By Angelique Piwinski, HRM Board of Trustees Member and a Yonkers Historian
It’s the holidays and great time to plan a visit to Yonkers’ and Westchester’s cultural and historic gem, the Hudson River Museum located on the shores of the majestic Hudson River at 511 Warburton Ave. in Yonkers and “Glenview”, the John Bond Trevor mansion, an historic part of the museum complex.
This month until January 9th you can experience what life was like in 1877 when the mansion was completed and learn about Gilded Age holiday traditions on a 45-minute tour of the six fully restored period rooms. A stunning Rainbow Tree holds court in the Parlor surrounded by gifts, and decorated trees adorn the Sitting Room and Library. The beautiful woodwork on the mantels in the Library, Great Hall, and Sitting Room are bedecked in elegant wreaths, ribbons, and flowers. The Dining Room features a tablescape with gilded place settings and a chandelier adorned with fir greenery and ornaments.
Explore the cabinets around Glenview to find the favorite books and toys of Victorian era children, including a nineteenth-century doll, ivory chess set, beloved children’s books, and a well-loved teddy bear. In addition, Nybelwyck Hall, Yonkers favorite 24-room dollhouse, is also beautifully decorated for the holidays.
The original museum was housed in the mansion for a number of years until the campus expanded and now is a major architectural and historic attraction drawing visitors from around the globe. The history of both the 144 year old mansion and the over 100 year old museum is long and complex. You can read about it and all of the goings-on at the museum that constantly change by visiting the museums website: hrm.org. There is a continuing array of arts, culture, science and history reflecting the diversity of our communities with over 350 separate programs a year. Everyone will see themselves somewhere in this incredible institution.
One can only imagine what life was like for the John Bond Trevor family back in 1877 when the mansion was completed and thereafter during Victorian times. Every square inch of the building is packed with history and it is so important to learn about it and understand it because in the beautifully crafted words of the Rev. Alison who wrote a book about the History of Yonkers in his book published in 1896, he said that “history honors the “elders” and teaches the youth to make the past intelligent to the present for the guidance of the future.”
To that end the museum has a wonderful award winning multicultural junior docent program for high school students where they learn a tremendous amount about history, the arts, culture and life skills.
The museum is currently undergoing an expansion that will allow even more programming and history to be displayed to engage, inspire, and connect diverse communities through the power of the arts, sciences, and history. With this expansion the Hudson River Museum will more than double the number of artworks on view from its compelling permanent collection that contains 20,000 separate items, with a dynamic reinstallation that will tell a more expansive and inclusive history of American art through a diversity of artists, perspectives, and narratives.
If you’ve never been to the museum, there is even a state of the art planetarium on the complex with ongoing programs for all ages.
More about the Hudson River Museum: The Museum offers engaging experiences for every age and interest, with an ever-growing collection of American art; dynamic exhibitions that range from notable nineteenth-century paintings to contemporary art installations; Glenview, an 1877 house on the National Register of Historic Places; a state-of-the-art Planetarium; an environmental teaching gallery; and an outdoor Amphitheater. Accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM), the Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting these multidisciplinary offerings, which are complemented by an array of public programs that encourage creative expression, collaboration, and artistic and scientific discovery.
Isn’t it time to find out why the museum was recognized by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for “visionary leadership, distinctive collections, commitment to community and historically overlooked artists and histories” and why the museum was a winner of 2021 Best of Westchester Awards: Best Tourist Attraction, Best Historic Site, Best Art Gallery, and Best Nonprofit Event.
Hours and Admission: Hudson River Museum is open Thursday through Sunday, 12–5pm. During December 27–31 when school is not in session, additional tours are available Monday through Thursday at 1pm, and on Friday at 1 and 3pm.Vaccination required for entry: all visitors 12+ must show proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of visit; those 18+ must also show proof of identity. Visitors under 12 may enter only if accompanied by an adult with proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of visit. Learn more and purchase tickets at hrm.org/visit or call (914) 963-4550.
