The Great Hudson-Fulton Celebration Of 1909

Stuart W. Lehman will present “Light on the Past: The Great Hudson-Fulton Celebration of 1909 and Its Legacy” at the Stephentown Historical Society meeting on Monday, August 3.  The meeting is at 7:30 pm at the Heritage Center on Garfield Road (County Route 26) in Stephentown. It is free and open to the public. The building is handicapped accessible. For directions, telephone 518-733-5675.
Just as we are now celebrating the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s exploration of the river that bears his name, in 1909 New Yorkers staged a unique historical event: The Hudson-Fulton Celebration.  They marked the combined 300th anniversary of Hudson’s voyage and 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s development of the first practical steamboat with parades, carnivals, banquets and a naval flotilla that traveled up the Hudson from Manhattan to Troy.  Lehman’s slide presentation will look at the events of 1909 and other historical festivals and observances. Vintage photographs, postcards and artifacts will show how people chose to celebrate history 100 years ago and how that differs from today’s historical commemorations.
Lehman is an Education Coordinator for the New York State Office of General Services, where he develops and presents programs and tours and conducts research related to the New York State Capitol Building.  On weekends he participates in Revolutionary War re-enactments as a colonial doctor.