Daniel Bernard Roumain uplifts the experience of enslaved people who fought for freedom on the Underground Railroad
As part of the Erie Canal bicentennial commemoration, the Albany Symphony, the NYS Canal Corporation, and Hudson Crossing Park are presenting a festival day celebrating the rich, multifaceted history of Washington and Saratoga Counties, with an emphasis on the experiences of Black Americans, culminating in a free orchestra concert that will feature a thrilling world-premiere composition by DBR (Daniel Bernard Roumain) inspired by the legacy and life of Solomon Northup. Northup was a free-born Black man, professional fiddler, and farmer from Schuylerville and Saratoga Springs, who was kidnapped into slavery in 1841. Upon his rescue in 1853, he wrote a remarkable memoir, Twelve Years a Slave, describing his ordeal in extraordinary detail. He became a noted abolitionist speaker in the years following his return to New York State. DBR, an accomplished violinist himself and a leading American composer, will create a uniquely collaborative work for the Albany Symphony and audience of massed violins, in which community members are all invited to pick up a violin and join in, even those who have never played before. In addition, the day’s events will celebrate the rich culture of the Schuylerville region, the historic Erie Canal and Hudson River, and the central role the region played during the Revolutionary War during the Battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the Revolution. Violinists and country fiddlers of all kinds will be featured during the day, along with visual artists, history and walking tours, and accessible recreational activities. Artisanal foods and beverages from the region will also be featured.
About Hudson Crossing Park
Hudson Crossing Park is a unique recreational and educational destination centered on Champlain Canal Lock 5 Island just outside of Schuylerville, New York. It is open every day year-round from dawn until dusk and is free of charge. Visitors may enjoy picnic facilities, fishing and birding sites, a children's play garden and more than two miles of nature trails with panoramic Hudson River vistas and Champlain Canal overlooks. A floating dock welcomes through-boaters to stay for up to 48 hours and a kayak launch on the Riverwalk Sensory Trail provides access to the Hudson River and Champlain Canal.
The Albany Symphony’s Guide to Fort Plain
One cannot talk about Fort Plain without speaking of the people who first lived on the land: the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka, or as they are also known, the Mohawk. These indigenous people, who belonged to the Iroquois Confederacy, had four major villages along the Mohawk River, a region of which Fort Plain is a key part of. Unfortunately, the arrival of settlers led to a smallpox epidemic which decimated the Mohawk population of this area. However, the culture and traditions of this tribe are kept alive in Upstate New York through the efforts of the nearby Iroquois Museum.
Today, Fort Plain is a small town full of hidden treasures — from art museums where you can find paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe, to coffee shops brewing unique blends of beans. Not to mention, the spacious tracts of rural farmland available there has made it home to one of the largest populations of Amish in the entire country. And, we dare you not to be awed by the majestic beauty of the Mohawk River which flows through town, giving a sense of natural serenity to the landscape.
The Erie Canal and Fort Plain:
The history of the Erie Canal and Fort Plain are completely interwoven — in fact, the village’s establishment in 1831 was entirely due to its location on the canal’s route. Like many towns located along the canal, scores of new workers and enterprising companies flocked to Fort Plain to make use of the canal’s source of power and transportation. Fort Plain itself became a big manufacturing center of textiles and furniture throughout the 19th century. Also, flocks of folks traveled to Fort Plain via the Erie Canal every 3rd week in September for the annual Fort Plain Street Fair. During the Fair, farmers and tradesman displayed their goods, concerts were held in the streets on bandstands, and lion tamers and acrobats regaled the crowds.
The Erie Canal in modern-day Fort Plain is best experienced by bike or by foot on the Empire State Trail. Fort Plain is Mile Marker 285 on the trail and one of the most popular stops for the outdoor enthusiasts who take on parts (or the entirety) of the 750-mile excursion.
THINGS TO DO IN FORT PLAIN:
Museum buffs will find lots to love about Fort Plain. Whether you lean towards history, art, or art that incorporates history, a wealth of knowledge bubbles below the surface of this small town.
324 Caverns Road, Howes Cave, New York 12092
Located about 35 minutes from Fort Plain, on the ancestral lands of the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk people), is this wonderful institution devoted to teaching about, and honoring, the lives and culture of the Six Tribes of the Iroquois. The Museum itself, which is designed in a style that pays homage to the traditional Great Iroquois Longhouses, has not only an incredible trove of historical artifacts, but the world’s most comprehensive collective of modern Iroquois art as well. The top floor features current exhibits, past selections which have included the history of Native Americans and baseball as well as ironworking within tribes, while the lower floor is a family-friendly area that lets kids experience Iroquois traditions first-hand through crafting and games.
How to book: Tickets available for purchase at the museum. Tickets run $8 per adult, $6.50 per senior, and $5 per child.
The Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park
389 Canal Street, Fort Plain, New York 13339
As the town’s name may have clued you in, Fort Plain was once a military outpost — in their case, during the Revolutionary War. The Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park illustrates that legacy on the very grounds on which the fort stood, such architectural treasures as barrack buildings, officer quarters, and a dining hall having been unearthed on the very premises. Consequently, the museum’s exhibits focus mostly on the history of the area in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, with lots of interesting tidbits to be learned about the Erie Canal’s influence on the area. Afterwards, be sure to take a stroll alongside the tranquil and picturesque Mohawk River, whose banks run near the museum’s location.
How to book: Reach out to them through their website or by phone 518-993-2527 to purchase tickets.
2 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie, New York 13317
Housing the art collection of local industrialist, and Beechnut Packing Co. president, Barlett Arkell, this museum has a fine collection of European masterpieces and 19-century American paintings to spend an afternoon browsing through. A native of Canajoharie, Arkell’s taste leaned toward landscapes which reminded him of his native upstate New York, and the paintings found in the galleries certainly evoke that aesthetic. Highlights include seven oil paintings by foremost American landscape artist Winslow Homer, as well as works by Thomas Benton, William M. Chase, and Georgia O’Keeffe.
How to book: Tickets available for purchase at the museum. Tickets run $10 per adult, $7.50 per senior, and free for children 11 and under.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN FORT PLAIN:
Cuisine in Fort Plain is no frills, all flavor — don’t expect anything you have to dress to the nines for. But do expect delicious meals and exceptional service. Most of the spots here are tailor-made for quick bites, but the friendly folks who run and staff the eateries will gladly turn your take-out into a dine-in experience, should you ask them for their take on the local experience and favorite things to do around town.
18 Canal Street, Fort Plain, New York 13339
You might not expect to discover a bit of Turkey in a small corner of Upstate New York, but that is exactly what you will find at the Mediterranean Kitchen. This quick, casual dining spot serves authentic food in a friendly atmosphere that will quickly make you feel like you are part of the family that owns the restaurant. And the flavors here, from the creamy and rich red lentil soup to the perfectly spiced chicken shish kebab, are on full display in large-portioned dishes that are sure to have you bringing some home to enjoy the next day. Be sure not to skip out on dessert here, as their buttery, flaky baklava is one of the house specialties.
7 Canal Street, Fort Plain, New York 13339
If you’re looking to go “where everybody knows your name,” look no further than Erie Station. This dine-in restaurant has delicious comfort food, kind service, and a welcoming, small-town feel — a place where the staff will happily chat with you about Fort Plain history as much as they will about the daily special burgers. Speaking of the burgers, they are for sure the menu standouts, alongside the home-made, hand-cut French fries that come with them. Beyond being just a top dining spot in Fort Plain, Erie Station is also a prime bar hang-out, serving a variety of cold beers on tap nightly and live music most weekends.
84 Canal Street, Fort Plain, New York 13339
Coffee brewing is akin to an act of art at Fort Plain’s sophisticated beanery, Highwheeler Coffee. Java enthusiasts will be delighted to find they offer a variety of caffeinated options included Chemex pour-overs, Kyoto cold brews, and a selection of blends from Kru Coffee out of Saratoga Springs. While you sip your morning latte, you can also get some work done in the pleasant cafe atmosphere which feels cozy and offers plenty of seating for every patron that walks through the doors. Also available for purchase are overnight oats, freshly made paninis, and huge cookies you won’t be able to resist gobbling up all in one sitting.
70 Canal Street, Fort Plain, New York 13339
A new, yet instantly beloved, addition to the Fort Plain dining scene is Fiddlehead Craft Sandwich. This casual dining spot, ample with nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy your meal in, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — and excels in providing tasty options in all of those categories. Regardless of what time of day you decide to come in, an order of their crispy tots, which come with a variety of sauce options, are a must-have. In addition, this eatery is especially great for vegetarians and those who are gluten-free as their menu is very accommodating to all dietary needs.
WHERE TO STAY IN FORT PLAIN:
When it comes to places to stay that are actually in the town of Fort Plain, the options are fairly limited. For the best method to find the closest spots, we would suggest scrolling through the area’s Airbnb listings. However, there are some amazing hotels and B&Bs only a drive away for those willing to make the commute.
410 Canal Place, Little Falls, New York 13365
Originally built in 1839 as a textile mill that created cloth for military uniforms in both the Civil War and World War II, this gem of a hotel provides an upscale bed and breakfast experience. Situated right on the banks of the Mohawk River, depending on where your room is located, you can literally hear the soothing flow of the water lull you into a soft sleep at night. The rooms are spacious and modern, and the service is exceptional, with a friendly and attentive staff more than happy to share local tidbits and tips about where to go and what to do in the small towns around the area.
Distance to concert location: 21-minute drive
Notable amenities: Free parking, free breakfast, onsite cafe.
How to book: Through their website.
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Johnstown
136 North Comrie Avenue, Johnstown, New York 12095
Waking up at the Microtel Inn & Suites in Johnstown, you’ll be able to start your day with a cup of coffee and a fresh stack of waffles at their free continental breakfast, while reading the USA Today newspaper they provide free of service underneath your room door. As typical in chain hotels, you can bet on consistently clean rooms, modern amenities, and excellent service. Being a “microtel,” the rooms here are a bit smaller than your standard hotel, but for those who would rather save money by saving on space, this could be a great option.
Distance to concert location: 27-minute drive
Notable amenities: Free parking, free breakfast, early check-in available.
How to book: Through their website.
Holiday Inn Johnstown-Gloversville
308 North Comrie Avenue, Johnstown, New York 12095
You can always count on a Holiday Inn for a comfortable, reliable hotel stay — and this one is no different. The rooms here are spacious and pet-friendly, so your furry friends can travel alongside you for the show. Also, there is a restaurant attached to the hotel so you can enjoy in-room dining or a quick bite before you head out to explore Fort Plain. Should you want to get some exercise in, you can hit either the fitness center or the hotel’s pool for a lap or two.
Distance to concert location: 31-minute drive
Notable amenities: On-site parking, daily housekeeping, kids eat free.
How to book: Through their website.