To kick off our 2026 Kids Programs, we're digging deep into our "toy chest" to pull out our favorite playthings! Our collections contain countless toys, dolls, and games, treasured for generations and entrusted to us for safekeeping. Together we'll take a hands-on look at some of these toys and experience for ourselves what play and games looked like in centuries past. We'll also make a small keepsake to take home. Admission is free for Family+ members of SCHS, otherwise $10 for each person over the age of 4. Younger siblings are welcome at no charge. Our Kids Program series runs throughout 2026, generally on the second Saturday of the month: Jan. 10: Schenectady's Toy Chest Feb. 14: Folk Art for Kids March 7: Mabee Maple Day April 11: The Revolutionary Arsenal May 9: Mabee Farm Planting Day June 13: Warp and Weft: Kids Loom Weaving July 10: Farm Kids Friday Aug. 7: Farm Kids Friday Sep. 12: Schenectady Spies Oct. 3: Apple Cider Day Nov. 14: Harvest's End Dec. 12: A Very Mabee Christmas

Mabee Farm Historic Site; Saturday, January 10; 10am to 5pm Are you interested in farming but don’t know where to begin? Perhaps you have a small agricultural business which you’re looking to expand? The Schenectady County Farm Bureau and Cornell Cooperative Extension have joined forces to put together a full day of programming covering the basics of modern farming. Expert educators will lead six different workshops throughout the day. Guests will have ample opportunities to network with other local farmers and aspiring growers. A catered lunch will be provided as well as tours of the oldest surviving farm in Schenectady County! Workshop Schedule: 10am-10:45am So You Want to be a Farmer? An Introduction to the Industry 11am-11:45am Basics of Urban Farming 12pm-12:45pm What Should you Grow 1pm- 1:45pm Catered Lunch and Mabee House Tours 2pm- 2:45pm Livestock Farming 3pm- 3:45pm Certifications and Regulations 4pm- 4:45pm Finding Your Market 5pm- Closing Remarks   FAQ’s   What if I can't make every session? No worries! We’ve planned an entire day of programming but ticket holders can come and go as they need. What if winter weather cancels the program? In case of severe snow and ice, the workshop will be postponed to January 17 from 10am to 5pm.

Author Laurie Lawlor will discuss her recent book, “Many Voices: Erie, the Canal that Changed America.” Aimed at young readers (Grades 5+), her work captures the landmark achievements of the Erie Canal while diving deep into corporate greed, environmental devastation, poor working conditions, and its impact on the Haudenosaunee people. Lawlor connects the Erie Canal’s past and present to plumb the depths of unexplored American history. Ms. Lawlor has authored 48 works of award-winning fiction and nonfiction. She is also passionate about working to protect a watershed and rare wetland in southeastern Wisconsin. This is a virtual talk which will be held on Zoom. All SCHS members will receive a link in advance of the program. Non-members may purchase tickets. Winter Speaker Series: 07 JAN Marie Danielle Annette Williams “Loyalists in the Adirondacks” 14 JAN Laurie Lawlor “Many Voices: Erie, the Canal that Changed America” 21 JAN Chuck Henry “First Draft of History: NY State Historic Newspapers” 28 JAN Ellen Ledoux “Laboring Mothers: Reproducing Women and Work in the 18th Century” 04 FEB Sarah Wassberg Johnson “Apples in America: A History” 06 FEB James Taub, Associate Curator, Museum of the American Revolution “Threads of Liberty” 11 FEB Mary Liz Stewart “Underground Railroad” 18 FEB Dr. Elisabeth Paling Funk “The Dutch World of Washington Irving” 21 FEB Chris Conto “The Daring Life of Arent Van Curler” 25 FEB Nancy Newman "Songs and Sounds of the Anti-Rent Movement in Upstate New York" 04 MAR Kevin Bronner "Albany During The American Revolution: Victory In Upstate New York” 11 MAR Prof. LaGarrett King “The African Americans’ Revolution” 14 MAR. Jaap Jacobs “Trade, Theft, and Excessive Expenses: A Year in New Netherland” 18 MAR Craig Siulinski “The Early 20th Century Experience of Polish Immigrants in Schenectady” 21 MAR Multiple Speakers: “Ten Things You Didn’t Know About the American Revolution” 25 MAR Wally Wheeler, “Early Vernacular Architecture in Schenectady County”  

Chuck Henry is the digitization manager for New York State Historic Newspapers Project, where he manages the statewide digitization effort that has brought nearly 15 million pages of local newspapers online. He'll discuss his work partnering with libraries, historical societies, and museums across New York, as the project scans fragile originals and microfilm reels to preserve and share small-town papers with the world. This is a virtual talk which will be held on Zoom. All SCHS members will receive a link in advance of the program. Non-members may purchase tickets. Winter Speaker Series: 07 JAN Marie Danielle Annette Williams “Loyalists in the Adirondacks” 14 JAN Laurie Lawlor “Many Voices: Erie, the Canal that Changed America” 21 JAN Chuck Henry “First Draft of History: NY State Historic Newspapers” 28 JAN Ellen Ledoux “Laboring Mothers: Reproducing Women and Work in the 18th Century” 04 FEB Sarah Wassberg Johnson “Apples in America: A History” 06 FEB James Taub, Associate Curator, Museum of the American Revolution “Threads of Liberty” 11 FEB Mary Liz Stewart “Underground Railroad” 18 FEB Dr. Elisabeth Paling Funk “The Dutch World of Washington Irving” 21 FEB Chris Conto “The Daring Life of Arent Van Curler” 25 FEB Nancy Newman "Songs and Sounds of the Anti-Rent Movement in Upstate New York" 04 MAR Kevin Bronner "Albany During The American Revolution: Victory In Upstate New York” 11 MAR Prof. LaGarrett King “The African Americans’ Revolution” 14 MAR. Jaap Jacobs “Trade, Theft, and Excessive Expenses: A Year in New Netherland” 18 MAR Craig Siulinski “The Early 20th Century Experience of Polish Immigrants in Schenectady” 21 MAR Multiple Speakers: “Ten Things You Didn’t Know About the American Revolution” 25 MAR Wally Wheeler, “Early Vernacular Architecture in Schenectady County”  

Instructor Karen Anthony of Karen’s Paint pARTies will teach us to paint a winter scene.  No artistic experience necessary -- you will be led step by step to produce your very own masterpiece! Price includes 11x14 stretched canvas, all painting materials, and a selection of munchies -- plus mimosas, of course! Feel free to BYOB, as well. Ages 10+ only, please. All ticket sales are final.

Is paid work outside the home incompatible with motherhood? The idea that mothers can’t also be workers grew from 18th century British and colonial ideas about gender and power. In this talk, Professor Ledoux will discuss her new book, "Laboring Mothers: Reproducing Women and Work in the Eighteenth Century" (UVA Press) and explore how today’s assumptions about class, race, and working motherhood stem from these long-standing inequalities. Ellen Malenas Ledoux is Associate Professor of English and Communication at Rutgers University–Camden and the author of Social Reform in Gothic Writing: Fantastic Forms of Change, 1764–1834. This is a virtual talk which will be held on Zoom. All SCHS members will receive a link in advance of the program. Non-members may purchase tickets. Winter Speaker Series: 07 JAN Marie Danielle Annette Williams “Loyalists in the Adirondacks” 14 JAN Laurie Lawlor “Many Voices: Erie, the Canal that Changed America” 21 JAN Chuck Henry “First Draft of History: NY State Historic Newspapers” 28 JAN Ellen Ledoux “Laboring Mothers: Reproducing Women and Work in the 18th Century” 04 FEB Sarah Wassberg Johnson “Apples in America: A History” 06 FEB James Taub, Associate Curator, Museum of the American Revolution “Threads of Liberty” 11 FEB Mary Liz Stewart “Underground Railroad” 18 FEB Dr. Elisabeth Paling Funk “The Dutch World of Washington Irving” 21 FEB Chris Conto “The Daring Life of Arent Van Curler” 25 FEB Nancy Newman "Songs and Sounds of the Anti-Rent Movement in Upstate New York" 04 MAR Kevin Bronner "Albany During The American Revolution: Victory In Upstate New York” 11 MAR Prof. LaGarrett King “The African Americans’ Revolution” 14 MAR. Jaap Jacobs “Trade, Theft, and Excessive Expenses: A Year in New Netherland” 18 MAR Craig Siulinski “The Early 20th Century Experience of Polish Immigrants in Schenectady” 21 MAR Multiple Speakers: “Ten Things You Didn’t Know About the American Revolution” 25 MAR Wally Wheeler, “Early Vernacular Architecture in Schenectady County”  

January brings the full Wolf Moon, named for wolf packs circling icy villages, howling out in the night. Join us for the Wolf Moon with a short, illuminated walk in the woods of the Woestyne. Afterwards, we’ll make a fire in the Inn’s historic fireplace, and storytellers will share colorful tales from our area. Warm drinks will be served to fight off the night’s chill. Admission is $10 for non-members, and $5 for members.