New-York Historical Society Announces Family Programs With Maira Kalman, Historical Gastronomy and More, Spring 2014

Sarah Lohman takes kids back in time to explore Gilded Age dining, Maira Kalman reads from her new children's book Thomas Jefferson, Ron Sopyla shares bird tales to celebrate the opening of Audubon's Aviary: Parts Unknown (Part II of The Complete Flock) and more family programs are scheduled for March by the New-York Historical Society's DiMenna Children's History Museum. All family programs take place at the New-York Historical Society,170 Central Park West between West 76th and West 77th Streets. To RSVP for a family program please e-mail: familyprograms@nyhistory.org. For more information on family programs and the DiMenna Children's History Museum, please call (212) 485-9273 or visit www.DimennaChildrensHistoryMuseum.org.

The schedule of events is as follows:

At the Kids' Table with Sarah Lohman: Gilded Age Dining (Saturday, March 1, 2:00pm): How did New York City's elite entertain in the late 1800s and early 1900s? What special foods did they serve, and how did they serve them? Find out in this program inspired by the exhibition Beauty's Legacy: Gilded Age Portraits in America. After studying the decadent dining habits through portraits of New York's aristocracy, families will learn how to prepare turtle soup (with real turtle meat) and chestnut ice cream. Ages 8 and up, $16 per child ($10 per Member child).

Hablemos de la Historia y del Arte: New York Through the Photography of Bill Cunningham (Saturday, March 8, 2:00pm): Spanish-speaking families can explore photographs of 1970's New York City in Bill Cunningham: Façades, discuss photographic concepts and create their own photographs. Ages 4-10. Free with museum admission.

Meet the Author! Maira Kalman (Saturday, March 15, 2:00pm): Maira Kalman returns with her new children's book Thomas Jefferson, whom she describes "optimistic and complex and tragic and wrong and courageous." Families will listen to her read excerpts from the book-which aims to cover everything about Jefferson-as well as describe her research process, and hold a book signing. Fans of this Founding Father will learn surprising facts, and children who are new to Jefferson will be introduced to a great and complex man. All ages. Free with museum admission.

Bird Tales with Storyteller Ron Sopyla (Saturday March 22, 2:00pm): How did the chickadee get its song? Why is the owl wise? Hear magical tales of birds, songs, and plumage, and meet the wise, wicked, and gullible birds in these folk tales from around the world. Master storyteller Ron Sopyla will delight children with these many characters. After hearing the stories, visit Audubon's Aviary and find the very same birds in Audubon's watercolors! Ages 3-7. Free with museum admission.

New York City Paper Dolls: Bill Cunningham (Sundays, March 16&23, 1:00pm-3:00pm): How would you dress up to stand in front of Federal Hall? How about the Empire State Building? The Washington Mews? Inspired by the exhibition Bill Cunningham: Façades, families are invited to choose their favorite New York City landmark and decorate their own matching paper doll in this drop-in art making program. Ages 4-10. Free with museum admission.

The Museum's ongoing events include:

Macy's Sunday Story Time (Sundays, 11:30 am): Families discover New York history through tales of the past. Free with Museum admission. Ages 4 - 7.

Little-New Yorkers (Tuesdays and Fridays, 3:30pm): Held in the cozy Barbara K. Lipman Children's History Library, this program introduces New York and American history to the littlest New Yorkers with age-appropriate themes and engaging hands-on activities. Each class includes story readings, time with historic toys, free exploration, a special Little New-Yorkers hello song, and a related craft project. Free with Museum admission, ages 3-5.

Cross-Stitch Circle (Thursdays; 3:30 pm): Drop in to try your skills at one of the oldest forms of embroidery in the world. Beginning cross stitchers and younger children will learn the basic stitch and create a bookmark with their new skill. More seasoned stitchers and older children and adults can continue working on their bookmark or branch into more complicated designs-make a handcrafted gift for someone! Free with museum admission, ages 7 and up.

The DiMenna Children's History Museum at the New-York Historical Society presents 350 years of New York and American history through character-based pavilions, interactive exhibits and digital games, and the Barbara K. Lipman Children's History Library. The DiMenna Children's History Museum encourages families to explore history together through permanent installations targeted for children 8-13 and a wide range of family learning programs for toddlers, children and preteens. For more information, visit www.nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

The New-York Historical Society, one of America's pre-eminent cultural institutions, is dedicated to fostering research and presenting history and art exhibitions and public programs that reveal the dynamism of history and its influence on the world of today. Founded in 1804, New-York Historical has a mission to explore the richly layered history of New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of history. For more information, visit www.nyhistory.org.

The museum and store are open Tuesday- Thursday, 10 am - 6 pm, Friday: 10 am - 8 pm (pay-as-you-wish from 6 pm - 8 pm), Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm, and Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm. Admission is $18 for adults, $14 for teachers and seniors, $12 for students, $6 for Children (5-13), and free for children 4 and under.