Getting to Know the CIty Historian of Schenectady

Hi, I'm Chris Leonard, the recently appointed City Historian of Schenectady. So, a little about me before we move on to more important things in future blog entries.

I grew up in Hamden, Connecticut, which is the northern suburb of New Haven. I'm the son of two history professors: Dr. Ira M. Leonard, who taught US History with a focus on the growth of cities and nativism, at Southern Connecticut State University, and Myrtle Leonard, who focused on Renaissance Europe, concentrating on Elizabethan England. It goes without saying that history is in my blood. While my friends were reading Spiderman comics, I was reading about  Abraham Lincoln and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. 

I moved to the Albany in the late 1980s to attend the State University of New York at Albany, where I received Bachelors of Arts in History and English, and returned for my Masters Degree in English with a writing concentration. I have lived more than half my life in the Capital District, including the last 14 years in Schenectady. Without question, Schenectady is home!

I was appointed the Historian of the GE Realty Plot by the GE Realty Plot Association Board in December 2016. I am the first official historian of the historic neighborhood in its nearly 10 years of existence. In this position I am writing a detailed history of all the homes within "Th Plot" and their residents. I also lead monthly walking tours of the neighborhood from May to October.  Additionally, I volunteer at the Schenectady County Historical Society where I have the privilege of reading and documenting the correspondence of Charles P. Steinmetz. 

My interests in Schenectady history are varied. I have lectured on numerous topics including: The History of the GE Realty Plot, The Erie Canal Through Schenectady and the History of Professional Baseball in Schenectady. I am working on a book on the food trends of residents of Schenectady, from the Native Americans and Dutch settlers to the most recent waves of immigrants who have made Schenectady their home. And while I enjoy researching the major topics like the Settlement of Schenectady, General Electric, and ALCO, I want to help surface the stories of those who have generally been ignored. 

It is my aim to visit with all of the neighborhood associations in Schenectady over the next few weeks and discuss how we can collect and preserve the not only the "capital H" history, but the important stories that can easily be lost. 

I hold regular office hours in the Efner History Center in the attic of Schenectady  City Hall:
Monday - 9AM - 1PM
Wednesday - 9Am - Noon
Thursday - 9AM - Noon

Feel free to contact me at 518 382-5088 or via email at cleonard @ schenectadyny.gov.

If you've made it this far, I commend you, and also offer you three interviews I've given, which provide a better understanding of who I am and what I'd like to do for Schenectady:

Chris Leonard: City Historian of Schenectady, BobCudmore.com, "The Historians" Podcast, March 30
Schenectady Appoints New Historian, WAMC, The Roundtable, Feb 12
​Meet Schenectady's new historian, Chris Leonard, Daily Gazette, Feb 4

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