Schenectady County Historical Society

Candlelight Tour | Oct 14 7pm Colonial Hauntings
2023-10-14 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
** All ticket sales are final. No refunds or switching dates, times, or tours **
Join us for spooky tales of Schenectady’s haunting past. We’ll explore the historic Stockade after dark, and discover the neighborhood’s most blood-curdling ghost stories. Guided by expert storytellers, immerse yourself in the spirit realm and prepare to confront the haunted past of this nearly 400-year-old neighborhood. On our “Ghostly Victorian tour”, elegant homes transform into haunted dwellings. Listen to ghostly tales as you venture past flickering stoops and encounter lingering spirits. Or, brave the “Colonial Hauntings” tour, traversing ancient streets where mist swirls around colonial-era houses. Uncover dark secrets and encounter restless spirits under the moonlit sky. Reserve your place now, and unlock the haunted history of the Stockade…
Tickets are $15 and you can choose either the “Colonial Hauntings” or “Ghostly Victorian” tour. The two tours feature different stories, and venture through different parts of the neighborhood. We recommend you bring a flashlight. Each tour lasts 60-90 minutes – both tours cannot be done on the same night.
Please park on the street. Parking is not allowed in the YWCA parking lot. Candlelight Tours are co-sponsored by the Schenectady Heritage Foundation. The tour meets at 32 Washington Avenue, Schenectady.

Available Dates:
Colonial Hauntings tours at 6pm and 7pm; Ghostly Victorian tours at 6:30pm and 7:30pm

Thurs Oct 12 – 4 tours @ 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
Fri Oct 13 – 4 tours @ 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
Sat Oct 14 – 4 tours @ 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
Thurs Oct 19 – 4 tours @ 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
Fri Oct 20 – 4 tours @ 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
Sat Oct 21 – 4 tours @ 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
Thurs Oct 26 – 4 tours @ 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
Fri Oct 27 – 4 tours @ 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm
Sat Oct 28 – 4 tours @ 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm

Candlelight Tour | Oct 14 6:30pm Ghostly Victorian
2023-10-14 18:30 - 19:30

Candlelight Tour | Oct 14 6pm Colonial
2023-10-14 18:00 - 19:00

Archives Day at SCHS
2023-10-14 13:00 - 15:00
Join us in celebrating National Archives Month! Marietta Carr, our archivist and librarian, will give a special presentation on preserving historic papers and photographs using examples from our collections and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Grems-Doolittle Library. Come learn techniques that you can apply to preserving photos, letters, diaries, and other cherished family documents!
This event is free for SCHS members, otherwise $8.

Cider-Making at Mabee Farm
2023-10-14 10:00 - 12:00
It’s the tastiest season of them all at the Mabee Farm! This year, we have a bumper crop of apples and a newly refurbished, 19th century cider press to play with. Guests will help us pick the remainder of our apples, and press them into cider. We’ll discuss how this famous fruit was an indispensable resource for the Mabees. Of course, everyone who helps with the work gets to taste the results!
$10 per attendee over 5. Note: this is NOT a pick-your-own apples event!

Candlelight Tour | Oct 13 7:30pm Victorian
2023-10-13 19:30 - 20:30

Candlelight Tour | Oct 13 7pm Colonial
2023-10-13 19:00 - 20:00

Candlelight Tour | Oct 13 6:30pm Victorian
2023-10-13 18:30 - 19:30

Drink the Seasons: Friday the 13th
2023-10-13 18:00 - 20:00
Join for an evening of seasonal cocktails and more at Schenectady Historical. Led by historian John Gearing, we’ll make — and sample — a variety of historic libations, made with autumn flare.
$30; pre-registration required. Must be 21+ with valid ID.
All ticket sales are final.

Candlelight Tour | Oct 13 6pm Colonial
2023-10-13 18:00 - 19:00

Candlelight Tour | Oct 12 7:30pm Victorian
2023-10-12 19:30 - 20:30

Candlelight Tour | Oct 12 7pm Colonial
2023-10-12 19:00 - 20:00

Candlelight Tour | Oct 12 6:30pm Victorian
2023-10-12 18:30 - 19:00

Candlelight Tour | Oct 12 6pm Colonial
2023-10-12 18:00 - 19:00

FallFest
2023-10-08 10:00 - 15:00
Ah, autumn! It’s our favorite time of year at the Mabee Farm, and arguably the best. Is there anything better than the smokey scent of the blacksmith’s forge, the yearly bounty of pumpkins, and the magnificent colors of fall foliage set against the Mohawk River? October on the Farm is perfect, really.

Join us for FallFest, a truly spectacular celebration of autumn and its bounty. Featuring family-friendly activities like pony rides, boat rides, crafts, and a petting zoo, along with live music, and local beer. Plus, 75 of our favorite artists and crafters will fill the grounds, selling their eclectic wares. So, why not do a little holiday shopping while you’re here .

Suggested donation: $10

Vendor registration will be open until Sept 2, 2023 at https://forms.gle/xvrTx1FXXMz8PPM4A

Howlin' at the Moon featuring The Moon Shells
2023-10-05 19:00 - 21:00
We’re thrilled to announce that our Howlin’ at the Moon concert series returns to The Barn at Mabee Farm this summer! We’re back with a bang, and our hosts Everest Rising are bringing you an incredible lineup of regional musicians playing the best of Americana and more.
Join us throughout the summer for five nights of foot-stomping tunes, soulful melodies, and electrifying performances. The Barn at Mabee Farm provides the perfect rustic setting for an unforgettable live music experience, with its cozy atmosphere, historic charm, and breathtaking views.
Our talented lineup of musicians will captivate you with their raw talent, powerful vocals, and passionate performances. From folk to bluegrass, country to rock, our musicians will take you on a musical journey that spans genres and generations. Get ready to sing along to your favorite tunes, tap your feet to the rhythm, and immerse yourself in the rich sounds of Americana music.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss out on these incredible nights of live music and good vibes. Whether you’re a seasoned Americana music enthusiast or just looking for a summer night out, Howlin’ at the Moon at The Barn at Mabee Farm is the place to be!
Howlin’ at the Moon is generously supported by Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation.
The Moon Shells—Maggie Shar, Brian Slattery, Laura Murawski, Molly Merrett, and Charlie Shaw—draw from the traditional music of Appalachia, Louisiana, West Africa and elsewhere to try to make something new. Whether performing as an acoustic stringband, a stripped-down trio, or a five-piece making modern sounds on traditional instruments at clubs and festivals, the Moon Shells move hearts and feet.
In 2019 they released two albums—Seaside Asylum, an album of original songs and tunes, and Screech Plank, an album of more traditional fiddle tunes. Their next album of original songs, House of Air, came out in 2020. In 2021 they released two more albums—Earth, an album of original songs and tunes, and Screech Plank II, an album of tunes written by contemporary, living traditional musicians.
All the albums have gotten radio airplay throughout New England and have garnered press notice. The Hartford Courant included Seaside Asylum and Earth in its list of best regional albums for 2019 and 2021, respectively. In 2022 they were nominated for Americana Band of the Year for the New England Music Awards.
Admission is $10 at the door. Beer and wine available. Cash only.

Schenectady Wine Society: Wines for Fall
2023-10-05 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for curated wine tastings by and for local wine lovers. Wine connoisseur Buffy Leonard and city historian Chris Leonard will lead us on a tasting and history tour of their favorite wines for the season. This month, we’re focusing on wines for fall: white and red wines for when the days are still sunny, but the evenings are growing chilly.
$30; pre-registration required. Must be 21+ with valid ID. All ticket sales are final.

Secret Stockade
2023-10-04 10:00 - 13:00
The Stockade and its secrets come to life on this behind-the-scenes journey through the neighborhood. Though a national historic district, the Stockade is alive with the sights and sounds of a vibrant, ever-changing neighborhood. Walk its storied streets, meet local characters, and learn its legends and lore as we journey across history.
Tickets are $35, include museum admission, a guided neighborhood tour, exclusive access to two Stockade homes and gardens, and lunch at Arthur’s Market, for great coffee and house-made sandwiches and salads. This tour lasts approximately three hours, and is offered — by reservation– on the first Wednesday of the month in warm months. The tour involves about 1 mile of walking on sometimes uneven sidewalks. It meets at the Schenectady Historical Museum at 32 Washington Ave, Schenectady NY 12305. Parking is available in the YWCA lot next door, or on the street.

**All ticket sales are final. We cannot offer refunds or date exchanges if your plans change.**

Museum and Library Closed
2023-09-30 08:00 - 17:00
The Museum and Library will be closed on Saturday, September 30. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Walking Tour: Saving the Stockade
2023-09-23 10:00 - 12:00
After more than 300 years of continuous habitation, the Stockade district had experienced massive changes. During this time, the history of this neighborhood was subject to erasure by the forces of modernization. In the late 20th century, residents banded together to save the unique character of the Stockade. This tour tells the story of how New York State’s first historic district came to be.
This tour meets at SCHS, 32 Washington Ave, Schenectady.
All ticket sales are final.

Revising Schenectady Genesis, Volume I: A Tale of History and Recovery
2023-09-21 18:00 - 19:30
“Revising this book will not be difficult.” At least that’s what Schenectady city historian Chris Leonard believed when he was hired by the Colonial Schenectady Project, Ltd., to update Susan Staffa’s Schenectady Genesis, Volume I in the Spring of 2021. He’d spend a month or two doing research and have the second edition out by September. But the best laid plans…
On July 5, Chris was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer, and the book’s timeline, as well as his life, went off the rails. Join Chris for a different kind of talk, part memoir, part project work, and part recovery journal. Expect a night of bawdy and inappropriate humor, the story of how a “book sausage” is made and learn how the love of history can pull one through the darkest hours.
Members are free, non-members are $8 at the door.

Walking Tour: The Stockade Beyond the Pines
2023-09-20 18:00 - 20:00
This walking tour takes us back to a land you may know but a world that’s unrecognizable. In 1661, Schenectady was founded at the frontier of the colonial world and sat at the crossroads of many competing empires. This tiny town was caught in a delicate balance as various European and Native American powers jostled for control of this area. In this tour we’ll explore the earliest years of our city’s history leading up to the disastrous night in 1690 when it was utterly destroyed. Come see how our city’s story began!
This tour meets at SCHS, 32 Washington Ave, Schenectady.
All ticket sales are final.

Mabee Farm to Fork
2023-09-17 17:00 - 20:00
The Schenectady County Historical Society Board of Trustees warmly invites you to join the 2023 Honorary Committee for Mabee Farm to Fork, an annual fundraising event for the Schenectady County Historical Society. Each year, we honor a deserving member of the SCHS community, and our esteemed honoree this year is Mr. Dale Wade-Keszey.
Dale served for many years as an educator in the Mohonasen Central School District. He has volunteered countless hours as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Schenectady County Historical Society, specifically helping to transition the Mabee Farm Historic Site into a popular educational and cultural attraction. Perhaps Dale’s greatest contribution to SCHS is his Howlin’ at the Moon Concert Series, which has brought Americana music into the Barn for more than 15 years. As Dale moves off the SCHS Board of Trustees, we seek to honor his dedication to SCHS and passion for local history.
Mabee Farm to Fork will feature a locally-sourced meal prepared by area chefs, live music, libations, site tours, and a silent auction, all in the pastoral setting of the oldest working farm on the Mohawk River. This shared meal will incorporate ingredients grown at Mabee Farm and source the rest from local farms and businesses. The event will be held on Sunday, September 17, from 5 to 8pm.
Please join us on the Honorary Committee this year to support the vital mission of Schenectady Historical, and to honor Dale’s contributions. Please RSVP by March 17th to be included on the event invitations.
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UPick Apples at Mabee Farm
2023-09-14 10:00 - 16:00
🍎We’re excited to offer UPick Apples at Mabee Farm while “supplies” last; included in every $10 admission to the site. Stop by for a tour of the historic site and then fill your bag with delicious Wolf River, Bowman, and Macintosh apples! We’re open for picking Wednesday-Friday, 11am-4pm.

Secret Stockade
2023-09-06 10:00 - 13:00
The Stockade and its secrets come to life on this behind-the-scenes journey through the neighborhood. Though a national historic district, the Stockade is alive with the sights and sounds of a vibrant, ever-changing neighborhood. Walk its storied streets, meet local characters, and learn its legends and lore as we journey across history.
Tickets are $35, include museum admission, a guided neighborhood tour, exclusive access to two Stockade homes and gardens, and lunch at Arthur’s Market, for great coffee and house-made sandwiches and salads. This tour lasts approximately three hours, and is offered — by reservation– on the first Wednesday of the month in warm months. The tour involves about 1 mile of walking on sometimes uneven sidewalks. It meets at the Schenectady Historical Museum at 32 Washington Ave, Schenectady NY 12305. Parking is available in the YWCA lot next door, or on the street.

Howlin' at the Moon featuring Big Fez and the Surfmatics
2023-08-31 19:00 - 21:00
We’re thrilled to announce that our Howlin’ at the Moon concert series returns to The Barn at Mabee Farm this summer! We’re back with a bang, and our hosts Everest Rising are bringing you an incredible lineup of regional musicians playing the best of Americana and more.
Join us throughout the summer for five nights of foot-stomping tunes, soulful melodies, and electrifying performances. The Barn at Mabee Farm provides the perfect rustic setting for an unforgettable live music experience, with its cozy atmosphere, historic charm, and breathtaking views.
Our talented lineup of musicians will captivate you with their raw talent, powerful vocals, and passionate performances. From folk to bluegrass, country to rock, our musicians will take you on a musical journey that spans genres and generations. Get ready to sing along to your favorite tunes, tap your feet to the rhythm, and immerse yourself in the rich sounds of Americana music.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss out on these incredible nights of live music and good vibes. Whether you’re a seasoned Americana music enthusiast or just looking for a summer night out, Howlin’ at the Moon at The Barn at Mabee Farm is the place to be!
Howlin’ at the Moon is generously supported by Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation.
We’re thrilled to feature Big Fez & the Surfmatics for this special “blue moon” concert!
Dressed in black suits, dark sunglasses and fez, Big Fez & the Surfmatics claims to have first hit the surf music scene in 1960. Due to musical differances, the band broke up in 1966, and has re-formed to bring the sound of the surf into the 21st century. In real life, Johnny Fez is John Haggerty (6 and 12 string electric guitar and vocals). John has spent over 20 years touring the United States and Ireland in one of America’s top Irish rock bands, Hair of the Dog. (Billboard Magazine has called them “one of Irish music’s biggest sellers”). During his off hours from Big Fez you can find him performing with his new Irish band Get Up Jack.
Admission is $10 at the door. Beer and wine available. Cash only.

Arts and Crafts Festival
2023-08-26 10:00 - 15:00
We’re bringing together the very best of the Capital Region’s handcrafted goods! Join us as 85+ artists and crafters spread out over the Mabee Farm grounds with their eclectic, beautifully handcrafted items. All items are handmade here in our region, and include jewelry, home decor, fine art, ceramics, artisan foods and wines, soaps, candles, woodworking, and more! Featuring live music!
This event is a fundraiser for the Mabee Farm, a not-for-profit organization. Admission is $10/parked car 🙏😊.

Kayak Through History: Schenectady
2023-08-23 18:00 - 20:00
This year, the popular Mohawk river paddling tours return to both Schenectady and Waterford. For centuries, Schenectady’s history has revolved around the mighty Mohawk River. Our Schenectady kayak tour takes you from the modern Mohawk Harbor to the site of our city’s ancient port. In nearby Waterford, history lives at the meeting of New York’s two great waterways! The town of Waterford has long been a vital crossroads for the people of this area. Our Waterford tour takes you between picturesque islands and through the grand locks of the Erie Canal. Along both routes, our expert guide will regale you with the history of the area. Guests will be provided with a kayak, life vest, and paddle. Guests should be prepared to paddle for about two hours. There are no bathrooms at either site.
Full schedule:
Schenectady Dates:
meet at Mohawk Harbor near Druthers
July 5 @ 6pm
July 12 @ 6pm
July 19 @ 6pm
July 26 @ 6pm
August 23 @ 6pm
Waterford Dates:
meet at Waterford Boat Launch at First and Front Street
June 24 @ 10am
July 15 @ 10am
August 19 @ 10am
**All ticket sales are final. In the event of thunderstorms or severe rain and/or wind, and we must cancel, you will receive a full refund**

Kayak Through History: Waterford
2023-08-19 10:00 - 12:00

Campfire Night
2023-08-18 19:00 - 21:00
Join us for a beautiful night under the stars! We’ll gather around the campfire while our expert storyteller shares local tall tales and even some historic incidents stranger than fiction. S’mores will be served of course!
This program is $5 for members, $10 for non-members.
All ticket sales are final.
