Stone Walls in Rensselaer Manor (Rensselaerwyck)
with John Delano
Wednesday December 20, 2023 at 7pm on Zoom
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Prof. John Delano has measured more than 150 miles of stone walls within Rensselaer Manor by walking in the woods with a GPS unit and by LiDAR imaging (Light Detection and Ranging). These walls are products of enormous efforts made by subsistence farmers in the 17th-19th centuries prior to the widespread abandonment of homesteads in the late 19th century. With these data and historic documents, the stories of some of these intrepid families have been revealed.
Pre-registration is required. The suggested voluntary donation is $5, though any amount is welcome. To register, just click the link below.
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***Please note this talk has been rescheduled for Wednesday, December 20 at 7pm on Zoom***
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John Delano received his PhD in geochemistry from Stony Brook University, and retired in late 2016 from the University at Albany, State University of New York as a professor at the Distinguished rank. During his academic career, he served as the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University, an Associate Director of a NASA Astrobiology Institute involving a consortium of five universities, and was the recipient of several university awards including the President’s Award for Exemplary Public Engagement. He served on more than two dozen scientific advisory panels for both NASA and the National Science Foundation. His research was funded principally by NASA that resulted in 70 peer-reviewed articles in professional journals. Since arriving in Williamsburg, VA, he has published two additional scientific papers, taught six courses for the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning at William and Mary, and made nearly 100 presentations to regional organizations. He is also a volunteer at York River State Park doing trail maintenance, a member of the James City County Rotary Club and the Capital Club of Williamsburg, a volunteer interpreter in the Archaeology Department at Colonial Williamsburg, and a volunteer mentor for Colonial CASA.
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Questions? Please contact Dan Morse at dan@rensselaerplateau.org.
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