On Friday, September 4, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.: start the Labor Day weekend with an evening of culture and fun. Tour the Bartow-Pell Mansion, preview an exhibition of exquisite, early 19th-century botanical illustrations from the museum’s library collection, and enjoy classical music for flute and harp, plus light refreshments. The free Bronx Seaside Trolley makes a continuous loop from Pelham Bay Park’s #6 subway station to Bartow-Pell to City Island.
The exhibition, The Age of Botanical Wonders: Illustrations from Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London, 1805-1829, features exquisite, hand-colored engravings on steel by botanical masters such as William Hooker, John Lindley, and William Say. The Horticultural Society of London was founded by Sir Joseph Banks and John Wedgewood and became the Royal Horticultural Society in 1861. Its aim was to collect information about plants and to encourage the improvement of horticultural practices. Admission $5 adults, $3 seniors and children 6-17. Reservations requested. Call (718) 885-1461 or info@bpmm.org
Historic House Festival Lecture, The Invisible Irish is featured on Saturday, September 12, 4 p.m. If someone asked Maria Bartow in 1860 who lived in her house, she would have answered her husband and three children. But six other people also lived there. They cooked and cleaned and yet were almost invisible to Maria and others of her class. Who were they? What did they do and how did they live? Doug Hearle, BPMM guide, discusses the Bartow household staff—the invisible Irish—all from a country suffering from famine and a disintegrating culture. Lecture free with museum admission. Admission $5 adults, $3 seniors and children 6-17. Reservations requested. Call (718) 885-1461 or info@bpmm.org.
Historic House Festival Program, Take Me Out to the Ball Game 1864!: is planned for Sunday, September 13, 1 p.m.: Travel back in time and enjoy a “base ball match” between the New York Mutuals and the NY Knickerbockers. Both teams play by authentic 1864 rules using replica balls, bats, and uniforms—but no helmets or gloves! After the game, kids get to join in the fun with a game of rounders with team members, plus free house tours and a raffle for the game ball. Admission $15 adults, $5 children 6-17; members: $10 adults, $3 children. Reservations requested. Call (718) 885-1461 or info@bpmm.org.
Pocahontas: An Algonquin Icon, Multimedia Talk is planned for Sunday, September 20, noon. Join in the celebration of Parks Native American Festival day for a fascinating multimedia talk on Pocahontas. Artist, author, and scholar Nadema Agard discusses this important historical figure from an Algonquin traditional world view. Appropriate for both children and adults. Admission $5 adults, $3 seniors and children 6-17. Reservations requested. Call (718) 885-1461 or info@bpmm.org.
Garden Clean-Up Volunteer Day will take place on Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rain date Sunday, September 27: Help keep the gardens and grounds of Bartow-Pell beautiful! Roll-up your sleeves at the biannual Volunteer Clean-up Day. Light breakfast available. Bring gloves and wear sturdy footwear, long sleeves, and pants. Reservations requested. Call (718) 885-1461 or info@bpmm.org.
