Cohoes 150

Fact of the day for December 30, 2020 As 2020 comes to a close, and we near completion of the year-long series of Facts of the Day, we note the elected leadership in Cohoes, from the first elected officials, to those currently serving in office. The image is a photo of the actual record of the first meeting of the new Mayor and Councilmembers. Note that several of the names are familiar to us to this day... In our 150th year we are represented by Mayor Bill Keeler, and Aldermen representing the First Ward: William Smith; Second Ward: Donald Russell; Third Ward: Christopher Briggs; Fourth Ward: Council President William McCarthy; Fifth Ward: Adam Biggs; and Sixth Ward: Justin Alesio. Here is a list of the previous Mayors of Cohoes: https://www.ci.cohoes.ny.us/312/Listing-of-Mayors-Since-1869

Fact of the day for December 29, 2020 This year we mark the 150th anniversary of the formation of Cohoes as a city, but our history began long before, with the settlement of members of the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy. The land around the Cohoes Falls is sacred territory to the Mohawk Nation, rich in history.

Fact of the day for December 28, 2020 Do you have memories and or photos of Rotary Club activities here in Cohoes during the last 93 years? The Rotary Club of Cohoes is a service club of involved professionals who gather in the spirit of fellowship to provide support and service to the community. Check out their website to learn more about how to get involved: http://www.rotaryclubofcohoes.org/index.html Have you seen their 2020 ornament? Since 2004 the Cohoes Rotary Club has been selling an annual collectible holiday ornament, featuring an historic Cohoes landmark, as a fundraiser to support a range of Cohoes programs and activities. The Cohoes 150 logo was featured this year. More information is available here: http://www.rotaryclubofcohoes.org//Cohoes%20150th%20Annive

Fact of the day for December 27, 2020

Fact of the day for December 26, 2020 Do you know anyone who was in the Cohoes Polish National Alliance all-girls Drum & Bugle Corps in the 1930’s & 1940’s? or who played on the Cohoes PNA sponsored baseball team who were undefeated champions of Northeastern NY in 1932?... or danced with the Polka Dolls and Guys Dance Group formed in 1981?.. and can you recall their amazing dinners and food at the bazaars? The Cohoes PNA has contributed so much to our community learn their history here in the Spindle City Historic Society’s Spring 2006 newsletter: http://www.spindlecity.net/NewsLetters/2006-1-Spring.pdf

Fact of the day for November 5, 2020

Fact of the day for November 4, 2020 Clothing products once manufactured in Cohoes were sold around the country . C.W. Vredenburgh, manufacturer of Fine Knit Underwear for example

Fact of the day for November 3, 2020 How did Cohoes residents learn of the election results in the 1896 Presidential election? Via wire reports and with the use of a Stereopticon.. a so-called Magic Lantern or slide projector learn more about these machines here: http://www.performingartsarchive.com//Stereopticon-Picture

Fact of the day for November 2, 2020 Apparently there has been a long history of providing instruction about how to cast a ballot, so that the voter’s vote will count. Look at these instructions for the men who were voting, that we found in the 1895 Cohoes Republican

Fact of the Day for November 1, 2020 According to newspaper reports the weather on Halloween night 1899 was not conducive to many of the outdoor sports and pranks usually indulged in by young folks on Halloween, but few irrepressible small boys were around the streets with tin horns tooting and playing pranks. Overall, however, reports were of an evening of many social gatherings in people’s homes.

Fact of the day for October 31, 2020 Happy Halloween!!!

Fact of the day October 30, 2020

Fact of the day for October 29, 2020 Have you seen the corner stone on the Middle School, perched on top of the hill on Columbia Street? Here is information about what lies behind it. Buried there 101 years ago today at a ceremony that included the Cohoes Commissioner of Education Abram Lansing, a host of other dignitaries, along with parents and students of what was then and for many years after the Cohoes High School. #Cohoes150

Fact of the day for October 28, 2020 On this National First Responders Day we want to thank and honor all of the first responders -- nurses, doctors, other health care workers, police officers, firefighters, and other public safety workers, and all others on the front lines -- who throughout the history of our community have worked tirelessly to help keep us healthy and safe! And Thank you also to their families! Photos provided by the Spindle City Historic Society... #Cohoes150

Fact of the day for October 27, 2020

Fact of the day for October 26, 2020 Many women who worked in the factories never had the opportunity to complete their education when they were children. This story in the Cohoes Republican showed that, even back in 1895, it was not too late to learn. #Cohoes150

Fact of the day for October 25, 2020 A week from today is Daylight Saving Time, when we turn our clocks back. This practice first started in the U.S. in March 1918 as a wartime measure, but was not consistently done at all or done on the same day until 1966 with enactment of the Uniform Time Act. Here is something we found about how turning back the clocks was done in Cohoes in those early years

Fact of the day for October 24, 2020 As we re-launch our Adopt-A-Park program, with volunteers working around the city today to improve our beautiful public spaces, we are delighted to feature a look back at Cohoes’ own New York Central Park. Now known as Dooley Park, this hidden gem is up for adoption if you are a business, neighborhood group, or civic organization who wants to volunteer!