Senator Fahy Announces $50,000 for Historic Cherry Hill New Interpretive Plan
July 20, 2026
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ISSUE:
- American History
Grant will help organization implement ‘The Past is Present’, using dialogic interpretation, immersive experiences, authentic encounters with history
ALBANY, N.Y. – Senator Patricia Fahy announced today that a $50,000 operating funds grant secured through her office was awarded to Historic Cherry Hill in Albany. Historic Cherry Hill, the house built for Philip Van Rensselaer in 1787, has been operating as a museum since 1964. Through specialty tours, school programs, and community events, the museum tells the story of American life through the experiences of the Van Rensselaer family and domestic servants and enslaved people who lived and worked in the house. The museum showcases the ways that race, class, and gender shaped life at Cherry Hill with objects, letters, and photos left behind in the attic.
The new interpretive plan, The Past is Present, will use dialogic interpretation, immersive experiences, and authentic encounters with history to engage visitors in conversation about the legacies of the past and how they impact life today. The Executive Director and Curator, Deborah Emmons-Andarawis, oversees restoration projects at Cherry Hill, collaborates on the museum’s interpretive programs, and has secured and administered numerous grants.
Historic Cherry Hill is always in search of members and volunteers looking to participate in this piece of local history. Those looking to support Historic Cherry Hill’s staff in bringing curriculum-aligned enrichment to students and preserving the collections can contribute here, and volunteers, including students aged 14 and up, can read about getting involved on History Cherry Hill’s website.
“Historic Cherry Hill showcases Albany’s storied history, and their programs provide the Capital Region with an honest look at our past,” said Senator Patricia Fahy (D—Albany). “I’m excited to secure this funding to ensure that Cherry Hill can continue providing students, the community, and visitors with the resources to dive into this piece of American History. At a time where the federal administration insists on rewriting history, Historic Cherry Hill is committed to telling it honestly and accurately to the next generation, and it is a strong reminder that erasing history will not undo it.”
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