In partnership with NYC Parks, the Historic House Trust advocates for, promotes, and provides expertise to preserve 23 publicly owned historic sites located throughout the city’s five boroughs. Learn more about what we do!

Help Make HHT More Effective, Sustainable & Collaborative

For the last 30 years, the Historic House Trust has celebrated a rich tapestry of New York City history through an extraordinary ensemble of houses that are found in all five boroughs. As we celebrate our milestone anniversary, we want to take a moment to thank you for all you have done to make HHT and this magnificent collection of historic sites stronger with each passing year. 

HHT is proud of our accomplishments and we have our gaze focused on the future.  Our next frontier is providing the most universal access possible for visitors with disabilities. HHT was fortunate to receive a grant this year that will allow us to experiment with innovative methods of enhancing inclusivity at our house museums. Some sites will interpret this as a way to open the experiences they offer to those previously barred. Others will view this as a chance to become a testing ground for the latest advancements in virtual and augmented reality, web-based access, and other means of inclusion that we might not even imagine. For me, it is another reminder that these sites are living, breathing entities that constantly strive to be even more welcoming. 

While we have accomplished much over the last 30 years in preserving, promoting, and providing expertise to these 23 historic sites, HHT has ambitious plans to make our work more effective, sustainable, and collaborative. This is possible thanks to the dedication of our staff, the fruitful partnerships we have with each historic house, the support of NYC Parks, and financial contributions from donors such as you. Please consider a gift to HHT this year to help us continue to evolve, improve, and shine even brighter in 2020. 

Membership to the Historic House Trust

Family is what you make it. No matter how you define your own family, it is likely made strong by shared memories, commitment to one another, and common hopes for the future. The Historic House Trust’s family consists of the 23 remarkable historic sites entrusted to our care, the evolving past that these places embody, and the people dedicated to ensuring that this history survives and thrives. Each of these sites, stories, and people exhibit a distinctiveness that brings power to the whole.

HHT needs you! Become a member and add your strength to our family. In the 30 years since our founding, the Historic House Trust has evolved and matured, and our devoted members have been alongside us for the entire journey. As the world becomes increasingly divisive, HHT is grateful to be part of a family united by a shared passion for preservation and storytelling.

With your HHT membership, you will receive free admission to HHT’s 23 member historic site for a full year as well as invitations to exclusive member events. Click here to find out more about perks of an HHT membership and to choose which level is right for you and your family!

Places that Make a Difference:
Conversations on the Future of our Cultural Treasures

This October, the Historic House Trust launched the multi-part programming series Places That Make a Difference: Conversations on the Future of Our Cultural Treasures in celebration of our 30th anniversary. The programs in this series are designed to creatively explore challenges that historic sites share and inspire further innovation in the cultural sector.

The first program, Places That Innovate: Reimagining Historic Sites, was a great success! If you missed this event or want to return to some of the thought-provoking tactics being used to engage visitors to historic sites around the world, you can watch a video of the program here or by clicking on the video below.

Special thanks to our partner for Places That Innovate, New York University’s Archives & Public History MA Program. Support for this series is provided by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Arthur F. & Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation.

Details on future programming in the series will be announced in the coming months. Please stay tuned so that you can join this important conversation. HHT appreciates your interest in helping to chart the future of historic sites!

What’s Happening at the Houses?

Make it a December to remember with the HHT houses! There are plenty of holiday events happening this season including tree lightings, candlelight tours, music concerts, and even a Teddy Bear Tea! Your local HHT house is bound to have an event that will fill your heart with cheer. Explore our 23 sites across all five NYC boroughs to discover history and holiday traditions spanning over 360 years.

Remember to follow us @hhtnyc on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use the hashtag #HomefortheHolidays to share your memories with us!