Flower Power! at the Ten Broeck Mansion: Free Family Floral Show Tour

For children and their families: join us a special family floral tour of the Ten Broeck Mansion! Experience the beauty of the Ten Broeck Mansion & Gardens at their peak!

Join us for a delightful floral tour of the historic Ten Broeck Mansion, where local floral designers will enchant you with their stunning displays.

This free program is intended for children with an adult/family accompanying them. If you are attending as adult(s) only, please select the other paid ticket tours option for this fundraiser. Thank you.

Event Highlights:

• Floral Tour: Immerse yourself in the beauty of our family-friendly 20-minute guided tours, showcasing gorgeous floral arrangements, while learning about the history of the Ten Broeck Mansion.
• Hands-On Fun: Learn how to set a table in style! Try your hand at nineteenth-century napkin folding styles.
• Garden Sketching: Get inspired by historic sketches from Lizzie Judson (1862-1959), the daughter of an Albany mayor, and create your own art in our beautiful gardens with provided art supplies.
• Vintage China Sale & Floral Wreath Sale: shop choice finds of vintage silver, crystal, teapots & custom garden wreaths, jewelry, and decor by local artisans.

During our floral tours, visitors will learn about two historic figures who shaped household culture: Robert Roberts and Amelia Simmons. Robert Roberts (c. 1780-1860) was an abolitionist and free African American butler in Massachusetts whose book, The House Servant’s Directory, was the first book by an African American to be published by a major commercial publisher. Amelia Simmons published the first known cookbook written by an American in 1796 and likely worked in Albany NY - who shared one of the earliest recipes for Dutch cookies.

To make your visit safe and enjoyable for all:

1) Getting Here

• Free off‑street parking: Please use our Livingston Avenue parking lot (GPS: 136 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY).
• Walking: Our neighborhood has sidewalks for easy access.
• Public transportation: CDTA bus routes 100 and 106 stop about a four‑minute walk away.
• Visit our website for a map and additional travel information.

2) Making Your Visit Safe and Comfortable

• Please wear comfortable shoes suitable for historic, sometimes uneven surfaces. Spike heels are not permitted.
• Bags should be smaller than a standard backpack. Larger bags must be left in the reception area.
• Please do not touch historic collections.
• Water in closed containers is permitted; glass containers are not allowed.

3) Accessibility

• Visitors with accessibility needs are encouraged to contact us in advance with any questions.
• Visitors with service dogs are welcome.
• Emotional support and therapy dogs are not permitted in the museum.
• At this time, the ACHA does not have a fully ADA‑accessible restroom; a ground‑floor restroom is available.
• Museum spaces and gardens offer very limited seating.

4) Gardens & Grounds

• Our gardens and parking lot are reserved for registered museum program visitors during regular tour and program hours.
• Our site is pack‑in, pack‑out; please take all waste with you. Light lunches (brown-bag type) may be enjoyed on our grounds, but no parties, buffets, hammocks, additional chairs and tables, or tents may be brought in or used.
• Pets must be kept on a 6 foot or less leash at all times, and all pet waste must be removed. Please do not have pets relieve themselves in garden beds or near walks.
• No smoking, vaping, or alcohol consumption.
• Please follow posted signs and use caution throughout the site.
• Free educational kits and self‑guided tours are available at the garden kiosk.
• Hours may change; please check our website or call for current information.
• See our website for full garden regulations.

5) Registration & Program Timing

• Advance registration is required for all free programs.
• We cannot guarantee admission, seating, or program materials for unregistered or late‑arriving visitors.
• The ACHA often runs concurrent programs; please respect other programs’ spaces and access, as all visitors share the site.
• Late arrivals cannot remain past the scheduled program end time, and programs cannot be extended.

6) Groups of Six or More for Free Programs

• To ensure a positive experience for all visitors, free programs are not able to accommodate groups of six or more due to space limitations and program format needs.
• If your group of six or more would like to visit, please contact us to discuss arranging a special program or to receive suggestions for free programs which can accommodate larger groups.
• The ACHA reserves the right to cancel reservations for groups of six or more who register without prior approval.

7) Ensuring a Positive Experience

• The ACHA is committed to a welcoming, respectful environment. For everyone’s safety, visitors must follow all guidelines and the instructions of ACHA staff. Disrespectful, abusive, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate behavior is not permitted.
• Visitors who do not follow these expectations will be asked to leave.

These regulations are subject to being updated at any time. Please visit our website for current regulations.

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Host or Publisher Albany County Historical Association | Ten Broeck Mansion