Blog entries

Winter's work: Why we clean with diapers

HVBlogger

Diapers? Yes, diapers. Not clean the diapers...clean WITH diapers. That's part of what our curatorial staff is doing during these winter months, when the public's little (and big) feets aren't traipsing through our halls.

In your own house you might use an old tee-shirt for a cleaning rag but here we have to be certain to use materials that wont harm the furniture, don't have lint, and are easy to launder - white cotton diapers are just the thing.

Check [...]

County Board of Legislators honors Philipsburg Manor cooper

HVBlogger

The Westchester County Board of Legislators recently honored Cortlandt Manor resident James Taylor for Black History Month. Some may know Mr. Taylor as a member of Historic Hudson Valley's African American Advisory Board. Others will recognize him from his work telling the story of slavery in the colonial Hudson Valley at Philipsb [...]

Washington Irving hangs at Harvard University

HVBlogger

What do Benjamin Franklin, Walt Disney, Mother Teresa, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Albert Einstein have in common with Washington Irving? Why, they were all honorary degree recipients at Harvard University!

While traveling widely, Irving befriended people everywhere, from presidents and kings to village neighbors and children, and became one o [...]

EagleFest-ivities tomorrow in Croton!

HVBlogger

Each winter, thousands of birds migrate "south" in search of warmer climates and in particular, warmer and unfrozen waters. These waters become a sanctuary for birds to congregate and use for hunting during the winter months. In the past, bald eagles were unseen in our area. Now these giant birds of prey are making a triumphant return (over 1 [...]

2010 = big expansion in public programs at Montgomery Place

HVBlogger

"There is great passion and fondness for Montgomery Place in our local community," said Mr. Armater, "and we seek to build on our local enthusiasm as our own best advocates for the beauty and importance of Montgomery Place as we expand programming and outreach to visitors."

On Saturday afternoons in February, Mr. Armater will be hosting neighbors and volunteer candidates on the north porch of the house at Montgomery Place, warmed by complimentary hot choco [...]

History through a student's eye

HVBlogger

A class from Belleville High School in Belleville, N.J. recently visited Washington Irving's Sunnyside to take advantage of one of the site's many educational programs. After the students returned to the classroom, their teacher asked the students to write letters to their family and friends describing what they had learned on their field trip, an exercise we recommend as part of this kind of field trip.

The result: each letter and sketch represents a fa [...]

Take advantage of Free Arts Day this Sunday

HVBlogger

When can you enjoy tours and cultural activities at four of Westchester's historic sites, all for free? For just one day, doors at Historic Hudson Valley will open with FREE admission to select sites with special activities to boot. Free Arts Day is this Sunday, December 6, and will take place at Washington Irving's Sunnysi [...]

Blaze YouTube Video Contest 2009 winner #2

BlazeBlogger

Let's hear it for Mike Gross, this week's Blaze YouTube
Video contest winner. Mike has won his very own iPod touch courtesy of WHUD radio. Congrats Mike!

To all you Pumpkin-heads attending this weekend: don't forget to bring along your video cameras for a chance to win your very own iPod touch too! (You won't win an iPod if you bring a tripod or mono-pod, so please please please leave them at home.)

Check out Mike's winning entry below.

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Blaze YouTube Video Contest 2009 winner #1

BlazeBlogger

David Williams visited Blaze, created this lovely work, posted it on YouTube, and is now the proud winner of an iPod touch, courtesy of WHUD radio. We are giving away FIVE iPods in total -- four for Blaze videos and one for Legend. You too can enter. Click here for details and check out David's video below for inspiration.

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Brian Jay Jones is coming to Sunnyside on Saturday: Interview with an HVBlogger, part II

HVBlogger

Brian Jay Jones: I like Halloween, though I'm actually more of a Christmas fan! I love horror movies and horror stories, but I'm also one of the world's great chickens, a real Leave-The-Lights-On kinda guy.

HVBlogger: Heh heh, don't worry, we won't tell. Oh wait, we just did. And on that note, what's scarier, politics or horror movies?

Brian Jay Jones: Politics. Not even close.

HVBlogger: Thank you, Brian!

See Brian Jay [...]

Brian Jay Jones is coming to Sunnyside on Saturday: Interview with an HVBlogger, part I

HVBlogger

We are big fans of Brian Jay Jones, Washington Irving, and gripping biographies. Thus, we are what you would call a superfan of An American Original, a gripping biography of Irving written by Brian Jay Jones.

Brian is coming to Sunnyside on Saturday as part of Historic Hudson Valley's Legend Daytime program and [...]

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze: Don't forget the merch

BlazeBlogger

Besides being a rather "enlightening" way to spend an October evening, the Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze also provides bargain hunters and shopaholics alike with plenty of opportunity.

In celebration of Blaze's five year anniversary, the gift shop, your last stop on tour de Blaze, is jam packed with recessio [...]

Jack O'Lantern Blaze roundup volume #1

BlazeBlogger

Blaze fans: If you're not on Facebook, you are missing out on a lot of fun. We've got about 1,700 fans (and growing) over there. Posting and commenting and uploading and etc. Check it out if you haven't already.

The Meet the Carvers series is going strong, this time in video format. Check out the first three episodes on YouTube. Click below.

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Tic [...]

Montgomery Place and Heritage Weekend, Sept. 12-13

HVBlogger

This weekend, Sept 12-13, marks the first annual Hudson River/Champlain Valley Heritage Weekend held on every stretch of the valley from Staten Island all the way up to Fort Montgomery in Rouses Point, NY. That's 345 miles of history, wonder, and awe.

More than 100 museums, historic sites, battlefields, and parks, many open thi [...]

HHV featured on public radio's Marketplace

HVBlogger

For a story about the growing trend of historic house museums emphasizing the stories of slaves and servants, Marketplace reporter Ashley Milne-Tyte recently visited Philipsburg Manor and Van Cortlandt and spoke with our interpreters and our curator, Kate Johnson.

The story aired nationally during the Aug. 7 edition of Marketplace. You can read the transcript or take a listen to this compelling piece online.

A fountain of youth at Van Cortlandt Manor?

HVBlogger

When a digital portrait is showing a little too much "character," a few virtual brushstrokes can make it blemish free. But when the medium is canvas and oil and the problem isn't "character," but rather dirt and grime, the process is a wee bit more involved.

Guest blogger and Historic Hudso [...]

Choose your celebration

HVBlogger

On this Fourth, you can celebrate our country's independence by actually becoming a part of it. Whether you're a history buff, a sports fan, nature lover, or family of nine you will find something to fit your tastes at either of this years July 4th events at Historic Hudson Valley.

First decide [...]

This is a good sign indeed

HVBlogger

No, a highway is not being built inside Philipsburg Manor, but the historic site saw the official unveiling this morning of new Thruway signs that will guide travelers to Philipsburg and other HHV attractions.

"The Authority is pleased to partner with Historic Hudson Valley to promote these nationally recognized h [...]

We got all sheepish

HVBlogger

You wouldn't know it from the rain today and yesterday, but the weather @ Sheep-to-Shawl on Saturday and Sunday was pretty stellar. Big crowds and big sunshine. Here's a couple of photographic [...]

20 reasons to visit Philipsburg Manor this weekend

HVBlogger

Do you really need 20 reasons to come to Sheep-to-Shawl at Philipsburg Manor this weekend? Well, we've got them. Specifically, 19 newborn la [...]