Archive Adventures: Discover New York’s Hidden Stories
July 10, 2025
Free
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 original documents, photographs, and videos. An expert archivist will be on hand to share stories, answer your questions, and reveal how we uncover and preserve the past. You never know what fascinating piece of history you’ll discover!
The Federal Writers Program: Writing the State Biography
In 1935, Roosevelt’s New Deal began the biggest literary project in history: the Federal Writers Project. The project employed thousands of workers across the country to collect folklore, history, geology, foodways, and more, producing "biographies" of each state. Stop by to see drafts and articles from the New York office of the FWP. Meet with archivist Josh Hauck-Whealton to learn about the Schenectady Vampire, view a recipe for Schuyler Chicken Pie, catch a glimpse of a 1930s historic tour of Albany, and more!
