For four generations, Kykuit was the home of the influential Rockefeller family. Kykuit, also known as the John D. Rockefeller Estate in Pocantico Hills, is the top attraction in the Hudson Valley. Kykuit means lookout in Dutch and is an apt name for this mansion and its site. It possesses majestic views of the river from its location and was, for four generations, the home of the influential Rockefeller family. Comprising forty rooms, the house was built for the oil tycoon and family patriarch John D. Rockefeller. The art collection in the home is largely the collection of Nelson Rockefeller, third generation politician, NYS Governor and U.S. Vice President. It is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Our 2 and ¼ hour tour will take us through this magnificent four- story Colonial Revival mansion, situated on the highest point in Pocantico Hills. The home features fine furnishings, 20th century art and Chinese and European ceramics.
Cross the millpond bridge to Philipsburg Manor, where will have our box lunch.
We will visit Philipsburg Manor House which stands as a historical testament to the generations of slaves who lived and worked for the Philipse family on the property in 1750. Our visit will include the Manor House and the Slaves’ Kitchen.

The Roslyn Grist Mill is a rare surviving Dutch-framed colonial watermill built for industrial rather than agricultural use. In 1698, John Robeson (later Robinson) was granted permission by the Town of Hempstead (now the Town of North Hempstead) to construct a grist mill at the head of Hempstead Harbor in Roslyn, beginning the history of growth and expansion of the village’s economy. The mill is unique in its utilization of Old World Dutch construction style. This style was once found in the Netherlands and Zealand, but no longer exists today.
Over the centuries, the mill changed ownership, and in 1790, the current owner Hendrik Onderdonk welcomed President George Washington. Placed on the National Historic Register in 1986, the mill has been undergoing preservation since 2018 by the Roslyn Landmark Society and was completed in 2025. Carol Clarke, archivist of the Bryant Library, using historical documents, will tell the story of this unique grist mill.

Part of our "Sunday Seminars on Long Island and New York History"

Plant a spring bulb pot in the lasagna technique. Layering three different spring-flowering bulbs in a pot will surprise you this spring with a colorful mix of pink and purple tulips, cream daffodils and purple grape hyacinths.

You will get a 14” inch plastic terra cotta pot, potting soil, and various bulbs selected to bloom in mid/spring on your doorstep or patio. The workshop will teach you how to layer the bulbs at their required depths, how to properly winterize the pot, how to maintain through winter and what to do in the spring. 

Bring Gloves 

Place: outdoors at Clark Botanic Garden (or indoors if weather is inclement) 

We will enjoy a guided tour of the historic Coe Hall, the 65 room Tudor Revival main house, decorated for the season in holiday finery.
After our tour we are free to visit the magnificent greenhouses, filled with holidays plants and poinsettias.
The gift shop will also be open for a visit.
From here, we travel back to Roslyn for our holiday luncheon at Mim’s Restaurant, where we will enjoy a meal consisting of a choice of appetizer, salad, pasta, entrée, dessert and coffee or tea. (Choices will be made at the restaurant.)

Cost of trip includes coach bus transportation to and from Clark Botanic Garden, 193 I.U. Willets Road, Albertson, NY, entrance fee and guided tour at Coe Hall, and luncheon at Mim’s Restaurant.

This is the story of a tiny hometown bank which rose to be 18th largest in the nation, under the leadership of Arthur T. Roth, who has been called one of the three most important figures in the history of American banking. His list of firsts is amazing: the first walk up window, the first bank parking lot, the first bank credit card, the first bank installment loan. Franklin financed much of the development of Long Island in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s and pioneered the FHA mortgage. The banks spectacular rise was matched by its spectacular collapse, the largest in history until then. 

Join us for the compelling story of “The House that Roth Built.” 

Part of our "Sunday Seminars on Long Island and New York History"

We will travel by bus from Clark Botanic Garden (193 I.U. Willets Road, Albertson) to New York Botanical
Garden – Van Gogh: Painting with Flowers. Vincent Van Gogh’s unforgettable world of art and nature will envelop you in a vibrant daydream. Immerse yourself in a botanical displays and large-scale art inspired by the iconic masterpieces. You have seen the paintings, now see them come to life at the Garden. We will leave Clark Botanic Garden at 8:45 am, and will return to Clark Botanic Garden between 4:00-4:30 pm.

Please arrive no later than 8:30 am so we can board the bus and leave promptly
at 8:45 am.

We expect to arrive at NYBG by 10:00 am, and our guided tour will begin in the Haupt Conservatory.
After our tour, we will board a special tram, which will take us to the Stone Mill for our Victorian Tea. After lunch, we can elect to take a public tram, which is a 30-minute narrated tour around the Garden grounds. The tram makes several stops, and guests can get on and off the tram at any stop. We can also visit the gift shop before departure.

The Victorian Tea menu consists of assorted tea sandwiches, scones, petit fours, and assorted teas. (Advance notice is needed if you have special dietary restrictions.)

Join us for our annual wreath-making workshop at Clark House.
You will leave with your custom-crafted fresh green wreath adorned with a beautiful bow and fresh pinecones. Bring your trims, a set of pruners, sturdy gloves and a bag for lunch. We will have all the varieties of seasonal greens you have come to expect as well as fresh coffee all day.
Learn the correct techniques for making a wreath as well as learn to make your own beautiful bow. 
* Act Quickly - Space is Limited *

Fee includes bow, pinecones, holly berries, fresh greens wreath form, wire