Muscoot
Farm
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Today, Muscoot Farm
has many of the original buildings, some of which
 were
moved to accommodate the Muscoot Reservoir. Visitors can walk
through the Dairy Barn, Milk House, Ice House, BlacksmithShop
and several other barns and buildings. Livestock and poultry
are breeds typical of an early 20th century gentleman's farm
and many represent minor (rare) breeds.
Outdoor
Farmers Market
Purchase a variety of food and products that were grown and produced by local
farmers and vendors.
Visitor
Information
Muscoot Farm is an early-1900's interpretive farm owned
and operated by the Westchester County Department of Parks,
Recreation and Conservation. Muscoot Farm is open
year-round and offers a full schedule of programs for
families, as well as tours, farmyard visits and hayrides for
groups by reservation. More than seven miles of hiking
trails allow visitors to explore some of Muscoot's 777 acres
through fields, woodlands and wetlands. Trail maps are
available in the Reception Center. For the protection of
our animals and our visitors, petting and feeding of the farm
animals is not permitted and dogs are not allowed at Muscoot.
Public
Programs
Programs are offered for families on weekends. Some,
like Meet the
Baby Animals, Tractor Day and Pumpkin Picking, are annual
events. Others provide new experiences for visitors and
may focus on many different themes.
In
addition, a variety of workshops are offered on Saturdays
throughout the year. Call the farm for a calendar of
events.
History
Muscoot Farm was originally a "Gentleman's
Farm" owned by the Hopkins Family and used as their
summer estate and dairy farm from 1880 to 1924. In 1924
the family moved to the farm year-round and continued the
dairy business until 1967 when Westchester County acquired the
property.
Hayrides
Hayrides are available to groups, weather permitting, April
through October. A tractor-pulled hay wagon takes
visitors beyond the farm complex to hay fields and the Ice
Pond, offering a different perspective of the farm. |
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Offered:
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Wednesday
through Friday
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30
people maximum
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April
through October
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By
reservation only
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Fee:
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$60
Westchester Group
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$75
Non-Westchester Group
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Public
hayrides: Available Sunday afternoons, weather permitting,
May to October
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Fee:
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$2 per
person
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Young
Farmers Program
Children entering grades 1st through 8th can experience life on a farm as
it was lived many years ago. Animal chores, milking, cooking,
and hand-churning ice cream are some of the activities children
participate in during the week.
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Offered:
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July
through mid-August
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Register
for one week only
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Time:
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Monday
to Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Fee:
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$275
per one week session
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Down on the Farm Pre-K Program
During the months of March & April Muscoot
Farm will be offering unique programs for children ages 3, 4, & 5.
Youngsters and their parents will have an opportunity to learn about
farming, goats, cows, & pigs through a variety of fun activities.
Click link above for more information.
Group Tours
Guided Farm Tour
A Muscoot staff educator conducts and age-appropriate walking tour of
the farm complex. This 45-minute program focuses on the
importance of farming, the animals we raise and what they provide for
us.
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Offered:
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Wednesday through Friday
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30 people maximum
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Spring and Fall
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By reservation only
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Fee:
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$75 Westchester Groups
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$100 Non-Westchester group
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Farmyard
Visit
Groups take a self-guided tour of the farm. All animals pens
have signs with information about their residents. Leaders set
their own pace and focus.
Average time: 1 hour.
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Offered:
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Monday and Tuesday
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150 people maximum
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By reservation only
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Fee:
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Based on size of group
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Birthday
Parties
Birthday parties are welcome at Muscoot Farm on Saturday mornings
only by reservation. Both indoor and outdoor space is available
for rent with the option of a hayride for an additional fee.
Call for information.
Herb
Garden
The herb garden fills the air with fragrance. A sensory garden,
a kitchen garden and a memorial herb garden create one of the most
peaceful places on the farm.
Main House
Gallery
The Main Farm House at Muscoot, one the Hopkins family home, displays
a gallery of paintings by local artists. Different artists
exhibit their work each month from May through October. The
gallery is open to the public on weekends from noon to 4 p.m.
Hiking
Trails
More than seven miles of marked trails are available for hiking the
fields and forests of Muscoot Farm. Trail maps can be picked up
in the Reception Center. Full color maps are available for
purchase at the Farm Office.
Refreshment
Stand
A variety of foods and beverages can be purchased on weekends May
through October, as well as weekdays in the summer, weather
permitting.
Hours
Muscoot Farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year round.
Information
Call Muscoot Farm at (914) 864-7282
Subscribe
to the Parks E-Club to get up to the minute program and event information,
and valuable discounts.
Join Now
Joseph A. Stout, Commissioner
