NEWSLETTER
Staatsburg, N.Y. (7/5/23) — On July 9 and 23, Staatsburgh State Historic Site will host a free children’s magic lantern show and craft activity for children ages 7 to 12. Reservations are recommended: attendees can reserve an arrival time between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at MagicLanternShow.Eventbrite.com.
Kids can see a historic magic lantern in operation and then play with a model lantern and make their own magic lantern slides to take home. They can also create an optical toy and explore other Victorian toys on display.Everyone attending can also enjoy free ice cream, courtesy of Stewart's Shops!. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Mills at Staatsburgh with the generous assistance of the Pomeroy Fund
for History.
The magic lantern was invented in the 17th century, and by the 19th century had become a widely practiced form of popular entertainment. Professional lanterns were found in lecture halls and theaters, while German toy makers created children's lanterns for use in the home.
Visitors may also enjoy a picnic or stroll along the Hudson River on the site grounds, or a hike on the woodland trails in adjacent Mills and Norrie State Parks. Mansion tours are also available with an admission fee; reservations needed: www.Bookeo.com/StaatsburghSHS
Staatsburgh State Historic Site and the Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills Memorial State Park are located on Old Post Road in Staatsburg, off Route 9 between Rhinebeck and Hyde Park. The historic site is one of 6 sites and 15 parks administered by the Taconic Region of New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation. For more information, call 845-889-8851, or visit Staatsburgh’s
websites at Parks.NY.gov, Facebook, and Blogger. Staatsburgh’s events are listed at Parks.NY.gov/Events.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails, and boat launches, which were visited by a record 79.5 million people in 2022. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit parks.ny.gov, connect on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter
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Image 1: Mom and Daughter with stereoscopes
Image 2: Magic lantern demonstration
Contact: Pam Malcolm | pam.malcolm@parks.ny.gov | 845-889-8851