Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum Sleigh Rides

Have you ever wondered what it was like to ride in “a one horse open sleigh?”   From now until mid- March, you can find out as Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum brings out their fully restored antique sleighs to offer rides each Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.

Enjoy a sleigh ride in Western New York's winter wonderland

Bundled under a warm lap robe, you can enjoy a festive ride, complete with sleigh bells, around the grounds of Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum.  This 1816 mansion, which is open from Spring through late Fall, was home to four generations of Canandaigua’s famous Granger Family.  Enjoy a tasty cup of hot chocolate after your ride.

The fee for rides is $5 for adults, $3 for youth age 4-12, and free for children under 4.  Reservations are not required, but it’s always advisable, due to weather unpredictability, to call (585) 394-1472 for confirmation that rides are being offered.

Granger Homestead is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes at 295 North Street in Canandaigua, NY.

By the way, if you’re looking for a special gift for your Sweetheart for Valentine’s Day, consider a Sweetheart Sleigh Ride on February 14th.  Each couple will enjoy a sleigh ride, complete with flowers and chocolates for $50 per couple.  For details and reservations, call (585) 394-1472.

Photo courtesy of Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum.

 

Launch Your Holiday Season in Canandaigua, NY – Nov. 7-9, 2008

Canandaigua, NY is a quaint little town with charming architecture and warm, friendly people.  If you want to kick your holidays off in style, don’t miss Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum’s  Christkindl Market, the opening of their Festival of Trees and downtown Canandaigua’s Holiday Artwalk, which all take place on November 7th to 9th.  

Enjoy a Carriage ride!

The Christkindl Market, which is held in a heated tent outside Granger Homestead, celebrates the holidays with the work of 100 juried artists and craftspeople, a holiday ornament and decor display, carriage rides and plenty to eat and drink!  You’ll find every imaginable sort of gift including holiday goodies, jams and jellies, jewelry and accessories, paintings and sculpture, glass and wood art and more.  I intend to get some early holiday shopping out of the way.

Visitors this year can also enjoy the inaugural Holiday Gingerbread Creation Contest.

More than 100 exhibitors participate in Christkindl

It’s also the opening weekend for the celebrated Festival of Trees, The interior of the Historic 1816 Granger Homestead is festooned with trees, mantel decor, wreaths, stockings and floral arrangements showcasing the work of more than 100 local businesses, organizations and individuals. Don’t forget to cast a vote for your favorite!  This event will run through November 30th.

A 2007 Festival of Trees Entry

After visiting Granger Homestead, wander down Main Street for Canandaigua’s Holiday Artwalk.  Over 17 galleries, artists’ studios and boutiques will be open, many with live demonstrations.  At All Things Art, take a peek at the miniature of Santa’s Workshop and catch the MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS Performance at 1 p.m.  CLICK HERE for the full list of participants and their addresses.

Granger Homestead is located at 295 North Main Street in Canandaigua, NY.  The Christkindl Market is open Friday, Nov. 7 from 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Admission is $6 (12 and under FREE). CLICK HERE to download a $1 off discount coupon (on the website page, click the “Christkindl Market” link on the left-hand side of the page, then click the “$1 off Coupon” at the top of the page). 

The Festival of Trees displayed inside Granger Homestead will be open the same hours as the Christkindl Market from November 7th to 9th. From November 10th to 30th, it will be open Mon.-Wed. 1p.m.-5p.m., Thurs. & Fri. 1p.m.-7p.m., Sat, Sun. and the Friday after Thanksgiving 11 a.m.-5p.m.  Closed Thanksgiving Day.  Admission is $5 for Adults, $4 for Seniors and $1 for students (K-12).  A $1 off Discount Coupon may be downloaded from the Granger Homestead website by clicking on “Festival of Trees.”  All proceeds from both of these events benefit the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum.

The Downtown Canandaigua Holiday Artwalk is open Fri. 2p.m.-9p.m., Sat. 10p.m.-5p.m., and Sun. 12p.m.-4p.m., and is located throughout Downtown Canandaigua.<

All photos courtesy of Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum.

 

Liberty Cottage:A Haven for Handwork Artists and Primitive Art Lovers

Two years ago, just as its doors were about to close forever, Suzanne Moulton rescued Liberty Cottage  from oblivion.  Today, it’s a haven for primitive and folk arts lovers as well as for quilters and stitchery artists alike.

Handworkers are always welcome at Liberty Cottage

“I bought the store on Friday the 13th, October 2006 and I had customers follow me through the door as I came from signing the contract,” laughs Suzanne.  It turns out that was a lucky date, and she has just moved to her new and larger location at 116 South Main Street in Canandaigua, NY.

Today, she welcomes visitors from hundreds of miles away who come for hand-dyed wools, distinctive quilting fabrics, and locally-crafted folk and primitive arts.  In addition to a full wall of rich cotton homespun, flannel and vibrantly colored wool, Liberty Cottage also sells supplies and tools for rug hooking, penny rugs, redwork, proddy and shirron rugs and many other handwork crafts.

You'll find hand-dyed wools for every project

Every nook and cranny is filled with charming primitive or folk art figurines, cloth dolls, punched tin decor, candles, quilted table runners and beautifully hand-woven baskets.  War Reenactors can also find hand-crafted garments in authentic fabrics.

The Primitive and Folk Art are created by Finger Lakes Artisans

Suzanne teaches two classes per week in her store including how to create penny rugs, log cabin quilt pillows and yo-yo runners as well as classes on redwork stitchery, needle felting and punch needle.  The class prices range from $5 plus the cost of materials, to $12, $15 and $20 if kit and supplies are included.  Many of the kits are Suzanne’s designs.

“I want visitors to feel at home,” remarks Suzanne.  “They’re always welcome to come and work in the store.”

Liberty Cottage is open Mon. 1p.m.-6 p.m., Tues. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wed. 9:30 a.m.-1p.m., Thurs. 9:30a.m.-5:30 p.m., Fri. 9:30a.m.-8p.m., Sat. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.  For more information, call (585) 393-1070.