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 tastings exploring foods from around the world. All are free and open to families.

June 20: Celebrate Juneteenth Weekend with us! Arts & Culture of Africa. Enjoy a very special reading of "Stitch by Stitch" by artist and illustrator Elizabeth Zunon. Learn about the influence of African styles on Ten Broeck Mansion, and the story of Rosanna Vosburgh, longtime resident of Ten Broeck Mansion. Plus, taste hibiscus tea and make yam stamp art with natural pigments to celebrate the arts and culture of Africa. Continue the celebration with free tours of the Ten Broeck Mansion all weekend (register for free tours on our website).

July 11: Arts & Culture of Europe. Learn about the spices in Dutch koekjes (cookies) and make a hand-drawn print inspired by Dutch delft tiles in the Ten Broeck Mansion. Then, create your own spice blend packet and taste some Dutch cookies!

July 25 : Arts & Culture of South America. Learn about the importance of the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash) for native Americans in the Albany region, find the special corn decorations in Ten Broeck Mansion, and make a corn husk doll inspired by Native American traditions.

August 1: Arts & Culture of Asia. Join us for a Ten Broeck Mansion tea party! Taste different teas and learn napkins folds from the 19th century to set a fine table. Plus, make your own mini floral Japanese-style screen modelled on the ones the Olcott family owned when they lived at Ten Broeck Mansion!

August 15: Arts & Culture of Oceania/"Down Under." Learn about the "King of Fruits," the pineapple, and make a sweet watercolor painting with sugar. Plus, make your own Victorian style "Wardian case" (terrarium) to take home.

September 12: Arts & Culture of North America/Jamming in Arbor Hill. Jam with us! 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! Plus, make an upcycled grape vine mosaic to take home.

Please check our other program listings for STEAM programs, bulb planting, fall scavenger hunt and more into December 2026.

Join the Kids' Club in 2026! If you attend at least 2 of our summer programs, you will join the Ten Broeck Kids' Club and will get priority registration for the Halloween scavenger hunt and spring Easter Egg hunt. Just collect 2 stamps on your Kids' Club card to join! Contact us for more information.

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.

Free educational programs made possible in part with funding by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and : thank you.

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Host or Publisher Albany County Historical Association | Ten Broeck Mansion