New-York Historical Society Sets July 4th Activities & More

The New-York Historical Society invites families to celebrate American independence and the Marquis de Lafayette-America's "French Founding Father"-with scavenger hunts, performances of Revolution on the River by the Hudson River Ramblers, and other interactive programs organized through the DiMenna Children's History Museum. All ages. Museum admission is free Independence Day for kids 18 and under.

Discover treasures that tell the story of the American Revolution during an all-day Independence Day Scavenger Hunt! Highlights include a fragment from a statue of British King George III and a model of President George Washington's New York City abode.

Join us for tunes 'n tales from the American Founding era! The Hudson River Ramblers are back this Independence Day (11 am - 4 pm) and will regale families with the story behind Yankee Doodle, introduce the young girl who outrode Paul Revere, and reveal why George Washington threw a tantrum on Broadway.

Did you know that ice cream has been around for centuries? America's Founding Fathers and Mothers enjoyed the tasty summer treat-just like you! Come explore The History of Ice Cream (12 pm-4 pm): crank out ice cream from scratch, discover age old recipes and check out 18th-century kitchen appliances!

Living History Weekends

Saturday, July 11 - Sunday, July 12, 11 am - 4 pm

Saturday, July 18 - Sunday, July 19, 11 am - 4 pm

Saturday, July 25 - Sunday, July 26, 11 am - 4 pm

Each weekend this summer, brigades from the American Revolution will be stationed throughout the Museum in full uniform ready to answer your questions and share their stories about life on and off the battlefield. And if you're a revolutionary history buff, don't miss our special installation: Lafayette's Return: The "Boy General," the American Revolution, and the Hermione. Although a member of the French aristocracy, the Marquis de Lafayette devoted his youth to the American Revolution. He went on to play a major role in George Washington's defeat of the British army, aiding the patriots through both diplomatic and military action. Free with Museum admission. All ages.

The Pinkertonian Mystery

Sunday, July 12, 2 pm - 4 pm

Sunday, July 26, 2 pm - 4 pm

Don't miss Live In Theater's latest interactive mystery theater experience especially for families at the New-York Historical Society! In The Pinkertonian Mystery, families travel throughout galleries and interact with actors to solve a string of jewel heists in the 1880s. Kids will get hands-on experience as rookie 19th-century sleuths working for the Pinkertonian National Detective Agency: searching for clues, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and ciphering codes. Gather the kids and see who can solve the mystery and apprehend the jewel thief El Diablo! Ideal for kids ages 8 and up accompanied by an adult. Tickets: $35 per person ($30 per N-YHS Member) athttp://www.nyhistory.org/pinkertonian

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Macy's Sunday Story Time

Sundays, July 5, 12, 19, 26, 11:30 am

From the 17th to the 21st century, through fact and fiction, hear tales of NYC and the people who made it great. In honor of the special installation Lafayette's Return: The "Boy General," the American Revolution and the Hermione, we'll be reading stories about the Marquis de Lafayette and other heroes of the American Revolution throughout July Ages 3 - 7. Free with Museum admission.

Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette written by Selene Castrovilla and illustrated by Drazen Kozjan (July 5, 11:30 am). Come learn all about the touching friendship between the young and idealistic French nobleman who came to America to join the patriots fight for freedom and the distinguished Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington.

Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution by Don Brown (July 12, 11:30 am). Join us for a telling of the true story of Henry Knox. To come to General George Washington's aid during the American Revolution, Knox pulled off a daring engineering feat which involved dragging 59 cannons over 225 miles in the dead of winter!

Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Ben Franklin by Gene Barretta (July 19, 11:30 am). Did you know that aside from being a diplomat, author, postmaster, printer, and one of the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin was also a great inventor? In this book, we'll learn all about the amazing inventions that sprung from Franklin's brilliant mind, many of which are still commonly used today!

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and engraved and painted by Christopher Bing (July 26, 11:30 am). Join us for a reading of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous 1860 poem about the daring ride of American patriot Paul Revere!

Little New-Yorkers

Tuesdays and Fridays, July 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31 @ 3:30 pm

Held in the cozy Barbara K. Lipman Children's History Library, this program introduces New York and American history to the littlest New Yorkers with age-appropriate readings and engaging hands-on activities. Ages 3 - 5. Free with Museum admission.

Sketching in the Galleries: The Hirschfeld Century

Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 @ 3:30 pm

Do you know what it means to be "Hirschfelded"? In this exciting, educator-led sketching program, families will be introduced to the work of iconic portraitist Al Hirschfeld through the works exhibited in The Hirschfeld Century: The Art of Al Hirschfeld. Kids will look closely at his use of expressive lines and, after a turn in the Barber's Chair have the chance to embellish their own Hirschfeld. Ages 6 and up. Free with Museum admission.

Cross-Stitch Circle

Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 3:30 pm

Drop in to try your skills at one of the oldest forms of embroidery in the world. Beginning cross-stitchers and younger children will learn the basic stitch and create a bookmark with their new skill. More seasoned stitchers and older children and adults can continue working on their bookmark or branch into more complicated designs-make a handcrafted gift for someone! Ages 6 and up. Free with Museum admission.

Summer Scavenger Hunts

Daily, 10am-6pm (Sundays, 11am - 5pm)

Escape the heat this summer and go on an adventure in the great indoors! Have you ever stood next to an authentic 18th-century carriage, seen a pair of glasses worn by President Abraham Lincoln, himself, or gotten up close and personal with the wooden leg of one of America's Founding Fathers? If you said no to any of the above, then this is your chance!