City Historian, City of Rensselaer, New York and Rensselaer City History Research Center

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This web site exists to provide information about the Office of the City Historian and the Rensselaer City History Research Center in the City of Rensselaer, New York. Charles Semowich, PhD is the current City Historian having been appointed by Mayor Daniel Dwyer.

The Rensselaer City History Research Center

The Rensselaer City History Research Center has research materials about the City of Rensselaer, as well as the Villages of Bath-on-the Hudson, Greenbush, East Albany, and Rensselaerswyck.  There are city and county histories, maps, city directories, school yearbooks, published materials on the van Rensselaer family, books on Colonial history and New York State, books on American Indians, Dutch families, and other items related to the city.  There are records from the Greenbush Masonic Lodge, photographs, newspaper clippings files, Hackett Family papers, school items( 1813-present), firemen and fire departments,  political materials, Eastland Park Improvement Association files, railroad material, government activities, Rensselaer Mother's Club, business records (including materials from C. B. Stewart Durg Store, 1909-1915), newspapers, copies of church records, and other items. Much of the material is on loan from the City of Rensselaer Historical Society. All items must be used in the room and can not leave the building.  The Rensselaer City History Research Center is located on the second floor of the Rensselaer City Hall. 62 Wahington St., Rensselaer, NY 12144 and is open during City Hall hours or by appointment. Additional materials in the form of donations or loans are very much welcomed.  We are especially interested in obtaining copies of Rensselaer (Greenbush, Bath ) newspapers, records of Rensselaer organizations and its people.

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The Faculty at the School in Bath-on-the-Hudson (Rensselaer) c. 1880

City Historian

The City Historian will provide information as requested about the history of the City of Rensselaer. Information is also available about the city's precursors, Greenbush, Bath-on-the-Huduson and East Albany. The City Historian is  not able to prepare original indepth research for the public nor is he/she able to answer indepth genealogical questions. 

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Questions or comments? Get in touch with us at:

semowich@bigfoot.com

Mailing Address:
City Historian
Rensselaer City Hall
62 Washington St,
Rensselaer, NY 12144

The City Historian's Office and the Rensselaer City History Research Center is located in Rensselaer City Hall, 62 Washington St., Rensselaer, NY 12144 second floor. The historian is available by appointment. The Rensselaer City History Research Center is open for resarch during the hours that the Rensselaer City Hall is open and by appointment.

Phone: 518 449-4756