Celebrating America’s 250th: preserving Schenectady’s story for future generations

Open Stage Media and the Schenectady County Historical Society bring local history to life through exhibits, podcasts, and community conversations.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Open Stage Media and the Schenectady County Historical Society are helping residents connect with the people, places, and stories that have shaped our nation and our community.

Through archival preservation, in-person and online exhibits, educational programs, and the popular podcast “Here in Schenectady,” SCHS continues to make history accessible and relevant for audiences of all ages. Their work ensures that the stories of Schenectady’s past remain a living part of the community’s future.

OSM, Schenectady’s public access television station, has partnered with SCHS to produce and broadcast “Here in Schenectady,” as well as the recent educational program “10 Things You Didn’t Know About the American Revolution.” Together, the organizations create opportunities for residents to explore history from new perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations about the events that continue to shape our world.

One recent podcast episode, “Threads of Liberty,” explores Schenectady’s unique role during the American Revolution. The episode highlights one of SCHS’s most remarkable artifacts: the Schenectady Liberty Flag, the only surviving flag of its kind known to exist today.

Stories like these demonstrate how national history is often rooted in local communities, connecting residents directly to the broader American experience.

According to Jeremy Clowe, Assistant Station Manager at OSM, the partnership grew from a shared passion for storytelling. “The idea for our recent collaboration with Schenectady Historical Society began in the summer of 2024, as we prepared to film a reenactment event at their Stockade headquarters. We were so impressed with the knowledge and many stories shared by the museum’s librarian/archivist Marietta Carr, that we immediately thought to ourselves, ‘that would make a great podcast!’ These historians are the experts, and we have enjoyed exploring their archives and sharing the many unique stories to be found here in Schenectady.”

With the nation’s semi quincentennial approaching, those conversations feel especially timely. Every historical event can be viewed through countless lenses, offering new questions, insights, and opportunities for reflection.

“It’s not just about that war 250 years ago — it’s about everything since then,” said Madeline Olesky, co-host of “Here in Schenectady” and Program Assistant at SCHS. “It’s really an opportunity to reflect on how we’ve gotten to where we are today and what we can continue to do in the future.”

While the podcast explores local history through storytelling, SCHS also invites residents to experience history firsthand through public programs and events.

Olesky is particularly excited about SCHS’s upcoming Wine and Walk event, Saving the Stockade, taking place 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 31. The evening combines a guided historical tour with an opportunity to gather at the SCHS Museum for a glass of wine and conversation, allowing participants to engage with local history in a welcoming and social setting.

Events like these reflect SCHS’s commitment to making history accessible and inclusive. By bringing people together around shared stories, the organization helps foster a deeper sense of connection to Schenectady and its evolving identity.

“People are so willing to work with us and see the value of what we’re doing,” Olesky said. “And we of course see the value in what places like Proctors are doing.”

Residents can explore SCHS programs and podcast episodes anytime through Open Stage Media’s YouTube and Vimeo channels, as well as the Schenectady County Historical Society’s YouTube channel.

As America marks 250 years of independence, organizations like OSM and SCHS remind us that history is more than a collection of dates and events — it is an ongoing story shaped by the communities that preserve, share, and learn from it.