Historic Cherry Hill

The World of James Knapp
2025-05-04 - 2025-08-22
An Exhibition of original works by Black artists responding to the story of James Knapp
This exhibition will take place across three venues and will be accompanied by programs throughout the 2025 season. May 4th through August 22nd at Historic Cherry Hill, the Underground Railroad Education Center.

William James Knapp's Albany: A Gilded Age Walking Tour
2025-09-06 10:30 - 12:00 UTC
Historic Cherry Hill invites you to walk in the footsteps of William James Knapp, the great-grandchild of Dinah Jackson, who was the last person enslaved at Cherry Hill. Knapp lived in the Cherry Hill home between 1880 – 1885. More importantly, he was a working musician and called the City of Albany his home. Inspired by the research conducted at Cherry Hill, your tour guide will walk the very streets as Knapp, pointing out spaces he shopped and socialized. Historic sites and spaces of the Gilded Age will be highlighted, including buildings featured in HBO’s The Gilded Age. The tour will feature recordings from Knapp’s sheet music, which is part of Cherry Hill’s collection. The tour will end at one of Albany’s unique local business, where guests will mingle and toast to the Knapp legacy.
Tour price includes guided tour. Drinks can be purchased on your own at the end of the tour.

Tell Me You'll Not Forget Me
2025-09-25 - 2025-09-28 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Historic Cherry Hill and Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York present Tell Me That You’ll Not Forget Me, an original play by Megan Stuart and Emily Furlong directed by Jean-Remy Monnay.
Set in Gilded Age Albany at Cherry Hill, the ancestral estate of the prominent Van Rensselaer family, Tell Me That You’ll Not Forget Me explores the plight of James “Jimmy” Knapp, a Black musician and a butler for the Van Rensselaers, as he navigates his intertwined professional and family relationships and his personal ambitions in a deeply prejudiced world.
Tell Me That You’ll Not Forget Me is a work of historical fiction drawn from the Knapp family collection at Historic Cherry Hill.
Seating is first-come, first served. Guest are encouraged to view The World of James Knapp, an exhibition exploring the life and talents of James Knapp through contemporary art and historical artifacts in historic spaces immediately before or after the performance.
Tell Me That You’ll Not Forget Me was made possible through a grant from the Advance Albany County Alliance.
The showings for the performances are Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM; Friday, September 26, 2025, from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM; Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM; and Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
Weather permitting, this program will be held outside, with opportunities to walk through the historic house and the grounds.

Mulled Wine & Murder
2025-10-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Enjoy an evening of “mulled wine and murder” by the glow of jack-o’-lantern light with food and beverage tastings from circa 1827-the year of Cherry Hill’s infamous murder. This program was created in collaboration with the Siena Beverage Institute.
Be among the first to view the pumpkin art show–carved and painted pumpkins by local artists inspired by Cherry Hill and is murder– and cast a vote for your favorite.
A murder-themed tour of the historic house will follow the tasting.
This program is 21+
We do offer discounts to our members! Please reach out for more details.

Murder at Cherry Hill: A Harrowing Walk Through a Historic Event
2025-10-09 - 2025-10-25 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
TOUR DATES: October 9-11, 15-18, and 22-25
On May 7, 1827, a notorious murder occurred at Cherry Hill that resulted in two sensational trials and Albany’s last public hanging. Come relive that night! Meet the historical players, walk in the footsteps of a murderer, and revel in harrowing titillation during this annual October event!
Reserve your space by visiting our TicketLeap page.
This tour is recommended for patrons 12 years and up.
This tour will take place inside and outside the historic house. Inside, we will travel up and down two flights of stairs. Outside, we will walk around the historic grounds at dusk and darkness, with uneven pavers and steps. Visitors are encouraged to wear good walking shoes.
For more information: Visit our website www.historiccherryhill.org or call 518-434-4791.

Pumpkin Party on the Hill
2025-10-11 12:00 - 15:00
This community event will feature pumpkin painting for all ages, a participatory pumpkin carving demo, pumpkin ice cream, tours of the historic house, and the winners of the Cherry Hill Pumpkin Art Show will be announced!.

Victorian Christmas Holiday Tour
2025-12-10 17:30 - 19:30 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
This will be the last chance to see The World of James Knapp— with a holiday twist! See the Gilded Age dining room setting by candlelight. View greeting cards, ornaments, and toys from around the time James and Minnie Knapp lived at Cherry Hill and enjoy a warm holiday beverage!
The event will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Historic Cherry Hill. There is some parking available at the home, both at the top and bottom of the hill. We do ask that guests leave space along the driveway in the case that an emergency vehicle needs to pass through the front of the house, and street parking is permitted.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (518) 434-4791.

Black History Month Tour featuring William James Knapp and Family
2026-02-28 11:00 - 16:00 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Exploring Black Life in 19th-Century Albany Through Art, Objects, and Spaces
Experience the World of James Knapp this February at Historic Cherry Hill. We will be offering tours, on the hour, on Saturday, February 28th, from 11 am – 3 pm.
The World of James Knapp is a multi-site exhibition featuring historic artifacts and commissioned artworks that interrogate 19th-century life as experienced by William James Knapp (1843-1885).

Slave With Benefits, by Paula Frazell.

ADMISSION

Adults$6

Seniors (65 and over)$5

Students (6-17)$3

Children (5 and under)FREE

Blue Star FamiliesFREE

Neighbors (12202 zip code)FREE

Museums for All (Snap Card hodlers)FREE

AMA & MANY membersFREE

Library Museum PassFREE
*Must present Museum Pass upon entry.

Albany History Fair 2026
2026-05-03 12:00 - 16:00 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Join us for the 2026 Albany History Fair at Historic Cherry Hill on May 3rd!
Each year, the Albany History Fair brings together public audiences and heritage sites to explore a unique theme in Albany’s history and collaboratively engage in thematically linked programming. Historic Cherry Hill is proud to be partnering with the Underground Railroad Education Center and Schuyler Mansion to present the 27th annual Albany History Fair.
The fair this year will be held on Sunday, May 3rd, from Noon to 4:00 p.m. on the grounds of Historic Cherry Hill. This year’s theme is Revolution 250, focusing on life in the Albany region during the 18th century and the wide-ranging impacts of the Revolutionary War.
The Albany History Fair is the grand opening event for Historic Cherry Hill’s 2026 season, debuting a new tour of the house and programs that will focus on Philip Van Rensselaer, Commissary of Stores for the Northern Department, Hudson River merchant, driver and consumer of global trade, and enslaver, examining his life in terms of the expressed ideals of the Revolution.
*This is a FREE event open to the public*

Events of the Day:
LIVE Music
Urban Windowsill Project
House Tours and Pop Up Museum
Colonial Crafts
18th Century Cooking
Tinsmithing
“Revolution 250” Historical Panel:
Moderated by Devin Lander, State Historian. Panelists are local historians and specialists in American Colonial and New York Colonial History. They will be discussing the complexities of liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness.

Sign Up to Volunteer:
Colonial Crafting
Docent

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Punch Tasting with Siena Beverage Institute
2026-06-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Talk and Tasting exploring historical punch recipes/ingredients, highlighting trade routes, and connections to enslavement in the Hudson Valley.
Hosted in partnership with the Siena Beverage Institute and Historian Kathryn Weller
Cheers to the Revolution! (poster to share)
TICKETS

**PARKING IS AVAILABLE ON BOTH SIDES OF SOUTH PEARL STREET**

19th Century Wine Tasting & Book Signing
2026-06-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Enjoy an evening with author, grape grower, and winemaker, J. Stephen Casscles
Members are invited to this exclusive wine tasting event with J. Stephen Casscles. Hear about his extensive experience in growing heritage grapes in the Hudson Valley while you taste four different 19th-century wines!
This casual evening will offer guests the chance to explore the gardens and take a tour of the historic house. J. Stephen Casscles will be signing his book, Grapes of the Hudson Valley And Other Cool Climate Regions of the United States and Canada (available for purchase at the event). Light snacks will be served.
Limited tickets available, $25/person
Become a Member today!
TICKETS
Wine Tasting Save the Date

**PARKING IS AVAILABLE ON BOTH SIDES OF SOUTH PEARL STREET**

SYEP COMMUNITY DAY
2026-08-01 12:00 - 16:00 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Join us to celebrate our teen workers and see their mini exhibitions and genealogy projects!
Light Refreshments & Free Entry for ALL!

Poetry in Pursuit of Liberty
2026-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Poetry in Pursuit of Liberty
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
6-7:30pm
Sponsored by the Hudson Valley Writers Guild

Join Historic Cherry Hill and Hudson Valley Writers’ Guild for an evening of poetry and prose. We will have 8 poets presenting original works on themes reflecting on the 250th anniversary of liberty and justice for all; poets to be announced.
Following the reading, take a mini tour of the house and enjoy socializing with light refreshments!
$5/person
Light refreshments served.
Tickets available online or at the door

Liberty by Fredrick Douglass, 1842

Mulled Wine and Murder
2026-10-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Mulled Wine & Murder
with Siena Beverage Institute
Wednesday, October 7th
5:30-7:30pm
Tickets: $25/person, $20 for members
Limited tickets available!
Purchase Tickets Online

Murder at Cherry Hill 2026 Tours
2026-10-08 17:30 - 19:00 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
October 2026 Murder at Cherry Hill Tours
5:30 pm and 7 pm on the following nights:
Thursday, Oct. 8, Friday, Oct. 9, Saturday, Oct. 10*
Wednesday, Oct. 14, Thursday, Oct. 15, Friday, Oct. 16, Saturday, Oct. 17
Wednesday, Oct. 21, Thursday, Oct. 22, Friday, Oct. 23, Saturday, Oct. 24
*SOLD OUT TOURS: 7 pm 10/10
Tickets: $25 per individual
$20/each for current Historic Cherry Hill Members – use code to purchase online
Library Museum Passes are not valid for this special program.
Tickets available online
Take a walk through the events following a murder…

~On May 7, 1827, a notorious murder occurred at Cherry Hill that resulted in two sensational trials and Albany’s last public hanging.
Come relive that night! Meet the historical players, walk in the footsteps of a murderer, and revel in harrowing titillation during this annual October event!

Visitor Information:

The tour is best suited to ages 12 and up.
Dress for the weather and wear comfortable footwear.
This tour leads you through the historic house, up and down two flights of stairs, and through the gardens, with some uneven ground.
Special effects, including a recording of a gunshot, fake blood, and dim lights, are used in the house to immerse guests in the story.
Parking: Use street parking on both sides of South Pearl Street or nearby streets, McCarty Ave, and 1st Ave. Accessible parking is reserved at the top of the driveway in front of the museum.

**In October, Historic Cherry Hill will only be open for scheduled Murder at Cherry Hill Tours.**
Regular Tours (12-4 pm Fridays and Saturdays) resume November 6-21, 2026.
Contact the museum to schedule a group visit, private tour, or offsite program.
Anna Doren
Director of Education
anna@historiccherryhill.org

Pumpkin Party on the Hill
2026-10-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Historic Cherry Hill, 523 1/2, 523 South Pearl Street, Albany, 12202, United States
Join us for our annual Pumpkin Party on the Hill
Community event– come one, come all!
Enjoy pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin painting, and seasonal crafts for all ages at Historic Cherry Hill
Free admission, no registration required
Saturday, 10/10/26
12:00-3:00pm
