The Leatherstocking region is slowly waking from a long, winter slumber and the areas noteworthy rolling hills will soon be adorned in an emerald blanket. After a winter that tested our commitment to Upstate New York, we could not be happier to welcome spring! As the crocuses begin to peek out from beneath the snow, a quiet bustle brings Cooperstown back to life. The song birds are back in town, beckoning spring with each tune, and it’s only a matter of time before the local children crowd the streets in a pick-up game of baseball.
This week marks the official end of winter here in Cooperstown, as the museums put the finishing touches on their new exhibits and get ready to welcome history buffs, art critics and baseball fanatics alike. Don’t be fooled by the lingering snow in town, spring is here to stay!
Another benefit of visiting beautiful Cooperstown before the season starts? All the local attractions are in full swing! Have a picnic at the new amphitheater behind the Fenimore Art Museum overlooking magnificent Lake Otsego (my favorite view in Cooperstown!). Drop in at Doubleday Field and watch a baseball game or sit out on one of our private porches and listen to the crowds cheer at Doubleday as the batter hits it out of the park. The area is overflowing with special events to welcome guests before the summer begins. Each museum features a Spring Gala or limited time exhibits to start the new season and here are the ones we think you should know about:
1. The Fenimore Art Museum’s NYSHA Members Spring Reception: Friday, April 10th
Join those who support the wide variety of fine arts and culture in Cooperstown for an evening of Hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, live jazz music and yes, of course, art. What better way to begin the season?
2. Hank Aaron Day at the Hall of Fame: Wednesday, April 8th
Visitors to the museum can celebrate the anniversary of Hank Aaron’s Home Run by attending a special guided tour of Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream on the 3rd floor of the museum.
3. “Our American Cousin” at the Fenimore Art Museum: Tuesday, April 14th
Watch the play President Lincoln was watching before he was murdered. The first act is the actual play itself, and the second act will portray the events following Lincoln’s assassination. This special event adds depth to the Fenimore’s exhibit on Lincoln’s autopsy.
4. Jackie Robinson Day at the Hall of Fame: Wednesday, April 15th
Celebrate the courage and legacy of Jack Roosevelt Robinson at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. We will honor the great Brooklyn Dodger with guided tours of our Pride and Passion exhibit, a screening of the movie “42″ in the Bullpen Theater, as well as story time programs for young children.
5. Cooperstown Summer Music Festival Spring Preview: Sunday, April 26th
Join us in the great artistic voyage of Romanticism, an exploration of revolution and evolution from the groundbreaking imagination of Beethoven in the early 19th century to Reinecke’s poetic depiction of the water sprite Undine to the 20th-century culmination of Romanticism in the lush music of Rachmaninoff. The concert will be held at The Otesaga Resort.
6. Hyde Hall Garden Party: Saturday, May 9th
This Victorian Era Garden Party is sure to please! Hosted at Hyde Hall, a 200-year old English-style country mansion with sweeping vistas of Lake Otesgo, the Garden Party is complete with tea and sweets in the drawing room, live music, maypole dancing and croquet on the lawn. This event is free and open to the public.
If this isn’t enough to get you excited about spring in Cooperstown, visit our website and take a look at our event calendar which features something for everyone. As summer approaches, now is also the time to line up your tickets for the Hall of Fame’s Classic Weekend, the summer concerts at Brewery Ommegang, Belgium Comes to Cooperstown (the ULTIMATE Belgian Beer Fest at Ommegang in August), The Glimmerglass Opera and the Cooperstown Summer Concert Series.
Need help deciding what to see and do? Let our expert concierge help you plan an unforgettable trip to Cooperstown! Just call us at 607.547.7225 and we’ll take care of the rest!
Visit www.landmarkinncooperstown.com for more information on the Landmark Inn, rooms & rates, and upcoming events!