History, Natural History & the Arts
This week on The Historians Podcast, hear Wayne Van Der Wal, author of the historical fiction novel, The Gospel of Santa Claus – Inspired by the True Story of Saint Nicholas.
You can listen to the podcast here. [Read more…] about The Life of St. Nicholas
The Historical Society of Rockland County has announced the 44th annual holiday exhibit, The Dollhouses and Miniature Art of Catherine Cooke, is on display until March 1st, 2020.
This year’s Holiday Exhibition features a selection of Catherine’s Small Wonders: custom dollhouses decorated and furnished down to the tiniest details, from period wallpaper, area rugs, and lamps to food in the kitchen. [Read more…] about Dollhouses, Miniature Art Exhibit in New City
Rogers Mansion in Southampton, NY, is set to host self-guided tours of the mansion on Saturday, December 14th, and Saturday, December 28th.
Guests will be able to see a 20 room home as it was in the 1920s filled with holiday decorations. Also, the exhibit “High Style in the Gilded Age: Southampton 1870-1930” will be on display showing ball gowns worn by Southampton women along with their stories from that era. Some of the women featured will be Consuelo Vanderbilt and Millicent Rogers. Refreshments will be served. [Read more…] about Rogers Mansion Candlelight Tours in Southampton
This winter break, Boscobel House and Gardens is set to offer activities for parents and their children while they are off school. Winter Break takes place on Thursday, December 26 and Friday, December 27.
On each day at 9:30 am and then again at 1 pm, Museum Educator Lisa DiMarzo will give families a fun flashlight tour of the mansion. Kids of all ages can enjoy hunting for gingerbread kids throughout the Historic House Museum, then join in a craft activity geared toward the season. [Read more…] about Winter Break for Families at Boscobel
For over 30 years light displays were a cornerstone of the holiday celebration at Trinkaus Manor in Oriskany. Starting in 1955 the Trinkaus brothers began their holiday tradition and added new features each year: angels, snowflakes, Santa’s village, elf workshops, a carousel, and more. So lavish were the displays, they could be seen by planes passing overhead.
The Trinkaus Manor restaurant could seat nearly 700 patrons and attracted people from across the country including celebrities and politicians. Tour buses were a regular sight at the Manor to see the elaborate decorations. Tragically, a fire destroyed Trinkaus Manor in April of 1992, but the Christmas lights and displays had been stored in a separate area and survived. [Read more…] about Trinkaus Holiday Lights Were Once A Tradition
Are you getting Blue Coal for Christmas?
You might have asked Santa Claus that question, when he took to the air on WBGF radio 1370 of Glens Falls at 6:30 pm Dec. 6, 1930, sponsored by Merkel & Gelman department store.
But to be certain, you would have wanted a second opinion, because only “The Shadow knows!” [Read more…] about Blue Coal for Christmas: 1930s Glens Falls Radio
The holiday season is in full swing at Clermont State Historic Site. Events have been set for every weekend in December leading up to Christmas.
A Child’s Christmas is set for December 7th and 8th and is recommended for children ages 3-10 and their families. Drop in from 10 am to noon for a stocking-foot tour of the decorations, then stop to read a story with the family’s nursemaid at the foot of the Christmas tree in the oak-paneled library. Each child will receive a special Christmas gift. Hot cider, cookies, and fruit will be served in the kitchen. Tickets are $4 per person. No reservations necessary. [Read more…] about Holiday Season Events At Clermont
Johnson Hall was the 1763 Georgian estate of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant and their family. Sir William Johnson (1715 – 1774) was the single largest landowner and among the most influential individuals in the colonial Mohawk Valley.
The main house and flanking stonehouses interpret the Johnson family and 18th century life through guided tours of the period room settings, educational programs and special events. In conjunction with the City of Johnstown’s Colonial Stroll holiday activities, Johnson Hall is set to hold its Holiday Open House on Friday, December 6 from 5 to 8:30 pm. [Read more…] about Johnson Hall Holiday Open House
The annual Newburgh Candlelight Tour has been set for Sunday, December 8th, from noon to 5 pm.
The 1830 Captain David Crawford House, the Newburgh Historical Society’s headquarters at 189 Montgomery Street, will be the starting place for this self-guided tour. [Read more…] about A Candlelight Tour of Newburgh Homes
The Albany Institute of History & Art has invited the public to celebrate the start of the holiday season at Home for the Holidays, the museum’s annual free admission weekend the weekend after Thanksgiving.
This popular event draws thousands of people to downtown Albany to see the museum decorated for the holidays, enjoy fun family activities, start their holiday shopping, and take their own photographs with Santa. This year, Home for the Holidays will be Friday, November 29th from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday, November 30th from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, December 1st from noon to 5 pm. [Read more…] about Albany Institute’s Home for the Holidays Weekends