2025 Immersion Tours: Freedom & Opportunity in Albany

Immerse yourself in history!

Join these special sequential tours, allowing you to visit three of Albany's finest historic sites exploring freedom and opportunity from the 1700s-1800s. Learn about the lives of enslaved persons, and the accomplishments and contributions of free persons of color in Albany. Learn how Albany grew and transformed: the lives of Irish immigrants, reformers and abolitionists, and Albany's important role for freedom-seekers on the underground railroad.

These tours explore the complex connections between immigration, Black History, and the development of Albany, and have been singled out by historians for their innovation and high quality of intrepretation. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in history - comparing and contrasting the three museums and historic sites you visit, learning about the complex stories of those who built Albany NY and our nation.

Opportunity & Freedom Immersion Tour:

• Start at 2 pm: Irish American Heritage Museum (until 3:00 pm) - new for 2025! Irish Music program is included in your tour.
• Middle: 3:30-4:30 pm Tour the Ten Broeck Mansion and visit the 4 acres of grounds and gardens - you are welcome to arrive early - bring and enjoy a snack in our gardens before your tour (we practice leave no trace). Our gardens are open from 9:30 am to 4:30, April through October.
• End at 5 pm : Underground Railroad Education Center (Myers Residence - concludes at 6 pm) NOTE: for October 16 Tour - the final tour starts at 5:30 and runs until 6:30 pm.

Important tour information:

• all visitors will be expected to comply with site regulations and safety practices.
• please note: historic sites have uneven walkways and historic staircases: walking shoes recommended.
• children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• please ensure you leave enough time to travel between sites (about 2 minutes driving or 5-11 minutes walking). Tours start promptly.
• tours are held rain or shine.
• The Irish American Heritage Museum has paid parking. The Ten Broeck Mansion has ample free parking in an off-street lot, about a 11 minute walk from the Irish American Heritage Museum. The Myers Residence (last stop) has on-street parking available.
• You may park at the Ten Broeck Mansion and walk down to the Irish American Heritage Museum and back (moderate walking ability required - slight uphill walks), but we ask that all tour visitors exit the parking lot after their tour at Ten Broeck Mansion. Please contact Ten Broeck Mansion staff if you have questions (see website below).

Please visit site websites for directions and parking information (printed directions will be provided upon request):

• Irish American Heritage Museum: www.irish-us.org
• Ten Broeck Mansion: www.tenbroeckmansion.org
• Underground Railroad Education Center (Myers Residence): www.undergroundrailroadhistory.org

Due to the special nature of these tours, we are unable to offer refunds or member discounts. Your admission fee helps maintain these important historic museum sites.

Header images l to r: Stephen Myers, Courtesy of the Myers Residence, Ten Broeck Mansion Butler's Pantry, Irish Worker - Irish American Heritage Museum. Below: Irish Canal Workers and Irish Maid courtesy of the Irish American Heritage Museum, Ten Broeck Mansion Butler's Pantry, Myers Residence.