Winter Walks and Workshops at Bartow-Pell Mansion

The winter months bring diverse activities for all ages to Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum. Whether searching for winter owls, assembling Victorian "scraps" for your valentine, or sleuthing mansion mysteries, it's a wonderful time to explore new pursuits.

On Sunday, January 24, 4-6 p.m. Dr. Robert DeCandido presents a Winter Owl Walk & Talk. Also known as "Birding Bob" to legions of New Yorkers who avidly follow him around city parks looking for feathered friends, the dynamic doctor will answer your every owl question. Learn about which owls are most often spotted in Pelham Bay Park this time of year and then, fortified with hot cocoa, follow the maestro around the grounds to observe his technique for summoning these amazing creatures from their treetops.

For those taking public transportation, a free Parks Dept. bus will be running from the #6 Pelham Bay Park subway station to the museum starting at 3:30-and returning after the program. $10 adults; $7 seniors and children; members $7 adults; $5 seniors and children. Registration requested.

Saturday, February 6, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. is your chance to show you care-not with a boring, store-bought card, but with a handmade, full-of-charm, sure-to-woo valentine. Learn about the history of valentines at the Be Mine Victorian Valentine Workshop and the use of printed "scraps" commonly used to create them in the 19th century. A fun workshop for the family-it's not just girl stuff! $5 adults/seniors/children. Registration required.

Why spend the school break at your house, when you can spend it at ours? From Tuesday, February 16 through Thursday, February 18, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. the museum is hosting its first-ever winter school vacation program with BPMM Adventures: Mansion Mysteries! This new and exciting offering for children allows them to explore, discover, and learn about our rich local history. Thematic sessions offer kids the opportunity to connect to history through exciting stories, creative activities, and fun games.

$100 per child; $80 members. Scholarships available. Registration required. Contact valbanese@bpmm.org with questions.

To register for any of these programs, email info@bpmm.org or call 718.885.1461.