The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission announced today the launch of its website: www.ExploreNY400.com.  The Commission is responsible for the planning and development of three landmark passages in New York State's history: the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River aboard the Dutch ship, Half Moon; Samuel de Champlain's expedition to Lake Champlain also 400 years ago; and Robert Fulton's maiden steamship journey up the Hudson in 1807, all to be celebrated together in 2009.

Commission Chair and City of Beacon Mayor Clara Lou Gould, stated, "The website provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about these historic figures and anniversaries in New York's history. This will be a great tool for communicating information to the public on the Commission's plans and ideas for the 2009 commemoration, and most important, for obtaining the public's ideas on how they would like to participate and what they would like to see happen in 2009 and on into the future."

The website will maintain links to other organizations, state agencies, and historic sites that are collaborating on this historic event throughout the magnificent Hudson River - Lake Champlain corridor.
Among
the many highlights of the website are the Commission's Strategic Plan and a link to the complete, digitized 1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration, Volumes I and II, which are available as a text searchable PDF document, a feature made possible by the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College.

The Commission, which was formed by legislation in 2002 and signed into law by Governor George Pataki in February 2002, is developing eight signature events which will take place from July 4 to October 4, 2009 along the celebration's corridor which spans from New York City to the Quebec border.

Executive Director Barbara Fratianni stated, "The website offers a comprehensive look back at New York City's and Lake Champlain's past celebrations and reveals the Commission's vision and goals for 2009.
As the website continues to evolve over the next three years, communities, organizations, and historic sites will be able to link to the website and post information about their commemoration events, exhibits, and festivals."

Currently, the Commission is scheduling countywide information sessions throughout the New York- Quebec corridor to introduce elected officials and directors of historical societies, museums, and arts, cultural, civic, and environmental groups, to the history-making 2009 commemoration.

For more information contact: 1-888-HFC-2009 or E-mail:
info@exploreNY400.com