I recently attended the Association of Public Historians of New York State (APHNYS) 2008 Spring Conference in Glens Falls. It was a privilege to attend for the town of Victory and as Cayuga County's only representative.

As a new historian, I heard plenty of information in workshops ranging from how to set up your historian's office to how to publish your manuscript. All historians agreed that it is an economic benefit to our communities and towns to promote and preserve our history.

I met James Foltz from the NYS Archives and Stephanie Barrett and Kathi Stanley from the NYS Library who gave presentations on their resources.

Robert Weible, our new state historian, gave an address one night on the “Power of History” and that in New York state one can find all the themes of history - wars, industrialization, immigration, famous people, etc. adding to the heritage of our state. Our new governor, David Paterson, is also a lover of history and a special friend to APHNYS.

Our NYS Military Museum is now well settled in the old Armory (c. 1900) in Saratoga Springs after being moved from place to place in Albany over the years. Former governor George Pataki conducted the opening ceremony on Oct. 22, 2002. Michael Aikey, the executive director, gave a virtual tour of the museum which has a vast collection of 19th century long arms, a World War II jeep, an Iraqi general's uniform, a cavalry flag collection and boots from a member of the company of Jessica Lynch, former hostage in Iraq. Quite prized in their possession is a World War II M4A3 Sherman tank, which was donated from Watertown and is being restored to power. They also have a library research center and oral history program to record the story of our veterans.

There were a number of historical re-enactors present in period clothing and “in character” discussing a particular time in history. I talked to “Cheeksaunkum,” a Mohican Indian portrayed by Michael Dickinson, who is a re-enactor for the French and Indian War. His Christian name was Captain Jacobs and he was allied with the British in the 1750s. He was associated with Robert Rogers' Rangers from Massachusetts. Located in Glens Falls, just below the falls of the Hudson River is Cooper's Cave, the cave made famous in James Fenimore Cooper's 1826 novel, “Last of the Mohicans.”

Glens Falls is celebrating a centennial this year, and 2009 is a special year for all of New York state when we celebrate the “quadricentennial” of Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River and Champlain Valley (1609 to 2009). There will be a special 400th year exhibit under the direction of David Palmquist at the New York State Museum in Albany. Also in 2009 is the anniversary of the birth of president Abraham Lincoln, who was born Feb. 12, 1809.

The Victory History Center on Routes 38 and 370 in Victory will host the meeting of the Old Brutus Historical Society (Weedsport) at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, and present our historical program. The meeting and program are open to the public.

The next Victory Fire Department chicken barbecue is at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 18. Call the firehouse ahead for a take-out order at 626-6866. Thanks to all the men and women of the fire department and auxiliary who work so hard at these barbecues and thank you for your support.

Beverly Sayles is the Victory town historian.