Exhibits, Programs and Events

The Museum IS OPEN during the Tienken Bridge Reconstruction. Please click here for a detour map.

EXHIBITS 

Collections from Our Lively Town
On display April 10 – November 13    
Fridays and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. 

The Museum is pulling out the great collections that we have stored away for decades – from our collection of fancy coverlets woven by A.W. Van Doren in the 1840s, to Dr. Charles Strain World War I trunk, to dresses from the Blue Star mothers, and yes, even our armadillo basket purchased by the Van Hoosen family.  This will be a fascinating look at our collection of local history memorabilia showcasing the skills and talents of our community over the past century.

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PROGRAMS

Terrific Tuesdays in the Children's Garden
June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10, August 17, August 24
$3 – Members
$5 – Non-members
Charge is for children only.

This program is expanded this year!  Children ages 3-5 are invited to the Children's garden from 10:00-11:00 a.m. for stories, snacks, and a craft.  Themes include The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Breakfast with Butterflies, Tops and Bottoms Garden, Pizza Party, and more.

Children ages 6-10 are invited to join us from 1:00-2:30 p.m. for fun programs to learn about gardening.  Sensational Soil and Wonderful Worms, Powerful Plants, Tops and Bottoms Vegetables, Fabulous Flowers, and What's Bugging Us? are some of the themes.  Children will enjoy stories, garden related treats, and a craft project.  Our Museum educator and Advanced Master Gardener, Michele Dunham, will teach these classes.

Wet and Wild Wednesdays (Replacing Fun Fridays)
July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28
12:00-2:00 p.m.
$2 each (children & adults) – Non-Members
Members are free.

Fun for the whole family!  Join us for entertainment, Slip N Slide, creek wading, fire trucks, and more. A terrific way to cool off on a summer's day!

July 7 – Guy Louis and the Chautauqua Express
July 14 – Zippity2Dads
July 21 – Rich Eddy's Rockin' Oldies Band
July 28 – Kevin Devine

Little House by the River
One Day Camps
Thursdays, June 24, July 1, July 15, July 29, August 12
10:00-3:00 p.m.
$35 – Non-members
$30 – Members

Campers, ages 7-11, travel back in time to days along Stoney Creek River in a small village and take part in activities from the 1800s, including children's chores like hauling water from the creek, candle-dipping, sewing, carving, rug-beating, making ice cream, tin punching, kite making, and butter churning to name a few.  They will enjoy reading, writing and rithmetic at the one-room schoolhouse, play with old-fashioned toys, and enjoy the creek if they get those chores done!

Little House in the Village
Writer's Day Camp
August 17-20
10:00-3:00 p.m.
$140 – Non-Members
$120 – Members

This is a four-day camp designed for ages 9-12 who are interested in writing and illustrating.  Using the museum's unique setting, students will read and write a variety of genres under the direction of museum staff educator, Michele Dunham.  Full immersion into village life is the inspiration and will include activities in the farmhouse, red house, one-room schoolhouse, the grounds, the cemetery and the river.

Rochester Grangers Vintage Base Ball Club

Home matches on May 15, June 19, July 10, July 31, and August 1 at 1:00 p.m.  Check the web site for all away matches at www.rochestergrangers.com.

Join us for our home matches to see how gentleman played base ball in the 1860s.  Bring your own chair and cheer on your local club!

Or click here to learn more about the history of the Grangers.
 

Quilting Bees and Sit & Stitch

Quilting Bee
The Rochester Hills Museum will host monthly quilting bees the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, year-round, between 1-4 p.m.  Host for this new project will be the Museum's 2005 Artist-in-Residence Chantal Anderson, owner of Living Quilts and a Rochester Hills resident.  For those interested in learning to quilt, this is a perfect opportunity to learn as you go.

Sit & Stitch
Bring your stitching project to the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm on the third Fridays of the month, year-round, between 1-4:00pm.

Both programs are an informal get together of those interested in quilting to share quilting experiences and for social interaction. Participants are not required to have previous experience and are welcome to bring their own quilting project or to work on a group project.

These programs are available after school, on school holidays, and on Saturdays. 
 
Minimum of 10 participants per activity.
 
Program rates, unless otherwise noted: $3.00 for students (K-12) and $5.00 for adults. This is a quality parent-child activity.
 
Please call the Rochester Hills Museum at 248-656-4663 or email us to make your reservation.

1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse, 1850 Red House, and
1927 Van Hoosen Dairy Barn Farm

Tour these historic and fascinating homes located in Stony Creek Village and understand the workings of a world-class dairy operation by visiting the six buildings and sixteen acres of the Van Hoosen Farm.  Time: 1 1/2  to 2 hours

Downtown Rochester Walk

Explore the history of Downtown Rochester through the architecture and events that make up this Lively Town established in 1817. 

Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Minimum fee of $ 50.  Adults $ 5, students and seniors $ 3.  Advanced payment required.

Tour available April through November.

Stoney Creek Cemetery Tour

Tour the Stoney Creek Cemetery and learn about the soldiers, scholars, and pioneers of Stony Creek Village.  Participants can end their tour by making a tombstone rubbing.  Time: 1 hour 

Tour available April through November.

Vintage Base Ball

Have a jolly good time learning and playing the All-American pastime of Base Ball as it was played in the 1860's by the Rochester Grangers.   Time: 1 Hour

Kite Making

Learn the fascinating history of kites and decorate, build, and fly your own fabulous "Frustrationless Flyer" kite. Time: 1 Hour
 
Admission:  $5.00 Adult (No Kite)
 $6.00 Student (With Kite)
 $4.00 per extra kite 

Widgets, Gizmos, and Gadgets

History detectives study objects from the past and try to guess their uses. Fun for all ages!    Time: 1 Hour

Please call the Rochester Hills Museum at 248-656-4663 or email us to make your reservation.

The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm offers a wide variety of entertaining and educational presentations customized to youth and adult groups.  Lectures are offered both at the Museum and at off-site locations.  Rates are $75 per lecture.

Spectacular Rochester!

The people, places, and events that shaped our community's history are introduced through historic photographs, maps, documents, and fascinating stories.

Mills of Avon Township

This presentation discusses the history of the mills and waterways in the Greater Rochester Area, focusing on their function and importance to early settler families and economic growth in the community.

Lost Rochester

Memories of Rochester area's lost architectural treasures include the Parke-Davis Barns, the Albert Kahn Home, Joshua Van Hoosen's Big Barn', Rochester's various hotels, local mills, schools, and more.

Rochester in the World Scene

Discover how important world, national, and state events helped shape our community and how local events have affected the world.

Mothers, Daughters, and Leaders of Oakland County

Learn the inspiring stories of 17 outstanding women from throughout Oakland County. This program was developed in coordination with the traveling exhibit of the same name.

Veterans of the Rochester Area

Hear the incredible stories of the local men and women who bravely fought for the freedom of our country.

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