I was intrigued to read in Joseph Dalton's June 16 article, "Past Forward," that Franklin Vagnone of the Historic House Trust will present his "anarchist" vision for historic house museums at the Rensselaer County Historical Society.
I commend RCHS for inviting Vagnone. It is a testament to the kind of forward-thinking institutions that punctuate the Capital Region.
Left unsaid in Dalton's article is that many of the approaches framed by Vagnone as radical have been implemented at Albany's historic sites for years.
If you want an event that says "Stay a while, and come back soon," attend Schuyler Mansion's Twelfth Night celebration — an 18th-century tradition, with mulled wine, wassailers and a bonfire. If theater is your preference, consider Historic Cherry Hill's dramatic retelling of the site's infamous 1827 murder, a tale woven on a spooky October evening.
As to "risking irrelevance," Cherry Hill's very mission is to spur users to think critically about why history matters. Our recent program series "Got Class?" (a collaboration with Schuyler Mansion) explored social class through museum theater, lectures and a panel discussion.
Cherry Hill, Schuyler, and Ten Broeck mansions have also collaborated with eight other entities to form Partners for Albany Stories, working to develop a compelling, relevant narrative for the city. It's a work in progress. And, please, before dismissing our work as "irrelevant," come and see what we're up to.
The Capital Region has amazing treasures in its backyard.
Deborah Emmons- Andarawis
Curator,
Historic Cherry Hill, Albany