Name Don Rittner Role Historian | Movies H. | |
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Education University at Albany, SUNY Books Encyclopedia Of Chemistry, Encyclopedia of Biology, Lansingburgh (NY), Troy, EcoLinking | ||
Don Rittner is an American historian, archeologist, environmental activist, educator, and author living in the Capital District, Schenectady County, New York. He is the former Schenectady County Historian, responsible for providing guidance and support to municipal historians and serving as a conduit between the State Historian in Albany and the local historians in their counties. He is also the former Schenectady City Historian and was the Albany City Archeologist (1973-79). He is the author of more than 35 books on history, natural history, computers, and other subjects, and has been collected by libraries worldwide.
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Biography
He attended the University of Albany where as a student he continued the earlier work of William B. Efner, a predecessor as County Historian. In 1973 he became the archeologist for the city of Albany. He excavated old Colonial tavern sites and roads, and located the old King's Highway, erecting markers to commemorate the historic route.
During the 1970s, he led the fight to save the Albany Pine Barrens, known as the Pine Bush. He founded the Pine Bush Historic Preservation Project and was responsible for the city of Albany acquiring its first nature preserve, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. During 1983–89 he served as the preserve's manager. During this time he designed a 40-mile hiking trail around the city of Albany called the Albany Greenbelt. He was responsible for the historic roads and trail system in the preserve to become part of the National Trails System in 1985.
He has published more than 35 books in history, science, and technology. From 1999 to 2005, he wrote a history column for seven years for the Troy Record called "Heritage on the Hudson". Rittner also manages the Capital District Preservation Task Force listserve that provides daily newspaper coverage in history, planning, and preservation to more than 80 leading preservation and environmental groups. He writes a history blog on the Albany Times Union website.
Books (partial list)
Natural history
Human history
Encyclopedias
Computers
Scientific Journals
Magazines