Join us at Preservation Long Island’s Custom House for Meigs Weekend, a public living-history event commemorating Sag Harbor’s role in the American Revolution and the 250th anniversary of the United States. Another link: https://sagharborhistoricalmuseum.org/event/meigs-raid-celebration/

Preservation Long Island and the Sag Harbor Historical Museum and members of The 3rd New York Regiment, a nonprofit living history organization, are pleased to host Meigs Weekend, a FREE, interactive two day event that includes an 18th century Continental Army encampment and reenactments of the 1777 Meigs Raid, also known as the Battle of Sag Harbor, where Long Island patriots fought back British troops. Costumed troops will march, muskets will fire and Long Island history will come alive for the weekend.

Visitors will also enjoy 18th-century musical performances by Heather Reylek and other musicians, colonial cooking demonstrations by Diane Schwindt, woodworking demonstrations by Colonial Crafts of Connecticut, traditional silhouette cutting by Silhouettes by Hand, and a family-friendly scavenger hunt.

The Sag Harbor Whaling Museum is offering free admission during the weekend event and children’s story readings by the John Jermain Memorial Library will take place on the Custom house lawn.

Self-guided tours of the Custom House will also be available during the weekend event. Visitors will receive a Custom House 250th tour booklet, and Preservation Long Island’s trained Educators will be available throughout the day to answer questions about the site’s history, materials, and architecture. In addition, visitors with the Long Island 250th Anniversary Passport Book will receive a commemorative stamp from the Custom House which is one of Long Island historic sites listed in the Passport Book.

Preservation Long Island celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Join us in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with special events, programs, and tours across our four historic properties on Long Island. As one of the most historic regions in New York, Long Island played a pivotal role in the American Revolution.

Preservation Long Island’s historic houses, exhibition gallery, collections, and archival manuscripts reveal how local people on Long Island contributed to the unique story of our nation’s founding in profound ways. From Colonel Josiah Smith’s orderly book recording the movements of Long Island’s Minute Men in August 1776, as British forces prepared to land, to the writings of Jupiter Hammon (1711–before 1806) — America’s first published Black poet, enslaved on Long Island — whose works grappled with the moral conflicts of slavery and freedom in the early United States, Long Island’s complex and compelling history comes vividly to life.

Be sure to check this page often for additional events and announcements about special programs we are offering for America’s 250th Anniversary. We look forward to celebrating with you as we honor Long Island’s role in our shared history.

The event goes from 10am until 5pm
“Silhouettes By Hand” will be 12-4pm using free “appointment” tickets, available at the silhouette tent. Limited tickets for participating, but all can watch, listen, and ask questions! To get a ticket, be one of the first people at the tent every hour! Tickets will go fast.

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https://moorestown250.com

Location: Locust Street Park: Locust Street & Kenilworth Avenue (three blocks north of Main Street), Moorestown, NJ 08057:
Exact address: 324 Locust St, Moorestown, NJ 08057

Hosted by the Historical Society of Moorestown in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution. General George Washington's legendary War Tent (”The First Oval Office”) comes to Moorestown for a day of living history with costumed interpreters, replica camp equipage, music, colonial crafts, food, beer garden, and family-friendly activities. Just show up at the tent in the park. Tent setup begins at 9 a.m. The tent is open 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Opening Remarks · 10:00 a.m.

On-Stage Program

• 11:00–11:15 a.m. · History presentation: "Moore's Town: A Town Between Two Taverns"

• 11:15 a.m.–noon · Musical presentation by the Sea Dogs

• Noon–12:15 p.m. · History presentation: "The Skirmish at 'Sinneminsin'"

• 12:15–1:00 p.m. · Presentation by the Sea Dogs

• 1:00–1:45 p.m. · Music by the Golden Eagle Band

• 2:00–2:15 p.m. · History presentation: "Hessian Invaders"

• 2:15–3:00 p.m. · Presentation by the Sea Dogs

• 3:00–4:00 p.m. · George and Martha Washington talk about their lives

• 3:00–3:15 p.m. · History presentation: "Meet the Ex-Royal Treasurer of the Jersey Colony"

• 3:15–4:00 p.m. · Presentation by the Sea Dogs

Book Signings: 10-4pm

Throughout the Day

• Reenactors from the First Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers, and the Sea Dogs perform

• Reenactors portraying George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Betsy Ross wander the site and interact with visitors

• Quilt exhibit using fabric with a Washington theme

• Exhibit of posters made by Moorestown elementary-age students

• American Forces Heritage Museum display

Demonstrations & Vendors

• 10 a.m.–2 p.m. · The Peapod Weavers — basketry making and sales

• 10 a.m.–4 p.m. · Halfcrown Bakery — bread baked in the colonial manner by Mount Vernon's resident baker

• Noon–4 p.m. · Lauren Muney — silhouette cutting

• 2–5 p.m. · Holly Myers — "Kindness Across America 250"

The mission of Moorestown250 is to educate and inspire the public about the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Founded in 1682, Moorestown was already a thriving Quaker settlement by the time the colonies rose in rebellion. Through collaborative efforts, we seek to honor the legacy of the Revolution, highlight its impact on our communities, and engage residents and visitors alike in meaningful celebrations. By fostering public participation, promoting tourism, and elevating our collective historical significance, we strive to ensure that the stories of our past continue to shape our future.

Morristown, NJ throws its 250th gala event - the Patriots Ball honoring George Washington, sponsored by Morris County 250th Committee and the Morris County Tourism Bureau! Dance the night away and celebrate at the Ford Mansion in Morristown, General George Washington's headquarters from December 1779 to June 1780 during the American Revolutionary War.

Lauren Muney from Silhouettes by Hand will be cutting silhouettes freehand with only scissors, helping celebrating people experience the historic portrait form, silhouettes, which was taking Europe by storm in the 1770s, soon to arrive on the shores on the new United States.

An Invite-Only 250th Anniversary Gala

Join us for an extraordinary evening of history and elegance at Morris County’s Patriots Ball Honoring George Washington, an invite-only gala commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary.

Held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 5:30–9:30 PM at Morristown National Historical Park, the event takes place at one of the most significant sites of the American Revolution. Morristown served as General Washington’s military headquarters and winter encampment, where critical decisions were made that shaped the outcome of the war and the future of the nation—making it a powerful and fitting setting for this historic celebration.

The evening’s centerpiece will be the exclusive display of a replica of George Washington’s Inaugural Ball suit, offering guests a rare and meaningful connection to the founding of the United States. Guests will enjoy a refined dinner experience, period music and dancing, a live performance by the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, historical reenactors, and remarks from distinguished sponsors and partners.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations seeking a prominent role in this signature USA250 event. Funds raised through the gala will advance Morris County’s 250th initiatives and help bring this commemorative celebration to life.

Join nationally and internationally renown artisan Lauren Muney of "Silhouettes By Hand" at Frederick Book Arts Center on international "Print Day in May" 2026.

On May 2, 1-3pm, as she discusses silhouettes of the early 19th century, her published research into the materials of traveling artists (hint: soot and beer), her use of letterpress with her silhouettes. This will be an interesting artist talk combining history, physical examples, and an opportunity for visitors to join in. Lauren will stay to cut silhouettes of visitors. Silhouette "appointments" are limited, and will be given out on site. (Suggested donation for your silhouette).

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The mission of the Frederick Book Arts Center is to teach the craft and techniques associated with the Art of the Book. Letterpress printing, printmaking, bookbinding, photography, and language arts will be taught through a combination of workshops, field trips, school visits, and classes. Community members can utilize letterpress and digital production, a complete book bindery, printmaking studio, and screen printing and photographic darkroom. In addition to traditional book arts techniques, members can explore experimental printmaking and alternative photography processes and experimental (such as zines and sculptural books) and new book forms. Workshops led by staff, volunteers, and visiting specialists take place throughout the year.

“Print Day in May is an annual, global celebration of printmaking taking place on the first Saturday in May. The event is free and open to all. On Print Day in May, tens of thousands of printmakers around the world make prints and share their experiences with others. Printmakers celebrate Print Day in May in print shops, studios, kitchens, on beaches, and sidewalks all over the world! As the day unfolds around the globe, participants in over 80 countries join in this powerful celebration of creativity.”

The Hunterdon County (NJ) Teen Arts Festival is coordinated through a partnership between the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission, the Hunterdon County Library, the Hunterdon County 4H, Hunterdon County schools, and Hunterdon County nonprofit arts organizations. Open to all 13 to 19-year old students who attend school in Hunterdon County, NJ, this event provides a forum for students to showcase their talents through exhibitions of visual art, theatrical presentations, dance, vocal and instrumental music performances, and presentations original film and creative writing. Students experience the work of their peers and receive constructive feedback from professional artists. This project is made possible with funds from the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Lauren Muney will be cutting silhouettes freehand for festival participants, and discussing the impact of this democratizing portrait form on early Americans. The 250th anniversary of the USA will be well-represented in this historical trade, which dates back to the earliest years of the nation!

Lauren Muney “Silhouettes By Hand”, of Baltimore MD, is one of the few people in the world cutting silhouette portraits freehand. Using only paper and scissors— no drawing in advance, using any shadow or machinery— she creates the silhouette in mere moments, just as they have been cut for hundreds of years. Experience a portrait as would have been done before photography was invented! Have you been curious what life was like during the Revolutionary era? Your portrait will show your revolutionary self.

Lauren Muney will be cutting silhouettes freehand at this 2026-season-opening event!

“The Hands-On History: Traditional Crafts Festival at The Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, NJ, offers families a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience history firsthand. Through interactive, costumed demonstrations, visitors can try their hand at the essential skills of daily life from the Colonial period to the early 1900s. Children and adults alike will participate in activities like candle making, woodworking and textile processing, gaining a deeper understanding of the tools and tasks that shaped everyday life in the past.

The Red Mill Museum Village will host its third Hands-On History event in April, offering families a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience history firsthand. Through demonstrations and interactive activities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the tools and tasks that shaped everyday life in the past while connecting visitors with skilled artisans who are actively preserving these practices.

There is particular excitement over the return of Baltimore, Maryland-based historical artisan Lauren Muney of Silhouettes By Hand, one of only 20 freehand-scissoring silhouette artists in the world. These types of portraits are iconic to early American history as silhouettes were the portraits of the common people before the invention of photography. Her free-hand silhouette portraits made only with paper and scissors will be offered to guests free of charge.

Other artisans will be members of our staff demonstrating blacksmithing, greenwood carving and candle making as well as a variety of other exceptional local artisans representing a wide range of historic trades and domestic arts including traditional leatherwork, historic sewing and costuming, spinning and weaving, lacemaking, rug hooking, traditional quilting and more.

Our covered 40’x80’ pavilion will feature demonstrations by local guilds, historical societies and artisans who preserve traditional crafts. Visitors can explore woodworking, tinsmithing, timber framing, blacksmithing, pottery making, gunsmithing, toolmaking and hand sewing. Participants will have the chance to learn directly from experts representing groups like CRAFTS NJ, the Hunterdon County Historical Society and the Handweavers Guild of Bucks County.

It's an immersive, family-friendly event where history comes to life through hands-on experiences and expert demonstrations.”

Historic Walnford welcomes back Lauren Muney to cut silhouettes in a featured experience!

Picturesque after a snowfall, full of fascinating history throughout the year, any day is a great time to visit this wonderful historic site and learn more about the Waln family and the evolution of Walnford over two centuries - from an 18th century industrial village and family farm to an elegant country estate. At the heart of the Crosswicks Creek Park, the site showcases over 200 years of social, technological and environmental history through the Waln family. The historic district includes 36 acres of field, woodland and wetlands. Visit the large, elegant Waln House built in 1773, the 19th century gristmill and the farm buildings set in a beautiful landscape. 

Hampton National Historic Site, Towson, MD: This year’s free event will explore the sounds of the season and how music, songs, and storytelling shaped the holiday traditions of all those who lived and worked at Hampton from 1783 through 1948.

Lauren Muney will be dressed in 183s clothing, helping remind our community of Hampton’s long history across the centuries. Silhouette portraits are a reminder from before photography was invented.

She will be located in the Orangerie, providing historic style silhouette portraits for guests between 12-3pm . There is no charge for the silhouettes but the appointment times - using appointment tickets - will be handed out as first-come.

Event: 10am-3pm
Silhouettes: 10:30am-12:30pm
Join Mount Clare House Museum for an open-house style celebration of the holiday season on Saturday, Dec 6, 2025, featuring new interpretive displays, refreshments, and Lauren Muney of Silhouettes By Hand . More information is here

Getting Here

Free parking on the street in front of the museum or in lots at Carroll Park. Please enter the home on the side with the white fence to the door facing West.

About Mount Clare

Mount Clare Museum preserves a circa 1760 historic house and the surrounding landscape, and presents the history of Baltimore City’s development, by focusing on the lives of individuals who lived, worked, and played here. A National Historic Landmark (designated in 1970) located in Baltimore City’s Pigtown/Southwest neighborhood in Carroll Park, the museum presents a self-guided exhibit on the industrial development of this former plantation and tells the history of the property aft

Monument Lighting Open House: Sip and Silhouettes

Warm up at the Maryland Center for History and Culture during the historic Washington Monument lighting! Organized by the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy, this annual tradition has taken place in Baltimore since 1971. Enjoy a self-serve hot chocolate bar and live holiday carols, and receive a free custom hand-cut silhouette portrait from Lauren Muney, local traditional silhouette artist. Registration is required. Free Museum admission between 5 and 8 pm.
Event info page, with registration: https://www.mdhistory.org/calendar/monument-lighting-open-house-sip-and-silhouettes/

Finding Moses Williams

Free Virtual Program presented by the Library Company of Philadelphia and the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Event description and registration: https://support.librarycompany.org/event/finding-moses-williams/e728331

Lauren Muney will present her interpretation of silhouette artists Moses Williams’ technique.

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This program of illustrated talks by five speakers focuses on the identification of the exceptional hollow-cut paper profiles created by Moses Williams (1776-1830) at Peale’s Philadelphia Museum and on presenting new historically accurate information about Williams’s life and family. Moses’s parents were manumitted by Peale in 1786 and Moses, who was born enslaved, was then indentured to Peale by his parents until age twenty-eight

Raised within the Peale family, Moses was literate and trained in skills for creating and installing the Museum’s displays of art and natural science. After the installation of a physiognotrace device for creating hollow-cut paper profiles in 1802, Moses was freed and given the concession to operate this new attraction. The popularity of this inexpensive form of portraiture and the highly accurate and elegant profiles Moses cut, made him financially independent.

Recent research into Moses’s life provides us with a clearer understanding of his artistry and other activities, as well as his death date and the identity of his descendants. And, the story of Williams’s birth family illuminates how the practice of indenture used by Free Black families, like the Williams family, was a strategy for seeking financial stability.

A small selection of Moses Williams’s profiles will be on display at the Library Company during November and December and in the Peale Gallery at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Speakers and Presentations

1:00pm - Introduction and Welcome to LCP, Sarah J. Weatherwax, Senior Curator of Graphic Arts, The Library Company of Philadelphia

Introduction to LCP’s Program in African American History, Wynn Eakins, Reference Librarian and African American History Subject Specialist, The Library Company of Philadelphia

1:10pm - Finding Moses in the Peale-Sellers family album, Carol Soltis, Ph.D., Project Associate Curator, Philadelphia Museum of Art

1:35pm - Presenting Moses at The Peale, Baltimore’s Community Museum, Nancy Proctor, Ph.D. Re-founding Director of The Peale, Baltimore’s Community Museum.

2:00pm - ‘Not Yet Completely Free,’ Moses and his family in the context of the Gradual Manumission Act, Ellen Fernandez Sacco, Ph.D., genealogist, independent scholar.

2:25pm - Locating Moses William in Philadelphia, new information about Moses Williams’s life and death based on a re-examination of Philadelphia’s primary sources. Dean Krimmel, Creative Museum Services,  research consultant to The Peale, Baltimore’s Community Museum

2:50 Moses Williams, A Technical View, Lauren Muney, Silhouette Artist & Researcher

3:15 Final Q & A and wrap up.

The program is sponsored by the Library Company of Philadelphia’s Program in African American History and the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Saturday, Oct 25, 2025: 10am-3:00pm
Silhouettes By Hand will be cutting silhouettes at The Pied Piper (retail store) in northern Baltimore City, MD. for ONE day only.

Rejoice that you are ready for holiday gifting! This is a wonderful opportunity to make your perfect appointment time for your silhouette sitting, choose in advance for an optional frame! Lauren doesn’t work many retail locations - this special opportunity is created for a store in her community of Baltimore, MD.

SCROLL DOWN to make your personal appointment. Please note that this system requests payment in advance to hold your appointment. This system guarantees your spot, even helps in having extras ready for you!

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are NO MORE FRAMES available. Please do not order frames.

The system will keep you updated, and you will have control over your appointment, even changing the time up to 12 hours in advance (if a slot is open).

Lauren will be a special featured artist at the beautiful and elegant Evening of Festivities at the Jane Austen Society Annual General Meeting, which will be featured in Baltimore MD in 2025 … during the Ball on Saturday Night.

“The Jane Austen Society of North America is a non-profit organization staffed by volunteers and dedicated to the enjoyment and appreciation of Jane Austen and her writing. The society’s ranks have grown to more than 5,000 members, making JASNA the largest literary society devoted to Jane Austen. But its collegiality and purpose remain the same. Members are of all ages and from diverse walks of life. Although most members live in the United States and Canada, Austen admirers from more than a dozen countries are also JASNA members.
… Each autumn 700 to 800+ members also gather for JASNA's Annual General Meeting (AGM), a three-day conference with an Austen theme hosted by a JASNA region in the United States or Canada. The AGM features dozens of lectures by Austen scholars and JASNA members, as well as workshops, exhibits, entertainment, and a banquet and Regency ball.” [source]

From the website: 2025 will be a milestone year as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth! Austen at 250 will be the culminating event focusing on Jane Austen and her work, which she once characterized as “little bit (two inches) of Ivory” but that has endured for centuries. Baltimore will be a salute to her legacy, timelessness, relevance, and enduring genius through an exploration of:

• Literary genius

• Published and unpublished works

• Surviving letters

• Innovation in writing technique

• Milestones of her life

• Education and daily life

• Family and friends

From the Saturday evening description:
”All Attendee and Companion registrants are invited to participate in the evening’s activities. Please remember to bring your name badges and banquet tickets. You may also take away a special reminder of the 2025 AGM in the form of a hand-cut silhouette by artist Laura Muney, who will fulfill prearranged 5-minute appointments during the ball. See the Special Sessions page for details.”

“The mission of AHFP is to preserve and interpret agricultural practices and lifestyles spanning the early 1700s through the late 1960s”

The Harvest Festival returns to the Agricultural History Farm Park on Saturday, October 4 . Enjoy a fun-filled fall day on the farm with traditional crafts, activities, music, and food during the 31st Annual Harvest Festival.

Lauren Muney will be cutting silhouettes for the public - information TBD.

LAFAYETTE'S BALL

Celebrating 200 Years of Lafayette's Return to Chester County

Celebrate the Marquis de Lafayette, hero of the American Revolution, a great friend to George Washington, and his return to Chester County in 1825. After visiting the fields of the Battle of Brandywine the morning of July 26, 1825, the Marquis and his entourage traveled to West Chester, where they participated in a parade through the town and stopped just east of the Friends Meeting to review the troops. Later, Lafayette was taken to the Court House, where Eber Worthington, proprietor of the adjacent Turk’s Head Hotel, provided an excellent dinner.

The Chester County History Center will host an homage to the original dinner that Lafayette enjoyed in 1825.

Lafayette’s Ball will be an immersive experience, celebrating not just the impact of the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, in which the Marquis was wounded, but the sounds, sights, smells, and tastes of his return in 1825. From sampling recipes from the past to hearing the dulcet tones of a 19th-century harpsichord, guests will enjoy a full-sensory historic experience that honors not just the Marquis de Lafayette’s influence on our nation but Chester County’s place within that story.

Music by Early American Music and Arts
Dancing by Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble
Silhouettes by Lauren Muney
Lacemaking by Liberty Lacers

TICKETS: https://mycchc.org/lafayettes-ball/

Event information: History on the Green
Somerset County Courthouse Green, Somerville, NJ 

For the 4th year in a row, Lauren Muney of Silhouettes By Hand will be cutting silhouettes for visitors as time allows, 10-4:00pm with short breaks. First-come, first attended.

Event description:

Saturday, July 19th, 2025 10:00AM-4:00PM

Step back into the past and visit Revolutionary-era New Jersey at Somerset County's free living history event for the whole family - History on the Green!

• Explore a pop-up encampment & visit with Revolutionary War soldiers!

• Meet George and Martha Washington! (Don't forget to get their autographs!)

• See early-American artisans in action!

• Experience cannon and musket firing demonstrations!

• Play colonial toys & games!

• Learn to write with a quill!

• Train to become a Revolutionary War Spy! 

• And SO MUCH MORE

LOCATION:
The Courthouse Green on Main Street (between N. Bridge St. & Grove St.) Somerville, NJ 08876

Lauren Muney will be a guest artist at the Concord Museum, cutting silhouettes in person:

Sign up for your personal appointment time, whether with a photo or a live sitter, here: https://concordmuseum.org/event/silhouette-portrait-making/

“…The Concord Museum connects people to Concord’s multi-faceted history and its continuing influence on American cultural, political, environmental, and literary life. Concord’s cultural, political, environmental, and literary history come alive in our collections, exhibitions, and programs. As historians, we know that history is never stagnant. We continually discover new things about our past, inspiring people to make connections between the past, present, and future….” (from the museum’s website)

In July 1780, thousands of French troops landed in Newport beginning an occupation that lasted for nearly a year. The presence of this new ally represented a turning point in the American Revolution and the start of the Franco-American Alliance. Saturday July 12, 2025, the Newport Historical Society will showcase aspects of this pivotal point in American history during the French in Newport living history weekend, a free one-day event about life in the summer of 1780. Dozens of costumed living historians representing both civilians and French soldiers will discuss the challenges of establishing this new alliance.

Lauren Muney will be cutting silhouettes for visitors, 11-4pm.

Event information is here: https://newporthistory.org/event/french-in-newport-2025/

“From 11:00am-4:00pm, visitors can explore the role of French soldiers and sailors who fought for America’s independence and enjoy hands-on learning opportunities tied to this important period in Newport’s history. Demonstrations of historic trades such as silhouette art, baking, and cider pressing will run all day in Eisenhower Park, with a full schedule of programs running concurrently just across the square in the Colony House. From interviews with historical figures like Chastellux and Lafayette to an 18th century medicine presentation to a book signing with author Molly Beer & her new publication, Angelica: For Love & Country in a Time of Revolution (hosted in partnership with Charter Books), there is something for everyone to enjoy.

This year’s event is particularly relevant, as the NHS prepares to commemorate the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Semiquincentennial programming is already underway, and French in Newport will be a centerpiece of the anniversary in 2025 and 2026….”

“Hands On History” at Red Mill Museum Village - information TBA!

The Hands-On History: Traditional Crafts Festival at The Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, NJ, offers families a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience history firsthand. Through interactive, costumed demonstrations, visitors can try their hand at the essential skills of daily life from the Colonial period to the early 1900s. Children and adults alike will participate in activities like candle making, woodworking and textile processing, gaining a deeper understanding of the tools and tasks that shaped everyday life in the past.

Our covered 40’x80’ pavilion will feature demonstrations by local guilds, historical societies and artisans who preserve traditional crafts. Visitors can explore woodworking, tinsmithing, timber framing, blacksmithing, pottery making, gunsmithing, toolmaking and hand sewing. Participants will have the chance to learn directly from experts representing groups like CRAFTS NJ, the Hunterdon County Historical Society and the Handweavers Guild of Bucks County.

It's an immersive, family-friendly event where history comes to life through hands-on experiences and expert demonstrations.

Lauren Muney will be cutting silhouettes at this 2025-season-opening event!

With great pleasure, Lady Maxwell cordially requests your presence at the upcoming celebration of the New Year. The extravaganza will reside at Maxwell Mansion on the 31st day of December. This soiree of grandeur will start at seven in the evening and will conclude at one in the morning. Prepare to be enchanted by Artists, Live Music, Costume Contests, and more.

Adorn yourself in your finest attire and join us for a night filled with feasting and merriment. Indulge yourself in puddings, custards, and snacks that will be provided by Lady Maxwell. Our conductor of music will sway you through the evening with lively and diverse music selections, as well as classic instrumentals that you can waltz and jig all night long to. Make sure your shoes are shined and your stomachs are hungry for the social event of the season.

Adorn yourself in your finest attire and join us for a night filled with feasting and merriment. Indulge yourself in puddings, custards, and snacks that will be provided by Lady Maxwell.

Our conductor of music will sway you through the evening with lively and diverse music selections, as well as classic instrumentals that you can waltz and jig all night long to.

Make sure your shoes are shined, and your stomachs are hungry for the social event of the season. 

This grand celebration will include:

• A Novel Artist ( Silhouette Artist)

• Regency Era Themed Cocktail Menu

• The Toast of the Ton Conductor of Music and Dancing (Dj and dancing) 

• A Delightful Welcome Drink

• Selection of The Diamond of the Season or Beau of the Ball (Costume Contest)

• Devine Heavy Appetizers

• Exquisite Goodie Bag from Lady Maxwell

• A Toasting of the New Year

• And More for this Much-Anticipated Gathering

Entrance will begin promptly at 7:00 PM and we shall dance the night away until the clock strikes Midnight. It is at that time the toasting of the New Year is set to occur. After which, we shall carry on dancing until 1 AM. 

This is a LIMITED TICKETED event, and the ENTIRE PROPERTY will be ONLY available to Ticket holders.  Hotel guests receive two tickets per room included with their room rate and should not buy the two tickets through this site. 

Lauren Muney will be the special guest artist, providing silhouettes for guests at the event.

Maxwell Mansion is an upscale boutique hotel and estate, featuring the historic mansion, rustic-chic and barn-themed decor in the Carriage House and Stables, updated technology, a speakeasy, craft cocktail bars and lounges, and event venue, located in downtown Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 2 blocks from Geneva Lake. The Historic Mansion offers six traditional-style rooms with exquisite antiques, en-suite baths and old-world sophistication.

Event website: https://staymaxwell.com/events/2024-nye-at-maxwell-mansion

Hampton National Historic Site, Towson, MD: This year’s free event will explore the sounds of the season and how music, songs, and storytelling shaped the holiday traditions of all those who lived and worked at Hampton from 1783 through 1948.

Lauren Muney will be dressed in 1860s clothing, helping remind our community of Hampton’s long history across the centuries. Silhouette portraits are a reminder from before photography was invented.

She will be located in the Orangerie, providing historic style silhouette portraits for guests between 2-4pm . There is no charge for the silhouettes but the appointment times - using appointment tickets - will be handed out as first-come.

Celebrate the holiday season with a visit to Homewood Museum during the Lighting of the Quads celebration. The halls will be decked as we welcome guests to tour the elegant rooms outfitted with period furnishings. Silhouette artist Lauren Muney will be on hand to produce personalized silhouettes. Silhouette sessions will be first come-first serve. Also enjoy seasonal treats on our newly restored south portico.  

Tickets: $5-$7. Free for J-Card holders.

Advance online registration is requested