STEAM @Ten Broeck: The Technology of Keeping Warm for the Holidays

Brrr! How did people keep warm in the past? Take a unique historic technology tour, plus make delicious solar s'mores, powered by the sun! Join us for a special family STEAM holiday program at Ten Broeck Mansion exploring the history of keeping warm on chilly winter days! First, learn how the Ten Broeck and Olcott families heated the Ten Broeck Mansion from fireplaces to steam heating, and get a special peak inside a historic coal furnace, plus other unique technology features. Then, make a upcycled solar powered oven to learn about thermal heating, and bring home a your own delicious s'mores kits to make and taste these at home. This program is for families with children (suggested ages 6-18). Please note event is one two levels of the Ten Broeck Mansion, including our basement, which is cool. Space is limited. Please consider donating to our Education Center to help us create a home for education and expand events like this Advanced registration is required as space is limited. Afterwards, continue the holiday fun: • Take a Ten Broeck Mansion walk-through tour (see full schedule on our website) with free children's activities & kits: "Indoor Forest" exploration for younger children and "Round the World" for middle school. Advanced registration recommended. • Shop local at the Ten Broeck Mansion: Shop our holiday porch shop and indoor shop of hand-made wreaths, ornaments, and vintage teacups, books, and locally made artisanal goods from our museum shop. Admission to museum shop: free (reservations not required). All shop sales and donations help us continue our 100% free family programming and raise funds for our education center. • Museum Shop Hours: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays noon-3 from December 3-December 20. Museum shop: free admission, no reservations required. Please note: at this time, the ACHA does not have a public restroom. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding Weather Cancellations: Event may be canceled in case of severe weather. We'll strive to reschedule or offer extended hours, but we cannot guarantee a new time slot for every visitor. To make your visit safe and enjoyable for all: 1) Getting Here • Free off‑street parking: Please use our Livingston Avenue parking lot (GPS: 136 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY). • Walking: Our neighborhood has sidewalks for easy access. • Public transportation: CDTA bus routes 100 and 106 stop about a four‑minute walk away. • Visit our website for a map and additional travel information. 2) Making Your Visit Safe and Comfortable • Please wear comfortable shoes suitable for historic, sometimes uneven surfaces. Spike heels are not permitted. • Bags should be smaller than a standard backpack. Larger bags must be left in the reception area. • Please do not touch historic collections. • Water in closed containers is permitted; glass containers are not allowed. 3) Accessibility • Visitors with accessibility needs are encouraged to contact us in advance with any questions. • Visitors with service dogs are welcome. • Emotional support and therapy dogs are not permitted in the museum. • At this time, the ACHA does not have a public restroom. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. • Museum spaces and gardens offer very limited seating. 4) Gardens & Grounds • Our gardens and parking lot are reserved for registered museum program visitors during regular tour and program hours. • Our site is pack‑in, pack‑out; please take all waste with you. Light lunches (brown-bag type) may be enjoyed on our grounds, but no parties, buffets, hammocks, additional chairs and tables, or tents may be brought in or used. • Pets must be kept on a 6 foot or less leash at all times, and all pet waste must be removed. Please do not have pets relieve themselves in garden beds or near walks. • No smoking, vaping, or alcohol consumption. • Please follow posted signs and use caution throughout the site. • Free educational kits and self‑guided tours are available at the garden kiosk. • Hours may change; please check our website or call for current information. • See our website for full garden regulations. 5) Registration & Program Timing • Advance registration is required for all free programs. • We cannot guarantee admission, seating, or program materials for unregistered or late‑arriving visitors. • The ACHA often runs concurrent programs; please respect other programs’ spaces and access, as all visitors share the site. • Late arrivals cannot remain past the scheduled program end time, and programs cannot be extended. 6) Groups of Six or More for Free Programs • To ensure a positive experience for all visitors, free programs are not able to accommodate groups of six or more due to space limitations and program format needs. • If your group of six or more would like to visit, please contact us to discuss arranging a special program or to receive suggestions for free programs which can accommodate larger groups. • The ACHA reserves the right to cancel reservations for groups of six or more who register without prior approval. 7) Ensuring a Positive Experience • The ACHA is committed to a welcoming, respectful environment. For everyone’s safety, visitors must follow all guidelines and the instructions of ACHA staff. Disrespectful, abusive, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate behavior is not permitted. • Visitors who do not follow these expectations will be asked to leave. These regulations are subject to being updated at any time. Please visit our website for current regulations.