The Stockade Association

Commemorating the Stockade’s Heritage

 

COMMEMORATION WEEKEND: February 4-5

Schenectady Aflame: Great Fires of the 19th Century: A Talk by Chris Leonard, Schenectady City Historian. Saturday February 4, 2-3:30pm at Sch’dy County Historical Society. SCHS members free, $8 at door.

Stockade History Walk: Moved to the Stockade Inn due to weather. Sponsored by First Reformed Church.

Stockade Luminaries: Saturday, February 4, at dusk. Throughout the Stockade. The Stockade Association will distribute luminary supplies during their social hour at Arthur’s Market on Monday, January 30, 3-4:30pm, and again on the morning of Saturday, February 4. These simple luminaries consist of a white paper bag, a bit of sand and a votive candle. Find other luminary ideas online. Sponsored by First Reformed Church and the Stockade Association.

Tavern Night: Saturday, February 4, 5:30pm at the Stockade Inn, 1 N. Church St. All are welcome! Potluck dinner. Sponsored by the Stockade Ass’n.

First Reformed Church Heritage Sunday: Sunday, February 5. 10am Worship service; 11:15am Forum on the life of Rev. Poling; 5pm Jazz Vespers.

FIRE! It strikes fear like nothing else. From the 1690 Massacre to the great fires of the 19th century, Schenectady has survived momentous conflagrations in its history. On Saturday, February 4, these events will be highlighted in a commemoration of the Stockade’s history.

Schenectady’s first terrible fire occurred on the night of February 8, 1690, during what’s known as the Schenectady Massacre. Frenchmen with Indian allies marched from Montreal, Canada, to attack unsuspecting settlers. The attackers were brutal, slaughtering men, women and children and burning most buildings, including the church. The small Dutch settlement that Arendt Van Curler had founded 29 years before was left in ashes. But due to the tenacity of the survivors and the sympathy of their Mohawk Indian friends, the community rebuilt. During the 18th century, Schenectady prospered from the fur trade and other commerce, taking advantage of its strategic location on the Mohawk River.

Stockade Luminaries: As dusk falls on Saturday evening, February 4, another Stockade tradition will take place. Luminaries will create a soft glow on front stoops and streets, commemorating Schenectady’s history. The Stockade Association and First Reformed Church encourage neighbors and businesses to set out luminaries at sundown.

End February 4 Commemoration evening with Tavern Night at the Stockade Inn. The Stockade was home to many pubs and saloons in its early years; travel back to the ambiance of early taverns at this Stockade Association event. Free; bring a “potluck” dish to share. Musicians, stories and neighbors all are welcome!