Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial
Press Releases and Announcements
Governor George Patake signed legislation in 2002 establishing the
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. The 21-member commission
will plan and develop the 400th anniversary celebrations of the voyages
of discovery made by Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain in 1609, as
well as the 200th anniversary of the launching of Robert Fulton's steamboat
on the Hudson River in 1807.
April 2009 - Hurds Family Farm is planning a qaudricentennial corn maze depicting Henry Hudson's ship the Half Moon Click here to find a preview.
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
celebration finally on fast track
February 3, 2008
After years of slow and uncertain progress, organizing and especially
promoting and marketing, the state's Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial
celebration is finally on a fast train. Commission executive director
Tara Sullivan and director Bob Bullock have redefined what the 400th
is going to be all about -- in large measure because time is short and
so is big new money for exotic projects.
Leadership
Team Announced for Quadricentennial Commission
Feburary 2008 issue, NY DEC
DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis recently announced the selection of Tara
Sullivan as Executive Director of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial
Commission. Sullivan brings a strong background in event organizing,
community and government relations, and public policy to this position.
She most recently served as Governor Spitzer's regional representative
in the Hudson Valley. Her office will be located at DEC's headquarters
in Albany, but she will spend much of her time on the road orchestrating
quadricentennial programs, projects and events throughout the Hudson
River Valley. Sullivan will be joined by Robert Bullock, long-time
president of the NYS Archives Partnership Trust, in the role of director.
His focus will be on marketing initiatives, as well coordinating local
efforts in the Champlain region.
State
Sen. Steve Saland worries about Hudson celebration
January 24, 2008, Kingston Freeman
KINGSTON - New York state created the Quadricentennial Commission in
2002 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage
of discovery, but now state Sen. Steve Saland wonders if the state will
be on time for its own party. Notwithstanding Gov. Eliot Spitzer's financial
support for the project in his state budget proposal, Saland, a Poughkeepsie
Republican who authored the enabling legislation, said it will be a
"tight timeline" for the state to get its act together for
celebrations expected to begin in the summer of 2009. Hudson's epic
voyage took place in the autumn of 1609. "It languished for quite
a while," Saland said. "I'd be surprised if they can get it
all out the door."
Hudson
Estuary Grants Announced in Preparation for Quadricentennial
Two leaders appointed to the Quadricentennial Commission
January 2008 issue, NY DEC
New York DEC announced more than $1.7 million in Hudson River Estuary
grants for 41 projects in the watershed and the appointment of two people
to lead the Hudson-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission activities
as the state begins building up to the 2009 commemoration. These grants
are for the first of dozens of projects expected to be announced during
the next two years as part of the Legacy Projects portion of the Quadricentennial.
Along with the grants, the state issued an updated Hudson River Estuary
Action Agenda, with new objectives and strategies to address environmental
conditions on the river.
Two leaders have been appointed to the Quadricentennial Commission,
created by Commissioner Grannis. Robert E. Bullock, from Saratoga
County, has been named commission director. Bullock, a career executive
in the fields of development, marketing, public relations and government
advocacy, also serves as president of the NYS Archives Partnership Trust
(the support arm of NYS Archives) and as public affairs officer for
the New York Air National Guard. Tara Sullivan, from Dutchess
County, has been named executive director of the commission. Sullivan,
who has a long career in community relations and public policy, previously
served as Governor Eliot Spitzer's Hudson Valley regional representative
and as director of community relations and internal affairs at Bard
College.
A little short on money,
a lot short on time
December 27, 2007, Times Union, Albany
"Hinchey, Clinton & McHugh obtain final Congressional approval
of $492,200 for Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial celebration,"
read the release. Time is indeed short. In a year and a week the 400th
is on us. Meanwhile, the state's Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial
Commission remains a day late and a dollar short in terms of organization,
momentum, vision, fundraising in the corporate community and in generally
getting the word out.
This week, the commission got its fifth executive director in about
three years. Heather Baker-Sullivan is out, Tara Sullivan (no relation)
is in. The position pays $90,000. Tara Sullivan is the wife of Ned Sullivan,
executive director of Scenic Hudson in Poughkeepsie, and a former spokesperson
for Bard College.
Drums
Along the Hudson
NY Times, November 4, 2007
Gov. George Pataki created the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial
Commission in 2002, charged to commemorate not just the Hudson anniversary
but Samuel de Champlain’s expedition to Lake Champlain and Robert
Fulton’s maiden journey up the Hudson in the steamboat Clermont,
in 1807. Groups like Scenic Hudson are banging the drums now, they say
it’s not because they are being antsy and premature, but because
they don’t want the date to pass without the appropriate grandeur
and lasting impact befitting the significance of the anniversary.
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial Commission Status Report
December 13, 2006
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial Commission Launches Website
May 3, 2006
The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission announced today
the launch of its website: www.ExploreNY400.com.
The Commission is responsible for the planning and development of three
landmark passages in New York State's history: the 400th anniversary
of Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River aboard the Dutch ship,
Half Moon; Samuel de Champlain's expedition to Lake Champlain also 400
years ago; and Robert Fulton's maiden steamship journey up the Hudson
in 1807, all to be celebrated together in 2009.
Fulton, Hudson
milestones show our obligation to the past
March 13, 2006, Times Union, Albany
On Aug. 18, we will celebrate the actual 200th anniversary of Robert
Fulton's chug up the Hudson in the steamboat later named the Clermont.
The boat, powered by a 24-horse, English-made steam engine, made it
from New York City to Albany in a sprightly 33 hours. The bigger deal,
of course, is the 400th anniversary of both Henry Hudson sailing up
the waterway he called the North River to Albany, and Champlain discovering
for Europeans the lake that has his name.
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial Commission - Final Draft Strategic Report
January 3, 2006
Get Ready to Celebrate
Our History
November 20, 2005, Times Union, Albany
If how history treats us depends to a degree on how we treat history,
maybe it's time for an arched eyebrow of concern. Time and money are
tight. So far, the state has committed $150,000 in this fiscal year
toward the event with more presumably to follow, but who knows. .Again
by way of comparison, look at what our Canadian friends are doing. Quebec
is celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2008, on a budget of $115 million.
Fratianni Named Director
of Quadricentennial Commission
October 23, 2005, Times Union, Albany
Barbara Fratianni has been named executive director of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial Commission. She heads the panel planning the state's
major anniversary celebration in 2009 for the 400th anniversary of the
voyages of Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain, and the 200th anniversary
of Robert Fulton's inaugural steamboat run. Events to mark the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial will culminate between July and October of 2009, according
to the state commission established in 2002 to mark the occasion.
A Beneficial Perfect Storm
June 2005, Eye from Albany by Paul M. Bray
After an inexplicable veto of legislation to establish a Temporary State
Commission on the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission,
a Commission law was enacted in February 2002. Not much has happened
since that time, not even a Governor's press conference to rally the
citizens and communities of the State to participate in planning anniversaries
that should be momentous events.
Hudson, Champlain Commission
chief resigns
June 12, 2005, Times Union, Albany
After just eight months on the job, Donald Kasprzak has resigned as
executive director of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission.
Kasprzak had overseen a 21-member commission under the auspices of the
state Office of Parks, Recreation and Preservation. The panel is planning
the state's major anniversary celebration in 2009 for the 400th anniversary
of the voyages of Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain and the 200th
anniversary of Robert Fulton's inaugural steamboat run. The commission
has $150,000 in state funding.
Funding for Hudson,
Champlain events expected soon
October 17, 2004, Times Union, Albany
Donald Kasprzak, who has been appointed executive director of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial Commission, said the historical celebration has a promise
of $150,000 in state funding. Those two announcements are being praised
by people who expressed concern planning had lagged for the major anniversary
in 2009 -- the 400th anniversary of the voyages of Henry Hudson and
Samuel de Champlain and the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton's inaugural
steamboat run.
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission Created
February 13, 2002 Press Release from Governor George Pataki
Governor George Pataki signed legislation establishing the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial Commission. The 21-member commission will plan and
develop the 400th anniversary celebrations of the voyages of discovery
made by Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain in 1609, as well as the
200th anniversary of the launching of Robert Fulton's steamboat on the
Hudson River in 1807.
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