Van Cortlandt House Museum revamps programs to reflect community input and inclusivity

We value their input. We are always interested in hearing from the community and have taken their suggestions into our programming development.”

Marguerite Morrison, president, National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York

The suitability of the National Society of Colonial Dames to run the Van Cortlandt House Museum came into question in Community Board 8 parks and recreation committee meetings earlier this year, but the Dames say they have taken that feedback onboard and made changes. 

President of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York, Marguerite Morrison, said the input from Community Board 8 over the last several months has been taken into consideration and influenced current programming at the museum. 

“We value their input,” Morrison said. “We are always interested in hearing from the community and have taken their suggestions into our programming development.” 

Debra Travis, chair of CB 8’s parks committee, has been vocal about her concerns surrounding the Dames ability to lead the museum in a manner that benefits the community. Her concern, raised in May, was principally that residents were unaware of events being held at the museum and were therefore not attending. She also said the Dames, whose membership requirements have recently become more inclusive, do not reflect the demographics of the greater Riverdale area,

But this summer there have been five events that diverge from those of previous year’s with more to come. Last year’s events were mostly musical events or conversations held in partnership with organizations like Bronx Arts Ensemble and the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance. This summer’s programming includes free family craft days held on four separate occasions, welcoming people of all ages to partake in activities like making beeswax candles, herb sachets or cornhusk dolls.

Other free kids’ programs include an upcoming story time and art activity held alongside the New York Public Library in which children can create arts and crafts to take home while engaging with literature. 

“Our programming is aimed at all ages to bring history to life through reinterpreting historical narratives through education, entertainment, hands-on demonstrations and multilingual programming,” Morrison said. 

Advertisements for events have also changed from previous years, including an English description followed by a Spanish description of the event to ensure inclusivity for Spanish speakers who may wish to participate in the museum’s activities. 

The museum is maintaining its music events, with an upcoming acoustic guitar performance by artist Carlos Pavan. Earlier this year, it showcased the Cornelius Eady Group, a group featuring National Book Award winner Cornelius Eady and his poetry set to the tune of music played by guitarists Charlie Rauh and Lisa Liu. 

The Dames have also made efforts to ascertain community input and using it to guide future decision making. Morrison said the advisory committee the organization is currently assembling “will incorporate community thought leaders’ suggestions as part of our development process.”

The committee was first brought up in the May CB 8 parks committee meeting by executive director of the Historic House Trust Meredith Horsford, who announced, along with the Bronx parks commissioner and the Dames, signed a letter of intent to form a community advisory committee filled with local leaders to be the voice for those beyond the museum. 

Morrison said the museum encourages anyone and everyone to reach out because, to her, the Van Cortlandt House does not just serve the immediate Riverdale and Kingsbridge, it’s meaningful throughout the Bronx due in part to its deep cultural roots. 

The house dates to 1748, when it was built by the Van Cortlandt family. The greenery that is now Van Cortlandt Park once held fields of crops like wheat, rye and corn. The Van Cortlandt family held enslaved Africans on the land, where they worked on the roads that are now park trails.

The slaves also worked to dam Tibbets Brook, which created the mill pond. 

Morrison said, the museum intends to honor the legacy of the home’s history and cultural significance in its programming. The first free family activity day held at the museum saw participants of all ages engage in hands-on craft activities and learning about the significance of the museum and the site it on which it sits.

Last year, she said, the museum hosted over 1,300 students and intends to continue developing educational programs to provide more opportunities for young learners. 

“The spark created in a young child when history comes to life for the first time is equally thrilling for us,” Morrison said. 

To align with this goal going into the next school year, Morrison said, the museum will offer free field trips to all Bronx public schools. 

According to Morrison, the Van Cortlandt House Museum intends to be a vital part of the cultural community within the Bronx and beyond and will do so by preserving the house, the grounds and the land’s history. The summer programs are meant to entertain both children and adults while maintaining the cultural and historical integrity of the museum. 

“We connect history with people’s present day lives,” she said.