The Ulster County Clerk’s Office is excited to continue its 2025 season at the Matthewis Persen House Museum with a dynamic lineup of guest hosts throughout the month of July. Located at the historic corner of Crown and John Streets in uptown Kingston, the Persen House is a vibrant hub for local history, culture, and community connection.
Each Saturday in July features special programming from regional partners, including state historic sites, reenactors, museum professionals, and the launch of a major new exhibit. Admission is always free, and all ages are welcome.
July Schedule of Guest Hosts:
- Friday, July 4 – Closed for Independence Day
The Matthewis Persen House Museum will be closed in observance of the holiday. - Saturday, July 5 – Senate House State Historic Site
Learn about New York’s Revolutionary War-era government and Kingston’s critical role in state history with staff from the Senate House State Historic Site. Explore artifacts, discover the site’s story, and connect with Kingston’s colonial legacy. - Saturday, July 12 – First Ulster Militia: Colonial Reenactors
Travel back to the 18th century with the First Ulster Militia. Dressed in period attire and equipped with authentic gear, these reenactors will demonstrate colonial military practices and share stories of everyday life in early Ulster County. - Saturday, July 19 – D&H Canal Museum Historian Bill Merchant
Discover the history of the Delaware & Hudson Canal, which transformed commerce and industry in the region during the 19th century. Historian Bill Merchant of the D&H Canal Museum will be on hand to discuss the canal’s impact and legacy. - Saturday, July 26 – Harambee Exhibit Opening
Harambee Kingston NY is set to present an extensive exhibit featuring the Pine Street African Burial Ground. This exhibit will run for the rest of the season and will include artifacts, samples, curated photographs, documents, displays, talks, and much more.
These events are part of the Persen House’s ongoing effort to connect the public with Ulster County’s rich and varied history through collaborative programming with local cultural institutions and experts.
Acting Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck shared:
“The Persen House continues to serve as a place of learning and dialogue. We’re thrilled to welcome such a diverse group of partners in July who each bring unique insights into our region’s past.”
Ulster County Historian Eddie Moran added:
“Harambee’s exhibit on the Pine Street African Burial Ground is a profound addition to the Persen House and an essential step in honoring and preserving Black history in Ulster County. We’re proud to support this effort and provide space for the stories it brings forward. At the same time, we continue to welcome our dedicated historical partners—like the Senate House, First Ulster Militia, and the D&H Canal Museum—whose contributions help paint a fuller, more inclusive picture of our region’s past.”
The Matthewis Persen House Museum is open to the public Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
