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:​

• Karaoke Aboard Solaris – A fun, social cruise inviting guests to sing along with friends.
• Birdwatching Aboard Solaris – Led by a local birding expert, this quiet, solar-powered experience allows for close, non-intrusive views of local birdlife.
• Brunch Cruises – In partnership with Half Moon Café, these cruises feature light refreshments and will be available on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and select Sundays throughout the summer.
  
  

On-The-Creek Lighthouse Tours – A new format of HRMM’s most popular tour, offering up-close exterior views of the Rondout Lighthouse from the comfort of Solaris. A key highlight of the 2026 season is an increased focus on accessibility. Building on the success of the museum’s most popular offering, HRMM is introducing the On-The-Creek Lighthouse Tours, designed to welcome a broader audience.

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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Emma Foster / Museum Educator / [email protected]
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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.
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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.

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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.

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