Summer SKEWL program at Schoharie Crossing
10am on Thursdays through August 10
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is excited to announce the 2023 Summer Supplemental Knowledge Enhancement and Wellness Lab (Summer SKEWL) series at this Erie Canal historic site. The series is open to all ages from five to 95 and will pair a recreational activity with a learning experience. SKEWL’s goal is to provide a meaningful combination of physical activity with a mental activity.
On July 27th, “Peddle Through History” with Michael and explore the West Shore RR line that is today’s Empire State Trail. This is the Summer SKEWL Field Trip and will leave at 10am from just outside Highwheeler Coffee on Canal Street in Fort Hunter. From there, cyclists will make their way to the Arkell Museum at Canajoharie. This “field trip” will include a brief art history lesson from Mary Alexander at the Arkell before the ride back to Fort Plain, about a seven-mile round trip.
Thursday, August 3rd come join Michael for “Landscape Sketches.” This one-mile loop walk to Empire Lock will include a lesson on landscape sketching to explore the natural & manmade features along the historic Erie Canal. Sketch supplies will be provided.
We wrap up the series on August 10th with, “Traces of Leaves” with Altha. Come explore leafy plants at Schoharie Crossing, identify some species and press them in one or both of two methods.
We encourage participants to dress according to the weather and bring a bag lunch for a picnic on site after each program.
For more information, contact david.brooks@parks.ny.gov – 518-829-7516. Anyone under the age of 18 needs a parent or guardian with them for these programs. These are free programs open to the public.
For more information about programs at Schoharie Crossing, please contact the Visitor Center at (518) 829-7516, email SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov, or visit our NYS Parks webpage. The Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site Visitor Center is location at 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter, NY 12069.The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual state parks, historic sites, golf courses, boat launches and recreational trails, which are visited by 78 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow-on Twitter.
About the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal as one of the 19th century’s greatest commercial and engineering projects. The Visitor Center exhibit traces the history of the Erie Canal and its impact on the growth of New York State and the nation.
Within the site’s boundaries are many structures dating from the three eras of the canal’s development. At the eastern end of the site is the Putnam Lock Stand at Yankee Hill that houses an exhibit on Erie Canal stores. The site’s largest structure is the remains of the Schoharie Aqueduct, which carried the water of the Enlarged Erie Canal over the Schoharie Creek.
Schoharie Crossing is also the location of 18th century Fort Hunter and the Lower Castle Mohawk village. See artifacts from that portion of our history on display at the Visitor Center.
