Lunch & Learn -
Constable Hall and A Visit from St. Nicholas

The H.A.R.P. Museum’s highly acclaimed Lunch & Learn Cultural Presentation Series wraps up the year with a seasonally appropriate discussion on Constable Hall’s connection with the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” followed by a delicious lunch in the 5 Points Pub.

On Wednesday December 11 at 11:00 AM, Loraine O'Donnell, Executive Director of Constable Hall, will be giving a presentation on how the beloved poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" (better known as Twas The Night Before Christmas) was inspired by the historic home that has been a house museum for 75 years. Of English and Irish decent, the Constable family are considered the "First Family" of the Adirondacks after William Constable Sr. was part of "Macomb's Purchase" in 1791, the largest land purchase in New York State at the time, buying more than 3 million acres of the North Country including the Adirondacks.

His son, William Constable Jr. designed and built the house in 1819 and after his death only 3 years later, his wife's cousin Clement C. Moore would visit William's widow to comfort her and her 5 children during the holidays. It was during this time that family legend says the beautiful house and grounds inspired Moore to write what is the most widely read piece of literature in the world. The talk will include other family history which includes the family's history with the Haudenosaunee people of the region, and famous friends of the Constables which include George and Martha Washington and Alexander Hamilton.

Please register at this link, https://bit.ly/4eoPkEf, or call and leave a message at 315-733-4228 Ext 6. The $20 registration fee will cover the program and lunch, meal tax and gratuity included, can be paid online or in cash at the door.

You can attend this presentation at the H.A.R.P. Museum located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica. All are welcome to attend this program and the museum is wheelchair accessible.

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