Back by popular demand! For OPEN HOUSE NY weekend, we’re bringing back a favorite from this summer. Join Director of Education Brittany Lester for a FREE online event!

During Rufus King’s life, books were very precious, and Rufus’ huge collection of almost 4000 books was very important to him. Many of those books were decorated with something called “paper marbling” which created mesmerizing swirl patterns on covers and cover pages. Using common household items, we will simulate the historic process of paper marbling and use it to make stationary, bookmarks, or just beautiful works of art! Also enjoy a live tour of Rufus King’s library with a question and answer session!

Participants will need:

• Shaving cream (foaming, non-gel type) OR whipped cream (from a tub or can)

• Food coloring OR acrylic paint OR tempera paint

• Paper of your choice

• Pencil OR popsicle stick OR fork

• A piece of smooth, stiff cardboard/paper (like a business card or piece of a box)

August 5th is National Underwear Day, so lets prepare together by sewing our own historic undies! Join us on Zoom to learn about what people in the 19th century were wearing beneath all those layers, take a look at items from the Manor's collection, and follow along with a sewing tutorial to make historic undies you can actually wear! Ages 12+.

This workshop is part of our Making History series.

$5 per person

Need supplies? For an additional fee, we'll mail a kit with all the supplies you need straight to your door. $20 per kit (shipping included). Kits only available until July 21st! Includes: Cut fabric (one size fits most), needle, and thread.

Join us online again for a second live crafting event, this time from Cornelia King’s late-Victorian world!

Participants will learn to make a variety of different kinds of Victorian paper flowers to turn into a garden bouquet or garland, using whatever they already have at home to participate. The program will include a live interactive, family friendly question and answer with a historian and educator on 19th century handicrafts and social culture.

Presented by the Queens Public Library through their Culture Pass Programs! Suitable for ages 10+

You will need:

• Coffee filters and/or tissue paper

• Food coloring and/or washable markers

• String or yarn

• Sticks (pencils, thin dowels, or just straight, smooth sticks from outside!)

• Colored printer paper or white printer paper with crayons/markers/colored pencils

• Craft glue (glue sticks will work, but not as well)

During Rufus King’s life, books were very precious, and Rufus’ huge collection of almost 4000 books was very important to him. Many of those books were decorated with something called “paper marbling” which created mesmerizing swirl patterns on covers and cover pages. Using common household items, we will simulate the historic process of paper marbling and use it to make stationary, bookmarks, or just beautiful works of art! Also enjoy a live demonstration of historic ink making, with a question and answer period afterward.

Participants will need:

• Shaving cream (foaming, non-gel type) OR whipped cream (from a tub or can)

• Food coloring OR acrylic paint OR tempera paint

• Paper of your choice

• Pencil OR popsicle stick OR fork

• A piece of smooth, stiff cardboard/paper (like a business card or piece of a box)