Fire was at the heart of daily life in the 18th century—used for warmth, cooking, and light. Explore how fireplaces functioned as both practical and decorative features in colonial homes.
Participants will design their own paper delft tiles, inspired by the blue-and-white tiles commonly found around historic hearths and even right here at Philipse Manor Hall. Together, these tiles will be mounted on a shared wall display to create a collaborative “fireplace” installation. A projected image of a glowing fire will bring the finished hearth to life, helping us imagine what a winter’s day indoors might have looked and felt like centuries ago.
We'll also learn about the role of candles in the past and make a paper candle craft, and learn how people kept boredom away in the winter with some indoor historical games.
Step into the past this winter break with three afternoons of hands-on activities inspired by everyday life in colonial New York. Each day explores a different theme - how people stayed warm, how they dressed, and how ideas and information were shared -through creative crafts, interactive demonstrations, and historical exploration. Programs are designed for families and children and run as drop-in activities during the scheduled hours. All programs are free and open to the public, no registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Join us for just one or all three afternoons to encourage curiosity, creativity, and historical thinking. Philipse Manor Hall offers any aspiring history detectives a warm, engaging way to spend winter break while learning how people lived, worked, and expressed ideas in colonial America.
This program is part of the New York State "Unplug and Play" initiative.
