Calendar of Events

All Virtual Events are recorded and posted to the Museum’s YouTube page.

SEPTEMBER

EVENT CANCELLED, TO BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE!
Wednesday, September 30, 6:00 p.m.
Death Matters: From Your Parlor to Ours -The Growth of the Neighborhood Funeral Home
In-Person Talk Co-sponsored by Village Preservation

Join Village Preservation and the Merchant’s House Museum for this special edition in-person installment of the Merchant’s House Museum’s series Death Matters. In the Death Matters series, thanatologist Matilda Garrido interviews those working in the fields of end of life and beyond. This is a unique chance to explore the historical perspectives, emerging ideas, and join in an open discussion around topics usually hidden.

To help mark the centennial of the Greenwich Village Funeral Home, Matilda will be in discussion with Peter DeLuca, President of the Greenwich Village Funeral Home. They will examine how funerals transitioned from in-home services in the 19th century to the modern funeral home as end-of-life practices became more professionalized.

These institutions, such as the Greenwich Village Funeral Home, are interwoven into the community and provide a critically important service. Exploring the last one hundred years of the Greenwich Village Funeral Home is a unique chance to also learn about how our neighborhoods have evolved and changed over the last century.

In-person talk hosted at Greenwich Village Funeral Home (199 Bleecker Street). Registration required.

 

OCTOBER

Saturday, October 3, 7 p.m.
East Village Ghosts Walking Tour
Co-Sponsored by Boroughs of the Dead

The East Village is legendary in its own right, known for its unique cultural history spanning from the 17th century Dutch colony to the rich immigrant history of the 19th and early 20th centuries, up to its punk scenes of the 1970s and 80s and more recent, gentrified, iterations. Throughout all this tumultuous history, one thing has remained unchanged: it is very, very haunted.

This tour presents a haunting history of the neighborhood, reflecting its changing scenes and colorful characters through a ghostly lens. We’ll start our tour at the Merchant’s House –”Manahattan’s Most Haunted House – then continue through the neighborhood. You’ll hear all about the one-legged phantom of Peter Stuyvesant, discover some crabby spectral librarians at the former Astor Library (now Joe’s Public Theater), and debate the existence of the afterlife on Harry Houdini’s old stomping grounds.

A fun, slightly creepy, sometimes cheeky look at the collective ghosts of a neighborhood that often flirts on the edge of self-parody, but still contains an undeniable fascination and profound historical significance.

6 p.m. – pre-tour access to the Merchant’s House Museum
7 p.m. – tour begins in Manuel Plaza (35 East 4th Street)

90 minutes, reservations required. $40; purchase “East Village Ghosts” Walking Tour Tickets.

 

Wednesday, October 7 – Sunday, November 1
Exhibition – “Truly We Live in a Dying World:” A 19th Century Home in Mourning

Including rarely exhibited items of Tredwell family mourning dress and accessories from the collection.
Step back in time to 1865, when family patriarch Seabury Tredwell died at home in his second floor bedroom. Poignant scenes of death and grief recreated in the House will explore mid-19th century mourning customs. Pay your last respects at his deathbed upstairs, or join the mourning in the double parlor, hung with black crepe curtains and set for a mid-19th century funeral. Also on display, mourning accessories from the Tredwell collection. Included with regular admission.

 

October 2026 Ghost Tours

Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17
Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24
Thursday, October 29 & Friday, October 30

Candlelight Ghost Tours
50-minute tours begin every half hour, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Doors slam, floorboards creak, voices call into the dead of night. Venture into “Manhattan’s Most Haunted House” by flickering candlelight to hear chilling – and true – tales of decades of otherworldly activity in the house, the results of years of paranormal investigations – and the latest stunning scientific findings.

The Tredwell family lived at 29 East 4th Street for nearly 100 years, and at least eight people died in the house. Reports of strange and inexplicable occurrences have been widespread since Gertrude, the last surviving Tredwell, died in 1933. Is it Gertrude who is watching over her family home? Join us and decide for yourself.
$45; $35 MHM Members. Purchase Candlelight Ghost Tour Tickets.

SUPER SPOOKY Candlelight Ghost Tours with Paranormal Investigator Dan Sturges
90-minute tour begins 9:30 p.m.

In 2020, the museum closed due to COVID-19, leaving the house empty of staff and visitors. Dan Sturges, who has undertaken paranormal investigations at the Merchant’s House for 15 years, teamed up with neuroscientist Dr. Lee to conduct scientific research using specialized equipment custom-built for the house. Mounting fact-based evidence points to the very likely reality of paranormal activity at the Merchant’s House.

Join paranormal investigator Dan Sturges on a 90-minute In-Person SUPER SPOOKY Candlelight Ghost Tour for an in-depth look at the latest research and findings. Dan is the founder of Sturges Paranormal and appears on the Travel Channel’s weekly series, Paranormal Caught on Camera. He has performed investigations at the Merchant’s House – and documented his spine-chilling findings – since 2007.

$70; $60 MHM Members. Purchase SUPER SPOOKY Ghost Tour Tickets.

 

NOVEMBER

Tuesday, November 24 – Sunday, January 3 
A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House

This holiday season, Summoners Ensemble Theatre and the Merchant’s House Museum celebrate 14 years of A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House. In December 1867, Charles Dickens arrived in New York City for a month of sold-out performances of his beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. As the New York Herald exclaimed, “The Christmas Carol becomes doubly enchanting when one hears it performed by Dickens.” Join Mr. Dickens, portrayed by John Kevin Jones and Vince Gatton (at alternating performances), as he tells his timeless Christmas tale in the elegant intact Greek Revival double parlor of the landmark 1832 Merchant’s House Museum.

Surrounded by 19th century holiday decorations, flickering candles, and richly appointed period furnishings, audiences will be transported back 150 years in this captivating 70 minute performance created from Dickens’ own script.

Tues., Nov. 24 — 7 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 25 — 7 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 27 — 7 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 28 — 6 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 28 — 8 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 29 — 6 p.m.

Tickets $50-$130. Purchase A Christmas Carol Tickets.

 

Friday, November 27 – Sunday, January 7
Special Holiday Exhibition – Christmas Comes to Old New York

In the early 19th century, Christmas, as we know it, had not yet been invented. Most New Yorkers did their celebrating on January 1, continuing the Old Dutch tradition of making New Year’s Day calls on friends and neighbors. Over the next fifty years, new traditions took hold: from Santa Claus, stockings, and presents; to holiday feasting; to Christmas trees decorated with lights and ornaments; to holly and evergreen garlands decking the halls; to Christmas songs and carols. Many of these traditions were popularized right here in New York City, and quickly spread throughout the country.

Journey back in time to the 1850s and join the Tredwells for Christmas in Old New York. The house is decorated with swags of evergreens, brilliant holly berries, white mistletoe, and red-leafed poinsettias, as the family prepares for the season. Also on display, a selection of holiday gifts from the Tredwell collection.

 

DECEMBER

Through Sunday, January 3 
A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House

This holiday season, Summoners Ensemble Theatre and the Merchant’s House Museum celebrate 14 years of A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House. In December 1867, Charles Dickens arrived in New York City for a month of sold-out performances of his beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. As the New York Herald exclaimed, “The Christmas Carol becomes doubly enchanting when one hears it performed by Dickens.” Join Mr. Dickens, portrayed by John Kevin Jones and Vince Gatton (at alternating performances), as he tells his timeless Christmas tale in the elegant intact Greek Revival double parlor of the landmark 1832 Merchant’s House Museum.

Surrounded by 19th century holiday decorations, flickering candles, and richly appointed period furnishings, audiences will be transported back 150 years in this captivating 70 minute performance created from Dickens’ own script.

*A Christmas Reception with Mr. Dickens! Toast the season with a cup of “Smoking Bishop” (mulled wine) and enjoy a special performance of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Mr. Dickens himself. The 19th century family room, kitchen, and garden (weather permitting) will be open to guests during the reception. Tickets $35. Select performances only. Limited capacity. Doors open 60 minutes prior to performance for Reception.

 

Through Sunday, January 7
Special Holiday Exhibition – Christmas Comes to Old New York

In the early 19th century, Christmas, as we know it, had not yet been invented. Most New Yorkers did their celebrating on January 1, continuing the Old Dutch tradition of making New Year’s Day calls on friends and neighbors. Over the next fifty years, new traditions took hold: from Santa Claus, stockings, and presents; to holiday feasting; to Christmas trees decorated with lights and ornaments; to holly and evergreen garlands decking the halls; to Christmas songs and carols. Many of these traditions were popularized right here in New York City, and quickly spread throughout the country.

Journey back in time to the 1850s and join the Tredwells for Christmas in Old New York. The house is decorated with swags of evergreens, brilliant holly berries, white mistletoe, and red-leafed poinsettias, as the family prepares for the season. Also on display, a selection of holiday gifts from the Tredwell collection.

 

Current Exhibitions

Exhibitions are included with regular museum admission. 

“Truly We Live in a Dying World:” A 19th Century Home in Mourning

Including rarely exhibited items of Tredwell family mourning dress and accessories from the collection.
Step back in time to 1865, when family patriarch Seabury Tredwell died at home in his second floor bedroom. Poignant scenes of death and grief recreated in the House will explore mid-19th century mourning customs. Pay your last respects at his deathbed upstairs, or join the mourning in the double parlor, hung with black crepe curtains and set for a mid-19th century funeral. Also on display, mourning accessories from the Tredwell collection. Included with regular admission.


Tredwell Costume Collection: Spring and Summer Dress (MHM 2002.0840)

This two piece dress features a bell-shaped skirt, a shortened bodice, and long sleeves, reflecting a transitional style between the 1850s and 1860s. The fabric replicates an ikat motif, printed with synthetic aniline dyes.


Tredwell Costume Collection: Lingerie Dress (MHM 2002.0824)

This lingerie dress on display is of embroidered cotton, was probably white at one time but has become darker with age. Perhaps the woman’s garment that was most representative of the Edwardian era, these dresses were made of lightweight cotton, and sometimes in linen or silk, and always trimmed with insets of lace, as was the lingerie of the period.

 

 

 

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