The Van Cortlandt House Museum — Attraction in New York

The Van Cortlandt House Museum is truly a hidden gem in the Bronx! If you’re interested in historical sites dating back before the 1900s, this is a must-visit. You’ll not only appreciate the rich history but also the beautiful atmosphere, art, and artifacts.

I recommend taking your time here. While many suggest starting your tour outside to admire the main entrance, I personally prefer to begin inside. When you enter, head straight ahead to explore the parlors. Before you go upstairs, retrace your steps, turn right, and discover and admire the stunning dining room on your left!

As you look to your right, you’ll see the stairs! Head up to the second floor and step into the Dutch Chamber—it’s quite scary! If you can handle the atmosphere, congratulations! Take your time admiring the beautiful paintings just outside the Dutch Chamber before making your way to the Van Cortlandt women's bedroom. You don’t need to go back to the first floor; just walk up one stair and then turn left to find it. It’s a bit tricky to explain, but you’ll know exactly what I mean once you’re there.

From there, I’ll leave the rest of the journey up to you until you reach the third floor. There, be sure to enjoy the view from the window and check out the Chinese ceramics on display.

Went to the nursery room? After exploring, continue on to another room where you can sit and read the articles on display (just remember to put them back as you found them). The articles feature excerpts from documents like wills and census records that record the enslaved people who worked and lived at Van Cortlandt Park during its time as a plantation. (Quick tip: If you prefer not to read the lengthy wills of the Van Cortlandt family's members, you can look for a summary instead!). Don’t miss the charming Mr. Mannequin, who helps showcase the outfit of Mr. Tone or Mr. Tom (I don't remember the name). Also, be sure to take a moment to appreciate the photograph likely titled "Stealing Joy," located to your right as you enter. This photo honors Hester and Piero, a couple who were both enslaved individuals and lived and worked at Van Cortlandt Park during its time as a plantation.

Don’t be intimidated by the atmosphere; proceed straight to the other room with the wooden door. Enter if you dare, and enjoy with your eyes!

Once you’re outside at the museum’s main entrance, take a moment to relax on the steps and soak in the surroundings. And don’t forget to take a photo! Be sure to take a look at the museum store as well; it offers a delightful range of souvenirs, from colonial toys and lavender-scented soaps to decorative pottery and museum paintings. Plus, you can grab free park maps and museum posters! (A quick tip: the museum doesn’t accept bills over $20.)

Before you begin your time-traveling adventure, be sure to visit the welcome center (which also serves as the museum shop) to have a staff member unlock the museum's entrance for you.

In summary, enjoy your visit and the captivating history, and don’t forget to explore the lovely...

My husband and I went here this morning, and at first elected to take the self guided tour. A guide named David had to let us in the house, but thankfully we got to chatting and he ended up generously giving us a full-fledged tour, which ended up being the best tour of my life.

I can guarantee you that, if I had indeed take the self-guided tour alone, I would have spent just a few minutes peering into each room, admiring the furniture and high ceilings, thinking, "oh, that's cool" and then left.

But David pointed out and walked us through so many details (e.g. how the wood was hand carved, how the 'weasel' loom works and is the inspiration for the song "pop goes the weasel", how the paintings of the people show the drastic reduction in conservatism in dress from one generation to the next, and many other really cool pieces of info I won't reveal here lest I ruin the joy of discovery for you) in such a passionate and engaging way, that he really brought the place to life to a degree I have never experienced in a museum before. I've been on plenty of tours in general and never experienced anyone like him - he has a light in his eyes, an incandescent soul (I told him he reminded me of a Lumiere, a human candle :) - and his passion for the place was contagious. The details I've mentioned and the many I haven't are things I most certainly never would have even noticed - let alone figured out - on my own, and those made all the difference. The shocker is I still remember the things he told me - that never happens when I visit other museums. I'm not even a history buff at all so this came as an enchanting surprise.

I ended up leaving feeling not like I'd visited an old museum, but that I'd somehow stepped back in time and visited friends from a few centuries ago. Perhaps I had such a remarkably great experience also bc at the time it was just my husband and I - perhaps being with a larger tour group would have had a different effect.

The house itself is lovely with beautiful colors, intricate, versatile furniture, large rooms...a bit musty though but none of it provoked a cough. We visited 3 floors and then saw the beautiful grounds afterwards. The air smelled like nature (a welcome break) and we could hear birds!! It was just a great, refreshing day. There is also a giant park there with a gorgeous willow tree, people playing sports and some giant hall nearby where they have weddings.

Thanks so much for the lovely day and the...

We had the great experience of visiting the VCHM Feb 20. We happened upon it via a google search of historical homes in NYC. Although an almost 50 minute trip from Times Square, I HIGHLY recommend this tour!! After an easy subway and short walk from Broadway, we entered the grounds on a pea gravel walkway. The exterior is in stone and brick, which, when built in the early 1800's was clad with stucco. Entering the reception building (an addition in the late 1800s as a tourist reception), we were told the self guided visit was complimentary today! we were happy to still pay to help continue the running of this historical upkeep. As we were leaving the reception to go outside and enter the main house, Mike, a historical guide, offered to let us in the house... when we entered he offered us a personal tour which we thought was very generous (as unless part of a group, is self guided). Little did we now we were getting the full educational guided tour! Mike was enthusiastic and well versed on the home, the family, the era and also the time period of the build and settlers. We were told fascinating stories about the visitors, the change of hands, the extended family and the acquisition of the property. each room is very well decorated/preserved as if we stepped back in time. Many nooks and cranny's to explore with our guide. From original floors to reproduced (from the original found) wallpaper, to china from Asia and the oldest dollhouse in the USA, this house, and tour guide did not disappoint. And if your lucky enough to meet Mike, hes a master at costume making and era history! I would highly recommend this historical site, i only wish we had time to walk up the hill to the...