What Schenectady is known for

Schenectady is known for the rich history that took place in the area and some famous achievements in the region.[2] The General Electric Company was first established in Schenectady and has developed to be a multinational and conglomerate corporation.[3] The GE invented many influential items, including improved AC power generators, an x-ray tube, the electric washing machine, and more.[9] 

One activity that is frequently done by those visiting Schenectady is stopping by the Proctors Theatre. The theatre used to be a vaudeville house, showing comedic acts, magician performances, and other short forms of entertainment. The theatre has been used in the present day by famous singers, including Mariah Carey and Britney Spears.[5] The Central Park Rose Garden is a spot to visit within the destination. The garden is a nice place for walks, taking pictures, and holding events. The setting creates a peaceful environment, with a water fountain and 4,000 rose bushes.[6] The VIA Aquarium has a wide range of aquatic exhibits and over 2,000 sea creatures. The aquarium offers a learning and a hands-on experience. The Stingray Bay allows guests to feel the skin of a stingray, and once a day, there is a stingray feeding that visitors can participate in.[7] 

The Schenectady Region is around 30 minutes away from New York's capital, Albany. The New York State Capitol building is a historic building that was completed in 1899. The construction took 32 years to build and has many intricate details in and outside of the building.[8] The New York State Museum is another popular attraction located in Albany, New York. The museum has a plethora of artwork, artifacts, and history for visitors to explore. There are many historical things to see inside, but the building itself is historic, being the oldest state building in the United States. The museum was founded in 1836 by Governor William Marcy.[10] 

Based on the climate, the best time to visit the area is June through September. These months have warm weather and allow for a variety of outdoor activities.[4]

Geography

The Schenectady Region is located in east-central New York. This area is known as upstate New York. This area covers many different cities, including Cooperstown, Springfield, Little Falls, Herkimer, Waterville, Middle Grove, and Rotterdam. Mohawk River, Otsego Lake, Great Sacandaga Lake, and Canadarago Lake are some of the water features within the region. Bear Swamp State Forest, Charleston State Forest, Shaker Mountain Wild Forest, and Charles E Baker State Forest sit within the region.

The climate in the Schenectady Region falls on both extremes, depending on the time of year. The warm summer months are typically May to September and average around 72 degrees. July is the hottest month of the year, reaching about 82 degrees. December through March are the coldest months within the region. The average high during these months is below 41 degrees. January is the coldest month of the year and gets down to as low as 16 degrees. Schenectady tends to be cloudy for the majority of the year. October through June are the months that see the most overcast weather. The most rain and precipitation are most seen from April to September. November to April is the snowy period within the region, with January being the snowiest month.[4] 

Upstate New York has many farms and plays a significant role in agriculture in the state. Dairy farming is a large industry within the state. Apples, grapes, onions, and maple syrup are a few of the top products produced in New York.[11]

History

The Schenectady Region is named after the city located in east-central New York. The name comes from the Mohawk language and means "beyond the pines." The Mohawk nation was one of the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. Dutch colonists founded the city during the 17th century. The Schenectady area developed during the 19th century due to the Mohawk Valley trade. Eventually, manufacturing became one of the key labor forces. The area had a cotton mill and many connections to the South.[1]

The General Electric and American Locomotive Company are two companies that were developed in Schenectady and are companies that are still thriving today. These industrial jobs attracted European immigrants to the area, providing many job opportunities. General Electric and the American Locomotive Company are the companies that impacted the city to be known as "The City that Lights and Hauls the World."[1]

Schenectady reached a peak in population in the 1930s but declined dramatically during the Great Depression and years to come because of the loss of jobs in the area. Today, the population sits around 66,000 people. 59.38% of the people are White, 24.19% are African American, 14.47% are Hispanic or Latin, 8.24% are from other races, 5.74% are from two or more races, 2.62% are Asian American, .69% are Native American, and .14% are Pacific Islanders. The three most predominant religions within the region are Catholic, Islam, and the Reformed Church.[1]