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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Abby Drayer / Solaris Coordinator / [email protected] Kingston, NY -- The Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM) is pleased to announce its 2026 season of tours aboard Solaris, its 100% solar-powered tour boat. From historical overviews to scenic views, Solaris continues to offer memorable on-the-water experiences for visitors of all interests. In 2026, HRMM will present a wide variety of programming, including lectures, live music, sightseeing excursions, and nature-focused tours. Whether guests are seeking entertainment, education, or relaxation, the Solaris lineup offers something for everyone. Music lovers can once again enjoy HRMM’s popular Live Music Cruises, departing at 6:00 PM on Saturday evenings throughout the season. New this year, guests can take center stage themselves during Karaoke Aboard Solaris, held on the first Friday of each month—an interactive and lively way to experience the Hudson River. For those looking to learn and grow, Solaris will host a series of engaging onboard lectures. Guests can explore topics such as Indigenous history through programs like Daily Lenape Life and The River People, or dive into regional infrastructure with D&H Canal History. Visitors seeking a more meditative experience can unwind with River Gong with HariPrakaash, a full-body sound immersion designed to relax and restore. The 2026 season also introduces several new offerings:
According to HRMM Solaris Coordinator Abby Drayer, “Over the years, the Rondout Lighthouse Tour has been our most popular tour. This year, we are introducing an additional, new type of Lighthouse tour: the On-The-Creek Lighthouse Tours. These new tours are more physically accessible, as they do not include the stairs required to navigate the interior of the lighthouse. While this tour does not include exploration of the inside of the Rondout Lighthouse, the On-The-Creek Lighthouse Tours offers up-close exterior views of the Rondout Lighthouse and historical information from our knowledgeable guides, all from the comfort of Solaris. We are excited to expand this popular historical experience to a broader audience for the 2026 season.” Additional seasonal programming will debut in the fall, including autumn-themed cruises such as leaf peeping excursions, cider tastings, and more. Solaris Tickets and additional information can be found here or visit hrmm.org The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Woodworking School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. Now in its 46th year, HRMM is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, please visit hrmm.org, find HRMM on Facebook, or call 845.338.0071. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Emma Foster / Museum Educator / [email protected] Program Title: Connecting to History Through Wild Foods Date & Time: May 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM Location: Hudson River Maritime Museum - 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY Pricing: $10/non member - $5/ HRMM members Kingston, NY – Discover the deep connections between nature, history, and food at Connecting to History Through Wild Foods, an engaging lecture that explores the edible landscape of the Hudson Valley and its cultural roots. Presented by co-founders Anna Plattner and Justin Wexler of Wild Hudson Valley, this interactive talk highlights how wild plants have sustained the region’s inhabitants for thousands of years—and how they continue to shape our understanding of place today. Drawing on their work in forest farming, education, and land stewardship, Plattner and Wexler will share how they connect modern audiences to the past through guided foraging walks, workshops on Northeastern Native land stewardship, and innovative programs like a wild food CSA. Attendees will gain insight into the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of the Hudson Valley’s diverse plant life—while seeing the landscape in a whole new way. Both speakers bring extensive expertise to their work. Plattner, a graduate of Cornell University, has spent over two decades managing large-scale agroforestry operations. Wexler, an ethnoecologist trained at Marlboro College and Bard College, combines fieldwork with archival research to explore the land use practices and cultural traditions of Native communities in the Hudson and Delaware Valleys. This event offers a fresh, immersive perspective on Hudson Valley history—one that engages both the mind and the senses. Event Details & Registration: Tickets and additional information can be found here or visit hrmm.org The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Woodworking School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. Now in its 46th year, HRMM is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, please visit hrmm.org, find HRMM on Facebook, or call 845.338.0071. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Emma Foster / Museum Educator / [email protected] Kingston, NY – This May, acclaimed historian and filmmaker Stephen Blauweiss headlines a dynamic three-part lecture series that invites audiences to explore the rich, surprising, and often overlooked stories of the Kingston Rondout. Blending meticulously restored historic imagery, engaging storytelling, and multimedia presentations, the series offers a fresh and entertaining perspective on regional and cultural history. Designed for both longtime residents and curious newcomers, each event delivers an immersive experience—far from a traditional classroom lecture—complete with compelling visuals, little-known anecdotes, and opportunities for audience interaction. Series Lineup: Rondout (Re) Visited — May 6 Step back in time with Stephen Blauweiss for a vivid, multimedia exploration of the historic Rondout neighborhood before more than 600 structures were demolished. This “virtual walk” features striking “Then & Now” comparisons and a remarkable collection of restored images, including rare glimpses of the famed Kingston Point Amusement Park in its heyday. Packed with fascinating, lesser-known stories, this presentation promises to both delight and inform—followed by a live Q&A session. The Dutch and Their New York Legacy — May 13 In this engaging and accessible talk, Stephen Blauweiss unravels the often-overlooked influence of Dutch history in New York. Using an array of maps, timelines, and vivid imagery, Blauweiss connects the dots between fragmented historical narratives, transforming a complex subject into a clear, compelling story that resonates across generations. Sharkey and His Pals! — May 27 Join filmmakers Gary Bohan Jr. and Stephen Blauweiss for an entertaining and heartwarming presentation featuring exclusive segments from their upcoming documentary Sharkey & His Pals. Audiences will meet Sharkey, a charismatic sea lion trained in Kingston at the legendary Seal College, whose remarkable personality and talent led him to Broadway and beyond. Through stories of show business history, humor, and the powerful bond between animal and trainer, this event promises surprises, laughter, and inspiration. Event Details & Registration: Tickets and additional information can be found here or visit hrmm.org Stephen Blauweiss is an historian with over 30 years experience as an independent filmmaker and produces work on a wide variety of subjects, from art and education to social and environmental issues. He has produced over 75 short films, including three features. Twenty of his short films about artists have aired on American Public Television and have been screened in museums and festivals across the U.S., Europe and Canada, including the New York State Museum, Mass Moca, the Albany Institute of History & Art, and the Dorsky Museum of Art. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Woodworking School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. Now in its 46th year, HRMM is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, please visit hrmm.org, find HRMM on Facebook, or call 845.338.0071. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Russell / Museum Educator / [email protected] Program Title: Walkie Talkie with Us: Historic Rondout Walking Tours Dates & Time: Easy Strolls: 10:00 AM on April 3, June 5, August 7, October 2 More Challenging Hikes: 10:00 AM on May 1, July 3, September 4 Location: Hudson River Maritime Museum - 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY Pricing: $10 per person / $5 Seniors KINGSTON, N.Y. – The Hudson River Maritime Museum has announced Walkie Talkie with Us, a new and novel series of educational historic strolls and more vigorous walks in the Kingston Rondout area. Led by an HRMM Educator and avid walker, each 1 -3 mile walk will explore a different neighborhood or street in the Kingston waterfront area (Rondout), uncovering stories behind historic homes and buildings, local landmarks, and the people who shaped Rondout’s past. Walkie Talkie with Us is different from other walking tours that provide a walk/stop/talk format which are generally anaerobic. Walkie Talkie with Us tours maintain a gentle yet continuous pace which are more aerobic, with the Educator turning, walking and talking, to share stories and local historical musings with the group. Two routes will be offered on a rotating monthly basis, including a less strenuous “stroll” and a more rigorous “hike,” which will include the steep incline of Wurts Street. Routes will be chosen for walkability and seating opportunities, ensuring comfort and inclusion for all participants. Find more information and registration details at hrmm.org or here. The Walkie Talkie with Us series of historic walking tours is sponsored by CDPHP. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Woodworking School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. Now in its 46th year, HRMM is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, please visit hrmm.org, find HRMM on Facebook, or call 845.338.0071. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Emma Foster / Museum Educator / [email protected] Program Title: Bite the Bullet: Medicine in the 18th Century Lecture Date & Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026 1:00pm Location: Hudson River Maritime Museum - 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY Pricing: $10/non member - $5/ HRMM members Presentation Topic: “Bite the Bullet,” Washington’s Headquarters’ Program on Revolutionary era medicine, is designed to acquaint audiences with the state of medical knowledge and some of the practices of medicine in the time of George Washington. Physicians were frequently confounded by the causes of illness, treated symptoms, and relied heavily on the healing powers of nature. Many remedies stocked by apothecaries were herbal in nature, and the best doctors of the time still healed with herbs. In 1775, the US had 3,500 doctors, but only 300 had medical degrees. The profession of physician / surgeon was open only to men, but the system relied heavily on women who could be and were midwives. The lecture quotes from the diary of traveling midwife, Martha Ballard, of northern Massachusetts who kept a record of her work as a healer and a midwife, which provides an unparalleled window into practical medicine in the quarter century straddling 1800. Find more information and registration details at hrmm.org or here. Speaker Bio: Matthew Weigman has been a Hudson Valley resident going back to 1962 and has had an interest in American history since the age of 16. His 32-year-career in communications at the auction house Sotheby’s concluded with nine years as Worldwide Director of Sales Communications, based in London. As a historical interpreter at Washington’s Headquarters Newburgh for the past four years he has enjoyed illuminating visitors and audiences about significant achievements of the “indispensable man” of the American Revolution during its final 16 months, as well as lecturing about the era of the Revolution itself. To satisfy an interest in horticulture Matthew volunteers as a Master Gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County, writes regularly for the Garden Club of America magazine Bulletin and lectures in historical horticulture. About HRMM: The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Woodworking School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. Now in its 46th year, HRMM is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, please visit hrmm.org, find HRMM on Facebook, or call 845.338.0071. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dan Nelson / HRMM Woodworking School Manager / [email protected] KINGSTON, N.Y. – The Hudson River Maritime Museum Woodworking School is pleased to announce two new spring youth programs. Taught by professionals in the field of woodworking and carpentry, these programs are perfect for young people who like to work with their hands and learn new skills. Topics covered include measuring, layout, joinery, tool use and care, and shop safety. The 2026 HRMM Spring Youth Woodworking School Programs Include: Girls Spring Break Boat Building Monday - Friday | March 30 - April 3 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Scholarships Available Offered to girls age 11 and up, in celebration of Women's History Month, students will practice project planning, design, measurement, fabrication, and assembly while they work as a team building a rowboat. Master woodworker and shipwright, Wayne Ford will lead this course over the week of spring break. Students can sign up for as many days of the class as they want, from one day to all five days. Scholarships are available for 25%, 50% or 100% of tuition. Youth After School Intro to Woodworking Tuesdays and Thursdays | April 14 - May 21 | 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM | Scholarships Available This hands-on after-school class teaches youth 13-18 the fundamentals of building with wood, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-5:45 PM, for six weeks. Covering safety, power tool and hand tool use, students will get their hands dirty practicing with a wide variety of tools to measure, cut, and shape wood and work as a team to design and construct a little library for a local community. This project builds skills in project planning, design, measurement, fabrication, and assembly and is the perfect vehicle for STEAM-based learning. Scholarships are available for 25%, 50% or 100% of tuition. Find HRMM youth programs information and registration details at hrmm.org or here. Scholarship Opportunities. Creating a more inclusive experience by providing access and removing financial barriers when needed is a critical part of HRMM's mission. We are pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to deserving young people for our youth woodworking and sailing programs. Financial aid and scholarships are available based upon need and available funding. Find HRMM scholarship information and application details at hrmm.org or here. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Woodworking School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. Now in its 46th year, HRMM is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, please visit hrmm.org, find HRMM on Facebook, or call 845.338.0071. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jen Bousliman / HRMM Development Manager / [email protected] KINGSTON, N.Y. – As part of The Hudson River Maritime Museum's commitment to Community Access, Education, History & Preservation and Sustainability, HRMM has announced The Youth Endeavor Scholarship Fund (YES!). This new program is designed to help remove potential financial barriers for youth looking to experience and learn on-the-water and traditional woodworking skills while building confidence, knowledge and fostering community. With a financial goal of $20,000 to double the HRMM youth scholarship awards of 2025, YES! aims to welcome even more young people from our community and greater Hudson Valley to HRMM's Voyager Summer Camp, Girl’s Spring Break Boat Building, After School Youth Woodworking classes, and Youth Sailing courses. HRMM would like to thank Central Hudson for its partnership and generous donation of $10,000 to help launch the YES! initiative. HRMM is deeply grateful for Central Hudson’s partnership, showing a commitment to Community Access, Education, History & Preservation and Sustainability, the cornerstones of HRMM’s mission. “HRMM is experiencing increasing interest in our youth programming and as a result, an increased need for scholarships. In seeing this, we knew we needed to do more to create greater access." said Jen Bousliman, HRMM Development Manager. "We extend our sincere thanks to Linda Selcanin, Jerry Nappi, and the entire Central Hudson team for their belief in our vision to help all youth in the community have access to the Hudson River and the HRMM Campus." continued Bousliman. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Woodworking School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. Now in its 46th year, HRMM is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. For more information on HRMM’s youth programming, information on scholarships and to donate to the fund, please visit hrmm.org/ways-to-give or email Jen Bousliman at [email protected]. For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, please visit hrmm.org, find HRMM on Facebook, or call 845.338.0071. ### The Sailing School at HRMM Celebrates Ten Year Anniversary & Announces 2026 Youth Sailing Programs2/2/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jody Sterling / HRMM Sailing School Director / [email protected] KINGSTON, N.Y. – The Sailing School at the Hudson River Maritime Museum is celebrating its tenth year of programming in 2026. The only US Sailing Accredited sailing school in the Hudson Valley, it was founded in 2017 with a two-week pilot youth program on four sailboats with 24 youth sailors. Now, six graduates from that initial program have earned their US Sailing Instructor certifications, and they comprise half of our roster of highly skilled sailing instructors who will deliver youth and adult sailing classes to over 350 students in 2026 on our fleet of 22 sailboats! The Sailing School at HRMM 2026 youth sailing programs include: The Parent-Child Sailing class is for parents (or caregivers) and their children ages five to eight. The class comprises four 3-hour sessions (12 hours total) and aims to introduce children to the basics of sailing in a nurturing environment, so each student develops as a sailor while making new friends and having new experiences. Morning classes (9 am to noon) are for five- and six-year-olds with their adults, and afternoon classes (1 - 4 pm) are for seven- and eight-year-olds with their adults. Classes are designed for one adult and one child to sail together. No prior sailing experience is necessary. Parent-Child Sailing will take place on June 29 - July 1 and August 17 - 20. Fees are $425 per registrant per week. All HRMM members receive a 10% discount on registration. At HRMM’s Voyager Camp, adventure meets learning in this all-day, multi-activity youth program that blends sailing, boat building, woodworking, museum education, solar boat tours, and hands-on STEAM activities into a unique experience. Designed for youths aged 9-17, this program is perfect for all skill levels. Our Seafarers (9-12 years) and Navigators (13-17 years) will spend each day sailing for three hours, practicing boat building and woodworking for 90 minutes, and participating in other STEAM activities involving history, crafts, games, and tours on our solar vessel, Solaris, all while making friends, learning new skills and fostering their creativity! Mid-day, Seafarers and Navigators will gather for an outdoor lunch onshore—perfect for sharing stories of their adventures. HRMM’s professional woodworkers, museum and science educators, and US Sailing Certified Instructors are here to guide your kids every step of the way, ensuring they understand how STEAM principles come alive both in the workshop and on the water! The Voyager Program will run Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for six one-week sessions July 6th thorough August 14th. Fees are $795 per week. All HRMM members receive a 10% discount on registration. Find more information and registration details at hrmm.org or here. Scholarship Opportunities. Creating a more inclusive waterfront by, providing access and removing financial barriers when needed is a critical part of our mission. We are pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to deserving young people for our summer programs. Financial aid and scholarships are available based upon need and available funding. Find youth scholarship information and application details at hrmm.org or here. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Woodworking School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. Now in its 46th year, HRMM is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. For more information about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, please visit hrmm.org, find HRMM on Facebook, or call 845.338.0071. HRMM Announces New Lecture: Batter Up! The History of Baseball in Kingston and Ulster County1/21/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Emma Foster / Museum Educator / [email protected] Program Title: Batter Up! The History of Baseball in Kingston and Ulster County Date & Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 7:00pm Location: Hudson River Maritime Museum - 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY Pricing: $10/non member - $5/ HRMM members Presentation Topic: This lecture explores the early history of baseball in Ulster County and the role the region played in the sport’s development during the mid-19th century. Long before professional leagues, baseball took root in river towns like Kingston and Rondout, where dockworkers, tradesmen, and clerks organized clubs and played on open fields. Drawing on newspaper accounts, box scores, and local records, the talk highlights how baseball functioned as both recreation and community life in the Hudson Valley. Special attention is given to local clubs, early rivalries, and games that drew regional and even national attention. This lecture also examines how Ulster County fits into larger stories about amateur baseball, race, and the transition toward organized leagues. By focusing on specific people and places, it shows how national baseball history was shaped by very local experiences. The result is a grounded look at how a global game grew out of small communities along the Hudson River. Find more information and registration details at hrmm.org or here. Speaker Bios: Dan Torres is the President of the Ulster County Vintage Base Ball Association and co-founder of the Kingston Guards Vintage Base Ball Club, a team that plays by 19th-century rules. Additionally, he has done extensive research on Ulster County’s 19th-century baseball history. Taylor Bruck is the Ulster County Clerk and the City of Kingston Historian. In these roles, he works to preserve, interpret, and make accessible the region’s historical records, with a particular focus on local civic and community history. His work bridges public service and historical scholarship, helping connect Ulster County’s past to its present. About HRMM: Located along the historic Rondout Creek waterfront in downtown Kingston, NY, the Hudson River Maritime Museum is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries. Learn more at hrmm.org. HRMM Announces Performance Lecture - Crime on the Hudson: Gilded Age Pirates and River Thieves1/20/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Russell / Museum Educator / [email protected] Program Title: Crime on the Hudson: Gilded Age Pirates and River Thieves - Lecture and Performance Date & Time: Thursday, February 12, 2026 6:30pm Location: Hudson River Maritime Museum - 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY Pricing: $20/non member - $10/ HRMM members / Sliding scale ticket option available. Please email [email protected] for more information and to secure a discounted ticket. Presentation Topic: Do you ever wonder if there were actual pirates on the Hudson River? Come and learn about a wild chapter in Hudson River history when mercenary sloops prowled the waterway, raiding mansions and plundering merchant ships. Who were these river outlaws stirring up chaos…and how did local communities and the law fight back? The evening will begin with a brief lecture on the real and sometimes legendary criminal activity along the Hudson in the 1860s and 1870s, followed by an immersive performance starring the era’s most infamous characters in the flesh, including the mysterious young woman rumored to have led a notorious Lower Manhattan gang. Watch as she is put on trial for her alleged crimes. Is she guilty? How does her story end? Who decides her fate? This special event weaves scholarship and storytelling, created and presented by HRMM’s Education Department in collaboration with Siren Theatre Company. Find more information and registration details at hrmm.org or here. Siren Theatre Company is a small group of performing artists local to the Hudson Valley founded by Caitlin Connelly, Tricia Anderson, and Maclain Maier. They specialize in writing original, immersive productions that bring history to life. The company’s mission is to produce fearless and inspiring work that can create dialogue, play with perspective, and inspire introspection. Visit them on Facebook. About HRMM: Located along the historic Rondout Creek waterfront in downtown Kingston, NY, the Hudson River Maritime Museum is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries. Learn more at hrmm.org. |
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