The Beat

Katonah, NY – John Jay Homestead State Historic Site will present a lecture entitled, Slavery and the Jay Family: A Seven-Generation Story on Wednesday, February 24^th at 7:00 PM.

Founding Father John Jay was descended from three generations of enslavers. Jay himself is something of an enigma: he argued for abolition in the new state of New York as early as 1777 but did not abolish slavery in his own household for another four decades. His descendants include three generations who were abolitionists and civil rights activists.

The region’s “coolest” tradition will continue with free online events and at-home activities

East Meredith, NY – For more than 30 years, Hanford Mills Museum has held an Ice Harvest Festival to celebrate a historic winter tradition in the Catskills. Though COVID-19 will prevent Hanford Mills from hosting an in-person event, the Museum will offer free virtual events and at-home activities.

“We have the same goal, to highlight the history, science, and traditions of ice harvesting, but will be interacting with people online instead of here at Hanford Mills,” explains Liz Callahan, executive director of Hanford Mills Museum. She notes that the Ice Harvest often brings more than 1000 people to the museum, making it their biggest event. “We will miss having visitors here for Ice Harvest, but hope people will enjoy this new online programming.”…

Popular Rochester eatery reopens as newest offering at the museum’s Thomas Tischer Visitor Center

Rochester, N.Y., January 28, 2021—Open Face Sandwich Eatery, formerly located on South Avenue in Rochester and closed since 2017, has reopened at the George Eastman Museum as Open Face at Eastman Museum. Dine-in or takeout are now available.

Founded by Jared Valentine and a partner in 2004, Open Face featured signature sandwiches, soups, salads, sides, and baked goods. At the Eastman Museum, Open Face offers similar fare, including numerous vegan or vegetarian sandwiches, such as corn mash, mashed pea, chickpea, and toasted brie. Sandwiches can also be made over field greens as salads.

Mumford, NY, Jan. 28, 2021 - Instead of hibernating this February, young and old alike can head to Genesee Country Village & Museum for nature-focused activities, online and in-person classes, camps for kids, and a Valentine’s Day treat. Utilizing the wide-open spaces available at the Nature Center and Historic Village, GCV&M offers visitors a variety of ways to get out and have fun while staying safe and socially-distanced.

The month kicks off with a two-part webinar that starts with the complicated history of society’s relationship with nature as told through fashion, then dives into the current-day conservation efforts underway at the Museum. “Caring for Nature, Yesterday and Today” runs for two Wednesdays, February 3 and 10, from 7-8 pm, and reservations are open now at gcv.org. For those looking for more entertainment they can enjoy from the warmth and comfort of home,…

LOVE WEEK at the Botanical Gardens Encourages Everyone to Share Some Love with a Special Valentine, Frontline Worker, Friend or Family Member! 

Buffalo, NY - Looking for something different to surprise your Valentine, a loved one, a front-line worker or a friend? Head to the Botanical Gardens for Love Week from February 8 through 14. They have several ideas to treat a special person in your life and a few ways to just share some love. Go on a tropical adventure during the day or after dark, jump on an exclusive experience to feed their fish, participate in a virtual workshop or even renew your vows or get married.

Launched by Dutchess Tourism, Inc. on National Plan for Vacation Day

Poughkeepsie, NY—Dynamic drone footage captures a vast expanse of the verdant, natural beauty of the Hudson Valley, its storied history and array of culinary delights in a series of 12 videos scheduled to be released on a monthly basis beginning today. The videos are airing on social media channels including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and invite travelers of all ages, near and far, to plan future trips to visit this intriguing region.

Floral display will expand to three weeks for 2021; virtual offerings will enhance the experience

Rochester, N.Y., January 26, 2021—The George Eastman Museum will bring an early dose of spring to Rochester this February with its annual Dutch Connection floral show. The display will open to the public on February 5 and will remain on view for three weeks. The annual show is a welcome treat in the midst of winter, with thousands of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, amaryllis, freesias, and spring annuals in various vibrant shades filling areas of George Eastman’s historic mansion. Tropical orchids courtesy of the Genesee Region Orchid Society will also be on display throughout the mansion. Dutch Connection will be on view through February 28.

Wax Museum Invites Guests to Pay Respects to New York City Icon Free of Charge  

New York City (Jan. 25, 2021) – Madame Tussauds New York is honoring famed talk show host, Larry King, by placing his figure front and center inside the entrance of the Times Square museum following his passing on Saturday. Guests are invited to pay their respects to the New York City icon by signing a condolence book and pausing for a moment in his honor. There’s no charge to visit his figure. It’s a tradition for Madame Tussauds museums to pay tribute to celebrities and those who’ve made a significant impact on society by featuring their figures in this manner.

Turin, NY – Snow Ridge Ski Resort held a soft opening of its tubing last weekend while mother nature delivered a blanket of much anticipated lake effect snow.

The Tubing Park will be open on Weekends and Holidays. Two-hour tickets will be available from 10 am – 12 pm, 12 – 2 pm, and 2 – 4 pm and there is a height of at least 42 inches required to ride.

“We’re thrilled to add another fun winter activity that the whole family can enjoy! The installation of our new carpet lift has not only proven to be an incredibly useful tool for beginner skiers and boarders but has also allowed us to create the all new tubing park. We look forward to sharing this new Snow Ridge experience with everyone this winter!” Says Nick Mir, General Manager.

Site-specific sound walks and installations by Gelsey Bell and Joseph White, Brian House and Ben Rubin, and Michael Gordon

Brooklyn, NY—This winter, Brooklyn Botanic Garden focuses its outdoor public programming on sound in the Garden, with site-specific original compositions and audio walks for visitors to experience at their own pace.

As part of the Art in the Garden series, BBG presents three works from January through May: Gelsey Bell and Joseph White’s Meander, Ben Rubin and Brian House’s Terminal Moraine, and a reprisal of Michael Gordon’s loved. Each work takes its inspiration from the Garden and the temporal sensations one experiences among its natural features, both ancient and fleeting.