Albany, NY (November 21, 2002) - - - New York's Capital Region, the heart of Tech Valley, has historically been a hub of transportation and technological innovation. This theme underscores the latest Albany Heritage lecture series offered jointly by the University At Albany and the Albany International Airport. Three public forums will be held at the Airport on consecutive Tuesdays from 6-8:30 p.m., beginning November 26th. A distinguished roster of speakers will discuss how, in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Capital Region was a world leader in the race for ever faster and cheaper ways of moving people, goods and information.

This free lecture series will take place on the 3rd floor Observation deck of the Albany International Airport. For more information or to register call 442-5000. Vouchers for free parking will be provided on the night of the event.

"Located at the intersection of the Hudson, Mohawk and Champlain Corridors, our region was the transportation hub of the North-East, linking the Atlantic Seaboard, the Mid-West, the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Valley. It has a remarkable number of 'firsts' in invention, service, and new modes of business and finance," said series organizer Ray Bromley, a UAlbany professor of planning and geography. The events are:

Nov. 26th Railroad Heritage: Entrepreneurship, Technology and Social Impacts

(1) New York's Capital Region: A national leader in railroading - F. Daniel Larkin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, SUNY College at Oneonta, (2) Railroads and Social Conflict in Albany - David O. Stowell, Associate Professor of History, Keene State College, New Hampshire

Dec. 3rd Canals, Riverboats, and Nineteenth Century Technological Prowess

(1) Engineering the Erie Canal in the Capital Region - Andrew Wolfe, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Union College, (2) The Erie Canal: Evolution of a Cultural Landscape - Craig Williams, Senior Historian, New York State Museum (3) Silicon Valley of the Nineteenth Century - P. Thomas Carroll, Executive Director, Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway

Dec. 10 Trolleys, Highways and Aviation: The Emergence of our Modern World

(1) Albany's First Mass Transit System: Horsecars and Trolleys, 1862-1946 - Anthony Opalka, Local Historian; (2) Thruway, Interstates and Expressways: Highway Projects and Protests around Albany - Ray Bromley, AICP, Professor of Planning and Geography, UAlbany (3) Wheels Up! A Historic View of Aviation Celebrating the First Century of Powered Flight - Stephen Iachetta, AICP, Airport Planner, Albany County Airport Authority

Albany Heritage, a year-long celebration of the 350th anniversary of the founding of Beverwyck (1652), was developed by a partnership of the City of Albany, the Albany County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the University at Albany, cultural organizations and community leaders. For further information, please contact Karl Luntta at the University at Albany at 437-4981

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