Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

10/23/2026

Friends Fall Field Trip 2026
On Tuesday, September 29th the Friends of Schoharie Crossing enjoyed their annual autumn field trip. “In the morning we had an inside look at historic preservation by viewing the storage area where they had thousands of all kinds of historic objects. The collected objects were labeled, protectively stored, and recorded. Curators and conservators decide what to keep. Other experts label things and record them. The building is full of historic items. At the beginning we were warmly greeted by the head of the operation, and 4 other staff. Lastly, we went into the specialty laboratories that repair, preserve and produce historic objects. One is a paper expert, another cloth, another pictures and frames and more!
We had lunch at the tip of Peebles Island along the Hudson River where one of the sprouts of the Mohawk River Delta joins. A single lane bridge to Waterford is just nearby. The picnic pavilion we sat in was dry, but it was at times a drizzly day with puddles. Cheryl made zucchini bread and chocolate chip cupcakes and Linda made brownies to share. We did not go hungry.
In the afternoon we met our guide Daniele Cherniak from the Spindle City Historical Society. She was very knowledgeable, loved Cohoes and took us on a walk to the Cohoes Falls and Harmony Mills, through the remains of the terrible 16 of the Enlarged Erie Canal. Cohoes has the largest concentration of locks and has interesting walkways.”
- respectfully submitted, John Naple - treasurer, Friends of Schoharie Crossing

10/20/2026

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: “𝗢𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵” 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳 𝗢’𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝗣𝗠 - 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 *Visitor Center & Museum

“On Penalty of Death” will be presented by historian Jeff O’Conner as we finish up our 11th Annual NYS History Month Lecture series.

During the late spring of 1776, before the Declaration of Independence, New Dorlach was fertile ground for Sir John Johnson to expect support and possible recruits for Loyalist units then forming, like his own King’s Royal Regiment of New York. The Tryon County Committee of Safety discovered Johnson’s agents were going door to door seeking support and that the details of those discussions were not to be made public “on Penalty of Death.”

What transpired in the committee’s investigation reveals much about the forming of a Loyalist community while the American Revolution began unfolding on New York’s western frontier. As Crown support solidified, the chain of events that followed would affect this community, its neighbors, and the entire region for the duration of the American Revolution. This is a story not usually told locally but helps us understand some of the strange doings in New Dorlach during the war; there is also a peek into how a Loyalist community could endure it.

This program is free and open to the public. Held inside the Visitor Center, 129 Schoharie Street, PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION CHANGE

https://www.facebook.com/events/973831035299609/973831051966274

10/20/2026

Maybe you saw our post yesterday about the Transient barge ledger, working for the Western Transportation Company. In that ledger, the captain directions not only says they aren't to hire drunks, it also tells when and how much oats to feed the barge team. Today, as we take a we see that about 19 years earlier - in 1853 - John Thair of the boat "Odd Fellow" purchased 18 Bushels of Oats (for just over $8) as noted in this canal store ledger in our collection.
We can also see "Odd Fellow" show up a few other times in the ledger. And we also present the entry for "drinks" and some other hard to decipher items. If you think you can figure out what else they were purchasing, please drop it in the comments.


Canal Society of New York State | Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor | Erie Canal Museum

10/19/2026

- We invite you to take a look at this Western Transportation Company Ledger in our collection and on display as part of the Pathway to Empire exhibit inside the Visitor Center Museum. By the 1870's, most canal boats were operated by a transportation company who hired a captain and crew. This ledger outlines some of the rules, expectations, and guidance for operating a WTC barge.

There's only a couple more weeks to see this in person in 2026. Our Visitor Center/Museum is open Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm, or by scheduled appointment or programs.

You can read every page of the ledger by visiting our eMuseum page at:
https://nysparks.emuseum.com/objects/87563/logbook-for-canal-boat-henry-smith

10/18/2026

Sunday Reflections:
These images of Enlarged Erie Canal features here at Schoharie Crossing help us remember not only the distant past, but the more present past, the memories, the dedication, the work that has gone into this historic site over the last 60 years. It started earlier, with the Fort Hunter Canal Society in the 1950's. Heck, it started before then with the care and dedication of those who built the canal. The craft, the skill, in constructing a canal that was not only functional but beautiful.
There have been untold thousands who have visited the site since it was established in 1966. We often wonder, what memories do people hold of this place? How many family picnics, how many sweet-heart walks along the canal or river, how many birthday parties, proposals, field trips, family reunions, meeting up with old friends, making new friends, how many laughs shared by people along this old canal. Sometimes it feels like that reverberates to the present, as a reflection of the past.

Images: Doug Perreault -Collection, c. early 1980s

10/18/2026

10/17/2026

Huge thank you to Visit Central New York and Visit Montgomery County NY for highlighting Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and giving us a chance to connect with people about the exciting region we call home. The area has a long rich history but we're also moving forward toward a bright future. Discover that for yourself, come visit the Central Region and Mohawk Valley. If you live here, we challenge you to get out and explore what is right in your own backyard.

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NY State Parks & Historic Sites | Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor