As climate change continues, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released new information regarding rising sea-levels over the next few decades.
This new tool projects how sea level rise may affect the coastline which indicates similar to much of the eastern seaboard, communities along the tributaries of the Atlantic Ocean and land that touches it now in New York may be submerged under water in the coming decades.
Let’s hope non of us are alive if this happens.
As indicated the Sea Level Rise Viewer tool from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) displays several scenarios for the ocean’s rise in the ensuing decades, ranging from the best-case scenario to the worst-case scenario. The tool has a view that extends to the year 2100.
The best-case scenario for sea level rise in Montauk, New York, in 2100 predicts an increase of 2.49 feet, while the worst-case scenario indicates a 6.66-foot rise.
““Increased carbon emissions are increasing atmospheric and ocean heating that is melting land-based ice sheets and glaciers and causing thermal expansion of the ocean resulting in coastal sea level rise along most U.S. coastlines,” – NOAA oceanographer William Sweet
You are also encouraged to try out this tool for yourself. Just enter your address or town first. Then with the map zoomed in on your location, you may examine more customized sea level rise data and actual instances of local infrastructure, such as well-known roads and signage.
You can also adjust a slider that displays the water level at various intervals—the highest being a 10-foot increase—in every tab but High Tide Flooding. The amount that the water will rise over the coming decades, concluding in the year 2100, can be estimated using local scenarios. Additionally, there are four scenarios to pick from: Intermediate High, Intermediate Low, Intermediate, and High. Depending on the anticipated degrees of severity, these provide varying results.
Peacock TV Series ‘Poker Face’ Was Filmed In New York State
In 2023 the Peacock channel debuted a mysterious series called ‘Poker Face’ starring Natasha Lyonne, Chloë Sevigny, Clea DuVall, Judith Light, Luis Guzmán and Rhea Perlman to name a few. From Poughkeepsie to Beacon and New Paltz, see if you recognize any familiar landmarks that appeared in season 1.
When you see the ‘Mossy Oaks’ facility in Poker Face you are actually seeing Woodland Pond Senior Center, at 120 County Road 17 in New Paltz. According to the center’s Facebook page some of the residents were paid to be extras in the series.
Photo by Peacock/Phillip Caruso/Peacock
Kamelot Karts
Google
Chester, NY
The Castle Fun Center at 78 Brookside Avenue in Chester, NY was transformed into Kamelot Karts for ‘Poker Face’. The fun center was closed to the public August 8th, 9th and 10, 2022 so they could film scenes.
Photo by Peacock/Sara Shatz/Peacock
Doxxxology
Google
Poughkeepsie, NY
Actress Chloe Sevigny brings the character Ruby Ruin to life in Season 1, Episode 4 of ‘Poker Face’. Ruby Ruin is the lead singer of the Metal band Doxxxology and some of Sevigny’s scenes were filmed at The Chance Theatre in Poughkeepsie.
Poker Face
Poker Face
Google
Beacon, NY
The ‘Poker Face’ crew set up shop inside the Towne Crier Cafe in Beacon, NY on June 2nd and June 3rd, 2022 for some live performance scenes.
Getty Images
Poker Face Cast
Google
Chester, NY
Production teams set up at the former Brewery at Orange County Hops, 771 NY-52 in Orange County, NY.
These Presidents and First Ladies Were Born in Upstate New York
Presidential historical sites are always popular for history seekers and road warriors to seek out. Several presidents were born in New York State, and several others are buried in the state. But most of these sites are in New York City and environs (Theodore Roosevelt, Ulysses S. Grant, etc). There are several presidents and their First Ladies who were born in our Upstate region and this gallery takes a look at them and their birthlpaces.
Gallery Credit: Chuck D’Imperio
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(Born in Kinderhook, Columbia County) 8th President of the United States Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was a true son of New York. He toiled for years in public service to the state and was elected 8th president of the United States (1837-1841). Previously he served as a vice-president of the United States, Governor of New York State, and United States Secretary of State. He built his mansion, “Lindenwald,” in his hometown and it was his residence at the time of his death in March, 1841. He is buried in the nearby old Kinderhook cemetery. Today, “Lindenwald” is a popular historical destination for tours in the Hudson Valley.
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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(Born in Summerhill, Cayuga County) 13th President of the United States Millard Fillmore
There are no remnants of the birthplace of Millard Fillmore. A historical marker on Fillmore Road denotes the exact location of where his father’s log cabin was located. The location of the place of his birth is described as “a log cabin in Summerhill, Town of Locke.” This would be in Cayuga County, in the heart of the Finger Lakes region.
Photo: (Photo by National Archive/Newsmakers)
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(Born in Hyde Park, Dutchess County): 32nd President of the United States
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s birthplace is one of the most visited presidential birthplaces in the United States. The sprawling mansion along the banks of the Hudson River, holds his home, library, museum, visitors center, and his burial place in the rose garden of the home.
(Photo by National Archive/Getty Images)
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(Born in Stillwater, Saratoga County) First Lady Abigail Fillmore
Abigail Powers Fillmore was born in Saratoga County in 1798, and lived at various times at places around Upstate New York, including Broome County. She married Millard Fillmore on Feb. 5, 1826 in Moravia, NY (Cayuga County). She was a frequent visitor to her roots, and is shown in this photo riding in a carriage in Saratoga Springs. Sadly, Mrs. Fillmore did not have much of a life after her years in the White House. She died in 1853 at the age of 55, just months after her husband’s term ended. Mrs. Fillmore’s birthplace is denoted by a historical marker in the Town of Stillwater. She is buried in the Fillmore plot at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo.
Photo courtesy: (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
First Ladies National Historic Site via Facebook
(Born in Buffalo) First Lady Frances Cleveland
Frances Clara Cleveland Preston (1864-1947) holds the distinction of being the only First Lady to serve with her husband for two non-consecutive terms. She was First Lady from 1886-1889 and from 1893-1897. The Cleveland’s were married in the Blue Room of the White House on June 2, 1886. Still only in her early twenties, the attractive and youthful, the First Lady’s image reflected health and vibrancy and she soon found her likeness gracing assorted advertising products (unauthorized). Her birthplace is at 168 Edwards Street in Buffalo. It does not have markings denoting it as the birthplace of a future First Lady. She died on October 29, 1947 at the age of 83. She is buried next to her husband in the Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, New Jersey.
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(Born in Kinderhook) Hannah Hoes Van Buren
This is a tragic story. Mrs. Van Buren did not serve as First Lady of the United States. She married her husband, Martin Van Buren, in 1807. They had known each other most of their lives in tiny Kinderhook, and both were 24 when they married. Sadly, Hannah Van Buren died at the age of only 35 (tuberculosis) and was not alive to see her husband elected as the 8th president of the United States. Martin never remarried. She is buried in the Van Buren family plot in the old Dutch Reformed Cemetery Kinderhook.
A Remarkable Look Inside 22 Of Upstate New York’s Most Historic Churches!
There are just way too many beautiful churches in Upstate New York to even begin a comprehensive list of them all. So this gallery is a bit different. It is unique in that for each of the 22 historic places of worship we highlight, we also include a video tour of the interiors of the place (if available). If no video of the interior was possible, we inserted a video of the exterior, grounds, etc. So you can do your exploring from the comfort of your own laptop! You will enjoy seeing the splendor of these magnificent places in our gallery.
Here you will see majestic cathedrals, a Tibetan monastery, a church that ultimately found fame as a fort, a church that is world-renowned as a “temple to the art of Tiffany windows,: two important churches that were way stations along the Underground Railroad, plus the smallest church in the world!
Gallery Credit: Chuck D’Imperio
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(Albany) Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Its two four-and-a-half story tall spires pierce the Capital City skyline like dual holy exclamation points. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was built between1848 and 1852. This was a time when immigrants, mostly Irish, were flooding Albany after fleeing the Irish Famine. The cathedral, an “immigrant church,” was to be the place of worship for this new influx of Catholics. Much of the construction work was done by immigrants, and the architect was Patrick Keely, himself an Irish immigrant, who would also design more than 500 other churches across the United States. The exterior is sandstone, the stained glass windows were imported from England (and are original to the church), the pews are made of walnut and the floor is a marble patterned design. The cathedral, the “Mother Church of the Albany Diocese,” is the second oldest cathedral in New York State, behind St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. To see an amazing 3-D tour of the church interior, click on the link below.
St. Agnes Catholic Church is one of the oldest in the North Country of Upstate New York. It’s organization goes back to the mid-1800s, the church itself dates to 1904.. During the Olympic Years (twice the Olympic Winter Games were held in this tiny village), the church served thousands of worshippers from all over the world. Click here for a tour of the church. An interesting side note is that famed entertainer Kate Smith was a parishioner here for 40 years. She summered on an lake island while in her prime as a singer. She was famous for her rendition of “God Bless America.” She was known to sing out along with the choir during Sunday services. Smith’s funeral was held here and she is interred in a large pink mausoleum at the church’s cemetery. Her portrait can still be seen in the front entrance of the church.
Certainly one of the most beautiful churches in Upstate New York. The architectural flourishes here are astounding. The historic Manelly bell (cast in Troy, NY) was installed in 1852. It weighs more than a ton. From the their website: “St. Mary’s Shrine of the Assumption is known for its beauty; 13th century English Gothic Architecture, accompanying Grisaille stained-glass windows which are arguably the consummate feature here; handcrafted German (Cologne) woodwork and sculptures, the elaborate polychrome ceiling, field stone outer walls, gargoyles and much more. In his letter establishing St. Mary’s as a Diocesan Shrine dated August 6, 2021, Bishop Lucia noted; “…setting it aside to be a place of pilgrimage and prayer for all people of the diocese and beyond…..furthermore individuals and parish groups alike from throughout the Diocese and even beyond will be able to journey to this place to find spiritual renewal and solace.” For a video tour of this awesome structure click on the link below!
Magnificent old church at the end of Utica’s historic Bleecker Street. This church (the third one) was built in 1869. In earlier time, 1834, Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton (now St. Elizabeth Ann Seton) sent 3 nuns to St. John’s at their invitation, to establish a school for young women and an orphanage for girls. To watch a beautiful video of the church celebrating its 200th anniversary (first mass was held in the Utica Court House in 1819) click on the link below. There is also some wonderful oral history of the church in this video.
This chapel should be on the top of the list for any visitor to Auburn, NY. It is historic in that this stunning structure is the only remaining, unaltered and intact chapel completely designed by Louis C. Tiffany and studio. It was erected between 1892-1894. Where to begin? Tiffany window fans are agog at the 14 opalescent windows, a large rose window, a large figurine window, plus 9 Tiffany Moorish-influenced chandeliers. glass mosaic tablets and much more. The ceiling is covered with gold leaf. The building, built in the Richardson Romanesque design, is faced with grey limestone and trimmed with red limestone. To see a virtual tour of this historic chapel click on the link below.
It is such a beautiful and startling sight. Rising up, surrounded by cornfields and small farms, is a towering gold-domed Russian Orthodoxia church in Jordanville, NY (Herkimer County). With nearly a dozen gold domes gleaming in the sun, and bright green tiled roofs, this is a spectacle unlike any other in Upstate New York. Russian Orthodox iconography covers the interior and exterior walls. Religious relics and some of the monastery’s historical artifacts can be seen throughout. There are several buildings on this small religious campus, and tours are available. (Note that there are some clothing rules to adhere to when going inside the domed house of worship). Take time to walk around back to the Russian cemetery. You will see some of the most ornate and unusual looking tombstones on the graves of deceased Russian worshippers and family members who came from all over the United States to be buried here. Special open, candlelit mausoleums hold the remains of the church’s elders and early leaders. The monastery, which opened in 1930, used their own printing press to publish religious books, seminary textbooks, and bibles which they sent to compatriots living in the Soviet Union. The monks here are also known for making exquisite bees wax candles. Definitely worth an out-of-the-way side trip to visit! To see some fascinating videos of this historic place of worship click on the link below!
Sacred Heart was built between 1925-1927. The classic neo-Gothic church recently underwent an $11-million dollar renovation. When built, the church was the largest in the city of Rochester with over 1,200 families in the parish, and 750 children in its school. On June 21, 1952, Pope Pius XII named the church the official cathedral of the diocese of Rochester. For a video tour of the cathedral click on the link below.
Built under the auspices of Judge William Cooper (the founder of the village of Cooperstown) in 1807. The design was modified to reflect the popular “new” Gothic style by Cooper’s son, James Fenimore Cooper, in the 1840’s when the young Cooper returned from a trip to Europe. You can still see some of the design changes reflected in the exterior windows of the church. You can see where James Fenimore Cooper actually rounded out the tops of the windows in the new style. Inside is a dramatic interior of dark woods, a high altar, dark oak pews, the original baptismal font from the earliest days of the church, and stunning stained glass windows, including Tiffany Studio windows. Many of them are dedicated by name to earlier parishioners. Outside, the church’s graveyard is historic as well. Of interest are the graves of indentured servants in the plots near the street, as well as the large Cooper family plot where James Fenimore Cooper, his father, Judge William Cooper, and dozens of family members through the ages are buried. The landscaping here is beautiful. To see a video tour of this church as well as the graveyard click on the link below.
A beautiful chapel on the campus of Cornell University. In fact, it was designed by Rev. Charles Babcock who was the Professor of Architecture at the time. Famously, the chapel has several Tiffany stained glass windows. There is also a glass window, tall and colorful, which features the images of three Civil Rights era students who were slain in the south in 1964. The three were Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Mickey Schwerner. Schwerner was a graduate of Cornell University. As you enter the chapel, if you glance to your left you will see a glass-walled room holding the remains of college founder Ezra Cornell and his wife, Mary Ann. They are entombed in marble sarcophagi which bear life sizes marble images of each. The likeness is so exact, you can even count the pleats in Ezra’s trousers. For a video tour of this chapel’s interior click on the link below.
Absolutely stunning small Gothic stone church in rural Upstate New York (Delaware County). Famed banker, industrialist, and notorious robber baron Jay Gould was born here. After Gould, the “richest man in the United States,” died in 1892, his family raised this church in his hometown in his honor. It is a incredible place. To see a video which includes the interior of this sacred gem click on the link below. The photo shows the original triple-Tiffany stained glass windows above the altar.
This stunning monastery is located high on a mountaintop overlook the village of Woodstock, NY. It is an active religious site, and spiritual retreat. Visitors are welcome. The Tibetan Buddhist monastery isthe North American Seat of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. For a fascinating documentary of the monastery, including a tour of the grounds, click here.
This church is hard to describe, its beauty is so overwhelming. The entire interior was designed by Tiffany Studios, the only church in the world so. Tiffany students and aficionados from around the world come to marvel at the interior of this church. See a wonderful video tour of this historic place by clicking on the link below.
This old church stands high and proud at one of the tallest points in the city of Albany. Now completely surrounded by a residential neighborhood, this was an important stopping off point for escaping enslaved people from the South. From this vantage point, watchers could see the slave catchers coming up the Hudson River and would then spread the alarm.. There are several hiding places in the church, and all are denoted by a sign for present-day visitors to examine. Fascinating! Famed Harriet Tubman spent the night here on her journeys. This is the oldest Black church in Upstate New York (1828).
View a short video of a church service here and you will get an idea of the simple, but beautiful, nature of this most historic Albany church.
A remarkable religious chapel located high on a bluff overlooking beautiful Keuka Lake. This stunning Finger Lakes structure gets thousands of visitors each year. It was built by the Garrett family in memory to their late son, Paul. The Garretts were major wine producers in the area, with output passing 10-million gallons a year in the 1950s. They grew their grapes on 400 acres of land here, in the area surrounding the chapel. Because of the unique beauty and location of this chapel, more than 500 weddings have taken place here over the years. To see an amazing video of this historic and exquisite chapel click on the link below.
(Fultonville) Shrine of the North American Martyrs
This religious shrine, dedicated to the memory of three slain Jesuit missionaries who were killed here in the 1600s, sits high on a bluff overlooking the Mohawk Valley. The church here is stupendous. It is 257 feet in diameter. Known as “The Church of the 72 Doors,” this round coliseum church can hold 6,000 worshipers and contains many important religious relics from the frontier days of the Auriesville site. There is a large stockade fence-design across the altar to evoke the beginnings of the Jesuit exploration in the region. Hanging over the altar is a 4,000 pound, 9- feet tall statue of Christ, attached to a giant hemlock log. The grounds cover 600 acres, including The Ravine where the missionaries were murdered. Although a quiet, reverential place, the Shrine is visited by tens of thousands each year and their are a amenities to accommodate such crowds like a gift shop, food concession, and restrooms. See glimpses of the Church of the 72 Doors in this video tour of Auriesville. It is awesome.
This most impressive basilica is really a shrine and a tribute to Father Nelson Baker, Buffalo’s “Padre of the Poor.” Baker had one of the largest networks of charitable organizations in the United States at the beginning of the 20th Century. When the former parish church burned down he oversaw the construction of this massive church. It was completed in 1921 at a cost of $3,200,000. Pope Pius XI declared Our Lady of Victory as a “minor basilica” and today this magnificent place of worship is visited by tens of thousands of visitors and pilgrims every year. When it was completed, the church’s copper dome was 165 high, second only to the dome at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Father Baker died on July 29, 1936 and was given the largest funeral ceremony in Buffalo history. He is buried in the basilica in a grotto made of lava stone from Mount Vesuvius. It is open to the public. A life-size bronze statue of Father Baker stands near the front entrance to Our Lady of Victory. To see a video of this unforgettable place of worship click on the link below.
A distinctive religious landmark in the Little Italy section of Syracuse. Church has served generations of residents, many of them of Italian-American heritage. To see a video tour of the interior of the church, including the shrine to Saint Marianne Cope, who served this church and her city for decades, click on the link below.
A stunning church that has been a steady presence in the city of Olean for over 175 years. Gorgeous interior. To see an amazing video tour of this historic church click on the link below..
Although it is now known by the identifier “fort,” The Old Stone Fort looks like a church and in fact was originally built as a High Dutch (German) Reform Church in 1772. Early parishioners names were etched in large elegant lettering along the exterior stone walls of the church (they can still be seen today). With the advent of the Revolutionary War, the church was refigured into a stockade fort to protect the valley residents. On October 17, 1780, the church/fort was attacked by a large force of British Loyalists and Indians. The church/fort withstood the battle, although an artillery shell pierced the roofline on the rear of the building. That cannon hole can still be found. Click here for a video telling of this important event.
This venerable house of worship is the oldest church structure in the city of Ithaca (1833). From the church’s website: “An Underground Railroad station, St. James is located in a community that was an important transfer point for fugitive slaves en route to Canada. Many of these slaves, impressed by the support of the local community, decided to stay in Ithaca and constructed homes in the area surrounding St. James. The congregation officially expressed its anti-slavery sentiments through the writings and preaching of its pastors, including Thomas James who was known to have provided assistance to fugitive slaves. Famous leaders in the Underground Railroad are associated with St. James. Harriet Tubman, who played an active role in A.M.E. Zion church affairs in Central and Western New York, often visited St. James. Frederick Douglass is documented as visiting the church in 1852, and Jermain Loguen, an active participant in the Underground Railroad, served as St. James’ third minister. Between the years 1765 and 1796 the number of Black members increased greatly. However, caste prejudice forbade their taking the Sacrament until the white families were all served. This, as well as the desire for other church privileges denied them induced Black members to organize among themselves. Among the leaders of the movement was James Varick, the first Bishop and who has been attributed as the founding father of the Zion Church.” Click here for a fascinating history tour of the church.
One for the record books. Known as “The Smallest Church in the World.” Still active (by appointment) for services or weddings (there have been many). It sits in Mason Pond, and was built in 1989. Tiny size is actually 6-feet by 31-feet. Room enough for two people to sit and a preacher to, well, preach. Accessible by rowboat only as it sits in the middle of an algae covered pond (note: there is often times a rowboat tied up at the bank). You gotta see it to believe it, so click here for a video!
Cross Island Chapel
Sconondoa Road
Oneida, NY
(about 1 mile from the large Turning Stone Casino Resort)
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine via Facebook
(Youngstown) The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
Magnificent basilica located just minutes north of Niagara Falls. The shrine was built in 1965 and today welcomes thousands of visitors annually for tours and religious services and events. During the Christmas season, they host an incredible light show which is one of the best this writer has ever seen. Click here for a video tour of the grounds and building..
You could swim year-round in this 2,000 square foot indoor pool in Gloversville, New York. The pool area appears to be bigger than the rest of the home.
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