No reason to Bragg about this any more…

Last week, I wrote a post about how my mother told me that allegedly I was related in one way or another to Braxton Bragg, former Civil War general of the Confederacy. The thing is, when it comes to my mother, I am a person who follows the rule of “Trust … but verify.”  And…

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North Pearl and Columbia Streets in the late 19th century

Of late, I’ve been absorbed by the discipline of stereoscopic photography – creating three-dimensional images with film prints, and using some sort of viewer or printing technique to recreate the 3-D effect. The other day, I came across a vintage Albany-themed 3-D stereoview card from the “American Scenery” series, and although the print is somewhat…

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Coins of the Rebellion: The Civil War currency of Albany merchants

I want to show you some historic treasures today.  It’s a window to Albany life from 150 years ago.  And it’s a nice collectible series as well. Take a look at this.  This is an actual minted token from 1863 for a shoe store on Broadway. And tokens like this were the norm in 1863…

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A new life for Frontier Town in 2017

You might have missed it when Governor Andrew Cuomo issued his recent “State of the State” addresses, but buried on page 102 of the adjoining “State of the State” budget report is a $32 million plan to revitalize what was once the Frontier Town amusement park into a new type of tourist attraction. The plan…

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BUILT 2016 is coming…

One of my favorite charities during my late-year “Charity Season” is Historic Albany Foundation, and their BUILT: Albany’s Architecture Through Artists’ Eyes auction and fundraiser is an event I totally treasure. BUILT is an amazing charity event, in which Albany’s top artisans create breathtaking artwork and imagery inspired by the architecture – past and present…

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L-Ken’s sign, restaurant, demolition began today

I knew it would happen.  It was only a matter of time. But when I received a message from one of my loyal blog readers, I knew I only had a few moments to act. Background. I had just put the finishing touches on this morning’s blog, when I received a comment on one of…

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The Storytown U.S.A. “Do Declare” Coloring Book

By now, I’m sure you’ve enjoyed watching the WMHT documentary “Charles R. Wood: A Storied Life.”  It’s a great piece about the history of the man who created Storytown U.S.A. / The Great Escape, as well as creating Gaslight Village, the HH Ranch, all those great businesses and entertainment spots throughout the Adirondacks. And since…

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Frontier Town buildings could be demolished soon

If there was any hope of restoring the closed Frontier Town amusement park to any sort of former glory… this news pretty much quashed that hope. According to the upstate New York website Sun Community News, legislators have discussed with the Essex County Board of Supervisors the need to demolish and dismantle the original remaining…

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Dream Window 18: Friday Night Fish Fry

I’ve previously built Dream Windows that featured the Capital District’s iconographic artwork and architecture.  Dream Window #5: The Thirst Quencher captured the Coca-Cola advertisement in Schenectady, for example. Now comes a new challenge – to build a Dream Window based on a disappearing Capital District advertising sign… and to make that sign dance once more,…

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The Super 8mm World

Way back in ancient times – well, “ancient” meaning at least the 1970’s – if you wanted to watch a motion picture at home, there were few options.  You could wait until the local television station broadcast it as a “Movie of the Week,” or you could purchase the movie and watch it at home…

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