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1786 Project Celebrates America250 in Forthcoming Book!
The 1786 Project brings to life the untold story of how Greater Western New York nearly became America’s fifteenth state—or part of Canada. As part of the America250 commemoration, the project’s forthcoming book reveals hidden histories, local voices, and frontier struggles that shaped both the region and the nation.
Through original research and vivid storytelling, Greater Western New York A State? Why Not? The Forgotten History of How America’s Frontier Almost Became a State—or a Part of Canada reveals the debates, alliances, and boundary disputes that defined this forgotten frontier. Readers will discover how early settlers, Tory-centric leaders, and well-known American statesmen all played roles in the drama that almost redrew the map of the United States.
More than a book, this facet of the 1786 Project is a collaborative effort that invites county historians, local organizations, and the public to take part in rediscovering this heritage. By combining scholarship with interactive activities like treasure hunts and community events, it ensures that the story of Greater Western New York—America’s First Frontier—takes its rightful place in America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Readers & Fans: Discover the Treasure Hunt!
History is more than names and dates—it’s an adventure waiting to be uncovered. The 1786 Project invites you to join a region-wide treasure hunt that spans all seventeen counties of Greater Western New York. Each location holds a clue, each clue leads closer to solving a mystery tied to the region’s forgotten dream of statehood.
By exploring local landmarks, museums, and hidden stories, participants become part of a living history quest. Along the way, they’ll learn how ordinary settlers, determined leaders, and unexpected events shaped the destiny of a frontier caught between two nations.
And yes, there are real prizes. With rewards worth more than $1,000, the treasure hunt combines fun with discovery—but it also does more. Each solved riddle connects directly to a story in Greater Western New York A State? Why Not?, encouraging participants to link their journey to the book’s historical research. The result is an experience where history isn’t just read—it’s lived, shared, and celebrated as part of America250.
Historians: Every County Has a Story—And You Can Tell It!
The 1786 Project isn’t just about a single book or event—it’s a collaboration with the historians from every county of Greater Western New York. Each of the seventeen counties has its own tale to tell, whether it’s a frontier settlement, a pivotal treaty, or a family story passed down through generations.
By gathering these voices together, the 1786 Project creates a mosaic of experiences that exposes how local struggles and triumphs contributed to the larger story of America. These accounts remind us that history is not abstract—it is rooted in places, people, and communities that continue to shape our lives today.
This effort also ensures that every county’s historian has a platform to share research and engage with the public. Their contributions strengthen the historical record and tie directly into the scholarship presented in Greater Western New York A State? Why Not?. Together, they invite all of us to see Greater Western New York not as a forgotten corner of America, but as a region central to the nation’s founding struggles and future celebrations.
Greater Western New York A State? Why Not? will become the
fifth volume in the Greater Western New York History Series.
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50 Hidden Gems of Greater Western New York – A guide to the overlooked landmarks and forgotten stories that reveal the region’s true character. 50hiddengems.com
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A Pizza The Action – A delicious slice of local history tracing how Rochester and Buffalo shaped America’s pizza traditions.
apizzatheaction.com -
Hamburger Dreams – An award-winning historical detective story uncovering the true origins of America’s favorite sandwich. hamburgerdreams.com
- History Unleashed: Lafayette’s Remarkable Tour of the Greater Western New York Region – The dramatic story of Lafayette’s 1825 journey and its impact on a young America. historyunleashed.chriscarosa.com
But Wait! There’s More!
Just wait until you see this!
Annual Birthday Party!
Join the birthday party celebration every December 16th!
1786 Project Highlights: The Greater Western New York Minute
Got an idea you’d like to see made into a “Minute” video? Click here to submit it:
https://stateof.greaterwesternnewyork.com/2023/05/how-to-submit-an-idea-for-the-greater-western-new-york-minute/
As we prepare for the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, let us also celebrate the 250th anniversary of the new state of New York (and all the other dozen new states). But in this celebration, let us not forget the history of the Greater Western New York Region. Although the formal beginning of the region happened with the signing of the Treaty of Harford on December 16, 1786 (a decade after the Declaration of Independence), that does not mean the region did not have a history in the years, centuries, and epochs before its birth. Check out some of these as well as other moments in the history of our region in these 60-second vignettes: