Author: clermontstatehistoricsite
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Is it Original?
When I guide tours at Clermont, I would have to say the most common question I get at Clermont is, \”Is everything in the house original?\” Now, I am the queen of long-winded answers–perhaps that\’s why I was picked to manage this blog–but there is no easy way for me to answer this question. It…
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Deck the Halls (with Paper Lanterns?): Photos of Our Halloween Decorations
Halloween decorating is just about complete here, and I am relieved (and proud). For those of you who\’ve followed along with me over the past couple weeks, I thought I would take a moment to post a few pictures that I snapped this morning of my handiwork. You might recognize a few of the elements…
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How Sweet it is (or was): the Foods of Halloween History
One of our favorite ways to mark our holidays in this world is through food. In almost every culture, we designate some foods to be prepared primarily only once in the year. In America roasted turkey is reserved primarily for Thanksgiving, and until recently marshmallow Peeps could only be found at Easter. Pepernoten cookies were…
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Nicholas and the Apocalypse
The second post in a series on Nicholas van Rensselaer… When last we left our intrepid hero, Nicholas Van Rensselaer, he was just stepping off the boat at Albany in 1675. He had gone from being the black sheep of his family to being the director of the family\’s great holdings in the new world…
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Nicholas the Prophet
Joshua Hauck-Whealton is a curatorial intern at Clermont State Historic Site. His prior research into the Livingston family and other prominent New Yorkers gives him some additional perspective on the Livingston\’s early days in America.The first post in a series on Nicholas van Rensselaer… Of all the characters that pass across our stage, none have…
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Paper Pieces
The third installment in my Halloween series… When I started decorating Clermont for Halloween, it seemed to me that historic party decoration was all about paper. I\’ve already discussed silhouettes in this blog, paper decorations also included Chinese paper lanterns, printed place cards, die-cut decorations (pictured at left from an eBay auction), and copious usage…
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Learn How to Dance at Clermont
While the rest of nation is watching Kelly Osbourn spin around the dance floor on \”Dancing with the Stars,\” Clermont is giving out free dance instruction for anyone who\’s decided its time to try this dancing stuff out for themselves. Salmagundi Consort will be here on October 10th with a caller to direct and explain…
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Scary Silhouettes
The first installment of my Halloween history series… A large number of historic seasonal decorations (Halloween or otherwise) we handmade, relatively easy, and inexpensive–making them perfect for anyone trying to make the most out of their budget. Paper decorations were incredibly popular: some were mass-produced, others made at home. Silhouettes were an element of decor…
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Why Halloween?
I\’ve already mentioned in previous posts what a big deal Halloween has become at Clermont. A few of us around here have even begun to joke that our Halloween decorations have begun to give Christmas a run for its money. In fact, I just put in my annual order for streamers, balloons, and candy. Scissors…
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Music to Our Ears
This spring we put the music back in the library. As part of our efforts to bring Clermont to life, we installed a small stereo and began poking around in the small stack of records that we have in collections storage. This handful of recorded music was given to Clermont by Honoria in the 1980s,…
Clermont State Historic Site 