The 26th Annual Albany History Fair
— —
Historic Cherry Hill, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202
Join us at Albany’s Yellow House on the Hill to explore the Capital City’s fascinating history on May 4th from noon to 4:00 p.m. There will be scholars’ talks, living history demonstrations, special tours, collection highlights, exhibits by heritage partners, and family artmaking activities.
LayVon Scott, baritone; Dr. Elizabeth Gerbi, piano; Dr. Christopher Brellochs, speaker
At 1:30PM a 30-minute talk and musical program will feature music from William James Knapp's extensive personal collection of sheet music acquired between 1865 to 1885. James was the great-grandchild of Dinah Jackson, the last person who was enslaved at Cherry Hill. After his mother died in 1854, James became a ward in Richard Van Rensselaer’s household. They lived on State Street in Albany, N.Y. James worked as a butler for the family. Throughout his life, James also worked as a musician, a sales clerk at Hideley’s Music Store, a hospital porter and a nurse. James lived at Cherry Hill for about sixteen months between 1880 and 1884. James played the violin, piano, flute, and more instruments. James’s collection includes popular, classical, and parlor music from the Victorian Era.