Friday, November 6, 2015
The New York State Archives and the Archives Partnership Trust recently honored the New York State Canal Corporation with the New York State Archives Partnership Trust Award. This award honors an individual, group, or corporation for their outstanding support of the Archives and celebrates their dedication in keeping New York State history alive.
With extraordinary vision and leadership, the Canal Corporation operates New York’s canal system as a critical State asset, while also acknowledging and celebrating its history and central role in shaping New York and the nation. The award was presented to John Callaghan, Deputy Director of Canals, at a luncheon ceremony at the Cultural Education Center in Albany, held recently.
In anticipation of the Erie Canal’s bicentennial in 2017, the State Archives and Archives Partnership Trust also presented the Canal Corporation with a framed map of New York State and the Erie Canal that was created by David Vaughan in 1857. Vaughan was a prolific Albany draftsman who worked for the New York State Canal Commissioners Office (whose functions were later assumed by the NYS Canal Corporation). He executed large scale maps of the New York Canal System, many of which are housed in the New York State Archives.
“We are pleased and honored to acknowledge the New York State Canal Corporation for their leadership in recognizing the historically significant impact the canal system has on the citizens of this state. By preserving this asset, and the records that document it, future generations will see and understand its vital role in shaping our identity as a state and as a nation,” said Acting State Archivist Thomas J. Ruller.
The annual Archives Awards program takes place every October, during American Archives Month, and recognizes outstanding efforts in archives and records management work in New York State by a broad range of individuals and organizations. It is a time to celebrate and promote the rich and diverse documentary heritage of the state by increasing public awareness of archival materials and repositories and by acknowledging the importance of our records keepers.
A complete list of this year’s award recipients follows:
New York State Archives Partnership Trust Award:
New York State Canal Corporation
Lifetime Achievement Award for Advancing the Security of Archives in New York State:
Richard Strassberg (Albany County)
Annual Archives Award for Program Excellence in a Historical Records Repository:
SUNY Plattsburgh (Clinton County)
Annual Archives Award for Excellence in State Agency Records Management Program Development:
New York State Office of the Children and Family Services
William H. Kelly Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Archival Program Development:
City of Rochester (Monroe County)
Cheryl Steinbach Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Records Management:
The Town of Hamburg (Erie County)
Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Research Using the Holdings of the State Archives:
Russ Immarigeon (Columbia County)
Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records Grade 4 & 5:
Aaron Lener, Homer Intermediate School, Homer Central School District; Teacher: Laurie Leach (Cortland County)
Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records Grade 6-8:
Sahil Sangwan, P.J. Gelinas Junior High School, Three Village Central School District; Teacher: Nicole Connelly (Suffolk County)
Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records Grade 9-12:
John Riley, Huntington H.S., Huntington Union Free School District; Teacher: Lauren Desiderio (Suffolk County)
