Dating back to the 1680s, Philipse
Manor Hall sits near the confluence of the Nepperhan (Saw Mill) and Hudson
Rivers, the site of a Munsee Lunaape village. Used by four generations of the
Philipse family and worked by the people they enslaved and European tenant
farmers, the Philipse Manor was once over 200,000 acres and helped make the
Philipse family the richest in New York. Loyalists during the American
Revolution, they fled to England and the Hall was owned by several individuals
before becoming the Yonkers Village Hall and later Yonkers City Hall. When a
new City Hall was built in the early 20th century, the house was preserved
through the generosity of Eva Smith Cochran and donated to New York State to
serve as a historic site. Today, Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
provides visitors with a balanced approach to interpreting the lives of
Indigenous, European, and African people at PMH to understand the complex
relationships that took place at the Manor from the earliest days of the Dutch
Colony of New Netherland to the American Revolution and beyond. Learn more at Philipse Manor Hall's Virtual Wing
Don't miss these popular destinations and attractions within or near the historic site
- Beczak Environmental Education Center-exhibits and programs both indoors, outdoors and in the Hudson River! Maintained by Sarah Lawrence College
- Philipse Manor Hall Community Gallery-located in the Gothic Chamber, this space features temporary exhibits from local artists and community groups.
- Science Barge-The Science Barge is a prototype sustainable urban farm developed by NY Sun Works and operates as an environmental education center. The barge is maintained by Groundwork Hudson Valley.
- Untermyer Gardens Conservancy- Located a few miles north of the Manor, the Conservancy collaborates with the City of Yonkers to facilitate the restoration and promotion of Samuel Untermyer's property and gardens for the general public. Open daily until sunset, free of charge.
- Philipsburg Manor-another site of Frederick Philipse, this restored Dutch Colonial manor house and grounds features farm animals and a water-powered mill. Maintained by Historic Hudson Valley
- Sunnyside-19th century romantic landscape estate of Washington Irving (author of Rip Van Winkle, among other others). Maintained by Historic Hudson Valley.
- John Jay Homestead State Historic Site-located 20 miles north of the Manor Hall, the Homestead is the retirement home of local Founding Father and Philipse relative, John Jay. Situated on 52 acres of the original property, the grounds are open daily with scheduled guided tours of the house on most days.
- Rockefeller State Park Preserve-located 15 miles north, idealized carriage trails created by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Access to 55 miles of meandering trails with streams, pastures, ridges, a 22-acre lake and the Hudson River.
- Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park- Opened in 1842 to bring fresh water to NYC, in 1968 the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation purchased 26.2 miles of the original 41 mile aqueduct which is now a hiking, biking and walking trail that passes a few blocks away from Philipse Manor Hall.
Philipse Manor Hall welcomes
students and adults from a wide variety of educational organizations for
special programs and private tours! Program options include field trips,
walking tours, in-class programs, lectures, and more. Visit www.philipsemanorhall.com/education
for details and how to register.
Self-guided tours of Philipse
Manor Hall's interactive exhibits may be taken any time during museum hours.
Museum interpreters are available daily to answer questions.
Guided Tours: 10:30 am, 12:00 pm,
1:30 pm, 3:00 pm
Guided tours included with the
regular admission price. Tour size is limited, so reservations are recommended.
Please call (914) 965-4027 for tour times and to reserve your space or visit
www.philipsemanorhall.com/plan-your-visit
During the warmer months, Philipse
Manor Hall also offers a walking tour of the daylighted Saw Mill River and the
Yonkers Waterfront. Visit
www.philipsemanorhall.com/events
for dates and to register. Walking tour fees include general admission to the
museum.
Special themed tours, lectures,
and other on-site public programs are also available. Dates and times vary.
Visit
www.philipsemanorhall.com/events
for what's next on the calendar.
Harvest Festival
Saturday, September 23, 2023 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Step back in time to the late 18th century! Join us for this free family-friendly outdoor festival with costumed reenactors and harvest-themed vendors. September was the time of year when tenant farmers on the Philipse Manor would harvest their wheat and start to bring it to the Philipse grist mills for assessment and grinding into flour. September was also apple harvest time in the Philipse orchards. Learn about grinding grain, pressing apples for cider, and other harvest time tasks. Visit local and historical vendors. Plus try your hand at historical games! Meet 18th century military and civilian reenactors, including General George Washington and his horse Nelson, members of Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment and the First Rhode Island Regiment, colonial era craftsmen, and more.
LIVE IN CONCERT: CAMERATA TRAJECTINA
Friday, October 6, 2023 07:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
What did 17th century New Netherland sound like? On tour from The Netherlands, historical music ensemble Camerata Trajectina will perform "New Amsterdam: The Sounds of the City as Heard by Jacob Steendam" in the Philipse Manor Hall Gothic Chamber. Steendam was a Dutch poet in early New Amsterdam (today New York City) and Camerata Trajectina teams up with historian Dr. Jaap Jacobs to resurrect the soundscape and musical culture of Dutch Manhattan through Steendam's words and music from the period. Tickets are $15 for Friends of Philipse Manor Hall members, $25 for the general public. Tickets available at
www.friendsofphilipsemanorhall.org.
Historical Games
Saturday, October 7, 2023 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
How did people entertain themselves in the past? Join us indoors (outdoors, weather-permitting) at Philipse Manor Hall to try your hand at all kinds of historical games. Learn the history behind these games and then learn how to play Quoits, Nine Men's Morris, Shut the Box, Cribbage, Whist, and more! For children and adults. Free! No registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE.
Waterfront Walking Tour
Saturday, October 14, 2023 10:30 AM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Why was Philipse Manor Hall built where it was? Why did the Munsee have a village in downtown Yonkers for thousands of years? How did the Yonkers waterfront change over time? Learn the answers to these questions and more as you explore the daylighted Saw Mill River and Yonkers' Hudson River waterfront. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for seniors and include museum admission. Call 914-965-4027 or email sarah.johnson@parks.ny.gov to reserve your spot.
Historical Games
Saturday, October 21, 2023 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
How did people entertain themselves in the past? Join us indoors (outdoors, weather-permitting) at Philipse Manor Hall to try your hand at all kinds of historical games. Learn the history behind these games and then learn how to play Quoits, Nine Men's Morris, Shut the Box, Cribbage, Whist, and more! For children and adults. Free! No registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE.