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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
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan 
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Historic New York: Coney Island
at Parachute Jump (in Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn about Coney Island over the past century. We will discuss some significant events and landmarks, including the history of the hotdog and its origin
Free!
Event
CANCELLED: Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Historic New York: The Little Red Lighthouse
at Little Red Lighthouse (in Fort Washington Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Rediscover the history of this unique landmark. Open access between 1:00pm and 2:45pm. Participants may need to queue for access due capacity limits inside of the structure.
Free!
Event
CANCELLED: “Where Shadows Linger:” An Afternoon Ghost Tour
at Merchant's House Museum, Manhattan
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
On this afternoon tour, we’ll explore the history of the 1832 Merchant's House and share some of the spookiest true tales of ghostly sightings.
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Historic New York: Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Discover the history of this Brooklyn landmark that pays tribute to the 11,000 men, women, and children who died on British Prison Ships during the Revolutionary War.
Free!
Event
Historic New York: The Revolutionary War’s Hidden Environmental Story
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we uncover how the American Revolution reshaped the natural world. This program offers a unique perspective on the war and how it was tied to the land.
Free!
Event
Tuesday, July 8, 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 June 25
Free!
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Historic New York: Van Cortlandt and the American Revolution
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Van Cortlandt Park was a significant location during the American Revolution. Visit historic sites and learn more about battles and events which impacted the American Revolution.
Free!
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Grand Army Plaza Arch Tour
at Grand Army Plaza Arch (in Grand Army Plaza), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a special access tour of Prospect Park's Grand Army Plaza and Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday July 2
Free!
Second Sunday Castle Tours
at Bayside Historical Society (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Bayside Historical Society staff and volunteers are offering guided tours of The Castle and its exhibitions on the second Sunday of each month from 1pm-3pm.
Free!
Walking Tour: The Tredwells’ World of 19th Century Noho
at Merchant's House Museum, Manhattan
1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us as we explore the Tredwells’ elite neighborhood and discover what life was like for the wealthy merchant class in the mid-19th century.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Historic New York: John Golden and Crocheron Park
at Entrance - 215th Place and 33rd Road (in Crocheron Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Learn more about the natural landscape and cultural significance of this popular location within the neighborhood of Bayside.
Free!
Summer on the Hudson: Locomotive Open House
at Locomotive Lawn (in Riverside Park South), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Visit the renovated locomotive in Riverside Park South and learn about the rail yard history of Manhattan’s West Side.
Free!
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Angels, Rebels, or Criminals? The Women Who Made New York
at Merchant's House Museum, Manhattan
3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
This tour will also provide insights into the lives of the Tredwell women and other notable women who shaped New York from 1820 to 1880.
Tuesday, July 22, 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 July 9, 2025.
Free!
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Walking Tour: The Tredwells’ World of 19th Century Noho
at Merchant's House Museum, Manhattan
1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us as we explore the Tredwells’ elite neighborhood and discover what life was like for the wealthy merchant class in the mid-19th century.
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Tree Folklore Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Tree expert and New York naturalist Levi O'Brien leads this walk that examines the histories of specific Wave Hill trees.
Free!
Event
Historic New York: Sunset Park Finntown
at Central Lawn (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Explore the history of the Finnish enclave that thrived around Sunset Park in the early to mid 20th century.
Free!
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Tuesday, August 5, 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 July 23
Free!
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Second Sunday Castle Tours
at Bayside Historical Society (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Bayside Historical Society staff and volunteers are offering guided tours of The Castle and its exhibitions on the second Sunday of each month from 1pm-3pm.
Free!
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Tuesday, August 19, 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 August 6, 2025.
Free!
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Summer on the Hudson: Locomotive Open House
at Locomotive Lawn (in Riverside Park South), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Visit the renovated locomotive in Riverside Park South and learn about the rail history of Manhattan’s West Side.
Free!
Event
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, August 30, 2025
CANCELLED: Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, September 6, 2025
1776 Peace Conference Celebration
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island , The Conference House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
This living history event will commemorate the 248th Anniversary of the only Peace Conference held during the American Revolution on September 11th, 1776.
Event
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Tuesday, September 9, 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 August 27
Free!
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
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!
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Tuesday, September 23, 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 September 11, 2025.
Free!
Museum of Interesting Things
at Holley Plaza (in Washington Square Park), Manhattan
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Interesting Things is a traveling interactive exhibition of antiques and inventions.
Free!
Kids
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