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Travel back in time with these history walks and lectures. Learn about the city's epic past, and visit some of its less-known relics. Want to learn more? Visit our Parks History page.
History Events
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Mid-Winter Break: Blast Off- Discovering Space and Black History
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
During Mid-Winter Break, have your kids join us at to explore the solar system, stars, and the future of space and learn of the contributions of Black scientists and astronauts.
Free!
Kids
Freezin' Season Day 3
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Schools out and King Manor is in! Join us February 18th through the 21st for free events between 12 and 3 PM.
Free!
Friday, February 21, 2025
Freezin' Season Day 4
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Schools out and King Manor is in! Join us February 18th through the 21st for free events between 12 and 3 PM.
Free!
Kids
Black History Month Bingo
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Test your luck for a chance to win exciting prizes in Eco Bingo.
This night’s theme is Black Historic Figures and Inventions!
Free!
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Colonial Culinary Series
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Experience History Through Taste: Colonial Culinary Classes!
Historic New York: George Washington
at Old Stone House (in Washington Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join Urban Park Rangers at the Old Stone House in Washington Park to celebrate the 293rd Birthday of General George Washington.
Free!
Event
Historic New York: Staten Island and the American Revolution
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Staten Island has some significant ties to the American Revolution. Visit historic sites and learn more about battles and events which impacted the American Revolution.
Free!
Event
Historic New York: Fort Tryon
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
. Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk-through Fort Tryon Park as they discuss the rich history of the location.
Free!
A Tredwell Tour with Museum Historian Ann Haddad
at Merchant's House Museum, Manhattan
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join Museum Historian Ann Haddad, who has been researching the Tredwell family for over 10 years, as she shares stories (both fact and family lore) of the occupants of East Fourth Street, as well as their ancestors and descendants, from the outspoken Loyalist who butted heads with Alexander Hamilton, to the renowned Bishop of New York who became embroiled in a shocking scandal, to the young man whose pleas for a daughter’s hand fell on deaf ears. Ann Haddad opens the Tredwell closet to reveal all the skeletons!
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Black History Month: Audre Lorde
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us on the Audre Lorde Walk at Silver Lake Park as we honor the famous poet and draw inspiration from our surroundings as we practice creating our own poetry.
Free!
Event
Black History Month: Black Pioneers in STEM
at Lewis H Latimer House, Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn about prominent African Americans who helped shaped the course of history and the sciences at the house of the person who gave us the carbon filament light bulb– Lewis Latimer.
Free!
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Envisioning Seneca Village
at Virtual
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
This talk presents Envisioning Seneca Village, an interactive 3D model of what the village might have looked like in 1855
Free!
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Hands-on History: Elizabeth Cisco!
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Celebrate Women’s History Month at King Manor Museum as we follow in the footsteps of activist Elizabeth Cisco, a Jamaica local whose activism lead to integrated schools!
Free!
Kids
Historic New York: The Highbridge Water Tower
at West 174 Street and Amsterdam Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers discuss the significance and history of this recently restored structure.
Free!
Women's History Month: Historic Female Monuments in Parks
at White Levy Esplanade (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Women's History Month with the Urban Park Rangers. Join the Rangers as we highlight generations of female influence in parks. Design your own empowering monument.
Free!
“Where Shadows Linger:” An Afternoon Ghost Tour
at Merchant's House Museum
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
On this afternoon tour, we’ll explore some of the spookiest true tales of ghostly sightings at the Merchant’s House, as well as highlights from our ongoing research into strange and supernatural occurrences at the house. We’ll also test out some newly-built handheld paranormal sensors, and discover why The New York Times calls us “Manhattan’s Most Haunted House.”
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Historic New York: Fort Totten
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Learn about the important role the historic Fort Totten Water Battery played in New York City’s defense history, from the Civil War to today.
Free!
The Voices of Diaspora: Exploring Irish Immigration
at The Noble Maritime Collection
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Dr. Stack, Executive Director The American Irish Historical Society, will examine the Great Famine as part of the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art's The Voices of Diaspora series.
Free!
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Hart Island Tour (North Island)
at Hart Island, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore Hart Island's unique past, present, and future. Participants are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday February 19, 2025.
Free!
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Women's History Month: Anne Hutchinson
at Pelham and Split Rock Golf Course, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike and learn about the life and complex legacy of the 17th century religious reformer, movement leader, and colonialist, Anne Hutchinson.
Free!
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Hands-on History: Join or Dice!
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us as we play the anniversary of the Stamp Act away by making folded paper dice and enjoying games in King Manor’s classroom.
Free!
Kids
Women's History Month: Historic Women of Central Park
at Entrance - East 60th Street and Fifth Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers lead you through Central Park to sites honoring historic women figures who acted to increase our liberty, safety, and prosperity.
Free!
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Historic New York: Mount Morris Fire Watchtower
at Mount Morris Fire Watchtower (in Marcus Garvey Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers discuss the significance and history of this recently restored structure.
Free!
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Hart Island Tour (South Island)
at Hart Island, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore Hart Island's unique past, present, and future. Participants are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday March 5, 2025.
Free!
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Black History Women History Event
at 18-48 Cornaga Ave Far Rockaway NY (in Sorrentino Recreation Center), Queens
6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Join NYC Department of Parks and Councilmember Selvena Brooks Powers for the viewing of a very inspiring Netflix movie “The Six Triple Eight”
Awards will be given to Nominees. Refreshements will be served.
Free!
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Colonial Culinary Series
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Experience History Through Taste: Colonial Culinary Classes!
Historic New York: Sandy Ground
at Parking Lot - Bricktown Way Entrance (in Fairview Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
oin the Urban Park Rangers at Sandy Ground Woods to learn about the oldest continuously inhabited free Black settlement in the United States.
Free!
Through Their Hands: Three Centuries of Women’s Work and Daily Life in New York
at Van Cortlandt House Museum (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join VCHM Director Margaret Holmes for a special guided tour exploring the lives of women in New York from the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Histor-tree ID Walk
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park)
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hands-on exploration of the life and times of your neighborhood trees.
Free!
Women's History Month: Women in Conservation
at School Road and Bay Street (in Von Briesen Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
We will hike the park while celebrating the accomplishments of women essential to nature and wildlife conservation, past and present.
Free!
Thursday, March 27, 2025
She-Merchants, Sachems, and Slaves: Women in Colonial New York
at Van Cortlandt House Museum (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
In this talk by historian Sarah Wassberg Johnson, you will learn about women’s rights (or lack thereof) in Munsee, Iroquois, African, Dutch, and English culture, and how enslaved women’s rights changed over time.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Marine Park Alliance Presents Women's History Month: Who's Inspired You?
at Carmine Carro Community Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Moving forward together! "Women Educating & Inspiring Generations" is the theme for Women's History Month 2025.
Free!
Tea and Transit
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Stop on by for a special Women's History Month lecture on tea rooms and motorism.
Free!
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Celebrate and Learn: Eid al-Fitr
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us as we make cards and bookmarks, try snacks, and learn more about Eid al-Fitr right here at King Manor Museum.
Free!
Kids
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Marine Park Alliance Presents: Cherry Tree Heaven
at E. 36th St. & Ave. U (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
NYC's Director of Tree Planting leads an in-depth discussion of Marine Park's own grove of Yoshino cherry trees, initially planted in the 1980s
Free!
Kids
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Hands-on History: Gardening Day!
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Can you dig it? Join us as we plant our first round of crops and flowers in King Manor’s raised bed gardens to welcome in the spring!
Free!
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Edwardian Mother's Day Tea
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Guests are welcome to enjoy a spot of tea and light refreshments as well as the opportunity to learn some more about 20th Century teas and participate in some of the games enjoyed at tea time.
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Modern Marine Park
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
How was a garbage dump transformed into the Salt Marsh of Marine Park, Brooklyn?
Free!
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Colonial Culinary Series
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Experience History Through Taste: Colonial Culinary Classes!
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Colonial Culinary Series
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Experience History Through Taste: Colonial Culinary Classes!
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Colonial Culinary Series
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Experience History Through Taste: Colonial Culinary Classes!
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Colonial Culinary Series
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Experience History Through Taste: Colonial Culinary Classes!
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