Historic Cherry Hill's programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts, with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Visit the News & Events page for more information about the following events.
-May 7th, 12-4pm: 24th Annual Albany History Fair (free)
-June 14th, 6pm: Siena College Beverage Institute Tasting in the Garden (Raindate: June 21)
-August 10th, 2-4pm: Community Open House (free)
-September 22nd: Deadline to submit a proposal for the "Murder at Cherry Hill Pumpkin Art Show & Contest"
-October 11th, 5:30pm: "Mulled Wine & Murder," A Tasting Event with Siena Beverage Institute, RESERVATIONS REQUIRED (NOTE: Select LANTERN or JACK-O'-LANTERN-level sponsorship for admission to this event)
-October 14th, 12-3pm: "Pumpkin Party on the Hill" (free, all ages)
-October 12th thru 28th, 5:30 & 7pm: "1827 Murder at Cherry Hill" Dramatic Tours, RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
For group tours, please contact meghan@historiccherryhill.org
"The Rankins of Cherry Hill: Struggling with the Loss of their World" Tours
May 12 - July 8, Friday & Saturday 12, 1, 2, 3pm
July 18 - Aug. 13, Tues. - Sunday 12, 1, 2, 3pm
Aug. 18- Nov. 25, Friday & Saturday 12, 1, 2, 3pm
*PLEASE NOTE the following closures:
-There will be no 3pm tour on Saturday, September 16, 2023
-The museum will be closed for regular tours during the month of October for our annual Murder at Cherry Hill dramatic tours.
About the Rankins of Cherry Hill tour...Join us for a story of how the last two generations at Cherry Hill responded to social, economic, and personal change at the turn of the 20th century. Artifacts in each room vividly tell the story of Catherine Rankin’s loss of her wealth and near loss of her ancestral home—and her family’s struggle to regain their financial standing and restore Cherry Hill to its colonial grandeur. This “warts and all” tour addresses such topics as immigration, women’s suffrage, American identity, and the roots of prejudice.
Self-Guided Tours of the Gardens & Grounds:
Looking for a new spot to picnic, take photos, or explore the outdoors?
The historic gardens and grounds are open and free to the public during tour times, no reservation required.
For more information to help you prepare for your visit, including self-guides to the historic grounds, go to our About page and scroll down to Visit.
"The Rankins: Struggling with the Loss of their World" guided house tours are available for private groups, $4 per visitor, $40 minimum for the group.
Take a guided virtual tour, $40 per group.
Let us come to you! Historic Cherry Hill will present an illustrated talk, followed by Q&As, on a variety of topics (see below). $50 per outreach, plus mileage (at the federal rate for reimbursement) for locations over 15 miles from the museum.
Virtual Outreaches available via Zoom, GoToMeeting, or Google Meet. $40 per outreach.
Historic Cherry Hill's collection distinguishes the museum from most others. Its 70,000 items, spanning over two centuries and ranging from the rare to the mundane, all belonged to one family — the Van Rensselaers of Cherry Hill. This talk explores some of the unique objects in the collection, the family's motivation for accumulating and saving its possessions, and how the museum's significant collections have defined its course today.
In 1827, a murder occurred at the Cherry Hill farm, home of the well known Van Rensselaer family. The crime aroused tremendous public interest, and the subsequent trial culminated in the last public hanging in Albany. Although it appeared to be a crime of passion, it uncovered some simmering issues of the day including women's roles and legal rights, social class, punishment and the law, and slavery in New York. Hear the words of those involved in the crime and decide whom you think was guilty or innocent.
Our innovative programs continue to reflect New York State curriculum needs and feedback from teachers, and we are probing deeper into underrepresented narratives, particularly the African-American experience at Cherry Hill.
To schedule or inquire about a program, fill out a School Program Request Form or contact the Director of Education: shawna@historiccherryhill.org
Looking for materials to support instruction?
Explore our online materials for digital collections, teaching units, and activities including a 3D tour of Cherry Hill!
Teacher Workshops: Check our Events page for our latest professional development opportunities for CTLE credit, or contact us directly.
Arranged on a case-by-case basis. Contact shawna@historiccherryhill.org to plan your visit.
We can come to your school (space providing) or a location of your choice (we love to partner!).
Hudson River Trading Game- This program compliments New York State Learning Standards in Social Studies & ELA.
Grades 4 & 5
This hands-on program creatively combines history, economics, science, ELA and math. Students role play using a 34-foot game board to experience the challenges of 18th-century trade and travel on the Hudson River and discover how Hudson River trade was linked to global trade.
Group size: Up to 25 students per program, 2 classes per outreach visit
Length: Approximately 50 to 60 min. (depending on group size), with additional time to set up and pack up.
The *New* Cherry Hill Case- This program compliments New York State Learning Standards in Social Studies and ELA.
Grades 4 & 5
Through hands-on exploration of primary source documents, photographs and objects, students work together to investigate the roles, relationships, and every day lives of people who shared a home at Cherry Hill during the mid 1800s. The Cherry Hill Case is "closed" when students test their hypotheses through participation in a document-based Reader's Theatre.