The Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, NY has announced a benefit concert set for Friday, July 26th. The concert will feature performances from Capital Region acts Lost Radio Rounders and Mark & Jill.
Located just 10 minutes West of Schenectady, Mabee Farm is the oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley, dating back to 1705. In addition to scenic forest trails and orchards, the site is host to a number of historic buildings. These buildings include the handbuilt Dutch Barn from 1760. The Dutch barn will host the benefit concert performances. This site frequently hosts concerts, most notably the annual Howlin’ at the Moon Concert Series each summer.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards preserving the farm’s Brick House. The Brick House – built in 1767 – was home to Mabee Farm’s 14 enslaved people. Following surveys, engineers determined that $76,000 in preservation work, including repairs to the basement was needed to stabilize the structure. This restoration comes as a part of the site’s mission to acknowledge the role of slavery in the Mabee Farm’s history.
“It is vitally important to preserve this building. The Brick house – particularly its barren basement – is a tangible connection to the lives of enslaved Schenectadians. It is our duty as stewards of history to safeguard this structure so that future generations will be able to delve into the complexities of our shared past”
– Mary Zawacki, Mabee Farm Executive Director
These plans have gained the support of politicians like New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. Delgado recognized the restoration’s role in “keeping this history alive for generations of New Yorkers to enjoy.”
Lost Radio Rounders and Mark & Jill have volunteered to perform at the July 26th benefit show. The trio Lost Radio Rounders are staples of the Capital Region Americana scene. Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame inductees Paul Jossman and Michael Eck, alongside multi-instrumentalist and educator Tom Lindsey founded the trio in its current form in 2021. With acoustic instrumentation including resonator guitars, mandolins, and double basses, the trio transports audiences to a time long passed.
Their sound is aided by the group’s love of history, frequently performing frontier ballads and even historical presidential campaign songs. Lindsey – a New York State history teacher – holds a special love for the oral tradition of folk music. Speaking on the benefit concert, Lindsey said the band has “always explored the way American music reflects American history, and we are delighted to lend a helping hand to this important project. As a former educator I know the impact that living history sites like Mabee Farm can have on people of all ages, especially children.”
Blues duo Mark & Jill will join Lost Radio Rounders at the benefit concert. Founded by New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Mark Tolstrup and singer Jill Burnham, the duo has produced a unique blend of American roots music. Combining Tolstrup’s bluesy slide guitar and Burnham’s sultry vocals, they explore the joy and sorrow that life brings through their songs. The group’s blending of styles from Texas, New Orleans, and New York has brought them much acclaim. In 2022, the duo won the Capital Region Thomas Edison Awards “Blues Artist of the Year.” Additionally, they were finalists in the 2022 Memphis International Blues Challenge.
The benefit concert will take place on Friday, July 26th starting at 7:00pm. The concert is an “admission by donation” event with proceeds going towards the restoration project.
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