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.

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.

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. GET TICKETS

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.

“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.

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.