Heritage Weekend

CELEBRATE NEW YORK HERITAGE WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 12-13

During a year filled with celebratory events, the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission will inaugurate the state’s first ever New York Heritage Weekend, September 12 and 13.  Visitors will be welcomed free, or at a reduced rate, to many museums, historical societies, and heritage areas; to architecturally significant buildings; and to battlefields, parks and historic districts throughout the Hudson and Champlain Valleys.   In addition, tours, special events, concerts, reenactments and dances will highlight this Valley-wide celebration of New York’s unique cultural heritage.

Modeled after France’s popular annual event, “Les Journees du Patrimoine,” New York Heritage Weekend will showcase the Empire State to residents and visitors during fall foliage season.  With the cooperation of federal, state, and private organizations, New York Heritage Weekend is slated to become an annual event and one of the lasting legacies of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial celebration.

To underscore the importance of heritage tourism to New York State’s economy, Assemblyman Stephen Englebright and Senator Jose Serrano have introduced a resolution officially proclaiming September 12 and 13, 2009 New York Heritage Weekend.

Speaking about the weekend’s significance for all New Yorkers, Quadricentennial Chair Joan K. Davidson said, "New York Heritage Weekend is a chance for New Yorkers -- and visitors from all over the Northeast -- to tour interesting houses of all periods and styles, some open for this weekend only! And, while we're at it, we can sample a wide array of special events, see beautiful landscapes, hike a trail or put a kayak in the river.  I think we'll find that, oftentimes--and especially this year--the most rewarding vacations are weekends spent not far from home!”
2009 commemorates three internationally significant events in the history of New York State - the 400th anniversaries of Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain’s voyages along the New York waterways bearing their name and the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s launch of ‘The Clermont’ inaugurating steam power along the Hudson River and, around the world.

For further information please contact:

Alexia Lalli
Lex.lalli@gmail.com
917-679-0584