2026 Speaker Programs
The years surrounding the 250th are not simply commemorative; they are about connecting people to history through programs that are meaningful, educational, and rooted in place. While America's founders may have declared its independence this July 250 years ago, it was the struggles across a revolutionary period, including an eight-year American war for Independence, that proved liberty protected by a new form of self-government was possible.
Much of that struggle played out among the people and across the places of our region. This spring, Saratoga 250 will feature public programming and content that brings Saratoga Revolutionary Experiences to life, highlighting the individuals whose resolve forged a nation and the landscapes that shaped it.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming opportunities to make America's 250th a Saratoga Revolutionary Experience!
After researching various collections and libraries, including the New York State Historical Society in Cooperstown, the New York State Library and Archives in Albany, the Folklore Archive of the Library of Congress in Washington, and the park library and archive at Saratoga NHP, the trio put together a program that they performed at the park, and surrounding schools and venues in celebration of the Bicentennial of the American Revolution in 1976.
Utilizing period music is a unique and valuable form of historic interpretation, as it is usually primary source documents presented in an entertaining format. Everyone from kids to grandparents enjoy music and even those who say they don't care for history get an enjoyable lesson. The three continued this musical program for another 14 years; and Tim included the use of music in his field interpretation as a USNPS Ranger/Historian at Saratoga, Fort Stanwix, and later, when he served as Chief of Interpretation at Vicksburg NMP.
So now, 50 years later, he is still singing these songs and ballads from 1777, and playing period tunes on the same period instruments he used during the Bicentennial.
Tim Kavanaugh is a former Social Studies teacher, National Park Service Supervisory Park Ranger and Historian, and history buff. He is a member of the Washington County Historical Society, Cambridge Historical Society, and the Washington County 250th Committee. He and his wife, Sandi, live in Cambridge.
Please join us for a rollicking evening of music on September 29th!! The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome to come and enjoy the music and learn about the Revolutionary War. Donations are gladly accepted. If you have any questions, please contact the Washington County Historical Society at 518-747-9108 Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Rural areas are particularly hard hit, as our economy favors ever larger enterprises that draw young people to cities. Farming as a way of life has become increasingly difficult. And yet, Bill argues, people who live in rural areas have an advantage in cultivating the skillful habits that will enable us to flourish now. This talk will summarize for a general audience the ways that rural traditions make it easier to strengthen resilience skills. As an illustration, he will describe some of the practices he learned from farmers and others in Hebron as he built a cabin on his grandparent's sheep farm, Rampastures, in the 1970's. The pictures accompanying this story provide a window into the tremendous landscape change his family has witnessed over the last 75 years.
Bill taught ethics and environmental studies at Green Mountain College from 1996 to 2019. He served as Dean and Provost at the college for 15 of those years. Throughout that time, he maintained the family farm with a flock of sheep and large vegetable gardens. Bill has a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Brown University, a long list of publications, and a record of service at regional and national scales. He served as chair of the Board of Directors for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. He is now president of the Hebron Preservation Society. This talk is adapted from his recent book Flourishing in the Age of Climate Change (Cornell University Press, 2024).
The program is free and open to the public. Donations will be gladly accepted. Please join us for this interesting and informative program.
Please join us in the Green Room from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Attendees will order and purchase their own meal from Wallie's regular menu.
The Business Meeting and Award Presentations will take place from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. with a review of committee reports, membership vote and approval of the proposed WCHS Nominations Slate and the 2027 Budget. Award Presentations will include the Cronkhite Award, Historic Preservation Awards and WCHS President's Awards.
Immediately after the Meeting, a special presentation, authored by Alec McMorris, will explore the rich military history of Salem's citizens from 1754 to 1865, highlighting their service in major conflicts including the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, Shay's Rebellion, the War of 1812, and the U.S. Civil War. It will detail the contributions of local figures such as members of Roger's Rangers, Colonel John Williams, Major Joseph McCracken, and Sergeant Harris Smith Hawthorne, Salem's first Medal of Honor recipient. The narrative will emphasize Salem's unique legacy, tracing its founding to early military service and showcasing stories of heroism, sacrifice, and community defense. Through historical documents, maps, and personal accounts, the presentation will connect Salem's past to its enduring spirit of service. There is no charge for the program. The approximate starting time will be 2:00 p.m. Donations are gladly accepted.
Alec McMorris was born and raised in Salem. He graduated from Salem Washington Academy in 1996 and earned a B.A. in History from the Virginia Military Institute in 2000. Alec retired from the U.S. Army in 2020 after 20 years of active-duty service. He then worked for three years as a contractor with the U.S. Department of State before returning to Washington County in 2023. Alec currently belongs to the American Legion's Francis J. Clark Post 812 and the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Friends of the Bennington Battlefield. He is currently serving at the Vice-President of the Washington County Historical Society.
