Drawing: AOA Bad Boys, Broads, and Bootleggers tour
Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!
This year's Bad AOA Boys, Broads, and Bootleggers history tour is this Saturday. It's sold out. And we thought every single space had been claimed.
But... we heard this week from Brian Brosen and Reggie Monroe of the Capital Team, one of the tour sponsors, that they had two extra tickets they weren't going to use. So they asked if we'd like to give them away. And we said we would. Maybe to you.
To enter the drawing, please answer this answer this question in the comments:
Who's your favorite Capital Region historical figure? Why?
It could be someone famous. It could be someone from your favorite local historical tale. It could be pretty much whoever. We'll draw one winner at random.
The Bad Boys, Broads, and Bootleggers Tour starts at 1:30 pm this Saturday, November 5 at Ryan's Wake in Troy with some history pre-game activities, and the bus leaves at 2 pm sharp. Along the way we'll hear tales of gangsters, madams, and characters from the area's political and brewing history. And we'll make stops at various establishments for tasting and sampling. We'll be back at the starting point around 6 pm.
Important: All comments must be submitted by noon on Thursday, November 3, 2016 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 5 pm on Thursday and must respond by noon on Friday, November 4.
The Bad Boys, Broads, and Bootleggers Tour is presented by Brian Brosen, Reggie Monroe and The Capital Team. It's sponsored by the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Historic Albany Foundation, and the Downtown Troy BID, with help from CDTA.
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Comments
Philip Schuyler because he was one of America's most influential early citizens as well as Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law.
... said CB on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:20 AM | link
Nipper, he is always standing guard over our fair city
... said Phong on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:29 AM | link
Samuel Wilson for being the inspiration behind the Iconic American Image of Uncle Sam.
... said Heather P. on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:34 AM | link
Dan O'Connell for being the shadowy power behind the scenes of one of America's most powerful political machines. And he did it all with a 5th grade education.
... said Adam O'Connor on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:45 AM | link
Kate Mullany, who founded the all female Collar Laundry Union in 1864 in Troy.
... said Mary M on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:47 AM | link
Eliphalet Nott.
President of Union College, was President of RPI (because he was an example of Grace), delivered a speech so profound after the death of Hamilton that it is still taught today, invented the coal stove, wrote a bunch...and has a great Twitter feed.
And the most beautiful building in the area is named after him.
Go U!
*mic drop*
... said Ned on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:59 AM | link
Gotta be Nipper!
... said Meg on Nov 2, 2016 at 12:47 PM | link
I think I have to go with Kate Mullaney, factory worker & union activist. It's hard to decide with so many notable people from this region or with ties to it. But I wanted to go with someone of modest means who made a positive difference. I know the tour theme is about the "bad boys" but it seems Kate was pretty badass, standing up to the company & organizing her co-workers so I think she's the one to pick today.
... said Pamela Bentien on Nov 2, 2016 at 12:51 PM | link
Seth Wheeler inventor of TP
... said ab on Nov 2, 2016 at 12:58 PM | link
Legs Diamond. Shot down because he could run illegal booze better than the police department.
... said Casey on Nov 2, 2016 at 1:03 PM | link
Jack "Legs" Diamond, for his fascinating life and death here in Albany.
... said Brad on Nov 2, 2016 at 1:08 PM | link
Henry Johnson for being a courageous soldier in difficult times, thank you!
... said KM on Nov 2, 2016 at 1:20 PM | link
Jack "Legs" Diamond - Loved reading up on his history and trials
Mame Faye - another very interesting story about the background of the business but also being a generous with the money
... said Shannon G on Nov 2, 2016 at 3:25 PM | link
Governor Nelson Rockefeller. To be so brazen as to knock down entire neighborhoods and create this massive plaza in concrete.... must have been a fascinating character.
... said kriskaten on Nov 2, 2016 at 4:40 PM | link
My favorite has to be Fay the madam "LADY WITH THE HEART OF GOLD" from Troy! She was fascinating , hated & loved ,and a legend that will always live on.
... said mg on Nov 2, 2016 at 5:10 PM | link
Troy boy, Oskar Dieter Alex von Rosenberg-Redé, 3rd Baron von Rosenberg-Redé...was “trés ocupé†doing nothing". He liked red rooms lighted by candles, cut flowers lightly misted with water to imitate dew, mashed potatoes topped with sliced truffles, and English handmade shoes. He hated buffet dinners. ("I have a great distaste for eating in my lap.") And noise irritated him. ("Silence has its own dignity.")
But was he really from Troy? Probably not, though NY Times Fashion journalist Guy Trebay maintains that "Baron de Redé’s credentials are more entertaining when you learn that they were largely fictitious. The fashionable set has always gone for a good story, and Baron de Redé’s was ripe enough to obscure his true origins as a middle-class adventurer from upstate Troy, N.Y."
Fortunately you can read all about his Troy life in the Baron's memoirs, Unfortunately you can't read the memoirs because they cost over $400 each.
"All I want is the best of everything, and there’s very little of that left,†said Baron von Rosenberg-Redé of Troy. Oh well, here he is with Oscar de la Renta
... said Big 'Vic' Proton on Nov 2, 2016 at 8:51 PM | link
Eleanor Roosevelt. We tend to forget that she was here.
... said Marie on Nov 3, 2016 at 6:29 AM | link
Erastus Corning 2nd, longtime mayor of Albany!
... said Ron on Nov 3, 2016 at 10:26 AM | link
James Ten Eyck. (1840-1910) He was the scion of a prominent family, a successful businessman, sat on many city boards, was president of the Albany Institute, and Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York. His bronze bust stands over the entrance of the Masonic Temple on Corning Place- it was put there during his lifetime (few men get such an honor).
... said Eric Scheirer Stott on Nov 3, 2016 at 10:38 AM | link
Al Smith. Because he was anti Prohibition!
... said Susan on Nov 3, 2016 at 10:38 AM | link
Kurt Vonnegut! He lived in Troy and worked in Schenectady in the 1950s for a while, and the numerous references to "Illium" in his writing are an homage to Troy.
... said Matt on Nov 3, 2016 at 11:08 AM | link
Herman Melville, an Albany resident during his teenage years!
... said Kate on Nov 3, 2016 at 11:14 AM | link
General Philip Sheridan is my pick. Not only was he instrumental in winning the Civil War for the Union, he has an interesting Albany back story. Interesting in the sense that he probably wasn't born here, though he claimed this City was his birth place. He was likely born en route to the US on a passenger ship from Ireland. But because he had presidential aspirations, he needed a domestic place of birth, otherwise he wouldn't have been a natural born citizen (did they have birthers in the 1860's?). He did live here for a time however, and his likeness on horseback does grace the park in front of the Capitol!
... said Dylan on Nov 3, 2016 at 11:29 AM | link
John "Old Smoke" Morrissey.
... said Mike on Nov 3, 2016 at 11:30 AM | link
Gotta agree with Henry Johnson, total badass.
Dan O'Connell? Oh please. He's responsible for the near fascist government with which we are still saddled today.
... said Stan on Nov 7, 2016 at 8:50 AM | link