Living History: Free Family Art, Garden & History Programs at Ten Broeck

Join us for the Ten Broeck Mansion's free summer family programs. Enjoy our four acres of gardens and grounds with free hands-on activities, all supplies included. Programs held outdoors (under tent) rain or shine - please dress accordingly. Our programs have something for all ages to enjoy.

All programs include hands-on art activity, history program, and themed tastings exploring foods from around the world. All are free and open to families.

May 24: Let's Plant! Family Garden and Planting Day. Explore edible plants in the Ten Broeck Mansion gardens, and make your own flower press to take home. Free take home seed kits (one per family while supplies last) and create an upcycled mosaic planter. Special Guest: Wild Ones and Capital Roots

June 14: Celebrate Juneteenth Weekend with us! Foods of Africa Program and Archaeology Day. Free family program exploring African foodways. Taste hibiscus tea and make yam stamp art with natural pigments. Tours of the Ten Broeck Mansion are free for everyone all weekend. Special Guest: Hannaford nutritionist Stephanie McNear.

June 28: Foods of Europe. Learn about the spices in Dutch koekjes (cookies) and make a hand-drawn print inspired by Dutch delft tiles. Then, create your own spice blend packet and taste some Dutch cookies! Special Guest: The Dutch Settler’s Society

July 12 : Foods of Asia. Join us for a Ten Broeck Mansion tea party! Taste different teas, and learn napkins folds from the 19th century to set a fine table. Plus, make a one-of-a-kind painting, exploring the use of the natural tea leaf pigments on Asian style papers.

July 26: Foods of South America. Learn about the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash), and taste South American chocolate. Make a corn husk doll inspired by Native American traditions.

August 9: Foods of Oceania/"Down Under." Learn about the "King of Fruits," the pineapple, and make a textured-block print with pineapple patterns. Plus, make your own Victorian style "Wardian case" (terrarium) to take home.

September 6: Foods of North America/Jamming in Arbor Hill. Jam with us! As the sweet Concord grapes ripen in our grape arbor, learn about jam and jelly making - get a taste of our famous Ten Broeck grape jelly! Plus, make an upcycled grape vine mosaic to take home.

Please check our other program listings for STEAM programs, bulb planting, fall scavenger hunt and more into December 2025.

Join the Kids' Club in 2025! If you attend at least 2 of our summer programs, you will join the Ten Broeck Kids' Club and will get priority registration for the fall scavenger hunt and spring Easter Egg hunt. Just collect 2 stamps on your Kids' Club card to join! Contact us for more information.

Accessibility: the Ten Broeck Garden grounds are generally level, but be aware of uneven areas and a small slope towards the Mansion

Parking: free parking in our lot off Livingston Avenue GPS address 136 Livingston Avenue, Albany NY

On foot: We are easily accessible on foot - sidewalks lead up to the Ten Broeck Mansion. Please note there is a gradual rise uphill.

Bus: CDTA bus line 804. More information here: https://tenbroeckmansion.org/planning-your-visit/

Participants are asked to follow safety practices. Please dress comfortably and wear shoes/sneakers for walking in a garden. Bring your own water bottle. Please note: programs will offer supplies for programs, but alternate projects may be offered depending on attendance levels.

Programs made possible with support from the New York State Council on the Arts.

Also check out other Arts events in Albany, Kids events & activities in Albany, Fine Arts events in Albany.