Engaging Experiences for All Ages

From Family Free Days, to tours designed with families in mind, to drop-in art making for all ages, there is something for everyone at the Albany Institute.

Upcoming Family Events

11:00am–3:00pm Revolutionary Spycraft Family Workshop is free with museum admission. Patrons can drop in and participate any time within the window of 11AM–3PM. Don your tricorn hat and join us for a four-day exploration of Revolutionary America, led by living historian Michael Carver, the Regimental Brewmeister! FULL SCHEDULE Lecture on the Role of Jews in the American RevolutionThursday, December 3 | 5PM 18th Century Tavern NightFriday, December 4 | 5–8PM Revolutionary Spycraft Family WorkshopSaturday, December 5 | 11AM–3PM 18th Century Surveying DemonstrationSunday, December 6 | 11AM–2PM The Spirit of 1776 program series complements the Albany Institute’s exhibition Albany, c. 1776, which explores illustrates Albany’s role during the Revolutionary era. Philadelphia-based living historian Michael Carver, the Regimental Brewmeister, has more than 30 years of home-brewing experience and has portrayed Revolutionary-era life for more than 15 years. Drawing on his background as a chemist, brewer, and reenactor, he brings the crafts, technologies, and everyday experiences of eighteenth-century America to life through engaging, hands-on programs.  

11:00am–11:45am Enrich your experience of our current exhibitions through an insightful docent-led tour of the galleries. Docent tours are an excellent way to learn more about the artworks and objects on display, in addition to the stories they tell. Interaction and questions are encouraged and visitors of all ages are welcome. The tour is free with museum admission, no registration required. Please meet in the museum atrium main level near the admission desk before the tour begins.

12:00pm–4:00pm Free | Open to all Join us for a vibrant community event that highlights the talents and entrepreneurial spirit of the refugee, immigrant, and multicultural communities in the Capital Region! Over 20 international vendors, artisans, and makers will showcase and sell their handmade goods, sharing their craftsmanship, heritage, and cultural traditions. Guests can also enjoy delicious food available for purchase, reflecting the diverse cultures represented at the event. This celebration of creativity and community is free and open to all ages. In addition, museum gallery admission is free all day (10AM–5PM).  

10:30am–12:00pm Please join us for Meet Me at the Institute, a program designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Held on select Mondays February–December 2026, sessions occur when the museum is closed to the public—minimizing distractions and providing a relaxing environment. Sessions are led by trained educators who facilitate open-ended discussions about the Albany Institute's exhibitions and collections. The program is developed based on Meet Me at MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art's Alzheimer's Project. Meet Me at the Institute is free; advanced registration is required. Contact Natalie Oliver, Education Associate, at 518-463-4478 ext. 405 to register and for more information.