Governor Plans New Roadside Signage Project

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the launched of a &#8220Path Through History&#8221 initiative designed to highlight New York State’s history and bolster tourism and economic development. The initiative is hoped to raise the profile of the state’s network of museums, historic sites, and other cultural institutions.

&#8220The first step in the initiative will be to establish uniform road signs in different locations across the state that promote local historic sites from New York’s history,&#8221 a press statement said.


In addition to the new sign system on the Thruway, the initiative includes:

· Installation of new &#8220Path to History&#8221 information kiosks at Thruway rest stops

· Customized &#8220Path to History&#8221 tours on such topics including Industry and Technology- Women’s Rights and Civil Rights, New York and Independence- Civil War, and Scenic Wonders.

· Improved signs on local roads to encourage visitors to visit local historic and tourism sites

· A web-based interface that allows Thruway travelers to learn more about key historic sites in the Thruway corridor and to follow &#8220Path to History&#8221 routes

&#8220This initiative will use New York’s rich history to encourage tourism, local economic development and serve as an educational tool for all New Yorkers,&#8221 the Governor said in a prepared statement. &#8220The exhibits that we have set up in the Capitol have turned the building into a tribute to New York and now it is time to expand that to include the wealth of history that our state has to offer.&#8221

&#8220The initiative will foster cooperation and coordination among institutions and regions and focus on the entire state, highlighting that critical events, historic buildings, and important movements have added significance when they are interpreted within the entire state and nation’s history as a whole,&#8221 the state asserted, adding that &#8220the initiative is designed to drive heritage tourism in New York, boosting local economies across the state, and supporting the state’s many communities with historic sites and cultural exhibits.&#8221

The Governor also announced the creation of a Historic Corridor Task Force to advise the Thruway and the state on the creation of the initiative. The Task force will be co-chaired by Mark Schaming, Director of the State Museum and Vice President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Harold Holzer and include Robert Harris of Cornell University, Kenneth T. Jackson, Professor in History and the Social Sciences at Columbia University, and Lisa Keller, Professor of History, Urban and Women Studies at SUNY Purchase.

Thruway Chairman Howard P. Milstein said in the statement to the press that &#8220Governor Cuomo’s historic sign initiative will greatly assist in fostering increased economic development and tourism in the Thruway and Canal Corridor. I’ve instructed our staff to consider several additional specific ways to be innovative and energetic in making all we can of opportunities to enrich our customer’s experience, and increase traveler’s awareness of New York’s many historical and recreational assets.&#8221

Harold Holzer, Senior Vice President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, said, &#8220It was not, after all, an accident that New York became, as George Washington had predicted, the &#8216-Empire State,’ or that the tiny settlement in lower Manhattan became the &#8216-Empire City’ and the capital of the world. No other place &#8211 not Massachusetts, not Virginia, and not Pennsylvania &#8211 even comes close to the Empire State when all things are considered. New York State was the leading contributor of men, manpower, and funds to save the Union and end slavery during the Civil War. With the Governor’s leadership, sustained effort, determination, and hard facts, we can convince our fellow citizens that today’s America took shape in yesterday’s
New York.&#8221

Mark Schaming, Director of the State Museum, said, &#8220When Americans think of history they do not think of New York. And when they think of New York they do not think of history. New York is known to most Americans as a destination not to study the past but to experience the present, whether the bright lights of Broadway, the racetrack at Saratoga, or a river cruise
up the Hudson. The Governor’s Historic Tourism Initiative is designed to change this perception of New York among both residents and visitors to show that events in New York have dominated and defined the larger American experience.&#8221

The Historic New York Initiative follows the recent renovation of the New York State Capitol, which includes hundreds of newly installed displays relating to New York State’s social, technological, and political history. The Hall of Governors now includes identifications of each past Chief Executive, together with the dates of their service. A timeline of state history has been etched on the walls of the Second Floor, where the
Governor’s office is located.

Photo: The historic marker at the edge of the Forest Preserve near Ticonderoga, installed in 1935.

5 thoughts on “Governor Plans New Roadside Signage Project

  • November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am
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    There is already a sign on the NYS Thruway directing travelers to our local NYS historic site but, since the site is facing a possible 100% budget cut, all we will need is a “CLOSED” sign.

    Reply
  • November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am
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    I notice that the historic marker that illustrates this blog post was erected by the NYS Education Dept. and is mostly rust because NYS abandoned them. If NYS had maintained these historic markers, the sign would be Rustoleum® glossy #7727 Royal Blue and #7747 Sunburst Yellow.

    I don’t suppose that a teeny tiny bit of this new money could go for a couple cans of Rustoleum® for the individuals who have been maintaining signs in their neighborhoods? No? That’s what I thought.

    Reply
  • November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am
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    Addie Harris’s comment rings so true.
    My recommendation to Governor Cuomo is to place the 62 County Historians in NYS in charge of this project. They are already involved in the restoration of the old Historic Markers and most know exactly what the signage needs are for history interprepation within their respective counties. A little fund allowing for $10,000 per county based on a 50/50 match would achieve miricales throughout NYS and it would happen within 2 years.

    Sincerely, Peter Evans,
    Wayne County Historian

    Reply
  • November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am
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    We have a newer aluminum cast NY State Historic style marker from Catskill Castings for our “Welsh Settlement” sign in Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., NY. Erected 2003 and the paint has already peeled off. We are about to do our own DIY restoration to put the proper primer on it for aluminum base and then repaint with Royal Blue and Sunburst Yellow. I am raising some money from my Upstate Welsh Heritage site to cover expenses. I think we the people can do this without some big costly state program. Just takes some coordinated grass roots organizing. I would be happy to share info on restoring the newer aluminum cast signs.

    Sincerely,
    Barbara Henry
    Upstate New York Welsh Heritage

    Reply
  • November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am
    Permalink

    We have a newer aluminum cast NY State Historic style marker from Catskill Castings for our “Welsh Settlement” sign in Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., NY. Erected 2003 and the paint has already peeled off. We are about to do our own DIY restoration to put the proper primer on it for aluminum base and then repaint with Royal Blue and Sunburst Yellow. I am raising some money from my Upstate Welsh Heritage site to cover expenses. I think we the people can do this without some big costly state program. Just takes some coordinated grass roots organizing. I would be happy to share info on restoring the newer aluminum cast signs.

    Sincerely,
    Barbara Henry
    Upstate New York Welsh Heritage

    Reply

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