Ben Franklin, Scavenger Hunts, Ice Cream-Making and More Set for New-York Historical Society, 7/4

Find out what life was like in 1776 and celebrate Independence Day at the New-York Historical Society! Speak with Benjamin Franklin, hear stories and songs about 18TH century life from the Hudson River Ramblers, make ice cream using historic recipes, and go on a scavenger hunt through New-York Historical's collection of eyewitness artifacts from the American Revolution.

The events take place on Thursday, July 4 10am - 6pm at the New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West between West 76th and West 77th Streets. FREE for children under 18. Adults: $15. Teachers & Seniors: $12. For more information, call (212) 485-9276 or visit http://www.nyhistory.org/programs/independence-day.

ACTIVITIES:

MEET Ben Franklin AND OTHER 18TH CENTURY AMERICANS

10am - 6pm

Speak with Benjamin Franklin firsthand about his experiments with lightning and electricity, his inventions, and his involvement with Congress in drafting the Declaration of Independence. Listen to the fun and interactive stories and songs about eighteenth-century life from the Hudson River Ramblers, who will be entertaining visitors throughout the museum and children's galleries.

INDEPENDENCE DAY SCAVENGER HUNT
10am - 6pm
Hunt high and low in the New-York Historical Society on our scavenger hunt celebrating our nation's independence. Families will search for the horse tail from King George's statue, George Washington's cot, and other 4th of July treasures. When finished, enter our raffle for Liberty the Dog!

HISTORY OF ICE CREAM
12pm - 4pm
I scream, you scream! Come experience popular flavors of the past and help us crank up batches of 18th and 19th century ice cream recipes. Families will experience both familiar flavors like mint, and unfamiliar flavors like orange flower water; use a historic ice cream crank, and then taste test the results!

FROM COLONY TO NATION: 200 YEARS OF AMERICAN PAINTING

10am - 6pm exhibition on view daily through September 8

Meet America's founders and see how our nation evolved following the Revolution in this exhibition of art-historical treasures. Portraits of Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and Lafayette portray the heroes of the Revolutionary generation. Relive the bicentennial of the War of 1812-

America's "Second War of Independence"- in paintings of famous naval battles, ships and commanders.Throughout the exhibition, scenic paintings from John Trumbull's 1808 epic panoramas of Niagara Falls to Childe Hassam's 1918 Flags on 57th Street celebrate the majesty of America's natural features and its cities.

The New-York Historical Society, one of America's pre-eminent cultural institutions, is dedicated to fostering research and presenting history and art exhibitions and public programs that reveal the dynamism of history and its influence on the world of today. Founded in 1804, New-York Historical has a mission to explore the richly layered history of New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of history.

The DiMenna Children's History Museum is a new museum-within-a-museum and occupies the New-York Historical Society's entire lower level. It covers 350 years of New York and American history and includes character-based pavilions, interactive exhibits and digital games, and the Barbara K. Lipman Children's History Library. Families explore and learn together, through visiting the museum and through participating in our intergenerational family learning programs. All ages can enjoy and learn in the DiMenna Children's History Museum, but the exhibits are targeted at age 8-13.

MUSEUM AND STORE HOURS:

Tuesday- Thursday: 10am-6pm

Friday: 10am-8pm (pay-as-you-wish 6pm-8pm)

Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday: 11am-5pm

MUSEUM ADMISSION:

Adults- $15

Teachers and Seniors- $12

Students- $10

Children (5-13) - $5

Children (4 and under)- free