The Seward House Museum is gearing up for a busy summer season with a slate of programs ranging from historical tours and lectures to concerts and community celebrations.
The museum’s summer schedule begins with a Pride Month program on June 13 at the Equal Rights Heritage Center. The free event will focus on Charlotte Cushman, a renowned 19th-century actor known for portraying male roles, including Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet.”
According to Seward House Education and Outreach Coordinator Nellie Ludeman, the program will feature a dramatic reading by summer intern Grace Wiseman, who will portray Cushman using letters she wrote to the Seward family. Following the performance, Director of Education Jeff Ludwig will discuss Cushman’s life and legacy.
The museum is also partnering with the Equal Rights Heritage Center to offer free historic walking tours throughout the summer. Held on Saturdays in conjunction with the center’s morning market, the approximately 30-minute tours will guide visitors through Auburn’s downtown and explore the city’s rich history.
In observance of Juneteenth, the museum will offer free tours on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the final tour departing at 4 p.m. Advance reservations are recommended through the museum’s website.
The museum’s Lunchtime Lecture Series returns June 30 with retired Judge Richard Dollinger discussing William Henry Seward’s famous 1858 “Irrepressible Conflict” speech. The presentation, originally scheduled for May, will examine how the speech influenced Seward’s political career and presidential ambitions. The free lecture begins at noon at the Seward House Museum Event Center.
July programming kicks off with a First Friday celebration on July 3 as part of the museum’s America 250 commemorative activities. The event will feature artist Don Ellis in the gift shop, a dramatic performance by Jack Sherman inspired by Seward’s Fourth of July speeches and a concert by the Auburn Civic Band. Activities run from 5 to 7:30 p.m., with the performance beginning at 5:45 p.m.
Music lovers will also have an opportunity to attend the second installment of the Rebecca Carr Memorial Classical Concert Series on July 16. The concert, titled “Oh Cara Mia,” will feature soloists Steven Sull and Lynn Craver performing selections from the classical repertoire and the American Songbook, accompanied by pianist Richard Montgomery.
Attendees may purchase tickets for the concert alone or for a pre-concert reception featuring hors d’oeuvres from Moro’s Table, beer and wine, opportunities to meet the performers and reserved concert seating. Tickets are available through the museum’s website.
Ludeman said the museum is looking forward to welcoming visitors throughout the season.
“We have a summer full of programming that we can’t wait for you to join us for,” she said.
The Seward House Museum is currently operating under its summer schedule, with hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays through the end of September.
More information and reservations are available at sewardhouse.org.
