The Van Cortlandt House is the oldest building in the Bronx, a 1748 Georgian stone farmhouse sitting on a lawn at the edge of the park, and staging a Caribbean cultural programme in front of it puts two very different New York histories in the same frame. The setting is shaded, grassy and open, and the whole thing is free. If you want an afternoon that is equal parts music and place, this is a good one.
What to expect
Expect an outdoor programme on the museum lawn with music and cultural performance, an audience on blankets and folding chairs, and the historic house as the backdrop. The house museum itself is open seasonally for tours. The park's lake, trails and parade ground are all within a short walk.
Good to know
- Van Cortlandt Park is at the end of the 1 line at 242nd Street; the house museum lawn is just inside the park entrance.
- Free and open to the public — it is a permitted public event, so no ticket or RSVP is involved.
- Bring a blanket or folding chair for lawn seating.
- The Van Cortlandt House Museum, the oldest building in the Bronx, is on the same lawn.
- Paved paths reach the lawn for stroller and wheelchair access.
- Bring water and sun protection; the lawn is only partly shaded.
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Common questions
Where is it held?
On the museum lawn beside the Van Cortlandt House Museum in Van Cortlandt Park, the Bronx.
Is it free?
Yes — it is a free public programme in a city park.
How do I get there?
The 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street.
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