Albany County
Albany’s history is the history of America. The fertile shores of the Hudson and rich wildlife bounty made this a prosperous home to native Americans for centuries. In 1609 Dutch explorer Henry Hudson, while searching for the Northwest passage landed in Albany, the navigable head of the river that was to bear his name. Since then Albany has been home to prominent business people, government leaders and immigrants from throughout the world. Evidence of this illustrious past is found in the historic homes of the Schuylers’, Ten Broecks’ and Rankin family (Historic Cherry Hill). All homes are open for public tours. The Albany Institute of History and Art is a wonderful repository of Hudson Valley history while the NYS Museum relates the story of the people of New York. 

 
Fulton County
Explore Revolutionary War history in Fulton County where Sir William Johnson, liaison to the Mohawk Indians, was the single largest landowner in Fulton County during the 18th Century. Visit museums, old homes, old restaurants, battle and burial grounds throughout the county and take yourself back to the 18th Century. Historic Johnstown walking tours are scheduled during the summer. Guided and self-guided tours will certainly make your trip memorable. Fulton County also has many old leather shops from the old days of the booming leather industry predominantly in the cities of Gloversville and Johnstown. Some leather shops are open and running and still sell gloves and other leather goods. Explore more history at the Fulton County Museum in Gloversville. For more information or for a factory outlet guide call 1/800-676-3858. While visiting the Fulton County Museum in Gloversville filled with the only complete glove-making exhibit in the U.S., be sure to meander the Commons, the site of the original wooden church (built c. 1795) and the center of the Kingsboro glove industry. Facing the Commons is the Daniel Potter House (c.1800), Kingsboro Church(1838), Kingsboro Cemetery, and the Gaingell House. N. Kingsboro Ave. at E. State St. The museum is open April-November, Tues.-Sat., 10-4 and Sun., Noon-4. For information, 518-725-2203. Take a self-guided or guided tour of Colonial and Victorian Johnstown. See historical attractions such as: City Center Park (the burial ground of baronet Sir William Johnson), Old Colonial Cemetery (on the NY State Registry), Mrs. Henry’s Boarding House (Site of Susan B. Anthony’s Writing), the Fulton County Court House (the oldest working Courthouses in the U.S.), and St. John’s Episcopal Church, Built by Sir William Johnson. Tours begin at the corner of West Main and North Market Streets in Johnstown and are held during the summer on Thursdays and Fridays at 2 pm and Saturdays at 10 am. For details call the Johnstown Visitor Center at 518-725-0641. Johnson Hall State Historic Site on Hall Ave. in Johnstown was built in 1763. This Georgian Manor became the nucleus of a working estate. Sir William Johnson, loyalist to the English Crown and liaison to the Indians was the most influential individual in the settlement and development of the Mohawk Valley. For more than a decade Johnson Hall bustled with activity and today it’s a popular historical attraction. 

 
Rensselaer County
The local boast is that life looks good from here. So does much else, including history. Start at Rensselaer’s Fort Crailo, where "Yankee Doodle" was written. Visit Troy’s Oakwood Cemetery, where "Uncle Sam" Wilson is buried. Continue on to Schagticoke’s Knickerbocker Mansion, the original home of the family parodied by Washington Irving. Then go see the Bennington Battlefield, which is not in Vermont! Visit South Troy’s Burden Iron Works Museum, downtown Troy’s Hart-Cluett Mansion, and Lansingburgh’s Melville House. Along the way, you’ll pass the site of the most powerful water wheel in human history, the site of the foundry that made the replacement for the Liberty Bell, the place where "’Twas the Night before Christmas" was first published, and the room where the contract to build the U.S.S. Monitor was signed. You’ll also pass some of the most stunning Victorian streetscapes and Tiffany windows in the nation,.. If it’s summer, pay homage to the sacred Native American settlements that were at the Papscanee Island Nature Preserve and Schodack Island State Park. In fall, watch the celebrated Uncle Sam Parade. In winter, drive historic Route 2 to Grafton State Park to enjoy winter activities. And in glorious spring, watch the daffodils bloom at Oakwood Cemetery and attend the largest Flag Day parade in the country. For more information, contact Rensselaer County Tourism at www.renscotourism.com

 
Saratoga County
Lakes to Locks Passage – This National Scenic Byway takes you through a spectacular landscape laden with history. Start in Waterford in the southern part of Saratoga County visiting Peebles Island State Park, the Waterford Historical Museum & Cultural Center. Travel north to the Saratoga National Historical Park, Saratoga National Cemetery, the General Schuyler House and Saratoga Monument. For a map and brochure contact 584-3255 or champlaincanal.org Saratoga Springs Museums Tour – This community touts seven unusual historical facilities: The Children’s Museum, Saratoga Springs History Museum, the National Museum of Dance, National Museum of Racing, New York State Military Museum, Saratoga Automobile Museum and the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery. For a map and brochure contact 584-3255 or museumsofsaratoga.com. Also, be sure to use our Saratoga Area Museums Pass available at www.saratoga.org/museumspass.

 
Schenectady County
New York State’s 1st Historic District – the Stockade, is located in downtown Schenectady. Begin your tour at the Schenectady County Historical Society Museum at 32 Washington Avenue (head north on Washington Avenue from Route 5/State Street.) A complimentary walking tour map of the district is available here. The Dutch first settled the district in 1661 and homes built from 1690 to 1920 can be found in the area, including the home of Joseph Yates, the first mayor of Schenectady and the 4th Governor of New York State. After leaving the Stockade, continue east on Union Street to Union College, chartered in 1795, the first college chartered by the State of New York. Home to many beautiful buildings most notable is the national historic landmark, the Nott Memorial, a prime example of High Victorian Gothic. Once you leave the college, proceed on Nott Terrace to Vale Park. This attractive 35-acre park is also a historic rural cemetery. It is the final resting place of 57 Revolutionary War soldiers, Civil War soldiers and many of industry’s renowned scientists. Located next door is the Schenectady Museum and the Heritage Area Visitors Center, which has several exhibits highlighting Schenectady’s diverse culture and history. 

 
Washington County

The Pember Library and Museum was established in Granville, New York, in 1909, by Franklin Tanner Pember and his wife Ellen Wood.  The Pember Museum collections are a wonderful example of the bio-diversity of the area 100 years ago, as well as specimens from around the world.  There are approximately 10,000 objects in the collections covering a wide variety of natural history subjects including birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, arachnids and sea life, rocks, minerals, fossils, some anthropological and historical materials, and a herbarium (dried plant specimens). And over 1,000 specimens of plants both locally and from around the continental United States www.pembermuseum.com
The Slate Valley Museum also in Granville offers exhibits of historic artifacts from the area's renowned slate quarries and mills, displays revealing the science and art of slate quarrying, and its influence on the Slate Valley culture, a quarry shanty, complete with all the machinery and tools used in traditional slate quarrying.  Visitors will find a geological display illustrating the natural history of slate, examples of how slate has been used in the structure and decor of local buildings, and as inspiration for artworks in various media.
Take a stroll across the Mettawee on the covered steel bridge that link the properties and step inside the Pember Museum and marvel at Mr. Pembers collection.  www.slatevalleymuseum.org

Birthplace of the United State's Navy! In 1960, the NY State Legislature recognized Whitehall as the Birthplace of the US Navy, based on historical events.  The Skenesborough Museum in Whitehall, NY housed in an unused canal terminal built in 1917 is also a NYS Heritage Area Visitor Center. One focal point of the museum is a 16 foot diorama depicting the home and out buildings of Philip Skene, community founder, the seven ways on which the first ships were built at Skenesborough, maps, photographs and artifacts describe involvement in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.  The Transportation theme includes Lake, Canal and Railroad events that became the life work of many local residents. All of the more than 4,000 artifacts on display in the visitor center and museum have a direct connection to Whitehall and have been donated by interested people. cbgbird@yahoo.com

The Museum and Howard Hanna Memorial Civil War Enlistment Center consist of two buildings near the center of the hamlet of Hartford. They represent the history of life during the 1800s in a small upper New York State rural community and the participation of Hartford citizens in the Civil War.  Housed in the former Elisha Straight house, is reported to be the oldest remaining house in the hamlet of Hartford dating back to the early 1800s. The Civil War Enlistment Center building is where the men of Hartford enlisted in Co. E. 123d Regt. New York State Volunteers. The building, items and documents tell the story of their 3000 mile three year journey to glory and service to the Union. This building is the only Civil War Enlistment Center remaining in New York State. The collection concentrates on the men, their equipment, their stories and the battles. For more information call: (518) 632-9151.  School tours are also available.