ALBANY — The Ten Broeck Mansion, home of the Albany County Historical Association, announced its Holiday House 2022 schedule last week.
Shimmering lights, festive trees and bright garlands inside and out set the scene at the Ten Broeck Mansion, a historic house museum that welcomes the community as a place to make family memories today. Tours with timed tickets are on select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from December 3 to 18.
Indoor admission is by timed tickets available via the ACHA’s website www.tenbroeckmansion.org. Walk-through tours feature docents to share information about holidays in the past, special displays related to food holiday preparation, and the history of the Ten Broeck Mansion. Adults $5. Children and ACHA members free. Free children’s activities for all tours include “Indoor Forest” and “Round the World” activities for children, plus free take-home ornament kits.
On Sunday Dec. 11, following a caroling program from the Ten Broeck Mansion porch the week before, the Capital District Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America will present historical embroidery demonstrations.
On Saturday, Dec. 17, from 11 am to noon, “Sinterklaas” the Dutch St. Nicholas and the patron saint of children is available for free family photos outdoors and holiday stories on the Mansion’s decorated porch. At the same time is a free Children’s Tea Party with tea tasting and tea chest treasure box project. Learn about holiday and food traditions from around the world. Free and open to families. Pre-registration required for Children’s Tea Party.
The ACHA presents free Arts & Culture Talks: Wednesdays at 7 pm via Zoom. Pre-registration required for link. Presentations are December 14 Holiday Fiber Art with Dr. Krysta Dennis, Siena College, Loudonville and December 21 Songs of Christmas Past with Julie Johnson, DAR Museum, Washington DC.
The Ten Broeck Mansion also features a Wreath Sale and Museum Shop sale, featuring wreaths and artisanal goods designed and made by local garden clubs and artisans. Artisan shop hours Fridays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m, and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. from Dec 2 to 18.
The community is invited to bring non-perishable food items, which the ACHA will distribute to a local food pantry.
The ACHA thanks the following organizations who generously volunteered to decorate and make wreaths for the Ten Broeck Mansion: Delmar Progress Club, Helderview Garden Club, Bethlehem Garden Club, Mohawk-Hudson Weavers’ Guild, and the Capital District Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America, Jim and Nancy Liotta for the loan of an 1890s music box, and thanks Stewart’s Shops for their generous sponsorship.
The Ten Broeck Mansion was built in 1798 for Abraham and Elizabeth Ten Broeck. The ACHA was founded in 1942 and received the 1798 Ten Broeck Mansion as a gift from the Olcott family in 1948. The mission of the ACHA is to preserve, present, promote, and interpret the stories of the rich and diverse history and culture of Albany County. Its four-acre museum site includes the Mansion, gardens, and exhibit and gallery space at King’s Place.
For more information and to reserve tickets, vist the ACHA’s website at www.tenbroeckmansion.org.
