Green Island Bridge ablaze. Gale force winds carried pieces of the burning bridge into downtown Troy and the city of wooden structures was soon a blazing inferno. 152 years later, tour the areas of downtown Troy that were once devastated by this Great Fire.

Saturday, May 17 Amazing Architecture
Explore the streets of downtown Troy with this guided tour showcasing the architectural gems of 19th and 20th century Troy.

Saturday, May 31 Decorative Ironwork
Exploring Troy’s downtown physical landscape, this tour will highlight Troy’s well-known ornamental ironwork and cast-iron storefronts.

Saturday, June 7 Amazing Architecture
Explore the streets of downtown Troy with this guided tour showcasing the architectural gems of 19th and 20th century Troy.

Saturday, June 14 Early Troy
Troy was one of America’s wealthiest cities in the mid-nineteenth century. Discover the early years that led to Troy’s position as a city of prominence in 19th century America.

Saturday, June 28 Draft Riots
One of the deadliest Civil War draft riots in the nation broke out in Troy on July 15, 1863. Angry mobs of anti-war, anti-Lincoln, anti-Republican and anti-black protestors burned and sacked buildings and attacked innocent people. Tour actual scenes of the Riot and learn more about the events that led to the violent demonstration.

The Rensselaer County Historical Society and Museum is a not-for-profit educational organization established in 1927 to connect local history and heritage with contemporary life. RCHS is located at 57 Second Street, Troy NY 12180.

- See more at: http://newyorkhistoryblog.org/2014/05/06/saturday-troy-history-walks-in-may-and-june/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NewYorkHistory+%28New+York+History%29#sthash.pylavPRI.dpuf

Footsy Magoos and the Knox-Mead Building

The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) is presenting a Hidden History tour on Tuesday, April 29th at 4:30 pm of Footsy Magoos and the Knox-Mead Building located at 13 and 17 First Street in Troy.

RCHS staff will offer a public tour of the buildings, located along a stretch of First Street known historically as Troy’s Banker’s Row because of the proliferation of banks that were once in residence on the street.

Footsy Magoos, a bar that is one of Troy’s best kept secrets, is located at 17 First Street in Troy. Built c.1811, 17 First Street housed the Bank of Troy and later, the United National Bank of Troy, throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The tour will begin at 4:30pm at the corner of First and State Street. Admission for the tour is $15 per person, $12 for RCHS members.

The Rensselaer County Historical Society and Museum is a not-for-profit educational organization established in 1927 to connect local history and heritage with contemporary life. For more information call 518-272-7232 or visit www.rchsonline.org.