Founded by the Dutch in 1661, Schenectady is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Its rich history includes surviving the 1690 massacre, becoming a major provider of brooms, working hard as a canal town, and inventing many of life's modern conveniences—from light bulbs to refrigerators to jet engines.
Schenectady County and city historian, archeologist, and author Don Rittner has spent half his life researching the city's history. He now details in photographs the changes that have occurred during the last century to Schenectady's downtown.