Living History: Free Family Art, Garden & History Programs at Ten Broeck

Join us for the Ten Broeck Mansion's free summer family programs. Enjoy our four acres of gardens and grounds with free hands-on activities, all supplies included. Programs held outdoors (under tent) rain or shine - please dress accordingly. Our programs have something for all ages to enjoy.

All programs include hands-on art activity, history program, and themed tasting. All are free and open to families.

May 25: Let's Plant! Family Garden and Planting Day. Learn about edible plants in the Ten Broeck Mansion gardens, and make a sun print with the edible plants you discover. Free take home seed kits (one per family while supplies last) and create yor own upcycled planters.

June 15: Celebrate Juneteenth Weekend with us! Foods of Africa Program and Archaeology Day. Free family program exploring African foodways. Taste hibiscus tea and make yam stamp art. Tours of the Ten Broeck Mansion are free for everyone all weekend. Free Archeology Day Program in afternoon.

June 29: Foods of Europe. Learn about the spices in Dutch koekjes (cookies) and make an air dry clay cookie creation from traditional European cookie molds. Create your own spice blend packet to take home to make your own "koekjes" - and taste some Dutch cookies!

July 13 : Foods of Asia. Join us for a Ten Broeck Mansion tea party! Taste different flavors of tea, and learn napkins folds from the 19th century to set a fine table. Make a watercolor and gold-edged "china plate" to take home.

July 27: Foods of South America. Learn about the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash), and taste South American chocolate. Create your own sunflower hat to take home using corns and beans as decorations.

August 10: Foods of Oceania/"Down Under." Learn about the "King of Fruits," the pineapple, and make a pineapple using textured-block printing. Make your own "Wardian case" (terrarium) to take home as you learn about how plants were transported from far-away lands.

September 7: Jamming in Arbor Hill/Foods of North America. As the sweet Concord grapes ripen in our grape arbor, learn about jam and jelly making - get a taste of our famous Ten Broeck grape jelly! Make an up-cycled grape vine mosaic to take home.

Please check our other program listings for STEAM programs, bulb planting, and more into December 2024.

Accessibility: the Ten Broeck Garden grounds are generally level, but be aware of uneven areas and a small slope towards the Mansion

Parking: free parking in our lot off Livingston Avenue.

On foot: We are easily accessible on foot - sidewalks lead up to the Ten Broeck Mansion. Please note there is a gradual rise uphill.

Bus: CDTA bus line 804. More information here: https://tenbroeckmansion.org/planning-your-visit/

Participants are asked to follow safety practices. Please dress comfortably and wear shoes/sneakers for walking in a garden. Bring your own water bottle. Please note: programs will offer supplies for programs, but alternate projects may be offered depending on attendance levels.

Programs made possible with support from the New York State Council on the Arts.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Albany County Historical Association, 9 Ten Broeck Place, Albany, United States