The Counties of New York State: A Historical Journey Objects

Map featuring New York’s county boundaries and the Erie Canal’s elevation profile.

Map by Nicolaes Visscher based on Adriaen van der Donck’s 1648 manuscript, showing “Fort Orangie” (Albany).

“Van Bergen Overmantel” depicts the Marten Van Bergen farm in Leeds, Greene County, c. 1728- 1738. It visually represents Dutch colonial life and ethnic diversity in America. Depicted are European settlers, enslaved peoples of African descent, and two indigenous people.

A print from 1651 depicting early New Amsterdam (NYC).

A color postcard, c.1909, depicting a towpath, animal teams, hoisting machinery, and the Buffalo cityscape.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, logging was a major industry in New York’s northern forests.

Document detailing Dutch surrender of New Netherland (New York) to the English on September 29, 1664.

The Old Croton Aqueduct, was built between 1837 and 1842 to provide New York City’s growing population with reliable, clean water.

A tugboat pulls barges on the Barge Canal, alongside the New York Central railroad and a roadway with a 5-window coupe.

Depiction of the American victory over the British during the Saratoga campaign in 1777, a turning point in the American Revolutionary War.

In 1799, New York began gradually freeing those born into slavery, while keeping earlier generations (born before 1799) enslaved. Full emancipation finally came on July 4, 1827.

Prior to independence, New York’s early British colonial governors ruled the province. Here is one of the early acts passed by the colony’s assembly and approved by English colonial governor, Colonel Thomas Dongan, establishing county divisions and outlining governance laws.