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.
Family Movie: A Muppet Christmas Carol
Saturday, December 21, 2024 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
(914) 965-4027
Join us for one of the most accurate-to-the-book films of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." This family-friendly movie is one of our favorites and has Hudson Valley connections! Registration is recommended, but not required. To register, call 914-965-4027 or email philipsemanorhall@parks.ny.gov. Refreshments provided by the Friends of Philipse Manor Hall.
Registration: Required
Historical Games
Saturday, December 21, 2024 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Stay after the movie for historical games! How did people entertain themselves over the long winter months before the internet, TV, radio, or even electricity? Learn the history behind some of Colonial America's favorite tabletop games, including Mancala, Shut the Box, Nine Man's Morris, Captain's Mistress, Skittles, Dominoes, Cup & Ball, Yo-Yo, Jacob's Ladder, and more. For children and adults. Free! No registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Yonkers First Day Hike
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Celebrate the New Year with an intermediate-level 2.5 mile
hike through downtown Yonkers. Your guide, Liesbeth Drewes, will pay tribute to
the Yonkers of old – the City of Hills. Explore the natural landscape hidden
and revealed by Yonkers today. From Philipse Manor Hall, we'll head up the hill
to the Old Croton Aqueduct, with stunning views of the Palisades and a bird's
eye view of the meandering last leg of the Saw Mill River watershed before it
enters the Hudson River. Hear a few fun facts about the changing cityscape
around this river and some of its inhabitants, including what was once an
island overrun with chickens! We'll return via the old town Getty Square, once
the site of many watermills, and over the bridge to Manor House Square. Coffee,
hot chocolate, tea will be served at Philipse Manor Hall afterwards. For
parking and more information, visit
https://www.philipsemanorhall.com/programs-and-events/first-day-hike-2024.
Story Time & Games
Saturday, January 4, 2025 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Join us at 12:00 PM for story time with librarians from the Yonkers Public Library! Then stay afterwards for historical games, fun for all ages. Explore how people played in the past with games like mancala, shut the box, skittles, quoits, cup and ball, and more. This program is free and open to the public, sponsored by the Friends of Philipse Manor Hall. Registration is not required. Learn more at
www.philipsemanorhall.com/programs-and-events.
Registration: Required
Morning Hatha Yoga
Sunday, January 5, 2025 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Yoga is back! Ring in a healthier new year with our Morning Hatha Yoga class, Sundays at 10:30 AM. The beautiful sunlit Gothic Chamber is the perfect place for a morning yoga class. This open level class is for everyone - from beginners to long-time practitioners. Within the structure of the class and the instructor's skillful guidelines, you will work at your own pace and level, and modifications will be offered. You will leave having worked your body, calmed your mind and opened your heart. Fee is $18/class, registration available at
www.philipsemanorhall.com/programs-and-events.
Registration: Required