Visitors to Roll Up Their Sleeves For Audience Participation Tour at Staatsburgh State Historic Site
STAATSBURG, N.Y. (5/15/17) — The “Gilded Age Experience Deluxe Audience Participation Tour” at Staatsburgh State Historic Site, also known as Mills Mansion, will have visitors participate in activities that give them the flavor of life at the mansion 100 years ago. The tour features a cast of costumed interpreters who portray guests and servants of Staatsburgh’s turn-of-the-century owners, Ruth and Ogden Mills.
The “Deluxe Audience Participation Tour” will be offered on Sundays, May 21 and June 25 at 1 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and students, and free for children 12 and younger. Reservation spots are required and readily available for both tours. Reservations can be made by calling (845) 889-8851 extension 336.
“This isn’t just a talking tour, it’s a doing tour,” said Don Fraser, Staatsburgh’s educator. “Visitors will interact with Gilded Age houseguests and servants who need their help. The visitors will do activities like hire a maid, decide the menu for the dinner party and take an etiquette quiz.”
Fraser continued, “Our regular tours explain what life was like here in the mansion. For this tour, there’s less listening to the guide and more getting involved. We’re serious about history, but that won’t keep us from having fun with the tour.”
Visitors will be announced by the butler, and then meet Staatsburgh’s guests and servants. As they tour the house, visitors will calm the flustered chambermaid, assist the footman with arranging the dining room, and try out their skill as a lady’s maid or valet.
Staatsburgh State Historic Site and the Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills Memorial State Park are located on Old Post Road in Staatsburg, off Route 9 between Rhinebeck and Hyde Park. Staatsburgh is one of six sites and 15 parks administered by the Taconic Region of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. For more information please call 845-889-8851 or visit our websites at www.nysparks.com/historic-sites/25/details.aspx and www.facebook.com/StaatsburghSHS.
Chris Steber
Public Relations Coordinator
New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Taconic Region (Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam & Westchester Counties)
9 Old Post Rd.
P.O. Box 308
Staatsburg, NY 12580
(845) 889-3880
Christopher.Steber@parks.ny.gov