An old-fashioned holiday at Rock Hall Museum

Take a moment during the holiday season and experience life during the colonial era at Lawrence’s Rock Hall Museum this weekend. The historic estate opens its doors for a holiday tour with a unique twist: visitors can experience Rock Hall through the eyes of a slave during a living history walking tour on Sunday.
This intriguing look back at life at Rock Hall offers visitors a glimpse of the house through the eyes of a slave who shares secrets and stories of how she spent her days at Rock Hall. Guests are personally escorted through the cellar and the first two floors of the home, where you may also encounter other members of the Martin family wandering the halls. The cellar includes the Warming Kitchen, Cold Storage Room and Wine Cellar, with fascinating views of a rarely seen working areas in an 18th century plantation style home.
This holiday tour offers a special perspective on local history. Considered to be one of the finest pre-Revolutionary War homes on Long Island, Rock Hall was built in 1767 for Josiah Martin, a wealthy West Indian plantation owner. The Georgian style home belonged to two of the area’s most famous families, the Martins and the Hewletts. It was deeded to the Town of Hempstead in 1948 and, after extensive renovation, opened as a museum in 1953.
The 45-minute tour concludes with complimentary hot cocoa, tea and cookies. In addition to Sunday, the tour continues Dec. 5, 12 and 19.

When: Sunday, Nov. 28, 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Where: Rock Hall Museum, 199 Broadway, Lawrence. $12, $10 members and seniors, $7 children. Space is limited and reservations are required. (516) 239-1157.