NYS Military Museum, Skidmore College Partner for New Vietnam War Exhibit

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (04/29/2015)(readMedia)-- The New York State Military History Museum partners with Skidmore College to open a new exhibit May 1 honoring the service of the Capital Region's Vietnam Veterans.

Students from the Skidmore College History course, "The Vietnam War in American Memory," taught by Professor David Kieran, gathered the oral histories of 11 Vietnam era-veterans from Saratoga Springs. A joint effort between the students and the NYS Military Museum and Veterans Research Center will be featured in a new public exhibit through November 2015 as part of Department of Defense 50th commemoration of the Vietnam War.

WHAT: Early unveiling of the Vietnam War Oral History exhibit, a collaborative effort between Skidmore College and the NYS Military Museum

WHO: Skidmore College Professor David Kieran, NYS Military Museum Director Courtney Burns and eight history students and the Vietnam War veterans featured in the upcoming exhibit.

WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 2015, at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs.

Media Opportunity:

Interviews with students and veterans about coming together to capture the personal stories of the Vietnam War, along with perspective from Skidmore Professor David Kieran and Museum Director Courtney Burns.

Background:

The Vietnam War Oral History Exhibit

Skidmore students learning about the Vietnam War in Professor Kieran's course sought out 11 area veterans and completed individual oral history assignments to learn more about Vietnam Veterans' diverse experiences.

Through collaboration with Courtney Burns, Military History Director and curator of the NYS Military museum, a collection of the students' work, including veteran artifacts from Vietnam and materials that document their experiences, will be exhibited at the museum.

The nation marked the start of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War in 2012 and New York State, the New York National Guard, the City of Saratoga Springs and the Military Museum are all Commemorative Partners with the Department of Defense to honor the service of Vietnam Veterans and their families.

Events hosted at the museum are intended to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.

The exhibit featuring the Vietnam Veterans experience and their oral histories will be on display at the museum through Veterans Day 2015.

The New York State Military History Museum

Located at 61 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs, N.Y, the New York State Military Museum is administered by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. It's collection focuses on New York's military history from the French and Indian Wars to the present day. The mission of the museum is to preserve, interpret and disseminate the story, history and records of New York State's military forces and veterans.

Begun in 1863, the collection did not have a permanent home until the governor announced in 2001 that the historic armory in Saratoga Springs, NY would house the collection. The building, designed by Isaac Perry and constructed in 1889, is an example of armory architecture that was popular in upstate New York in the late 1800's.

For additional information, contact Col. Richard Goldenberg of the New York National Guard at 518-727-7314, richard.l.goldenberg.mil@mail.mil or Andrea Wise of Skidmore College at 518-587-0741(O), 518-898-0654 (C) or awise@skidmore.edu.

Posted Wednesday April 29, 2015 at 03:08 pm by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Last Updated Friday May 01, 2015 at 09:41 am