Staatsburgh State Historic Site

10/13/2026

We are fast approaching peak foliage season in the Hudson Valley and we could not resist taking a stroll on Staatsburgh’s grounds to appreciate all of the colors. It makes perfect sense why the Mills family spent the fall at Staatsburgh 🍂

10/06/2026

Thank you to Resonant River for a lovely immersive sound bath on the portico last weekend. It was a lovely evening to sit, reflect, listen, and take in the beautiful surroundings.

10/01/2026

📣NYS Division for Historic Preservation Open House returns in October📣

Have you ever toured Staatsburgh and wondered about the conservation work done to support the mansion's collections? Well, now is your chance to find out!

From Oct. 15-17, the first Open House in 15 years of the Division for Historic Preservation (DHP) at Peebles Island State Park will include behind-the-scenes tours, exhibits, demonstrations, and presentations that highlight the work DHP does to promote and protect the history of New York State through state historic sites and in communities across the state.

Highlights include: access to object conservation labs, hands-on activities, special talks, guided tours of the historic factory complex, the Revisit the Revolution traveling exhibition, and much more.

📆Oct. 15, 16, 17
⏰9AM-3PM each day
🌳Peebles Island State Park, 1 Delaware Ave North, Cohoes, NY 12047
❗This event is free and open to the public. No registration necessary.
🚗Parking will be available, but may become limited.

09/25/2026

The 39th Annual Gathering of Old Cars at Staatsburgh State Historic Site is fast approaching! Join us on Sunday, October 18th from 11am-4pm to view classic cars on the great lawn overlooking the Hudson River. Show cars must arrive by 11am to park on the field.

09/23/2026

120 years ago, two visitors signed Staatsburgh's guestbook, arriving on Sunday, September 23, 1906. The guests were J. Borden Harriman (1864-1914) and his wife Florence Jaffray Hurst Harriman (1870-1967). Florence, known as "Daisy," was a fascinating character assuming many roles in life such as socialite, suffragist, social reformer, and diplomat.

She was born into wealth as the daughter of shipping magnate F.W.J Hurst and in 1889 at age 19 married banker J. Borden Harriman. After her marriage, she lived a life of social events and charitable activities, and she helped co-found the Colony Club, the first club in New York City exclusively for women. She soon became involved with many causes including poor factory conditions, women's suffrage, and other labor management issues. She continued this work to a greater extent after her husband died in 1914. At one point she turned her Mount Kisco, NY home into a tuberculosis sanitarium. Her political involvement led to her appointment as the US Minister to Norway from 1937-1940.

Florence "Daisy" was certainly one of the most accomplished women to sign Staatsburgh's guestbook. We wonder how she enjoyed her visit to Staatsburgh and what she possibly spoke about with Ruth Mills?!

09/20/2026

in 1908, the first signature in Staatsburgh's guestbook was Bernard Arthur Forbes, also known as Granard due to his title, the 8th Earl of Granard. In hindsight, we know that he married Beatrice Mills, daughter of Ruth & Ogden Mills, on January 14, 1909, but their engagement had not been officially announced three months prior.

The Earl traveled with the Mills family to New York in August 1908 and spent time at their homes in New York and Staatsburg. Reports of the earl's trip and his residence with the Mills family led to many engagement rumors, but the engagement was not announced until December. It is possible that the purpose of this late summer visit was to iron out the terms of the engagement since Beatrice Mills had considerable funds to bring to the marriage.

It may have been the Earl's first visit to Staatsburgh, but it certainly was not the last!

09/15/2026

Our most recent family to complete the Staatsburg Outdoor Scavenger hunt did a great job and had a ton of fun! There is still time to walk the grounds and complete the set of ten tasks. Participants will receive a coupon for a free Stewart's ice cream cone (while supplies last!) Find the clues here:

https://millsfriends.org/virtual/lets-go-outside/

09/08/2026

This Saturday! September 12 from 2:30-4pm 🍂
Discover the remnants of Staatsburgh's once-thriving nursery complex and make a garden in a glass!

Following maps, written descriptions, and photographic documents, children and their families will look for signs of the once-thriving greenhouse complex at Staatsburgh. Following the 40 minute walk, child participants will make a miniature garden in a Gilded Age glass to take home. This guided walk and workshop is appropriate for ages 5 and up when accompanied by an adult. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor walk. In the event of heavy rain, you will be notified of cancellation by 10am and receive a full refund.

Cost: $8/child plus Eventbrite fees, $8/child Friends of Mills Members, Accompanying adults are FREE

Folow the link to purchase tickets!

Discover the remnants of Staatsburgh's once-thriving nursery complex and make a garden in a glass!