Free with Museum Admission
All ages

Come visit the Museum and meet the 16th President of the United States as portrayed by Living Historian Howard Wright. Listen to stories about daily life in the White House with the first family, narrated by Lincoln himself. And don’t miss your chance to look inside Honest Abe’s top hat or try to tell time on his special pocket watch!

Free with Museum Admission
All ages

Join Raissa Bretaña, fashion historian and DiMenna Children’s History Museum Living Historian, for a celebration of the first woman to receive a patent! May is the 210th  anniversary of inventor Mary Kies receiving a patent for a process of weaving straw and silk used to create hats.. Discover more about Mary, other early American women inventors, and 19th-century headwear, and then try a hands-on activity important to hat making!

Free with Museum Admission
All ages

In honor of Memorial Day, come learn about life on and off the battlefield during the Civil War. Living Historians portraying various soldiers in the Union Army will be stationed at the Museum on Saturday and Sunday. Take a close look at their uniforms and equipment, listen to field music, or learn a military drill!

Free with Museum admission
All ages

Did you know that in May 1789, future president James Madison was hard at work preparing to introduce the first amendments to the US Constitution? In commemoration of his work 230 years ago at the First Federal Congress in Manhattan, join us on Saturday or Sunday to meet Madison as portrayed by Living Historian Kyle Jenks. Discover why he is known as the “Father of the Constitution,” explore the amendments that would become the Bill of Rights, and get a close-up look at Mr. Madison’s unique 18th-century fashion!

Free with Museum Admission
All ages

Join historical musician Linda Russell for songs all weekend long in celebration of our exhibition, Hudson Rising! From music about a 17^th century pirate to melodies of the Industrial Revolution, prepare to be regaled by life along the Hudson by listening to folk ballads, Erie Canal ditties, dance tunes and more—all accompanied by guitar, pennywhistle, and hammered and mountain dulcimers.

Free with Museum Admission
All ages

As part of School Vacation Week, spend the weekend immersed in the activist causes of woman suffragists! Passed by Congress 100 years ago this year, join us in celebrating the 19^th amendment with Living Historians portraying suffragists from the early 20^th century who helped win the right to vote for women across the nation.

Free with Museum Admission
All ages

As part of School Vacation Week, spend the weekend immersed in the activist causes of Harriet Tubman! Meet Living Historians portraying Tubman and other self-liberated people of African descent who strongly defied racial oppression in the 19th century.

Free with Museum Admission
All ages

Saturday, April 13, performances at 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 pm
Sunday, April 14 performances at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm

Free with Museum Admission
All ages

In conjunction with our exhibition Hudson Rising—which explores the past, present, and future of the Hudson River—meet a 19th-century painter portrayed by Living Historian Michael Goudket. Watch drawing demonstrations and handle some of the artist’s tools that you might find in a painter’s studio a century and a half ago!

Free with Museum Admission
All ages