On Saturday, July 4, 2026, Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site invites the public to attend an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration on the mansion grounds, from 11:00am to 5:00pm. This event is free and open to the public.

There will be a variety of 18th-century inspired activities to experience throughout the event, including demonstrations of candle-dipping and tin-smithing, a magic show, storytelling, and a raree show – an 18th century entertaining exhibition of pictures and objects. In addition, visitors can play Historic Cherry Hill's "Hudson River Trading Game," sign the Declaration of Independence with quill pens, learn spy techniques used in the Revolutionary War, and play with colonial games and toys.

Special appearances include the Village Volunteers, who will regale the crowd with the Fife & Drum, the NY Baroque Dance Company, who will lead a dance workshop, and Philip Schuyler’s physician “Dr. Stringer,” who will discuss the fascinating subject of 18th-century medicine with his traveling “Medical and Miscellaneous Museum.” Special guest reenactor Major General Philip Schuyler will introduce a reading of the Declaration of Independence, in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of its signing.

Schuyler Mansion will be available for Open House (self-guided) tours from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, free of charge. This year’s special exhibit, “To Sink or Swim: Choosing Revolution,” is part of a series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Free Stewart’s Shops ice cream, while supplies last, will round out the holiday.

Please note that there will be street parking only for this event, with limited parking for visitors with mobility concerns as space allows.

Schuyler Mansion is located at 32 Catherine Street in Albany’s historic South End. As the home of Major General Philip J. Schuyler, it served as the Albany Headquarters for the Northern Department of the Continental Army at the outset of the American Revolutionary War. For information about this or other site events, please call (518) 434-0834, visit https://parks.ny.gov/visit/historic-sites/schuyler-mansion-state-historic-site, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.