“Objects and Memory” a lecture by Jonathan Fein
Saturday June 25 at 2:00PM
What would you save if your house were on fire? Using excerpts and additional material from the documentary film "Objects and Memory," filmmaker Jonathan Fein raises questions about fundamental human responses to objects and how otherwise ordinary things become transformed into precious conveyors of experience, emotion, and identity. What are the things in our homes and museums that mean the most to us? How do we preserve the past and speak to the future? Focusing on meaningful objects invites discussion of issues of value, memory, contemporary history, museum collecting, heirlooms, artistic response, and authenticity. This entertaining and stimulating lecture challenges the audience to question what is taken for granted and what we hold most dear.

This free lecture is made possible with support from the NY Council for the Humanities.

Mr. Jonathan Fein is a filmmaker, and independent scholar. Jonathan Fein has long been interested in the interrelationships of the intangible and the physical. As a sculptor, his work has evolved from the manipulation of physical material to sculpting in time: filmmaking. Shortly after 9/11/01 he saw that historians were working to collect meaningful objects as history was unfolding, and started filming their thoughts and actions. This led to the "Objects and Memory" documentary film, PBS's special for the seventh anniversary of 9/11.

2011 Southeast Historic Sites Tour
Saturday October 15, 2:00PM - 5:00 PM
Unique view into the past… featuring manor houses, country estates and the homes
of farmers, entrepreneurs and renown local residents from the 18th, 19th, and 20th
centuries. Learn more.

“From Garden to Table” A lecture by Peter G. Rose
Saturday October 29 at 2:00PM
This free presentation is based on a 17th-century Dutch gardening- and cookbook, which features a calendar for gardening activities and a cookbook that explains how to use the fruits and vegetables grown in the garden to best advantage. The 400-year old book with its contemporary theme helps in understanding the kitchen gardens of the early Dutch settlers of the Hudson Valley and gives insight in our colonial diet. This free lecture is made possible with support from the NY Council for the Humanities.

Ms. Peter G. Rose is an Author, Columnist, Lecturer, Food Historian
Ms. Rose has lectured on a variety of topics related to Dutch-American culinary history at, among others: The Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery of Art, the Culinary Institute of America, New York University, and the New York Historical Society, as well as many other historical societies and libraries in New York State.

2011 Children's Workshop Schedule

June 4: Wooden Toy Workshop, 10:30 AM
Have fun making old-fashioned toys. Working with wood glue and paint, learn to make simple toys that children played with long ago. Come a play with museum’s replicas of antique wooden toys was well as seeing the museum’s collection of toys.

June 18: Leather Workshop, 10:30 AM
Leather hides and skins of animals were widely used by the colonist for clothing, bags and other necessities. Discover the fun of leather crafting and learn to carving, punching and finishing a leather bracelet.

July 9: Tie Dying Workshop, 10:30 AM
Bring your own t-shirt, socks, or other white item to dye and explore the traditional methods of dying wool and cloth used in days gone by. We’ll use turmeric, onion skins, grape juice and beet juice to produce a wide variety of natural colors.

July 16: Paper Beads Jewelry Workshop, 10:30 AM
Make your own jewelry and other great stuff with these shiny paper beads. Kids will have fun cutting out colorful pictures from old magazines to create beads that can be used in almost any craft.

July 30: Paper Making Workshop, 10:30 AM
Discover the art and craft of papermaking. Using natural fibers and recycled
goods to produce handmade paper.

August 6: Doll Making Workshop, 10:30 AM
Cloth Dolls forever hold a strong affection in our hearts and minds having been created & recreated many times over the centuries. Children will enjoy working with needle and thread to sew a cloth doll. Learn to design, cut and sew an old fashion doll and finish it with yarn hair and button eyes.

August 20: Flower Pounding Workshop, 10:30 AM
Flower Pounding will have you looking at fresh flowers in a whole new way. See what colors emerge as you hammer flowers into fabric! Learn to make a work of art using fresh flowers and a clever fabric technique

August 27: Glass Painting Workshop, 10:30 AM
Reverse glass painting was popular in America during the early 1800’s found mostly on clocks and mirrors. The artist painted the design on one side of the glass and viewed it on the other side. Join us to learn how to make you own framed painted glass.

October 1: Corn Husk Doll and Warrior Workshop, 10:30 AM
Where ever corn was grown as crop, children used husk to fashion dolls. Join us and make your very own corn his doll or warrior.

October 8: Felt Bean Bag Workshop, 10:30 AM
Bean bags are among the oldest toys and have been made in geometric, animal, and doll shapes and filled with beans, peas, rice, and pebbles for centuries. Felt is a wonderful material to use to introduce children to sewing. Enjoy making colorful felt bean bag and play with them for years to come.

October 22: Spooky Spider Workshop, 10:30 AM
Fill a glove with beans to make a floppy spooky Halloween spider.

November 5: Dream Catcher Workshop, 10:30 AM
Dream Catchers are from Native American lore; they trap bad dreams and let the good dreams filter down to the sleeper. Children will enjoy working with string beads and leather to make this Native American craft.

November 19: Bookbinding Workshop, 10:30 AM
Learn the art and history of bookbinding and about Brewster’s famous bookbinder, Edith Diehl. Have fun making a special book to preserve memories.

December 3: Ornament Making Workshop, 4:30 PM
There is something very special about a Christmas ornament that has been hand- made by a child. Before the lighting festival on Main Street, children can join us to create a unique holiday ornament.

December 17: Rocks and Minerals Workshop, 10:30 AM
Learn about rocks and minerals from the Brewster/Southeast area especially magnetite which was mined at the Tilly Foster Mine. Through hands-on activities participants will investigate and test magnets, to understand their behavior, properties, and applications in today’s world.

December 31st End of Year Party, 1:30PM
Join us at the museum to celebrate the coming of the New Year. Children can make a bright star to wish upon and enjoy juice and holiday cookies.