This unit studies the history of Albany and the people who lived there -- past and present. It features three in-class lessons, a trip to the Albany Heritage Area Visitor's Center and a cruise on Albany's Aqua Ducks.
Students will become familiar with the people of the past who occupied buildings throughout the City of Albany. Several of these buildings will be visited later in the unit, during a tour aboard the Albany Aqua Ducks.
Students read a brief history of the Upper Hudson Valley gaining background knowledge to prepare for and enhance site visits. Students learn more about the region's earliest inhabitants and early European settlement of the Hudson River Valley.
After learning about the early history and settlement of Albany in previous lessons, students leave the classroom to deepen their exploration. At the Visitors' Center, students learn about life in 17th and 18th century Albany through a three part interactive program. Aboard the Albany Aqua Duck, an amphibious vehicle, students tour the City of Albany and the Hudson River.
Students synthesize information gathered during the trip and previous lessons. They also conduct research using oral histories gathered from modern immigrants in the Albany region. Then they practice analyzing and interpreting information gathered, comparing and contrasting it to information about past inhabitants of Albany. Each activity can be used alone, adapted, or expanded.