Philipsburg Manor Comes Alive with History, Art, Celebration
Pinkster kicks off season on May 24; family-friendly Summer Saturdays
Sleepy Hollow, NY (April TK, 2025) – This summer, history comes to life at Philipsburg Manor with a lineup of events honoring the Hudson Valley’s rich cultural heritage, colonial past, and natural beauty. From the celebration of an African-American festival to hands-on art workshops and themed family days, there’s something for everyone this season.
The season begins with the Pinkster Festival on Saturday, May 24, a celebration of African music, food, and community rooted in a colonial-era holiday once observed by enslaved Africans in the Hudson Valley. Visitors can experience live performances, storytelling, and art activities.
On Saturday, June 28, nature lovers can join our Botanical Jewelry Making Workshop, a two-hour class inspired by the plants and flowers of Philipsburg Manor’s colonial kitchen garden. Participants will make their own wearable art using real plants and flowers with master herbalist Karine Gordineer.
From July 5 through August 30, Philipsburg Manor will host Summer Saturdays—a weekly series of themed days filled with activities, art projects, and free explore tours.
Highlights of Summer Saturdays include:
July 5 – Ginger the Barn Cat’s Birthday Bash: Celebrate Philipsburg’s resident favorite feline with cat-themed crafts, sweet treats, and the SPCA Westchester’s mobile adoption truck.
July 12 – Hive & Honey: Learn about bees and pollinators with Nyack Pollinator Pathways, make your own candle, and sample local honey.
July 19 – Paws & Claws: Explore native wildlife through creative crafts and special animal encounters.
July 26 – Petals & Greens: Discover the beauty of the kitchen garden with art-making and herbal sachets.
August 2 – Claytopia: Make ceramics in our beehive oven and see historic pottery up close.
August 9 – Weave & Wonder: Dive into textile history with clothmaking demos and fabric self-portraits.
August 16 – The Big Play Date: Try out colonial games and toy-making.
August 23 – Preserves & Pickles: Learn how food was preserved and make your own compost jar.
August 30 – Global Grains: Watch cooking demos and sample breads from around the world.
All events take place at Philipsburg Manor, an 18th-century National Historic Landmark in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Capacity is limited for all these experiences and buying tickets in advance online is strongly recommended. Tickets are available now at hudsonvalley.org.
DETAILS: PHILIPSBURG MANOR
In 1750, Philipsburg Manor was home to 23 enslaved individuals known to have lived and labored there. It is the country’s first living history museum to focus on the history of northern slavery.
The site is open for tours Friday-Sunday: May 2 – Sep 28 and Nov 2 – Nov 30; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: Oct 1 – Oct 23; Saturday-Sunday: Dec 6 – Dec 21, plus Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Advance tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and young adults, and $13 for children. Tickets are free for Historic Hudson Valley members.
Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., two miles north of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
DETAILS: THE PINKSTER FESTIVAL
Pinkster has been celebrated in New York since the 1700s and is the region’s oldest African American holiday. Visitors will be able to tour the historic site and take in live performances throughout the afternoon.
Tickets are $14 for adults; $12 for young adults and seniors; and free for children under 17 and Historic Hudson Valley members.
The Pinkster Festival takes place on May 24, 2025 from 1-4pm at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
DETAILS: BOTANICAL RESIN JEWELRY WORKSHOP
The Botanical Resin Jewelry Workshop will be lead master herbalist Karine Gordineer and takes place in the greenhouse overlooking the grounds of Philipsburg Manor.
The workshop is $100, which includes all materials to make two pieces of jewelry. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a 15% discount.
The Botanical Resin Jewelry Workshop takes place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 12-2pm at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
DETAILS: SUMMER SATURDAYS
Summer Saturdays are a new way for families to get hands-on with history this season. Activities include historic demonstrations, crafts, tours, and more.
Advance tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and young adults, and $13 for children. Tickets are free for Historic Hudson Valley members.
Summer Saturdays take place from July 6 – August 30, 2025, at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Details can be found at hudsonvalley.org/summer-saturdays-at-philipsburg-manor/
About Historic Hudson Valley
Historic Hudson Valley, Westchester County’s largest cultural organization, educates and entertains tens of thousands of visitors a year through school programs, tours of National Historic Landmarks, and Halloween-themed experiences, which have earned a national reputation as among the best in the country.
