Russ VanDervoort Interview | Friday’s Familiar Discourse + Nanty Narking’s Necessary Nuisances
Challenges, Growth, and Place: An Interview with Russ VanDervoort
This fall, the Saratoga County History Center will present the fourth annual Saratoga County Public History Awards. Among the honorees is Russ VanDervoort, Waterford Town Historian, whose lifelong work spans the Champlain Canal, community fire service, and Revolutionary War memory.
A sixty-year volunteer firefighter, canal interpreter, author, and trustee at the Saratoga County History Center, VanDervoort has spent his life weaving local stories into the larger fabric of American history. His books include 100 Years of Dedicated Service: The History of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association and Dear Mother, I Am the Only One Left!, which chronicles a Waterford canal family’s Civil War loss.
In this conversation, VanDervoort reflects on the moment that first awakened him to history, Waterford’s role in the Revolutionary landscape, and why public history matters for both communities and the future of heritage tourism.
Discovering History in the Firehouse
PP: Waterford and Saratoga County have long been central to your life. Can you share a memory when you first realized how important this place was to you personally and historically?
RV: In May 1966, I joined the Knickerbocker Steamer Company #1 of the Waterford Village Volunteer Fire Department. Soon after, I became secretary, which gave me access to the company’s records dating back to 1842.
The Knicks had a remarkable history—founded in 1812, they are the oldest fire department in the county. Reading those records was a revelation. The early rolls read like a who’s who of Waterford, filled with influential names and stories that shaped our village. It was inspiring and humbling to realize I was part of an institution so deeply connected to the past. That moment awakened me to how essential history is—not only for understanding where we’ve been, but for guiding where we go.
The Importance of Waterford
PP: From your perspective as town historian, what makes Waterford significant in the broader sweep of American history?
RV: Every community has importance, but Waterford’s is multifaceted. At the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, it began as a Dutch trading port during the beaver pelt era—at one point, the land was purchased for a set quantity of beaver skins.
During the Revolution, Peebles Island and nearby river crossings became key assembly points for the Battles of Saratoga. In the 19th century, the Champlain and Erie Canals made Waterford a major transportation hub. The village was once considered for the county seat, the site of what became Union College, and home to Emma Willard’s school before it moved to Troy.
Industry thrived as well. The King’s Power Canal fueled factories during the Industrial Revolution. The Mohawk Paper Mill, still in operation today after more than 200 years, carries that legacy forward.
Revolutionary War Connections
PP: The Battles of Saratoga often take center stage in Revolutionary history. How do you see Waterford’s story connecting to that wider Revolutionary landscape?
RV: Colonel Jacobus VanSchoonhoven, one of Waterford’s founders, led the 12th Regiment of New York Militia at Saratoga. Peebles Island served as both an assembly point and a fallback line if the British had not been stopped. Thaddeus Kosciuszko was even prepared to make a stand here. Had that happened, the turning point of the war might have been fought in Waterford.
Our taverns also carried Revolutionary echoes. The King’s Tavern and the Lion Inn were hotbeds of Royalist activity, while Alexander Bryant’s tavern just outside the village later moved to Saratoga. Waterford was both a crossroads and a contested space.
Honoring Public History
PP: This year you received the Saratoga County History Center’s 2025 Public History Award for your lifelong commitment to sharing Waterford’s past. How do you approach “doing history”?
RV: In any presentation—written or spoken—I try to make it both informative and entertaining. The goal is to spark curiosity, to inspire people to want to learn more. Sometimes a lighter touch can be just as powerful, because if you can’t enjoy history, then why are we doing it?
Anniversaries and Public Memory
PP: We’re in a season of major anniversaries—the 200th of the Erie Canal this year, and soon the 250th of the Revolution and the Battles of Saratoga. How do you see these commemorations shaping community engagement with history?
RV: Community involvement is crucial. I think back to 2003, when we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Union Bridge—the first to span the Hudson River, opened in 1803 between Waterford and Lansingburgh.
The original dedication drew thousands, with Governor Morgan leading a grand procession, music from several marching bands, and no fewer than 32 toasts to the bridge’s success. For the bicentennial, the Waterford Museum recreated the entire event. I had the honor of portraying Governor Morgan. Hundreds of locals joined in, and the joy was palpable. That kind of shared memory makes history a living part of community life.
Why It Matters
Russ VanDervoort’s reflections remind us that public history is not just about books and archives—it lives in firehouse records, canal banks, and the memory of a community gathering to toast a bridge. His story underscores three truths:
Place shapes memory. Waterford’s geography—at the confluence of rivers, canals, and Revolutionary crossroads—made it a site of commerce, conflict, and creativity. Preserving and interpreting that layered landscape helps people see how local choices connect to national consequence.
History is both serious and joyful. VanDervoort insists on accuracy, but also on enjoyment. His approach reflects the idea that history should be rigorous without being forbidding, welcoming newcomers through story, humor, and shared experience.
Commemoration builds community. The bicentennial of the Union Bridge, like the coming Semiquincentennial, demonstrates how anniversaries can gather people across generations to reflect, celebrate, and imagine a shared future.
As Saratoga approaches its 250th, VanDervoort’s example is a reminder that public history thrives when it is rooted in place, animated by people, and oriented toward both memory and meaning.
Nanty Narking’s Necessary Nuisances
An early 19th-century London phrase, nanty narking meant “great fun,” often linked with tavern revelry. Franklin himself would have relished the triple alliteration—and perhaps the irony of calling his observations “nuisances.” Here is a collection to help make your weekend plans.
Seasonal Suppositions – Weather
From the Hudson Crossing weather station: partly sunny Friday, sunny Saturday and Sunday. Highs around 77, lows in the low 50s. Our 16-day dry streak has ended. (Link: Hudson Crossing Weather).
Riding the Whip
In the 18th century, a “whip” referred to a coachman. Travelers should note that New York State has closed Route 32 at the Kroma Kill near Quaker Springs. From the north, turn at Duell Road, pass the National Cemetery, and continue to Phillips Road onto Battlefield Road. From the Battlefield to the Old Saratoga Section, US 4 North is best. Take notice that National Park Law Enforcement rangers are actively enforcing parking rules.
Saratoga 250 has just introduced Your Travel Companion: The SRE App. Navigate the region with the Saratoga Revolutionary Experience app—unlock stories on-site, trace troop movements, and follow suggested itineraries.
Events Worth the Trouble
📅 History Caravan | Saturday, September 27 | 9:30 am
📍 Saratoga National Historical Park Visitor Center
Take a caravan-style battlefield tour led by a Park Volunteer. This 2.5–3-hour program allows you to follow along in your own vehicle, with flexibility to join or leave at any time.
📅 Fourth Annual Public History Awards | Tuesday, September 30 | 6:00–8:00 pm
📍 Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave.
Celebrate local history at the Saratoga County History Center’s Public History Awards. This year’s honorees are Anne Clothier, Assistant to the Saratoga County Historian, and Russ VanDervoort, Waterford Town Historian. Reception on the front porch at 6 pm, followed by award presentations and remarks in the Long Room at 7 pm.
Notes & Further Reading
Saratoga 250: County-wide commemoration of the Battles of Saratoga—America’s Turning Point in 1777. www.saratoga250.com
Saratoga National Historical Park: Five-unit complex preserving the American victory at the Battles of Saratoga. nps.gov/sara
Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center: History, culture, and landscapes of the Champlain Canal. hudsoncrossingpark.org
Lakes to Locks Passage: National Scenic Byway linking the Hudson River, Champlain Canal, Lake George, Lake Champlain, and Canadian waterways. passageport.org
Discover Saratoga: Destination guide for history, arts, culture, and natural beauty. discoversaratoga.org