Senate House State Historic Site in Kingston, NY, the 18th century home of the VanGaasbeek family and the first meeting place of the New York State Senate, has announced its special event calendar for the 2023 season.
Scheduled events include:
April 8th – Sugaring Off – 11 am to 4 pm – This program will showcase maple sugaring, 18th century style. There will be demonstrations of boiling maple sap, hearthside cooking, meat smoking, jack wax candy tasting, crafts for all ages, and music by Mark Rust.
April 19th – Opening Day – 10 am to 5 pm – Senate House opens for regular hours. Attendees can experience a guided tour of Senate House, then explore the museum building with two floors of exhibits. The site is open Wednesdays – Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm through October 31st. Rates are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and children ages 12 and under are free.
April 20th – New York State Constitution Day – 10 am to 5 pm – April 20th is the anniversary of the signing of the first New York State Constitution in Kingston The public can visit the museum for a tour, participate in a quill pen writing activity, grab a copy of the original 1777 NYS Constitution, and learn more about this foundational document.
May 20th – 18th Century Growing Season – 11 am to 4 pm – Attendees will learn about what it was like to grow things and produce food in the 18th century. Watch Historic Site staff plant their 18th century inspired garden, see beekeeping, sheep shearing, and hearthside cooking. Includes crafts for visitors of all ages.
June 4th – TRANSART Inc.’s Pinkster – TRANSART’s multi-day Pinkster festival will be making a stop at Senate House. The day’s activities, coordinated by TRANSART with cooperation and contributions from Senate House State Historic Site, will feature food, music, dance, and information on the history of this historical African American celebration. For more information on the event, click here.
July 1st – Let Freedom Ring – 11 am to 4 pm – Attendees can participate in commemorating American Independence at Senate House. There will be famous American music, and an Independence Ceremony featuring readings of important speeches on American Independence.
October 1st – 18th Century Autumnfest – 11 am to 4 pm – Attendees can experience some key Autumn activities from the 18th century. There will be demonstrations of blacksmithing, meat-smoking, candle dipping, pressing apples, and more. There will also be live performances of juggling, fire spitting, and tightrope walking.
For a full schedule of events, visit the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website.
Photo of Senate House State Historic Site provided.
Leave a Reply