George Washington stayed at the Morris-Jumel Mansion for five weeks in the Fall of 1776, but that wasn’t the only time New York City was an important place for our Nation’s first leader. The city served as the Nation’s Capital during Washington’s presidency from 1785-1790. The Mansion is proud to welcome Alexis Coe, award-winning author and Presidential historian to our first Virtual Parlor Chat of 2026, to discuss Washington’s Presidency in the City of New York and beyond. Learn about why we’ve never forgotten our first Commander-in-Chief from one of the Nation’s top historians, whose lively storytelling and tedious research will introduce you to Washington and his Presidency like you’ve never seen him before. This Virtual Parlor Chat is one that will have both the casual history enthusiast and the academic professional on the edge of their seats!
About Alexis Coe:
Alexis Coe is a presidential historian, an award-winning, New York Times bestselling presidential historian, and a senior fellow at New America, a bi-partisan think tank. In July 2025, Coe became the American History Columnist at the New York Times.
The Morris-Jumel Mansion brings New York history to life in the brand-new “Uncovering Uptown History” guided walking tour!
Manhattan’s oldest residence, the Morris-Jumel Mansion, brings Uptown Manhattan history to life in the brand-new “Uncovering Uptown History” guided walking tour!
Morris-Jumel Mansion guides bring you along a series of hidden historic gems of New York history in the brand-new “Uncovering Uptown History” guided walking tour: a 90-minute, one-mile mobile experience beginning at the Morris-Jumel Mansion and ending at Trinity Cemetery on Broadway and 155th. Spanning over 260 years, this tour illuminates little-known corners of the Revolutionary War, the Gilded and Industrial Ages, the Harlem Renaissance, and more, connecting the paths of legendary figures with the ones we walk today. Perfect for locals, hard to impress history buffs, and tourists looking beyond well-known sites of New York City.
Dress seasonably and wear your walking shoes. The walk is considered easy to moderately challenging.
Tickets are on sale NOW! The first tour of the series will take place December 6 at 10:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-3:00pm.
Explore one of Upper Manhattan’s hidden treasures: the historic Cottage at Fort Tryon Park. Originally built as the gatehouse for the grand Billings Estate, this unique structure became part of the park when the land was transformed into public space in the early 1930s.
Today, the Cottage serves as the headquarters for NYC Parks’ Northern Manhattan Parks division and the Fort Tryon Park Conservancy—but for one special day, its doors will be open for the public to explore.
Take a self-guided look around this rarely opened building, get a glimpse into the past, and learn about the history of the cottage, the surrounding neighborhood, and how Fort Tryon Park came to be.
Friendly guides will be on hand throughout the day to share stories and answer questions. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with local history in one of NYC’s most beautiful parks.
The Annual Fall Festival returns to Dyckman Farmhouse Museum with exciting new activities plus the family-favorites you’ve been waiting all year for:
* Unleash your inner artist with fall-inspired stop motion animations and mind-bending optical illusions! Yes, you read that right! Come create your own thaumatropes and spin your drawings to life!
* Sip on apple cider fresh from the press and crafted right before your eyes!
* Dance to LIVE MUSIC performed by your favorite local musicians!
* Enjoy some neighborly competition! Put your steady hand to the test with giant Jenga and see how long your tower can last! We’ll have plenty of lawn games out for anyone up for a challenge…
Come explore our latest contemporary exhibition by Cheyney McKnight, community altar curated by Regina Evans, and permanent collection as long as you’d like! Refreshments, snacks, and freshly popped popcorn will be available for purchase all day long.
1775 was 250 years ago. At that time the people of Kingsbridge did not know that the most dramatic and violent 8 years in the history of the area were about to begin. The Revolutionary War would transform the neighborhood from a lush and fertile farming community into a muddy battle-scarred military camp with forts on every hilltop. For the community that was here, 1775 was the year that everything changed. The men of the area formed a militia for defense and the Continental Congress ordered the area fortified. But why here? Why did George Washington consider it a “pass of the utmost importance?” And how did local people feel about the ideas and events that were reshaping America and their lives?
On August 27th at 6:00 PM, join us for Dyckman Farmhouse Museum’s LAST Back Porch History lecture of the season featuring historian Nick Dembowski, who will take you on a virtual tour of Kingsbridge and northern Manhattan in the years before the war, leading up to the Declaration of Independence.
Nick Dembowski is a Bronx local historian and Executive Director of the Kingsbridge Historical Society. He was the lead curator of the Kingsbridge Remembers 1775-1783 exhibit at the Kingsbridge Historical Society. He is also the Site Historian of the Van Cortlandt House Museum.
Date: Wednesday, August 27th
Time: 6-7pm
Registration: Zoom registration required.
Cost: FREE!
Livestream? YES! Register using the link in our bio!
Location: Livestream via Zoom and in person at Dyckman Farmhouse Museum (on the corner of 204th and Broadway)
