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2026 Winter Program Series

Lifting the Curtain: Behind the Scenes of Museum Work

With 11 historic properties under our care, the team at the Preservation Society is always at work on something. But much of this work is never seen by the public – until now.

This winter and spring, we are offering small, intimate programs and tours to give visitors the opportunity to learn about ongoing research and projects, gain insights into our collections, and speak directly with our curatorial, conservation and research staff.

What you need to know

Lifting the Curtain: Behind the Scenes of Museum Work at has closed.
Please see below for a listing of all programs; click on the program title or image for details.
Elms Birch with footmen
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

The Berwinds and Their Butlers: Tales of Thievery, Balls and Strikes

January 16, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

This isn’t about baseball! We'll examine the complex lives of Edward J. Berwind’s butlers as labor activism took root during the Gilded Age. Program offered January 16 & February 6

Elms Birch with footmen
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

The Berwinds and Their Butlers: Tales of Thievery, Balls and Strikes

February 6, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

This isn’t about baseball! We'll examine the complex lives of Edward J. Berwind’s butlers as labor activism took root during the Gilded Age. Program offered January 16 & February 6

CaringForTheCraftCoverImage
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Caring for the Craft: Conserving the Furniture of A.H. Davenport & Company

January 29, 2026 11:00am – 12:30pm

Join Conservation Research Fellow Isabella Hogan at the Preservation Society's Conservation Studio for a distinctive "close-looking" experience into the often-unseen world of conservation. Program offered January 29 & February 13

CaringForTheCraftCoverImage
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Caring for the Craft: Conserving the Furniture of A.H. Davenport & Company

February 13, 2026 11:00am – 12:30pm

Join Conservation Research Fellow Isabella Hogan at the Preservation Society's Conservation Studio for a distinctive "close-looking" experience into the often-unseen world of conservation. Program offered January 29 & February 13

This event has ended.
ChiefCuratorsChoice2026CoverImage
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Chief Curator’s Choice

January 29, 2026 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Learn about ongoing preservation work throughout our properties with Director of Museum Affairs and Chief Curator Leslie Jones. Live at Rosecliff and via Zoom.

This event has ended.
110 West 80 St-4R, NY, NY 10024212 874 3879
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Decoding French Style: Investigating the Vanderbilts’ Taste

January 30, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

The Preservation Society’s Curatorial Research Fellow from France, Théo Lourenço, guides you through Marble House to examine objects and artwork he has researched as part of the Preservation Society’s ongoing work for a collections catalogue. Program offered January 30 & February 26

This event has ended.
110 West 80 St-4R, NY, NY 10024212 874 3879
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Decoding French Style: Investigating the Vanderbilts’ Taste

February 26, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

The Preservation Society’s Curatorial Research Fellow from France, Théo Lourenço, guides you through Marble House to examine objects and artwork he has researched as part of the Preservation Society’s ongoing work for a collections catalogue. Program offered January 30 & February 26

MembersFullCircleTourCoverImage
Past Member Event

Members-Only “Full Circle” Exhibition Tours

February 7 – April 18, 2026 10:00am – 11:00am

Learn about our latest exhibition spotlighting Richard Fleischner’s work with a guided tour led by one of the primary collaborators on the exhibition. Offered on select dates.

KINGSC~1
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Kingscote through the Archives

March 5, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

Archival Research Fellow Megan O’Connell provides an inside look at how archival materials breathe life into Kingscote and offer a richer understanding of the lives of its occupants. Program offered March 5 & March 27

This event has ended.
KINGSC~1
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Kingscote through the Archives

March 27, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

Archival Research Fellow Megan O’Connell provides an inside look at how archival materials breathe life into Kingscote and offer a richer understanding of the lives of its occupants. Program offered March 5 & March 27

Untitled design - 3
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Material Clues: A Framework for Object Interpretation

February 27, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

Join Allison Donoghue, Decorative Arts Research Fellow, to learn how professionals research and analyze decorative arts. Program offered February 27 & March 12

This event has ended.
Untitled design - 3
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Material Clues: A Framework for Object Interpretation

March 12, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

Join Allison Donoghue, Decorative Arts Research Fellow, to learn how professionals research and analyze decorative arts. Program offered February 27 & March 12

ArtMemoryInterpretationCoverImage
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Art, Memory and Interpretation: Activating Chepstow’s Archival Treasures

March 6, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

Grace Acton, Archival Research Fellow, provides a unique tour of Chepstow through the eyes of an archivist. Program offered March 6 & March 26

ArtMemoryInterpretationCoverImage
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Art, Memory and Interpretation: Activating Chepstow’s Archival Treasures

March 26, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

Grace Acton, Archival Research Fellow, provides a unique tour of Chepstow through the eyes of an archivist. Program offered March 6 & March 26

PREMIU~1
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Premium Members Only Collections Care Facility Tour

March 13, 2026 Tour will be offered twice: 10 am-11 am & 12 pm-1 pm

This is an exclusive opportunity to tour our off-site Collections Care Facility and meet some of our collections care team, including our new Textile Conservator, Katy O'Donnell.

This event has ended.
RevolutionReimaginedCoverImage
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Revolution Reimagined in Hunter House

March 20, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

Peek behind the curtain of the Preservation Society’s summer 2026 "Revolution Reimagined" exhibition with Curatorial Research Fellow Mya Rose Bailey. Program offered March 20 & April 2

RevolutionReimaginedCoverImage
Past "Lifting the Curtain" Program

Revolution Reimagined in Hunter House

April 2, 2026 11:00am – 12:00pm

Peek behind the curtain of the Preservation Society’s summer 2026 "Revolution Reimagined" exhibition with Curatorial Research Fellow Mya Rose Bailey. Program offered March 20 & April 2

More Tours, Events & Exhibitions

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Download our tour app before your visit and bring your earbuds.

Additional Guest Info

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