My Travels with Henry
Different local families borrowed a life size Henry Hudson Doll through the library and took him to local historic sites. Henry is owned through a partnership between the Upper Hudson Library System and the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau. He will be visiting area libraries over the next few months. These tours of history are part of the Where’s Henry Hudson? Project and were documented by photographs and entries in Henry’s personal journal.
This “do it yourself” program is part of an Explore Your Shores: Discovering Community History @ Your Library grant involving several local libraries and celebrating the Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial. Our focus is on Henry Hudson’s voyage of discovery and that which is river related. Be sure to check the library’s website for special child and family programs over the next few months. They will focus on Native American culture, ecology, and local history.
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My Journal
By Henry Hudson
- September 20th, 2008
As I write this, I am on my way to a family called the Penk-Masucci’s. They sound nice. Oh, look! I’m there. A man comes out and pulls my box up 2 flights of stairs. What fun! The man introduces himself as Joe Masucci and helps me “get my head on straight”. Joe helps me into the living room and sets me on a rocking chair when suddenly, 4 kids and a woman come out. The woman says that she is Tracey. “Kids, meet Henry Hudson.” Joe says. One by one, the kids introduce themselves. The oldest is Maddie, age 12. Then comes Spencer, aged 10, followed by Cello, age 9, and Reece, 7.
Later that afternoon, we get back in the family’s “van” and we are on our way to a place called Cohoes Falls. I sit next to Reece, while Maddie, Spencer and Cello all sit in the back. We are now at Cohoes Falls. Many “pictures” are taken. The rushing water and the wind are 2 of the most noticeable sounds as we go by. Then we go back home. I sit in the rocking chair while the family eats dinner. Pretty soon, the family reads their bible and a book called “The Tale of Desperaux”.Uh-oh! 9:30, and that means bedtime! Until tomorrow! - September 21, 2008
It is morning, and the children are doing school. The mother tells them that we will be going to City Hall to meet Troy’s mayor. As usual, I sit in my rocking chair, listening to the sounds of pencils on paper. At what seems like 3 o’clock, we are in the van again and we’re on our way. On the ride, I don’t say much.
Finally, we are in front of City Hall and we are sitting on a bench. “Say Henry Hudson!” Tracey says. Click! A bright flash emerges.After quite a few “photographs”, we enter City Hall, waiting for the mayor. As Tracey carries me (well, at almost 400 years old, you can’t quite walk well), the children are looking at “Uncle Sam” exhibits (Who’s Uncle Sam?). Finally, we are going upstairs. People in City Hall notice me. “Is this Henry Hudson?” One woman asks. Then after a while, the mayor, Mr. Tutunjian, takes a photograph with me, Maddie, Spencer, Cello, and Reece.
After a photograph, we are on our way home.When we get home, the kids watch something called “television”. Then Cello and Tracey leave, then another person in the family (Kathy) takes Spencer, Reece and Maddie back to the car, leaving me alone. I sit around the whole time. That night, we do the usuals.Good night!
- September 24, 2008
Today is my last day with the Penk-Masucci’s before I move on to stay with another family. As I write this, the children are talking and we are on our way to a place called “Peebles Island”.
Then we will go to the library. Oh, how I will miss them!Looks like we’re at Peebles Island! Tracey takes more photographs. Some by a brick wall, a few by a picnic table, and some by the body of water which connected the Hudson River and the Mohawk River.
Then we’re at home for a while longer and then it’s off to the library. We take a few pictures, then “’bye-bye” Penk-Masucci family. As my head comes off, I can’t help but wonder what adventures I’ll have with the next family I go to.I have to stop now. I’m on my way!
