Free Saturdays at Boscobel from April to November
With the announcement that the Saturday Cold Spring Farmer’s Market would be relocating to the grounds of the Boscobel House and Gardens, Executive Director David Krol decided to wave the normal fee and open up the gardens, grounds and woodland trail free-of-charge for shoppers and all other members of the community on Saturdays until mid-November.
While the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market will relocate to Boscobel on Saturday, May 12, Krol said that beginning on Saturday, April 7 the free Saturday admission will be offered to the public. In addition, once the farmers market is in full swing on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. the free admission at Boscobel will extend throughout the entire day and visitors will have an opportunity to pay an additional fee for tours of the federal period mansion on the property.
“It has one of the greatest vistas in the United States,” he said of the view that erupts when visitors walk around the mansion to a view of the Constitution Marsh southward down the Hudson River.
The hope is that by waving the $9 admission fee to stroll the grounds that the surrounding community will come to shop, explore the gardens and and come back again in order to enjoy the myriad programs and events that are held throughout nine months of the year at Boscobel.
“We wanted not only to provide the Farmers’ Market with a beautiful, new venue, but we also want to encourage new visitors to Boscobel,” Krol said. “This will provide an opportunity for people to experience Boscobel’s beautiful grounds and amazing views at no cost, and hopefully, visitors will return for the many cultural and family-friendly activities we have to offer.”
On Sunday April 8 and Sunday April 29 there will be a concert in the rose garden featuring local Soprano Gabriella Mikova and harpist Joy Plaistead. Tickets are $50 per person.
“We’d like to see more families here,” Krol said. “It’s a great place for kids.”
And there are offerings for young people, too, including a “Turtle Walk” that is planned for June 16.
Krol said that the community will be able to log on to Boscobel’s re-vamped website by the end of this week to check the calendar of events that are planned for this year at www.boscobel.org. Krol also said the museum’s gift shop has undergone a total renovation and inventory re-haul.
Beginning this weekend, people already will be able to enjoy the spring flora as the cherry trees are beginning to flower, tulips are springing from beds around the fountain where daffodils already are in full bloom and leaves are budding from the apple trees.
Boscobel has some designated picnic areas around the fountain as well as some rustic gazebos along the woodland trail overlooking the Hudson River where families can enjoy lunch. Prepared foods also will be offered at the farmers market.
Co-Chair of the Board Directors of the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market Lisa McCloy-Kelley celebrated the new partnership.
“We’ve been looking the last couple of years for a more permanent spot,” McCloy-Kelley said. “We are excited to move to Boscobel.”
Some examples of the ready-to-eat foods offered at the market are Go-Go Pops, take-home meals and prepared items like spring rolls and flat breads from Fresh Company, savory pastries from Magic Baking and tamales from Block Factory.
Of course, there will be the expected plethora of fresh fruits, vegetables and breads, as well as a wine vendor, selections from a local brewery and fresh cut flowers and garden plants.
“It will be a whole outing, as opposed to just a stop during Saturday errands,” McCloy-Kelley said of the market’s new home.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.