Past Events 2015
Browse through our archives of past BHS events
Programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Winter Solstice Cookies & Crafts
December 19, 2015
Cost: $5
Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm
Join us at the Castle for this walk-in workshop. Families are invited to craft delightful decorations celebrating the winter season. Hot cocoa and cookies available for purchase. Adults free when accompanied by a child.
Annual Holiday Dinner at the Castle
December 13, 2015
Cost: $65
Time: 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Cocktails, wine bar, candlelight dinner. Serenaded by Danielle Porcellini. RSVP by December 1, 2015.
Civil War Encampment Reenactment
November 15, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm
In honor of the anniversary of the original dedication of Gettysburg by Abraham Lincoln, join Dr. Peter Ridout, a member of the 124th Volunteers Civil War Re-enactment Unit who will set up a two tent encampment where you will be able to directly interact with a Civil War soldier. Co-Sponsored by Benjamin Cardoza High School.
Open Sew at the Castle
November 14, 2015
Cost: $8 BHS members; $10 non-members
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Do you quilt, sew or just love textiles? Join other sewing enthusiasts in an afternoon of creating and socializing.
Saturday Morning Cartoons with Tommy Stathes
November 14, 2015
Cost: $5 BHS members; $10 non-members
Time: 10:00am to 11:30am
Join archivist and historian of early animated and silent films, Tommy Jose Stathes, for a Saturday morning presenation of animated adaptations of famous comic strip characters from the 1900s to the 1920s including characters from cartoons by Baysider TAD Dorgan (1877-1929). Light breakfast will be served. PJs optional.
BHS Vintage Car Show 2015
November 08, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm
BHS's vintage car show will feature a diverse selection of vintage automobiles. Complimentary lite breakfast from 9:00-11:00am. Call 718-352-1548 for more information.
Lawrence Family Cemetery Tour
November 07, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 2:00pm
Visit the NYC Landmark and final resting place of the city's first popularly elected mayor, Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence and other descendants of one of Bayside's founding families. Address: 216th Street and 42nd Avenue. Please note there are no restrooms on site.
Haunted Castle
October 16, 2015
Cost: $5
Dates: Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17, 2015 and Friday and Saturday October 23 and 24, 2015
Time: Tours run between 7:00pm-10:00pm
Come if you dare for a Halloween Scare! Wind your way through the darkened interior of the Castle where you'll be sure to encounter the spirits and other creatures who inhabit this landmark building! Halloween treats and goodies available for purchase in our second floor Reception Hall — if you survive!
Independence Day Celebration
July 01, 2015
Cost: FREE
Admittance to Fort Totten will begin at 5:00pm
Bayside Historical Society is hosting an Independence Day Celebration with a free concert and fireworks display by Grucci in Fort Totten Park sponsored by Councilmember Paul A. Vallone.
Musical performances will include local talent from 6:00pm to 7:00pm featuring the MM Rockband Camp followed Phil Costa and Something Special Band, an 18 piece swing band from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The event will culminate at 9:15pm with a fireworks display on the parade grounds of the park, a first at Fort Totten.
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics for an evening of community fun. Vending trucks will be on site with a variety of foods, snacks, and beverages including roasted corn and fresh lemonade, funnel cakes, and corn dogs.
This is a non-alcohol event! All bags, coolers, backpacks, etc. will be inspected before entering the park. Limited parking will be available outside of Fort Totten in designated lots and streets. Pedaling, walking, swimming, skating, or busing to the event is encouraged!
Want to be the Queen Bee?
June 26, 2015
Cost: Silent Auction
Local bee keeper, Ruth Harrigan has installed two bee hives in the back garden of the Castle and the two Queen Bees are in need of names. BHS is holding a silent auction for the privilege of having our new queens named after you! Download event PDF for more details.
For Crying Out Loud! The Cartoon Art of TAD Dorgan
June 19, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Exhibition Opening : Comics by nationally syndicated artist and Bayside resident Thomas Aloysius (Tad) Dorgan (1877-1929) including "Indoor Sports", "Silk Hat Harry", and "Daffydils". Light Refreshments will be served.
Conversations with Cary
June 16, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 7:30pm
Join BHS member Cary Diamond as he shares excerpts from his recently completed memoirs.
Family Fun Day at Fort Totten's Parade Grounds
June 13, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 12:00pm to 3:00pm
BHS will be tabling — stop by and see us!
BHS Annual Lawn Concert at Crocheron Park
June 07, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Free outdoor concert featuring Desert Highway, “driving the music of the Eagles, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and American Classic Rock”. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics. Located on the sledding hill at Crocheron Park.
Co-sponsored with New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
CastleQuest 2015
May 30, 2015
Cost: $10 per person
Time: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Part Amazing Race, part Scavenger Hunt, all FUN! Take part in our first annual CastleQuest as we explore Fort Totten Park, stopping along the way to solve puzzles, search for clues, and learn about local history.
Team check-in: 11:00am; race begins 12:00pm. Celebratory lunch to follow.
Up to four people per team
Open Sew at the Castle
May 23, 2015
Cost: $8 BHS members; $10 non-members
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Do you quilt, sew or just love textiles? Join other sewing enthusiasts in an afternoon of creating and socializing.
Clay Figurine Workshop with Artist Pat Brintle
May 09, 2015
Cost: $5
Time: 11:00am
Learn about sculpting and hand-building with clay including various techniques (pinch, coil, score, and slip) as well as parts of a vase (mouth, neck, body, foot). A discussion on firing processes, terminology (bisque, greenware, oxidation, etc.) and decorative techniques and terms (glaze, sgraffito, stamping, etc.) will follow. Students will create their own air-dried clay figurines to take home. All supplies will be provided. Space is limited. Preregistration is required.
A Walk Through Historic Bayside with Historian Jason D. Antos
May 02, 2015
Cost: $5 BHS members; $10 non-members
Time: 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Wander mindfully through streets and avenues of Bayside and learn about the rich cultural heritage of the neighborhood.
Meet up location: Bayside LIRR Train Station.
A Taste of Honey Redux
May 08, 2015
Cost: $10 BHS members; $15 non-members
Time: 7:30pm to 9:30pm
A bee-guiling presentation by beekeeper and honey connoisseur Ruth Harrigan. Learn all about the bee-utiful honey bee and beekeeping, then sample several local honeys. We will then indulge in some exquisite honey-centric edibles and libations.
Reservations required: 718-352-1548
Sesquicentennial Civil War Encampment Reenactment
May 10, 2015
Cost: Suggested Donation: $5
Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm
Dr. Peter Ridout, a member of the 124th New York Volunteers Civil War Reenactment Unit, will set up a two tent encampment where you will be able to directly interact with a Civil War soldier.
Co-sponsored by Benjamin Cardozo High School
Open Sew at the Castle
April 25, 2015
Cost: $8 BHS members; $10 non-members
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Do you quilt, sew or just love textiles? Join other sewing enthusiasts in an afternoon of creating and socializing.
Rakes and Bagels
April 25, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 9:00am
It’s time to spruce up Lawrence Cemetery for the Spring! Lawrence Cemetery is one of our precious Queens Landmarks. Come and be a part of keeping it beautiful with the BHS. Bring a leaf rake and some garden gloves & we’ll supply the coffee and bagels!
Place: Lawrence Cemetery (On the Corner of 42nd Ave. & 216th Street, Bayside)
Contact Pete Sutich (718-938-0192) with any questions.
Guided Tour of the Lawrence Cemetery
April 19, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 11:00am
BHS is marking the 50th anniversary of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Law which was enacted April 19, 1965 with a guided tour of the Lawrence Cemetery.
Join BHS Board of Trustee President, Paul DiBenedetto as he discusses the importance of the Lawrence family as well as the NYC landmark law.
The Lawrence Cemetery is located on the corner of 216th Street and 42nd Avenue, Bayside, NY. Please note that there is no seating or restrooms at the cemetery.
A Walk Through Beechhurst with Historian Jason D. Antos
April 11, 2015
Cost: $5 BHS members; $10 non-members
Time: 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Explore what was once the favorite vacation area for many Silent Movie era stars such as Mary Pickford, where estates lined the waterfront, including those of industrialist Harvey Firestone and entertainment impresario Arthur Hammerstein (son of Oscar Hammerstein I and uncle of Oscar Hammerstein III). Meet up location: Powells Cove Boulevard and 154th Street in front of Waldbaum's Shopping Center near Tropicana Orange Juice.
Interested in Joining a CSA?
March 22, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 3:00pm
To learn more, come meet Qiana Mickie, CSA Network Manager of Just Food, on March 22nd, 3:00pm, at the Castle during BHS's Annual Membership Meeting.
If you are not already familiar with CSAs, be prepared to be enlightened about these very popular, worthwhile programs. (Do you know there are about 100 CSAs within NYC boundaries?) Qiana will tell us how it works, and why it’s great for families, foodies, and communities. She will also provide details about getting acquainted with your farmer and visiting the farm where your vegetables are grown.
Bring your questions! Let's explore the possibility of creating our own CSA! Light refreshments will be served.
BHS Annual Membership Meeting
March 22, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 2:00pm
Election of BHS Board of Trustees and Installation Ceremony.
If you are unable to attend and wish to vote in the BHS election by proxy, please print out the slate of nominees form and send it to BHS before March 22, 2015.
Light refreshments will be served
Open Sew at the Castle
March 21, 2015
Cost: $8 BHS members; $10 non-members
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Do you quilt, sew or just love textiles? Join other sewing enthusiasts in an afternoon of creating and socializing.
Members Night: "Board and Board Games"
February 22, 2015
Cost: FREE
Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Come to the Castle and play your favorite board games: Mystery Date, Sorry, Masterpiece and many more!
Open Sew at the Castle
February 21, 2015
Cost: $8 BHS members; $10 non-members
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Do you quilt, sew or just love textiles? Join other sewing enthusiasts in an afternoon of creating and socializing.
Passion & Piano — Jazz Brunch at the Castle
February 08, 2015
Cost: $20 BHS members; $25 non-members
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Enjoy a delightful afternoon brunch while listening to our jazz trio.
R.S.V.P. required: 718-352-1548
Kids Walk-in Workshop
February 07, 2015
Cost: $5 (Adults free when accompanied by a child)
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Join us in the Blue Room , our hands-on kids space to craft a Valentines Day work of art.
