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 WingDon'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.
Summer Games
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Play with the past with our weekday summer games series! Enjoy indoor & outdoor colonial-era games like hoop & stick, graces, battledore & shuttlecock, shut the box, mancala, jacob's ladder, and more! Free and open to everyone. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.
Historian & A Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)
Saturday, August 23, 2025 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
(914) 965-4027
"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (2003, PG-13) follows eccentric pirate Jack Sparrow as he goes on a quest to find a ship and crew, only to find that his former crew has kidnapped the daughter of the royal governor. He reluctantly joins forces with a young blacksmith to rescue the girl and get the ship back. But there's something not quite right about his old shipmates. Join our historians who will discuss the real history of Caribbean pirates and the truth and fiction behind this popular Hollywood film. Learn more at
www.philipsemanorhall.com/programs-and-events. To reserve your spot, email philipsemanorhall@parks.ny.gov or call 914-965-4027.
Registration: Required
Historical Games
Saturday, September 6, 2025 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Play with the past! Enjoy indoor & outdoor colonial-era games like hoop & stick, graces, battledore & shuttlecock, shut the box, mancala, jacob's ladder, and more! Free and open to everyone. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.
Lecture: “The Barbados-New York Connection: Enslavement and Exchange in the Middle Colonies, 1651-1750”
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
The historical connection between Barbados and New York shaped the colonial landscape in the 17th and 18th centuries. Barbadian planters were central to the establishment of provisioning plantations in mid-seventeenth century New York and New Jersey. These wealthy landholders, in the attempt to feed and supply their Barbados sugar plantations, brought with them the practice of matrilineal enslavement to the region. At the same time, the Anglo-Dutch planters of the Hudson Valley developed economic and social ties to the sugar producing island. The bond between the two regions, and the complex flow of grown and manufactured goods as well as enslaved Africans is crucial to comprehending the centuries-long ties between these colonial spaces. Dr. Seth Kamil delves into the nature of the inter-colonial exchange and the shared places that define the Barbados-New York connection. This virtual program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register at
https://www.philipsemanorhall.com/programs-and-events/lecture-the-barbados-new-york-connection.
Registration: Required
Revolutionary Harvest Fest & Yonkers RiverFest
Saturday, September 13, 2025 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Step back in time to the American Revolution! This free family-friendly outdoor festival will feature costumed reenactors, living history demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Meet military and civilian reenactors including General George Washington (on his horse Nelson) with his enslaved servant William Lee, Revolutionary War soldiers from both sides of the conflict, 18th century crafts demonstrators, and more. Enjoy live music and try your hand at 18th century country dancing, grinding grain in a portable stone mill, operating a cider press, and playing 18th century-style children's games. Explore the history of Philipse Manor Hall and colonial New York in the museum, and don't miss the special traveling exhibit "Treason of the Blackest Dye: The True Story of Arnold, André, and Three Honest Militiamen." History buffs of all ages can also enjoy our special espionage activity, as you explore the grounds and meet historical people and booths of local history organizations to decipher your mission, using our special code book! This festival coincides with Yonkers River Fest, which features live music, vendors, and food throughout the downtown Yonkers area.