COVID-19 & Our Campus
To learn about how COVID-19 has affected our campus and the changes we have made, read the statement on our homepage at www.hrmm.org.
To learn about how COVID-19 has affected our campus and the changes we have made, read the statement on our homepage at www.hrmm.org.
Follow the River Lecture and Film Series
The Follow the River Lecture series is sponsored by Rondout Savings Bank.
For more than a decade the Hudson River Maritime Museum's "Follow the River Lecture Series" has hosted historians, authors, and maritime experts for engaging illustrated talks on a variety of regional history and maritime subjects. In recent years, many of the lectures have also been recorded and are available on YouTube. For more information about upcoming lectures, please visit our events calendar or see the list below.
If you would like to give a lecture as a visiting speaker, please contact Sarah Wassberg Johnson at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 16.
If you would like to give a lecture as a visiting speaker, please contact Sarah Wassberg Johnson at education@hrmm.org or call 845-338-0071 ext. 16.
Upcoming Lectures, 2022
All lectures are $7 for the general public, and FREE for Hudson River Maritime Museum members. Join today!
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 - "The History and Future of Grain Races"
Steven Woods, Solaris and Education coordinator at HRMM
7:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom
When grain was shipped across the ocean, whoever made it to port first would get the best price on their cargoes. Sailing ships would race the weather, the ocean currents, and each other to beat the odds. This lecture discusses the history of these long-haul races and provides information on the Northeast Grain Race, to be held on the Hudson River in the spring of 2022, including rules and how to participate.
Steven Woods, Solaris and Education coordinator at HRMM
7:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom
When grain was shipped across the ocean, whoever made it to port first would get the best price on their cargoes. Sailing ships would race the weather, the ocean currents, and each other to beat the odds. This lecture discusses the history of these long-haul races and provides information on the Northeast Grain Race, to be held on the Hudson River in the spring of 2022, including rules and how to participate.
Wednesday, February 9, 2021 - “Lost Amusement Parks of the Hudson Valley”
Wes & Barbara Gottlock, local historians and authors
7:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom
Did you know? Amusement parks of all sizes once dotted the shores of the Hudson River, many at or near major Hudson River steamboat landings. Carousels, Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and rides stood alongside swimming pools, boat rentals, and bandstands. With its population growth and its close proximity to New York City, the Hudson Valley was a natural setting for these popular parks, which lined both sides of the Hudson before the turn of the 20th century. Tourists and locals alike were transported to the parks first by Hudson River steamboat or trolley car, and later by automobile.
In this virtual lecture, local historians Wes & Barbara Gottlock, authors of the book Lost Amusement Parks of the Hudson Valley, will highlight some of the impactful parks that reigned as recreation meccas for millions of people for over 50 years.
Wes & Barbara Gottlock, local historians and authors
7:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom
Did you know? Amusement parks of all sizes once dotted the shores of the Hudson River, many at or near major Hudson River steamboat landings. Carousels, Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and rides stood alongside swimming pools, boat rentals, and bandstands. With its population growth and its close proximity to New York City, the Hudson Valley was a natural setting for these popular parks, which lined both sides of the Hudson before the turn of the 20th century. Tourists and locals alike were transported to the parks first by Hudson River steamboat or trolley car, and later by automobile.
In this virtual lecture, local historians Wes & Barbara Gottlock, authors of the book Lost Amusement Parks of the Hudson Valley, will highlight some of the impactful parks that reigned as recreation meccas for millions of people for over 50 years.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - "The World of Elizabeth Jennings"
Jerry Mikorenda, author and historian
7:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom
For many, the civil rights movement began with Rosa Parks’ brave stand against segregation in 1954. However, few people realize that the right for African Americans to even ride in streetcars was earned a hundred years before that in a landmark civil rights case here in New York State.
In 1854, traveling was full of danger. Omnibus accidents were commonplace. Pedestrians were regularly attacked by the Five Points’ gangs. Rival police forces watched and argued over who should help. None of this was on Elizabeth Jennings’ mind as she climbed the platform onto the Chatham Street horsecar.
But her destination and that of the country took a sudden turn when the conductor told her to wait for the next car because it had “her people” in it. When she refused to leave the bus, she was assaulted by the conductor aided by a NYC policeman. Elizabeth Jennings fought for the right to ride New York City horse trolleys, with future president Chester A. Arthur as her defense lawyer.
Historian Jerry Mikorenda breathes life into this little-known struggle with “The World of Elizabeth Jennings,” based on his book, America’s First Freedom Rider: Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights (Rowman & Littlefield). Using rare period photos and lithographs, the author recreates Jennings’ world by exploring the sights and people of old New York as the momentous battle with the Third Avenue Railroad unfolded. The freedoms Elizabeth Jennings fought for – and won – are the underpinning of the civil and gender rights movements that are still a battlefront today. There are rare moments when we can look in the mirror of history and see our own time. America’s First Freedom Rider shows those times are not unlike our own.
Jerry Mikorenda, author and historian
7:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom
For many, the civil rights movement began with Rosa Parks’ brave stand against segregation in 1954. However, few people realize that the right for African Americans to even ride in streetcars was earned a hundred years before that in a landmark civil rights case here in New York State.
In 1854, traveling was full of danger. Omnibus accidents were commonplace. Pedestrians were regularly attacked by the Five Points’ gangs. Rival police forces watched and argued over who should help. None of this was on Elizabeth Jennings’ mind as she climbed the platform onto the Chatham Street horsecar.
But her destination and that of the country took a sudden turn when the conductor told her to wait for the next car because it had “her people” in it. When she refused to leave the bus, she was assaulted by the conductor aided by a NYC policeman. Elizabeth Jennings fought for the right to ride New York City horse trolleys, with future president Chester A. Arthur as her defense lawyer.
Historian Jerry Mikorenda breathes life into this little-known struggle with “The World of Elizabeth Jennings,” based on his book, America’s First Freedom Rider: Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights (Rowman & Littlefield). Using rare period photos and lithographs, the author recreates Jennings’ world by exploring the sights and people of old New York as the momentous battle with the Third Avenue Railroad unfolded. The freedoms Elizabeth Jennings fought for – and won – are the underpinning of the civil and gender rights movements that are still a battlefront today. There are rare moments when we can look in the mirror of history and see our own time. America’s First Freedom Rider shows those times are not unlike our own.
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - "Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth"
Claire Belljereau, author and historian
7:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom
Join Claire Bellerjeau for a talk about her new book, “Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth” and discover the story of Elizabeth, or Liss, enslaved by the Townsend family whose son Robert was Washington's spy in Manhattan as part of the Culper Spy Ring. As Robert and Elizabeth’s story unfolds, prominent figures from history cross their path, including Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Jupiter Hammon, Benedict Arnold, John André, and John Adams, as well as participants in the Boston Massacre, the Sons of Liberty, the Battle of Long Island, Franklin’s Paris negotiations, and the Benedict Arnold treason plot. Her escape with the British, re-enslavement, and struggle for freedom gives a new perspective to the country's founding, from the point of view of an enslaved Black woman seeking personal liberty in a country fighting for its own.
Claire Belljereau, author and historian
7:00 PM | Virtual via Zoom
Join Claire Bellerjeau for a talk about her new book, “Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth” and discover the story of Elizabeth, or Liss, enslaved by the Townsend family whose son Robert was Washington's spy in Manhattan as part of the Culper Spy Ring. As Robert and Elizabeth’s story unfolds, prominent figures from history cross their path, including Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Jupiter Hammon, Benedict Arnold, John André, and John Adams, as well as participants in the Boston Massacre, the Sons of Liberty, the Battle of Long Island, Franklin’s Paris negotiations, and the Benedict Arnold treason plot. Her escape with the British, re-enslavement, and struggle for freedom gives a new perspective to the country's founding, from the point of view of an enslaved Black woman seeking personal liberty in a country fighting for its own.
More Lectures Coming Soon!
2022 Lecture series will return to all-virtual for the winter. If you or someone you know would like to present a lecture at HRMM, please email Sarah Wassberg Johnson at swassberg@hrmm.org.
Did You Miss A Lecture?
With permission from our speakers we are now able to film some of our lectures, so you can catch up on ones you missed! Due to restrictions, not all lectures may be available on video or in full. Watch via our Lecture Series playlist on YouTube. Newest lectures are at the top. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications of new recorded lectures and other films and videos.