Museum Closed
The Schenectady Historical Museum at 32 Washington Ave will be closed November 13 - November 30 as we set up for the Festival of Trees. During the closure, we invite you to instead visit the Mabee Farm Historic Site.
The Schenectady Historical Museum at 32 Washington Ave will be closed November 13 - November 30 as we set up for the Festival of Trees. During the closure, we invite you to instead visit the Mabee Farm Historic Site.
In this workshop, we'll felt a festive reindeer, using wool from our herd. This craft makes a great gift for friends, family, or even yourself. Our experts will guide you through the process from start to finish, and we'll provide all materials and equipment. This craft is recommended for anyone 12+. It involves using sharp needles which can puncture skin if not used properly. Participants should possess good manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and ability to work with focus and care.
Come celebrate the beginning of the Festival of Trees with the Night of Lights, an exclusive evening of radiant fir trees and wintertide enchantment. Featuring live music, great food, and more!
December 2 - 23, 10am-4:30pm at Schenectady County Historical Society The Festival of Trees lights up Schenectady! Featuring 60+ artistically decorated fir trees, the Festival glows with the spirit of Christmas and the Solstice. Local artists, businesses, and non-profits have come together to turn the galleries of SCHS into a land of wintertide enchantment, and we warmly invite you to come stroll! When you stop in, be sure to vote for your top choices in 8 categories, including Cutest, Most Glamorous, and Most Creative trees! The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for the Schenectady County Historical Society. Admission is $6 for adults 12+. You can purchase tickets here in advance or buy them at the front desk when you arrive.
A joyful day of holiday merriment and shopping in Schenectady's most charming and historic neighborhood! Get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit in Schenectady's historic Stockade neighborhood. Join us for a day of joyful festivities, combining merriment and shopping in one of Schenectady's most cherished and historic districts. Visitors are invited to explore the quaint streets of the Stockade District, where a plethora of unique activities and offers await at various local establishments. Highlights of the event include: Arthur’s Market (35 N Ferry St) Wreath Pop-up: Witness the beauty of exquisite handmade wreaths crafted from natural materials by Mud Road Farm. Indulge in delicious seasonal treats to keep you energized during your holiday adventure. Sweet Sprig + Brouwer House Creative (14 N Church St) Artist’s Open Studios and Sale: Join the talented artists of Brouwer House Creative for a day filled with creativity. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and a hot cocoa bar to keep you warm. Featured artists include Deborah Angilletta, Mary Ann Van Alstyne, Sizz Handmade, and Thistle and Clover. Explore Sweet Sprig, a unique store offering artisan soaps, gifts, candles, and skincare – all made on site. Plus, receive a free gift with every purchase! Mohawk Valley Art Shoppe + Last Nerve Tattoo (101 State St) Immerse yourself in a day of art, poetry, and music at this collaborative event hosted by Mohawk Valley Art Shoppe and Last Nerve Tattoo. Thirty percent of art sales will support the "Things Of My Very Own" charity. The event features free morning poetry readings and afternoon live music, nurturing both creativity and community. Join us in celebrating the grand opening of Last Nerve Tattoo, complete with special promotions to further support the charity. Your presence will make a meaningful difference in our city. Bex Salon (234 Union St) Enjoy a complimentary gift with any purchase throughout the day, along with festive seasonal refreshments. Schenectady County Historical Society (32 Washington Ave) Festival of Trees (10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.): Immerse yourself in the holiday splendor with an array of beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Admission is $6. Hardwired Fitness (23 N College St) Join us for a FREE Community Class at 9:00 a.m. All fitness levels are welcome! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors – the more, the merrier! Please register online. Don't miss out on this special day of holiday cheer and local shopping. Come be a part of the Stockade's festive spirit!
Each twilight at Mabee Farm brings a different array of lights and colors, as the warmth of the sunset transforms into deep blue, moon-lit skies. Join us as we explore Mabee Farm as it’s meant to be explored; awash in changing colors, the wind gusting outside, and the flickering lights of the Mabee house keeping us cozy and warm. A costumed Jan Mabee from the early 1700s will lead us through the house, which is decorated for the season. He’ll delve into the histories and mysteries of the Mabee Farm, and give us a taste of what life was like for settlers living on the edge of the wilderness.
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. $30; pre-registration required. Must be 21+ with valid ID. All ticket sales are final.
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 holiday flare. $30; pre-registration required. Must be 21+ with valid ID. All ticket sales are final.
Each twilight at Mabee Farm brings a different array of lights and colors, as the warmth of the sunset transforms into deep blue, moon-lit skies. Join us as we explore Mabee Farm as it’s meant to be explored; awash in changing colors, the wind gusting outside, and the flickering lights of the Mabee house keeping us cozy and warm. A costumed Jan Mabee from the early 1700s will lead us through the house, which is decorated for the season. He’ll delve into the histories and mysteries of the Mabee Farm, and give us a taste of what life was like for settlers living on the edge of the wilderness.
Experience a recreated 18th century chocolate house at the Festival of Trees. Well-known historian Paul Supley will tempt your pallet and tickle your tastebuds with a trio of historic hot chocolates, including delicacies enjoyed by English kings and the middle-class settlers of the Mohawk and Hudson Valleys. You'll learn how easy it is to create and enjoy this wonderful treat favored by the ancestors. As a special finale to the evening, we'll taste a libation infused with port or madeira. All amidst the backdrop of glittering holiday lights and decorated fir trees!
Gelukkig Kerstfeest!! This program welcomes families to share in colonial holiday traditions, including those celebrated by the Dutch-American Mabee family. We'll learn how revelers of yore celebrated the season, enjoy colonial-era treats and stories by the Inn's fire, and make a craft to take home. Plus, we'll have a very special scavenger hunt -- kids can use riddles and clues to find holiday friends nestled around the historic site. This program is $10/person or $5/person for SCHS members.
Schenectady’s Stockade is beautiful any time of year but the holidays always bring out a certain magic! In this walking tour we’ll explore the lights and sights of this historic district while learning the ways in which generations past celebrated the season. Light refreshments will be served, and guests are invited to explore the sparkling Festival of Trees before and after the tour!
Schenectady’s Stockade is beautiful any time of year but the holidays always bring out a certain magic! In this walking tour we’ll explore the lights and sights of this historic district while learning the ways in which generations past celebrated the season. Light refreshments will be served, and guests are invited to explore the sparkling Festival of Trees before and after the tour!
It's the penultimate night of the Festival of Trees! Let's close this beauty down with some revelry. Schenectady’s Stockade is beautiful any time of year but the holidays always bring out a certain magic! In this walking tour we’ll explore the lights and sights of this historic district while learning the ways in which generations past celebrated the season. Light refreshments will be served, and guests are invited to explore the sparkling Festival of Trees before and after the tour!
SCHS will be closed on the following days: MLK Day: January 16 Memorial Day: May 29 July 4 Juneteenth: June 19 Labor Day: September 4 Thanksgiving Weekend: November 23-26 Christmas Holiday Week: December 24 - January 1
SCHS will be closed on the following days: MLK Day: January 16 Memorial Day: May 29 July 4 Juneteenth: June 19 Labor Day: September 4 Thanksgiving Weekend: November 23-26 Christmas Holiday Week: December 24 - January 1
SCHS will be closed on the following days: MLK Day: January 16 Memorial Day: May 29 July 4 Juneteenth: June 19 Labor Day: September 4 Thanksgiving Weekend: November 23-26 Christmas Holiday Week: December 24 - January 1
SCHS will be closed on the following days: MLK Day: January 16 Memorial Day: May 29 July 4 Juneteenth: June 19 Labor Day: September 4 Thanksgiving Weekend: November 23-26 Christmas Holiday Week: December 24 - January 1
SCHS will be closed on the following days: MLK Day: January 16 Memorial Day: May 29 July 4 Juneteenth: June 19 Labor Day: September 4 Thanksgiving Weekend: November 23-26 Christmas Holiday Week: December 24 - January 1
SCHS will be closed on the following days: MLK Day: January 16 Memorial Day: May 29 July 4 Juneteenth: June 19 Labor Day: September 4 Thanksgiving Weekend: November 23-26 Christmas Holiday Week: December 24 - January 1
SCHS will be closed on the following days: MLK Day: January 16 Memorial Day: May 29 July 4 Juneteenth: June 19 Labor Day: September 4 Thanksgiving Weekend: November 23-26 Christmas Holiday Week: December 24 - January 1
SCHS will be closed on the following days: MLK Day: January 16 Memorial Day: May 29 July 4 Juneteenth: June 19 Labor Day: September 4 Thanksgiving Weekend: November 23-26 Christmas Holiday Week: December 24 - January 1
We apologize for any inconvenience but due to unforeseen circumstances, Mabee Farm will be closed on January 6.