Press Release: Schenectady Colonial Festival

The following Press Release was sent out by Schenectady County Community CollegeCommunity Archaeology Program

Dear Friend,

Do you know that:
 Schenectady County Community College has a program in archaeology serving our
community through the efforts of many dedicated volunteers?
 Thousands of soldiers mobilized in Schenectady during the French and Indian War?
 Cannon balls from the French and Indian War were discovered in the Stockade Historic
District during the summer of 2012?
 By the early 1700’s, Mabee, Brower, Bradt, Putman and Vrooman family members were
moving from Schenectady to settle near Fort Hunter?
 Hurricane Irene’s destructive force actually accomplished something positive?

Each February, Schenectady’s annual Colonial Festival celebrates our early history and our
community’s ability to overcome significant obstacles and tragedy to recover and grow anew. A
keystone event is the Colonial Festival Dinner. This year's dinner will benefit the Community
Archaeology Program (CAP) at Schenectady County Community College.

The dinner will be at the Glen Sanders Mansion on Thursday, February 7, 2013. We'll start with
hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. There will be a display of CAP activities and finds (including some
of those cannon balls!). You can also participate in a silent auction, featuring a signed, framed
historical print on canvas by Len Tantillo.

After dinner, we will have a presentation by Michael Roets, Historic Sites Archaeologist of the
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. He will discuss how hurricanes Irene
and Lee initiated the discovery of the actual Fort Hunter and other features of the original
settlement at today's Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site. Schenectadians played an important
role at the fort – Governor Hunter used Schenectady carpenters to build the fort and prominent
Schenectady families settled there in the 1700s.

Come join us to celebrate the Colonial Spirit with an evening of fine food, fellowship, and
learning! We are looking forward to your support and sharing this exciting event with you!

78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, New York 12305-2294 ∙ 518/381-1200 ∙ www.sunysccc.edu