Thursday, October 29, 2015

Kick off NYS History Month at the U Club on 11/4

Albany: Our History, Our Future
Mayor's Luncheon Launches NYS History Month


New York State History Month was established by an act of the Legislature in 1997. But for many years, people lamented the lack of programming to mark History Month. In 2014, the University Club hosted a series of events celebrating the history of New York State, and continues the tradition in 2015.

The University Club will kick off its celebration of New York State History Month with a luncheon with Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, who will discuss Albany’s rich history and provide an update on the role heritage tourism will play in the city’s future. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 4, at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue.

The luncheon is the first in a series of events comprising a Celebration of New York State History Month in November, 2015. Presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, the events will be open to the public. The month-long celebration will include luncheons and evening lectures featuring experts in a variety of disciplines discussing the history of New York State and the Albany area.

The cost for the luncheon is $25 and reservations are required. The University Club will serve a hot and cold buffet from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the program commencing at 12:30. Reservations for the November 4 luncheon are required by Monday, November 2 and may be made by calling the Club at 518-463-1151; by sending an email to ellen@universityclubalbany.com; or online with a credit card. A discounted subscirption is available for those who also sign up for a reception on Friday, November 6, honoring WMHT Educational Communications for producing programming of the highest quality about the Capital Region’s history and culture, with admission to both events for $50.

Guests are encouraged to share the warmth of the season with our neighbors in need by making a contribution to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The University Club will have a large collection box on display in the lobby, and will accept donations of non-perishable food items and checks made payable to “Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York” throughout the month of November. For every $1 donated, the Regional Food Bank can distribute $10 worth of food.

New York State History Month programming is presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, a 501c3 corporation. The Foundation was formed in 2009 to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the National Register-listed University Club building, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

For more information about the University Club’s celebration of New York State History Month, including program updates, please visit www.universityclubalbany.com .

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Honor WMHT for NYS History Month! Friday, 11/6

A Celebration of New York State History Month
Honoring WMHT Educational Telecommunications
Friday, November 6 at the University Club of Albany


New York State History Month was established by an act of the Legislature in 1997. But for many years, people lamented the lack of programming to mark History Month. In 2014, the University Club hosted a series of events celebrating the history of New York State, and continues the tradition in 2015. 

The signature event of the University Club’s Celebration of New York State History Month, a cocktail reception honoring WMHT Educational Telecommunications, will be held on Friday, November 6 at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue.

At the reception, (Robert Altman, President of WMHT Educational Telecommunications?) will accept the University Club’s Donald O. Meserve Award for Achievement in History and Culture. For more than 50 years, WMHT has produced programming of the highest quality about the Capital Region’s history and culture. Through this documentary storytelling, WMHT has expanded our understanding of the people and places that define our region, and fostered an enduring pride of place among local residents.


In 2014, the inaugural award was presented to Len Tantillo, a professional architect who went on to study, envision and illustrate the early built environment of New York State, and whose artwork has won high acclaim and engaged audiences well beyond the subject area of history.

The reception is one in a series of events comprising a Celebration of New York State History Month in November, 2015. Presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, the events will be open to the public. The month-long celebration will include luncheons and evening lectures featuring experts in a variety of disciplines discussing the history of New York State and the Albany area.

New York State History Month at the University Club is sponsored by AT&T, which has long supported the Foundation’s educational programming.

The cost for the reception, which includes light fare and cash bar, is $30 and reservations are required. The reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the program, featuring excerpts of many of WMHT’s history documentaries, commencing at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to stay for the after party from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. with swing, standards and rock from alt-folk diva Mother Judge and friends.

Reservations for the November 6 reception are required by Thursday, November 5 and may be made by calling the Club at 518-463-1151; by sending an email to Ellen; or online. Additional events are also listed online.


Guests are encouraged to share the warmth of the season with our neighbors in need by making a contribution to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The University Club will have a large collection box on display in the lobby, and will accept donations of non-perishable food items and checks made payable to “Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York” throughout the month of November. For every $1 donated, the Regional Food Bank can distribute $10 worth of food.

New York State History Month programming is presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, a 501c3 corporation. The Foundation was formed in 2009 to recognize and maintain the unique historic and architectural significance of the National Register-listed University Club building, its historic neighborhood and the city of Albany, where it has been located since its inception in 1901.

For more information about the University Club’s celebration of New York State History Month, including program updates, please visit www.universityclubalbany.com .