New York State History and Archives Month | The New York State Museum

October is New York State History and Archives Month!

Throughout the month, historians, scholars, curators, preservationists, librarians, archivists, genealogists, re-enactors, and educators across the state come together to celebrate and promote New York’s rich and complex history.

It’s also a time to honor the essential role of archives in recording and preserving our history. We recognize the enduring value of our documentary heritage and the importance of safeguarding it for future generations.

Join us this October for a range of special in-person programs at the New York State Museum—and explore additional resources below.

Related Programs

Archives Jr Investigation Station

October 23, 2025

10:30 am

Kids Cove

Dive into the world of archives with New York Archives Jr! magazine. Each week, we'll explore a fun learning activity inspired by an issue of New York Archives Jr!, where kids will discover fascinating history, analyze primary sources, and engage with interactive projects!

History & Hops: The Corditaipe Site Revisited: An Ice Age Encampment of First Peoples in Eastern New York

October 23, 2025

6-7 pm

Off-Site

Discovered in 1975, the Corditaipe archaeological site is an Ice Age encampment located in the upper Mohawk Valley, the homelands of the Oneida Nation. Since 2019, NYSM archaeologists and volunteers have been re-investigating the Corditaipe site to better understand its age and the nature of the…

Archive Adventures: Discover New York’s Hidden Stories

October 23, 2025

11 am

Discovery Place

Curious about New York's past? Come uncover the stories behind the state's history— one document at a time! Join us every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. for "Ask an Archivist" at the New York State Museum. Each session offers a peek into New York State’s rich and surprising history through carefully chosen…

The Raging Erie: Life and Labor Along the Erie Canal

October 26, 2025

11 am

Huxley Theater

Join author Mark Ferrara, Professor of English at State University of New York at Oneonta and author of The Raging Erie: Life and Labor Along the Erie Canal (Columbia University Press, 2024) to discuss his recent book and some of the stories of the people who lived and worked along the banks of the…

Musical Postcards from Irish Albany & Troy: Erie Canal Bicentennial Concert

October 26, 2025

1 pm

Adirondack Hall

Join Toss the Feathers for Musical Postcards from Irish Albany & Troy, a lively program of traditional Irish music, stories, and song that celebrates the remarkable history of the Irish people in the Upper Hudson Valley. Presented on the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal’s opening, this concert…

Archive Adventures: Discover New York’s Hidden Stories

October 30, 2025

11 am

Discovery Place

Archives Jr Investigation Station

October 30, 2025

10:30 am

Kids Cove

Statewide Programs & Resources

Statewide Events, Programs, and More!

Visit the Office of State History events page for a comprehensive list of statewide events, lectures, site visits, and more related to New York State History Month!
http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/research-collections/state-history/events

Earn CTLE in New York History

The NYSM currently offers several CTLE programs with an emphasis on events and artifacts central to the history of New York State.

Additional Resources from the Office of Cultural Education

New York State Archives

History & Archives Month is a great time to explore New York State's rich and diverse history! Whether your interest is in genealogy or general research, the State Archives has something for everyone!

Check out our schedule of events here:
Upcoming Events: New York State Archives Partnership Trust

New York State Library

Visit the State Library’s website to learn more about these online events that relate to New York State History and more!

Online: The Erie Canal - Resources Available at the New York State Library
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
12-1 pm

Online: Stories from the Field: Love Canal Interview Redaction
Thursday, October 23, 2025
2-3 pm

On Display: Locks, Labor, and Legacy: the Erie Canal
The Erie Canal was a bold experiment in engineering, labor, and vision. This display brings together materials from the NYSL to mark the 200th anniversary of this transformative waterway. The display explores how the canal was built, who built it, and how it reshaped New York State, leaving a legacy that continues to flow today. On display through mid-December on the 7th floor of the Cultural Education Center.

Talking Book and Braille Library

In celebration of NYS History & Archives Month, we have curated a selection of braille and audiobooks related to the 200-Year Anniversary of the Erie Canal. These titles are specifically formatted for people who have low vision, are blind, or have a physical or a print disability. We encourage you to share them with friends and family who are patrons of the Talking Book and Braille Library or would like to begin service with us.

With BARD, Braille and Audio Reading Download, readers may instantly download books in audio or digital braille to any compatible phone or device. Our large collection includes the latest bestsellers and award winners, along with books and magazines for all ages in over 50 languages. There is never a cost for our personalized service and there are no waitlists or late fees. Help us spread the word to all who are eligible. So that all may read!

Not eligible for our service? Your public library may have the same titles in a format that is available to you.

https://nyslibrary.libguides.com/blogs/tbbl/news/the-erie-canal-turns-200

PBS Learning Media

The History of the United State and New York Collection features resources from public broadcasting designed to complement the New York State Social Studies Framework for Grades 4, 7, and 8.

These free, media-rich resources and accompanying support materials are aligned with the key ideas for each grade level as outlined in the Framework. Each topic contains video-based resources you can use to bring history to life for your students.

A New York Minute in History Podcast

With the state’s hundreds of historical markers as a guide, this podcast explores the people, places, and experiences that made New York. New episodes are launched monthly, each telling the unique tales of New Yorkers throughout American history.

The latest episode celebrates the 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal its vital importance today and into the future!
Listen here: https://wamcpodcasts.org/podcast/happy-200th-birthday-to-the-erie-canal/

NYS 250th Commemoration Commission

Discover New York’s 250th Commemoration Commission, created to honor the state’s vital role in the American Revolution and 250 years of striving toward our founding ideals. Learn how exhibitions, events, and programs will bring this history and its ongoing legacy to life.

Path Through History

Discover how I Love NY's Path Through History can guide you to over 500 historical attractions and sites across New York!
https://iloveny.com/pth-nyshistorymonth

Organizations! Submit your events to Path Through History here: https://iloveny.com/pth-submit
Be sure to select “NYS History Month” as an event category.

The Erie Canal Turns 200!

Completed on October 26, 1825, the Erie Canal transformed New York into the nation's leading hub of international commerce, reshaping the state's economic and cultural landscape forever. To help explore this remarkable legacy, we’ve gathered a variety of resources from the New York State Museum, Archives, Library, and more.

Enterprising Waters Traveling Exhibition over illustration of a barge canal

Enterprising Waters Traveling Exhibition Panels

Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal is a traveling eight-panel exhibition from the New York State Museum that brings the canal’s visionary history, lasting impact, and bicentennial commemoration directly to schools and cultural institutions across New York. Discover how to access and download the exhibition panels to share this story with your community.