Historic Sites Examining Slavery in the Colonial North
After a visit to Philipsburg Manor, where you’ll learn about the 23 enslaved individuals of African descent who lived on and worked on property, visits…
Caryl Plunkett Conversation: “The Trials of Constance Baker Motley”
On Sunday, March 25, 2018, the Women’s History Institute held a special screening of the short documentary film “The Trials of Constance Baker Motley” as the…
A Matisse-Inspired Logo for Women’s History
The logo of the Women’s History Institute takes its inspiration from “La Rosace,” the rose window at Union Church in Pocantico Hills which was designed…
Margaret Hardenbroeck DeVries Philipse (c. 1630-c. 1690)
In many ways, Margaret Hardenbroeck DeVries Philipse exemplifies the colonial Dutch woman: educated, independent, and entrepreneurial. Her story illustrates the extraordinary opportunities that were available…
What is CORNucopia?
CORNucopia is a festival at Philipsburg Manor celebrating the importance of corn and its heritage in America. Corn has been grown in the Hudson Valley…
What is Pinkster?
The Pinkster Festival took place at Philipsburg Manor on May 24, 2025. Stay tuned for more information on the return of The Pinkster Festival in…
Captain’s Orders: Captain Lawrence Brewing Company at the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
At Historic Hudson Valley, we certainly appreciate taking something simple and turning it into an art—for example, taking a carved pumpkin and turning it into…
A Colonial Drugstore: Philipsburg Manor’s Herb Garden
In colonial America, it was common for enslaved men and women in rural areas to keep a provisioning garden to grow vegetables they most wanted…
10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Washington Irving
You know The Legend of Sleepy Hollow from the countless movies, cartoons and other adaptations. The tale of Rip Van Winkle is thoroughly ingrained in American culture. But how…
Who Really Invented Christmas: Washington Irving or Charles Dickens?
There’s a new movie in the theaters, just in time for the holidays. The Man Who Invented Christmas, starring Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey fame, is a rollicking period…