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, definitely worth a walking tour using the guide available at Troy’s RiverSpark Visitor Center. 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.rensco.com and Troy’s RiverSpark Visitor Center at www.troyvisitorcenter.org. 

 
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, NYS Military Museum, Saratoga Automobile Museum and the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery. For a map and brochure contact 584-3255 or museumsofsaratoga.com 

 
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
Washington County was part of Charlotte County in the 1700’s. It was a land grant given to Phillip Skene by the King of England. Most of the county is historical in some way. For a tour, start in the southern end of the county on Route 22. Every village and town along the way will have its own historical significance. Starting with Grandma Moses Homestead in Eagle Bridge, Will Moses still has his art gallery there. In the quaint village of Cambridge stop and have lunch at the old Cambridge Hotel, where "Apple Pie ala Mode" was invented. Continue along Route 22 and visit the Rexleigh Covered Bridge and soon you will come to Salem, home of the Fort Salem Theater, and a Revolutionary War cemetery. Backtrack a bit on 22 and take Route 29 to Greenwich. Ride through the historic downtown. Take Route 40 through Argyle another historic village and go to Route 197 to Fort Edward. Visit Rogers Island Visitors Center and learn about the story of the Fort Edward area, from the earliest Native Americans that lived there through the Revolutionary War. Also visit the Old Fort House Museum in Fort Edward. Take Route 4 to Fort Ann and than to Whitehall, birthplace of the United States Navy. Visit the site where Benedict Arnold built a fleet of Ships to fight the British at the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain on October 11, 1776. The historic castle Skene Manor is also there. There are 11 museums scattered across Washington County. Visit the Slate Valley Museum in Granville and explore the exhibits of historic artifacts from the area's renowned slate quarries and mills. (518-642-1417). You may also view displays revealing the science and art of slate quarrying, a quarry shanty, complete with all the machinery and tools, a geological display illustrating the natural history of slate. Then go over a covered bridge to the Pember Museum of Natural History (518-642-1515). At the Pember there is a huge collection of mounted birds and mammals, bird nests and eggs, shells, insects, plants and rocks and minerals. In Whitehall one can open & close a lock at the Skenesborough Museum, a replica of a working Champlain Canal Lock. (518-499-1155/0716). In Hartford is a great exhibit of farm tools & equipment at the Log Village Grist Mill Museum.(518-632-5237). Also see a working gristmill grind corn. The Old Fort House Museum was built in 1772. The house was built with timbers taken from the ruins of the French & Indian War fortification called Fort Edward. The house was used as headquarters by both British and American generals in the Revolutionary War. It is decorated with authentic furnishings depicting the lives of occupants from the 1770’s through the 1940’s. (518-747-9600). The Shushan Covered Bridge Museum really is located in a covered bridge. This two span Town Lattice truss has a total length of 161 feet. This bridge now functions as a museum on the weekends in the summer months. It is an historic bridge built in 1858. (518-854-3870)