The earliest head coverings were probably
animal skins and were used primarily for
warmth, rather than style. Over the millennia,
however, women’s hats have reflected
contemporary fashions, as well as the hairdos
that were in vogue. During Greek and Roman
times, women’s headwear included headdresses
made of metal and ribbons intertwined in
elaborate coiffeurs. In more modern times,
women’s hats have gone in and out of style,
but there has always remained a niche for
milliners to create and modify women’s hats.
Occupational Group
Bob Hockert’s All-New York Whiskey Barrels
I explained that I built the barrel
myself, and he promptly explained I
could not have, as there were no coopers
in New York State. I explained that he
was wrong, that I had built it and dozens
more, sent him to my web page to see the
photos of them being built, etc.
…,His name was Angus
McDonald, and he was the master distiller
at Coppersea Distilling. He had been
looking for years for someone to build
him barrels for his distillery.
Upstate
TAUNY (Traditional Arts in Upstate New York) was awarded a grant to document, with oral histories and photography, changes that have occurred in work on dairy farms in northern New York in the last few decades. Eventually, 13 farms from four counties participated. TAUNY folklorists recorded over 30 hours of interviews with farmers and their employees on farms ranging in size from 35 milkers to one with well over a thousand.
Upstate
The author relates his experience of informal barbering and the role of the barber as a listener.
From the Waterfront
Long Island and its beaches is seen as a haven during the flu epidemic of 1917 and the COVID-19 Pandemic.
From the Waterfront
Beginning in the 1960’s, water taxis were at work, ferrying people to locations within the harbors and ports of Long Island. Captains and crew share their occupational experiences in this column.
Masked Angels
The stories of nurses during the COVID-19 epidemic are discussed.
From the Waterfront
A portrait if storyteller and fisherman, Tony Sougstad, who passed away in 2019.
At Work in the Garden of Eat and Be Eaten
A poem by Fisher Poet, Chuck Tekula
You’ll See Our Tracks: The Racquette River Dams Oral History Project
The Raquette River Dams Oral History Project documented the stories of people involved in or signifianctly affected by the construction of the hydroelectric dams and powerhouses along New York’s Raquette River. The majority of the interviews were conducted with people who worked on the dams or powerhouses.
Remembering Jean (1964-2011)
A series of remembrances about Folklorist, Jean Crandall (1964-2011)
Sailmaker
A short essay about Charles Ulmer of UK-Halsey-Sailmakers on City Island, NY.
Fishing partners: Remembering Cory Weyant
A remembrance about Cory Weyant, Long Island Bayman/fisherman who was a frequent speaker to school groups. A “View From the Waterfront” column of Nancy Solomon
Who’s No Lady? Excerpts from an Oral History of New York City’s 82 Club
This field-based article is comprised by interviews with drag queens who were active in New York City drag nightclubs.
Computerlore
An article about folklore and computer programming from the viewpoint of an early programmer.