2026 Past Programs
JANUARY
On YouTube!
Celebrating New Year’s Day 2026 with the Tredwells
Paying social calls on friends and family on the first day of the new year was one of Old New York’s most cherished customs. Join us – virtually – for good cheer to toast the New Year and learn how New Yorkers like the Tredwells celebrated the day.
In this immersive video experience, we’ll go back in time to the mid-19th century to meet the Tredwells and hear how they’ve been decking the house for New Year’s Day and preparing their lists of social calls. Join us as we continue the 19th century tradition of renewing, reviving, and reaffirming friendships that last the whole year through. Watch on YouTube.
Sunday, January 4, 3 p.m.
Guided House Tour: Healthcare in Tredwell Times
Curious about healthcare in the 19th century and the illnesses that affected New Yorkers during that era? On this afternoon tour, we’ll explore the diseases and treatments common in 19th century New York. Drawing from firsthand accounts and historical sources, we’ll learn about major outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria, typhoid fever, and the recorded causes of death within the Tredwell family, along with the types of medical care they might have received. This tour will also highlight how the Civil War spurred significant medical advancements and changed the way physicians and nurses were trained. 60-75 minutes. $20, MHM Members $10.
Tuesday, January 13, 6 p.m.
Virtual Talk: Cabinet Cards, Cartomania and Celebrity in the Tredwell Home
Co-Sponsored by Village Preservation
Join us on Zoom for a talk featuring the Merchant’s House Museum’s photography collection. Intern Katie Jacobson will discuss the rise of carte-de-visites, cabinet cards, and how the Tredwell family participated in the 1860s burgeoning celebrity culture through collecting celebrity photographs. We will discuss the evolution of early photographic mediums, famous photography studios, and how photographs functioned in homes during the late 19th century. Additionally, we will gain insight into two of the Tredwell women and watch them grow up as photograph trends change. Free (suggested donation $10); registration required.
Katie Jacobson is the Education & Public Programs intern at the Merchant’s House Museum. She holds a BA in Art History and Cinema Studies from New York University.
