NEWSLETTER
October 11-13 marks Path Through History Weekend in New York State, a highlight of New York State History Month, celebrated throughout October! It’s the perfect time to celebrate the state’s rich and vibrant past, from the lush Adirondacks to the sandy shores of Long Island. Below, we’ve selected a series of can’t-miss events and things to do nearby, from ghostly lantern & lore tours to fall festivals at historic venues to sailing expeditions. With over 100 events across the state, be sure to check out the Path Through History events calendar for a full guide to the historical and educational attractions offering something special during the weekend.
Thousand Islands-Seaway
Set Sail at The Small Craft Festival (Clayton)
Chart a course for the Thousand Islands’ Antique Boat Museum to attend the annual Small Craft Festival! This family-friendly celebration offers a full day of activities that honor the rich heritage of small watercraft on the St. Lawrence River and an opportunity to get out on the water. Experience rowing, sailing, and paddling a variety of traditional boats during hands-on boating sessions. Enjoy bronze casting demonstrations, plenty of kids' activities, and much more. (October 11, 10am-5pm; $15; Clayton)
What’s nearby: Keep the aquatic adventures going by embarking on a journey through the heart of the Thousand Islands with Clayton Island Tours, offering the most comprehensive Boldt Castle tour in the region. The narrated cruise spans over 27 miles as it winds through both US and Canadian waters along the St. Lawrence River. For another perspective, hop aboard Uncle Sam Boat Tours for a 22-mile voyage offering even more stunning views, including Millionaires’ Row, as you explore the rich natural beauty and storied past of the region.
Adirondacks
Attend a French & Indian War Reenactment (Lake George)
Step back in time to 1757 and experience what life was like as two empires vied for control of the continent. Fort William Henry stood as a vital military stronghold during the French and Indian War, and today, you can immerse yourself into the history of the 18th century conflict. Explore the daily lives of soldiers, Native Americans, camp followers and sutlers through engaging living history presentations, musket and cannon demonstrations, and 18th-century crafts and games. (October 11-13; $15-$25; Lake George)
What’s nearby: Just across from the Fort, the Lake George Steamboat Company is offering an exclusive fall foliage cruise on October 12 aboard the Mohican, the oldest continuously operating tour boat in America. After your time on the water, explore the area by foot with a variety of fall hikes that showcase the best of autumn in the Adirondacks.
Capital-Saratoga
Be Immersed in Victory Season at Saratoga (Stillwater)
Venture to Saratoga National Historic Park and step back into the fall of 1777, when two armies clashed on the fields of Saratoga in a pivotal battle to the outcome of the American Revolution. The Battles of Saratoga unfolded between September 19, 1777 and October 7, 1777, culminating in a siege and the first-ever surrender of a British army on October 17, 1777. Saratoga National Historical Park brings this defining chapter of history to life with living history demonstrations, showcasing the American victory that shaped the Revolutionary War. (October 11-12, 10am-4pm; Free; Stillwater)
What’s nearby: Ride on over to nearby Saratoga Spa State Park and peruse the Saratoga Automobile Museum, where you can see some of the greatest cars from around the world. Until October 26, the museum is featuring the exhibit: Speed - Style - Legacy: The Corvette Story. For a different kind of racing history, visit The National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. Experience a life-size starting gate with all the sounds and pre-race whinnies of the horses as they load and break and watch a movie about the majesty of Thoroughbreds.
Catskills
Participate in a Community Reading of Rip Van Winkle (Haines Falls)
Photo courtesy of Greene County Tourism
Awaken your inner thespian and witness a beloved tale brought to life at the 6th Annual Community Reading of Washington Irving’s timeless classic, Rip Van Winkle, held at the historic 1913 Ulster & Delaware Train Station on the Mountain Top Historical Society campus. This is your chance to flex your theatrical muscles in a fun, low-pressure environment (no memorization required). Prefer to sit back and enjoy the show? Spectators are invited into the charm and humor of Rip Van Winkle as it unfolds in the unique ambiance of the beautifully preserved train station. This fan-favorite tradition makes for a delightful afternoon of community, literature, and a touch of old-world magic. (October 13, 2pm-3:30pm; Free; Haines Falls)
What’s nearby: Start your weekend with an epic fall festival at Hunter Mountain’s Oktoberfest, just 10 minutes down the scenic road (October 11-12.) Set against the breathtaking foliage of the Northern Catskills, the mountain features a weekend of live music, keg rolling and stein holding, scenic skyrides, hiking trails, food, beverage, and craft vendors, and so much more!
Central New York
Celebrate America’s Oldest Covered Bridge (Cooperstown)
Built in 1825 to provide access to George Clarke’s Hyde Hall estate, the Hyde Hall Covered Bridge stands today as the oldest covered bridge in America. Celebrate its 200th anniversary with a grand event hosted by New York State Parks’ Glimmerglass and the Hyde Hall State Historic Site. Enjoy a full day of activities, including special presentations on the history of covered bridges, live music by old-time music specialists and local high school students, a classic car show, children’s activities, commemorative speeches, and the unveiling of a detailed model of the historic bridge. Take home unique keepsakes like a souvenir booklet, a limited-edition postcard, and a commemorative license plate featuring the bridge. (October 11, 10am-4pm; Free; Cooperstown)
What’s nearby: With the season almost over, you can still get your baseball fix at the National Baseball Hall of Fame! As the hallowed home of America's pastime, the hall of fame and museum highlights the Cooperstown experience, as every fan's “Field of Dreams.” Also in Cooperstown is the Fenimore Farm & Country Village, hosting festive fall events like Tractor Fest (October 11-12) and Things That Go Bump in the Night Ghost Tours (October 11).
Finger Lakes
Fall Into Festive Fall Fun (Mumford)
Put on your witchy-season finest and join the Genesee Country Village & Museum for a delightfully festive and frightful day! Stroll through the Historic Village in all of its fall foliage splendor, attend a frighteningly fascinating talk on the history of rural cemeteries in the 19th-century, experience seasonal historical cooking, and more. Return on October 13 for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, where there will be hands-on activities and demonstrations across the historic village. (October 11; $10-$17; Mumford)
What’s nearby: Just under 30 minutes from the museum, the town of Geneseo offers even more ways to explore history. Step inside an 1838 Cobblestone Schoolhouse, home to the Livingston County Historical Society & Museum, where you’ll discover unique artifacts that bring Geneseo’s rich past to life. Soar over to the National Warplane Museum to tour its collection of preserved aircraft and equipment from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era, while learning the stories of the men and women who served both at home and overseas.
Hudson Valley
Uncover Staatsburgh During The REAL Gilded Age, A Life in Service, and History Hidden in the Woods (Staatsburgh)
Step into the opulence of the Gilded Age at Staatsburgh State Historic Site, a grand mansion built in the late 19th century for financier Ogden Mills and his wife, Ruth Livingston Mills. Enjoy a weekend filled with special events and immersive tours, including The REAL Gilded Age tour, a unique experience that highlights the real people and stories at Staatsburgh that parallel the drama of Downton Abbey and HBO’s The Gilded Age. Led by a costumed interpreter, this tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Mills family and their staff orchestrated a weekend of high-society entertainment. You'll also get exclusive access to areas not included in standard tours, including the unrestored servants’ hall.
Return on Sunday for A Life in Service tour, where a costumed guide will focus on the lives and duties of the servants who worked in the mansion rising before dawn and toiling until after midnight to provide the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by their employers. You'll also get exclusive access to areas not included in standard tours, including the unrestored servants’ hall.
Embark on a two-hour guided hike through Mills-Norrie State Park and uncover History Hidden in the Woods. As you trek the trails, you’ll discover some of the ruins of the Hudson River estates that once defined the landscape. This tour explores the stories of three historic properties, from Staatsburgh’s beginnings as a gentleman’s farm in the 1700s to the development of The Point and Stonehurst estates in the 19th century. (October 11-12; Tour prices range from free admission to $12; Staatsburg)
What’s nearby: Take a short trip to nearby Rhinebeck for high-flying fun at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodome, where aviation history comes to life. Tour the museum and scenic grounds, watch pilots prepare their vintage aircraft, and enjoy an afternoon airshow on Saturday or Sunday. You can even book a biplane ride before or after the show. Into antiquing? Stop into Beekman Arms Antique Market, housed in a charming two-story historic barn, to find a one-of-a-kind souvenir to remember your weekend.
Long Island
Experience WWII Basic Training (Southampton)
Fall in, recruits! Step back in time and experience what life was like for young Americans preparing to serve in World War II. In this immersive program hosted by the Southampton History Museum, you'll begin by watching an authentic WWII training video, then take part in a simulated Drill and Ceremonies session led by staff in period uniforms. Can you keep pace like 1940s recruits? Learn how to march in formation, follow commands, and discover how teamwork, discipline, and determination prepared thousands for military life during one of history’s most pivotal eras. (October 11, 12pm-1pm; Free; Southampton)
What’s nearby: Appreciate the arts at the nearby Parrish Art Museum, which has evolved from a small village art gallery to one of the region’s most vital cultural institutions, housing a collection of over 3,500 works by contemporary painters and sculptors. On Saturday, October 11 the art museum features an exhibition opening and artist talk. The off-season is a great time to visit one of Dr. Beach’s best spots, Coopers Beach. Stroll the stunning sandy shoreline and enjoy endless views of the Atlantic.
NYC
Take a Tour of Snug Harbor’s Art and Architecture or History (Staten Island)
Spend the weekend exploring Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, a sprawling open campus featuring 28 historic buildings, 14 unique botanical gardens, a two-acre urban farm, wetlands, and parkland. On Saturday, join the art & architecture tour to uncover the stories behind six structures recognized in the New York City Landmark Preservation Commission’s first round of landmark designations. You’ll also visit the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, the largest and oldest art gallery on Staten Island.
On Sunday, dive into the history of this 19th-century campus on the historical tour. Discover what life was like for those who lived here and learn how Sailors’ Snug Harbor has remained in continuous use since 1831. (October 11-12, 11am-12:30pm; $10; Staten Island)
What’s nearby: Make your way to the National Lighthouse Museum, a venue all about the history and technology of the nation’s lighthouses. Exhibits include The Wall of Lights, a display of over 160 miniature lighthouse models, exhibits on lighthouse keepers, foghorns and sound signals, illuminants and optics. At night, catch a show at the St. George Theater, one of the borough’s most beloved cultural spots. October 11 brings the Piano Men: A Tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel, and on October 12 you can enjoy an evening with Amy Grant.
Greater Niagara
Illuminate the Night on a Lantern and Lore Tour (Youngstown)
Investigate Old Fort Niagara's eerie past on a lantern-lit tour. As twilight falls, costumed expert guides will reveal chilling tales of restless spirits, mysterious occurrences, and the darker moments of the Fort's storied past. From haunted barracks to ghostly apparitions, you'll delve into the lore that has shrouded this iconic landmark for centuries. (October 11, 7pm-10pm; $33.85; Youngstown)
What’s nearby: Before your evening tour, spend the day just 30 minutes away at one of the world's natural wonders, Niagara Falls State Park. Stroll through our nation's oldest State Park for a special tour with a Park Naturalist and explore the gulls and waterfowl that lay host within. Enhance your experience when you book a Cave of Winds tour, where you descend into the Niagara Gorge for close-up views of the falls, or hop aboard the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour and feel the power of the cascading water at the basin of the falls.
While you’re in the area, take a stroll through Devil’s Hole State Park, which overlooks the lower whirlpool rapids. A scenic walkway descends 300 feet along the turbulent Niagara River into the wooded gorge, offering spectacular scenes and hiking opportunities.
Chautauqua-Allegheny
Stroll or Roll with the Saints and Sinners (Jamestown)
The Fenton History Center proudly presents the 20th Annual Saints and Sinners Tours at the historic Lake View Cemetery. Get into the spirit of All Hallows’ Eve as you explore the cemetery on foot or by horse-drawn carriage, guided by costumed storytellers who bring the dead to life through some of the 43,000 personal stories hidden among the graves. (October 11; $15-$25; Jamestown)
What’s nearby: Balance out your frights with some laughs at the National Comedy Center, a one-of-a-kind venue celebrating the art of comedy with over 50 interactive exhibits featuring legendary comedians and iconic moments in comic history. Just steps away, the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum pays heartfelt tribute to Jamestown’s most beloved star. This engaging museum offers a look into the lives and groundbreaking careers of TV’s original comedy couple, with immersive exhibits and an exclusive collection of the duo’s personal belongings.