Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site is pleased to present three days of Winter Break Activities inspired by everyday life in colonial New York that will involve creative crafts, interactive demonstrations, and historical exploration. The events are scheduled for February 18 throughFebruary 20 from 11AM to 3:00 PM onsite at Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, 29 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers.
On Wednesday, February 18 we’ll explore how fireplaces functioned as both practical and decorative features in colonial homes in the 18th century. Participants will design their own paper candles and delft tiles, inspired by the blue-and-white tiles commonly found around historic hearths and even right here at Philipse Manor Hall.
On Thursday, February 19 we will focus on colonial crafts and craftsmanship. Before factories and fast fashion, clothing was handmade, mended, and reused. Join us for activities focused on the labor, materials, and skills required to clothe a household in the colonial era. Try your hand at weaving, creating small yarn coasters using simple cardboard looms, or make colonial paper dolls.
And on Friday, February 20, you’re invited to watch National Treasure with us! A fun and fast-paced movie that introduces historical documents, hidden messages, and the meaning we assign to the past. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with invisible ink to write secret messages and create their own treasure hunt, ortry one of the museum’s scavenger hunts!
Tickets & Registration:
Tickets to this program are free! Registration is encouraged but not required. To register, call 917-965-4027 or email philipsemanorhall@parks.ny.gov. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Programs are designed for families and children and run as drop-in activities during the scheduled hours. All programs are free and open to the public, no registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Join us for just one or all three afternoons to encourage curiosity, creativity, and historical thinking. Philipse Manor Hall offers any aspiring history detectives a warm, engaging way to spend winter break while learning how people lived, worked, and expressed ideas in colonial America. This program is part of the New York State Unplug and Play initiative.
