Walking Tours

The museum is OPEN and interior tours are Wednesday thru Friday Noon - 4:00 p.m.

We are very pleased to offer Museum Group Tours by appointment only.

OUR GUIDED LECTURE TOURS

“Troy's Tiffany Treasures.” We love our annual Tiffany stained glass tour! However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we will not be offering the fall tour in 2024. Instead, we will be offering our Tiffany Treasures tour in spring 2025 when the city is infull springtime splender. Troy is said to have more Tiffany stained glass per square mile than any other city in the world, including a few of the most famous ever produced. This guided walking tour and lecture covers the life and work of Louis Comfort Tiffany and several of his illustrious employees in their production of some astonishing works of art in glass. Our “Troy’s Tiffany Treasures” tour has been selected several times by Hudson Valley Magazine as the top event in the entire Hudson Valley for the month of September.

Our driving and walking tour will be held inspring 2025 for $25 per person. The date of this tour will be announced in the late winetr of 2025, so watch this space for the date and time of our offerings. In the meantime, click on the teasers below:

History of the Tiffany Windows from the American Revolution

WTEN Community News - Tiffany’s Treasures

“The Industrial Sites of South Troy.” Last offered on September 30th, 2023, this tour was focused on the explosive industrial growth that made Troy the ‘Silicon Valley of the 19th century:’ iron and steel, bells, railroading, valves, fabrics and so very much more. This tour will not be offered in 2024.

“The Origins of the Modern Horseshoe.”  On November 16, 2024 @10am we meet at the Museum’s parking lot. Cost is $20.00 per person

The modern horseshoe made by machine was invented in South Troy in 1835. Located along the Wynantskill, the foundry of Henry Burden that became known as the "Upper Works" had the capability of producing a million horseshoes a week by the third quarter of the 19th century. Powered by the most powerful vertical water wheel, Burden's wheel produced 1200 horsepower and operated all of the machinery that was contained within the works. The imposing wheel became a tourist attraction, and it was supposed to be the inspiration for the world's first Ferris Wheel. The tour will explore the original wheel site and be accompanied by a visit to the Burden Ironworks Museum where an original patent model is currently on display. Please remember to wear sensible shoes for the hike and dress for cool weather.

“The Birthplace of the Iron Industry.” The tour will not be held in 2024. Troy’s Wynantskill stream is considered to be one of the birthplaces of the American iron industry. Come take a walk along the channel that saw two of the most important iron producing companies in the antebellum US: Erastus Corning’s Albany Iron Works, and Henry Burden’s Troy Nail Factory and later Burden Iron Works.

This walk involves a fairly active climb, so sensible walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are an absolute must.