Upcoming Events at the Rensselaerville Historical Society

RENSSELAERVILLE — Huycks Road in Rensselaerville is off of Main Street.  Take Pond Hill Road which is just before the large Grist Mill and the road is to the north. Huyck Road is across from Lake Myosotis no more than a 1/2 hour from Main Street. When Spring gets here a second entrance is located off of State Route 85 (Helderberg Turnpike), it is closed during the winter. There is a parking lot near the Guggenheim building and auditorium. Hilltown Commons is the new name for the prior Carey Institute or Rensselaerville Institute.

A series of programs open to the public will be held in Rensselaerville at Hilltown Commons in March and April.  The programs, open to all area residents, are sponsored by the Rensselaerville Historical Society, Hilltown Commons, and the Rensselaerville  Library.

Hilltown Commons is the new name for the prior Carey Institute or the Rensselaerville Institute.  It is located off Huyck Road across from Lake Myosotis. There is a parking lot near the Guggenheim building and auditorium which is available for those attending the programs.

The American Revolution by Ken Burns will be shown on March 8, 15, and 22 beginning at 5 p.m.  Two episodes will be screened each evening.

April programs will begin  Sunday, April 12 at 5 p.m.  when Donna Gwin, secretary of the Knox Historical Society will speak on Henry Knox and his Noble Train of Artillery.  In the winter of 1775-76 Henry Knox moved 60 tons of cannons 300 miles from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston. It has been claimed that this feat significantly shortened the American Revolution.

On Saturday April 18 at 4 p.m.  The Lost Radio Rounders will present  America 250: a concert of songs and stories.

Saturday, April 25  at 4 p.m.  The Calico Rebellion: The Anti-Rent War and the Second American Revolution, a film  written and directed by Victoria Kupchinetsky will be shown.

Two hundred  years ago in the Catskill Mountains  men armed with rifles and pitchforks, disguised in leather masks and calico gowns staged what has been called the “Second American Revolution,” also known as the anti-rent wars which paved the way to land rights across America.  The  movie  dramatizes the historic event  in songs, stories and costumes from the 1840s.

Reservations are not required.  Refreshments will be available for purchase and there will be an opportunity to make a free will donation.