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From the November 2005 issue
Celebrations to Mark Anniversaries of Historic Voyages
The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission has announced its plans for a series of celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the historic journeys made by Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain, as well as the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton's steamship voyage on the Hudson River. Between July and October of 2009, signature events will span the Hudson Valley Corridor from New York City to Quebec.
Quadricentennial Commission
The Hudson River has remained
an important economic asset
to the state
The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission, created by legislation in 2002, is charged with planning and developing programs and events related to the quadricentennial. Barbara C. Fratianni has been appointed Executive Director of the Commission.
Ms. Fratianni has served as Project Manager and Special Assistant to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Hudson River Estuary Program since 1999 and was responsible for facilitating the Governor's Task Force for River Access. She also has been involved with the Estuary Program's land acquisition efforts, which have conserved more than 3,000 acres of natural areas along the Hudson River since 1996.
Commission members include individuals representative of the geographic areas of the state, and elected officials from municipalities within the Hudson Valley and Lake Champlain regions. Also included are the commissioners of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the departments of Education; Agriculture and Markets; Environmental Conservation, and Economic Development. New York's Secretary of State, the chairs of the Hudson River Valley Greenway's Heritage Area, Conservancy and Communities Council divisions, and the chair of the New York State Canal Corporation also are members.
Commission members include individuals representative of the geographic areas of the state, and elected officials from municipalities within the Hudson Valley and Lake Champlain regions; the commissioners of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the state departments of Education; Agriculture and Markets; Environmental Conservation, and Economic Development; the Secretary of State, and the chairs of the Hudson River Greenway Heritage Conservancy and Council, and the New York State Canal Corporation.
Plans to Date
Current plans include the design and development of promotional materials featuring a colorful logo and slogan-"The Journey Continues," and a toll-free number and website that will provide details about the 2009 quadricentennial-related celebrations, including sponsorship information. The Commission also has begun to make arrangements for various signature celebrations that will occur in waterfront communities during the designated period from July into October of 2009. These events, including kickoff and closing ceremonies, are tentatively scheduled to be held in New York City, Clermont, Hudson, Albany and Champlain.
Celebrating History
Henry Hudson's voyage provided
a glimpse of the plentiful natural
resources of the area
The discovery of the Hudson River in 1609 by Englishman Henry Hudson is a key event in the history of New York State. His exploratory voyage up the river provided the western world with its first view of the wonders of the New World and, in large measure, the limitless potential of North America. During the same year, French explorer Samuel de Champlain was the first European to view the lake that now bears his name.
Ever since the 1909 tricentennial commemoration of Hudson's exploration was combined with the centennial commemoration of Robert Fulton's voyage on the steamship Clermont, both events generally have been celebrated together.
Please note: The information above was adapted from a press release issued by the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission.
