Larry J. Hackman Research Residency Program is sponsored by New York State Archives. Supports advanced research in New York State history, government, or public policy for doctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars.

Larry J. Hackman Research Residency Program | New York State Archives Larry J. Hackman Research Residency Program Larry J.

Hackman Research Residency Program The Larry J. Hackman Research Residency Program supports advanced work on New York State history, government, or public policy using archival records in the State Archives. The program is intended to defray travel-related research expenses and support on-site research at the Archives.

An emphasis on public dissemination of the research results enhances general knowledge of the rich documentary resources held at the State Archives. The program honors Larry J. Hackman, the New York State Archivist who managed the dramatic development of the State Archives between 1981 and 1995.

Applicant/Project Eligibility Eligible applicants include: University and college faculty and graduate students in all academic fields Community historians, including those who work for a municipality or a historical society, museum, or similar non-profit organization Primary or secondary school teachers Projects may lead to diverse research products, including: Academic dissertations, theses, articles, books, or other written content Multimedia projects and websites Residents conduct research at the New York State Archives' research facility in downtown Albany.

The topic or area of research must be supported by government records in the State Archives. Preference will be given to projects that: Enduring public policy issues, particularly in New York State Rely on records that have been little used and are not available electronically or on microfilm Have a high probability of publication or other public dissemination The year 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal.

Researchers are invited to apply for Hackman awards supporting research at the State Archives on the history of New York’s canal system. The Mighty Chain: A Guide to Canal Records in the New York State Archives is a detailed guide to Archives records on the Erie Canal.

New York Legal and Judicial History With a major acquisition of court records in early 2017, the New York State Archives now holds all the records of pre-1847 trial courts exercising jurisdiction throughout the colony and state. Also in the Archives are pre-1823 probate records and post-1847 records of the Court of Appeals.

The records strongly support research on civil litigation, criminal prosecution (prior to 1801), and precedent-setting cases. They also contain a wealth of information on business and personal relationships. Researchers are invited to apply for Hackman awards supporting research at the State Archives on New York’s judicial and legal history.

We extend a special thank you to the Institute for Museum and Library Services and the William Nelson Cromwell Foundation for their support in the digitization and conservation of these records. New York in the Revolutionary Era, 1760-1790 The colony and state of New York played an essential role in the American Revolution and the continuing fight to achieve the ideals of the Revolution.

We invite projects that address the political and military history of the revolution as well as the themes described in the NY State 250th Commemoration Field Guide. Much of the documentary record from the wartime period was damaged or destroyed in the State Capitol Fire of 1911. However many records from the late-colonial and early statehood periods have survived and are in the New York State Archives.

NY State 250th Commemoration Field Guide Applicants are invited to apply for Hackman awards supporting research at the New York State Archives highlights populations that have been historically marginalized (e.g., African Americans, Indigenous nations, the LGBTQ community, and individuals with disabilities).

Government records documenting the activities of these communities can be found in various series of census, military, court, Dutch, real property, probate, education records. Materials may exist through several other channels that have not yet been explored. We encourage and welcome that exploration through this residency program.

Please note that some records one might wish to examine may be legally restricted in part or in whole. Prospective researchers should inquire about possible restrictions when contacting the State Archives. Awards are intended to defray costs of travel, lodging, and meals,.

All awardees will receive a $245 award plus support for eligible travel-related expenses. Research visits range from a few days to several weeks depending upon the nature of the research and volume of records. (Eligible expenses are indicated on the application form.)

Applications Process/Deadline The Application Guidelines provide detailed information on completing a Residency application. The fillable Application Form is appropriate for all types of researchers. Certain browsers may affect the functionality of the form, so we recommend that you download the form and fill it out using Acrobat Reader or similar software.

Certain computer operating systems may adversely affect automatic calculations in the budget form included with the application. If you encounter problems with this function contact: sarahackres@nysed. gov and a separate form will be provided.

If you need an application form sent to you by U.S. Mail, contact: Cultural Education Center, Room 9D46 Email: sarahackres@nysed. gov If you have questions about the application process see the FAQs or e-mail: sarahackres@nysed. gov Applications must be postmarked or e-mailed by midnight (ET) January 15, 2026.

Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of scholars and archivists familiar with the State Archives and its holdings. Applicants will be informed of the panel's decision by April 15, 2026. Potential applicants must e-mail the Archives' Researcher Services staff several weeks before completing the application, to discuss their research topics and the records that they propose to use.

Early consultation with Archives staff generally results in a stronger application. E-mail: archref@nysed. gov Residencies must be completed by May 31, 2027.

At the end of the residency, awardees must submit a final report on their research experience in order to receive final payment of the award.

Residents are expected to publicize project results through: a published article, thesis or dissertation, or book; a public presentation (copy of presentation and program should be submitted to the Archives Partnership Trust); a public exhibit or website; and/or an article submission to New York Archives magazine for possible publication. See the Editorial Guidelines .

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) , may also answer many of your questions. Endowment earnings and private contributions to the Archives Partnership Trust provide the financial basis for the Hackman Research Residency Program. Contributors have included The Susan and Elihu Rose Foundation, Inc., Henry Luce Foundation, Inc., The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation; The Lucius N.

Littauer Foundation; and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Contributions and endowment earnings enable the Trust to maintain prior years' award levels, as well as to continue with invitational fellowships to complete priority projects. Gifts are welcomed.

Contact Archives Partnership Trust, Cultural Education Center — Suite 9C49, Albany, New York 12230. "I've discovered here in the Archives a really rich resource of documents, photos, and correspondence that's helping me piece together the history [of my research topic]... I'm really grateful to the Hackman Residency Program and to the Archives for hosting me and supporting my research.

It's really been a terrific experience." ~Nicholas Croggon, Hackman Residency Scholar New York Archives Magazine Archives Partnership Trust New York State Historical Records Advisory Board Office of Cultural Education New York State Education Department The New York State Archives is part of the Office of Cultural Education, an office of the New York State Education Department.