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Things to Do
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About
Thousands upon thousands of people visit Dutchess County each year, and they come here for all different reasons. Its wondrous natural beauty, its world-class cuisine and craft beverages, its vibrant arts and culture scene — these are only a few of Dutchess County's biggest attractions.
Not to be overlooked, however, are Dutchess County's many historical sites. Significant events have transpired here in Dutchess, and iconic people have called it home.
With several exciting events planned for the weekend of June 14-16, I Love N.Y. makes it possible to step back in time along its Path Through History and explore Dutchess County's rich heritage. Here's a look at what’s on the calendar:
Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at Locust Grove Estate, Poughkeepsie
Explore the Italianate mansion and summer home of telegraph inventor Samuel F.B. Morse with the family. Blooming peonies and other seasonal delights await during the Fairy House Hunt, a scavenger hunt for adorable houses hidden on the property. Each little home pays homage to a different heirloom flower or historic tree that grows onsite. Be sure to check out the beautiful historic trails leading down to the Hudson River's edge. Click here for more information.
Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m. at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Hyde Park
Vanderbilt Mansion is a stunning example of Gilded Age splendor along the Hudson River. Walk the same steps trodden by new money nobility, Hudson River School artists and renowned landscape designers. A park ranger will guide participants through the estate and will point out details about the natural history of Hyde Park and the surrounding scenery. To register, click here.
Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. at Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield, Hyde Park
Bees and other pollinators are integral to the health of the Hudson Valley's vibrant flora. Visit the charming Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield in Hyde Park (a short walk from the FDR historic sites) during a stunning season for late-spring bloom. A speaker will illuminate guiests on the role of bees, how amateur gardeners can utilize specific plants to help pollinators and the history of foraging in the region. Register by clicking here.
Related: The Dutchess Tourism Story Finder History and Heritage Trail
Saturday, June 15, 12–10 p.m. and Sunday, June 16 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli
Visit the scenic 153-acre Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli for an inaugural festival from Baryshnikov Arts. "Bloodlines Interwoven Festival of Art & Diaspora" runs June 10-16, and examines music from a multitude of cultures and how they contribute to lasting traditions and contemporary storytelling. During Path Through History Weekend, multiple performances at the mountain stage outside reveal the magic of Kaatsbaan. This musicans' collective is led by composer Kaoru Watanabe. For more, click here.
Saturday, June 15, 2–3:30 p.m. at Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburg
Path Through History Weekend also happens to be Juneteenth weekend in Dutchess County. At Staatsburgh State Historic Site, explore the role that Black women played in uplifting the Black community of the Hudson Valley during the Gilded Age. This discussion, titled "Defying Expectations: How Local Black Women of the Gilded Age Reshaped Black Education and Literacy into the 20th Century," will highlight two women in particular: Susan Elizabeth Frazier, the first Black teacher of white students in New York City and poet Sadie Peterson Delaney. Delaney gained national attention by reading at the Black Veterans Hospital in Tuskegee.
Sunday, June 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Innisfree Garden, Millbrook
Don't miss this unique opportunity to engage with one of the ten best gardens recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Spend a beautiful morning in Eastern Dutchess at Innisfree Garden. This Chinese and Japanese-inspired landscape features meticulously designed cup gardens. Kick things off at 10:30 a.m. for a 90-minute tour with curator Kate Kerin. To book your tour, click here.
Related: Juneteenth in Dutchess County: A Time to Rejoice and Reflect
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