Ten Broeck Mansion Floral Show & Tea Tasting

Join us for the Ten Broeck Mansion floral show and tea tasting! 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. As you enjoy your guided tours through the gracious rooms of the historic Ten Broeck Mansion, you’ll also enjoy an exclusive vintage china sale and a delightful tea tasting experience, plus hands-on activities - all included.

Event Highlights:

• Floral Tours: Immerse yourself in the beauty of our 30-minute guided tours, showcasing gorgeous floral arrangements, while learning about the history of the Ten Broeck Mansion.
• Tea Tasting & More: After the tour, unwind with a delicious tea tasting on the Ten Broeck Mansion porch and explore more exciting activities! Teas donated by The Whistling Kettle (Albany NY) and tea cookies donated by Bella Napoli (Latham NY).
• 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. Vintage & hard-to-find Wedgwood, Noritake, Haviland, Royal Albert, Gorham Crystal & more.
• Be a Sponsor: at this level, your ticket includes includes a a special thank you Ten Broeck Garden gift and acknowledgement in our program.

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.

Custom floral arrangements generously donated by:

Dates:

• Thursday May 28, Noon, 1 pm, or 2 pm
• Friday May 29, Noon, 1 pm, or 2 pm
• Saturday May 30, Noon, 1 pm, or 2 pm
• Sunday May 31, Noon, 1 pm, and 2pm

All proceeds go to support our Education Center at the Ten Broeck Mansion! We encourage you to add an ACHA membership or make a special Education Center gift (all donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. The ACHA is a 501c3 nonprofit community-centered museum).

Join us for other special events throughout the weekend (separate registration for each - see our Upcoming Events page)

• Music in the Mansion concert, Saturday May 30, 3 - 4 pm.
• Free floral tour for families, Sunday May 31, 2 pm and 3:30 pm

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) 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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Image captions (below): Ten Broeck Mansion Gardens; Floral Arrangements courtesy Flower Scout, Frank Gallo Florist, and Blooms by Marie.

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Host or Publisher Albany County Historical Association | Ten Broeck Mansion