Twilight Tasting History Cruises Take Place Aboard Solaris
KINGSTON, N.Y. – The Hudson River Maritime Museum is announcing a new cruise, the “Twilight Tasting History Cruises”. This tour and tasting cruise takes place on Fridays evenings, aboard Solaris, the museum’s 100% solar-powered tour boat. Featuring a rotating slate of Hudson Valley treats, guests taste samples of a variety of locally-produced foods, learn from a food historian, and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of the Hudson River at sunset.
Tastings include heirloom apples, cheese, chocolate, booze & Prohibition, and honey. Each cruise will focus on a particular topic with a discussion of local history and a tasting of related foods from local purveyors and producers.
Tickets are $45 for adults and $42 for seniors. The cruise includes the tasting, sparkling water, and tasting notecards. Seating is limited to only 16 guests per cruise. Guests are welcome to bring their own beverage for the cruise. Tickets and more information available at www.hrmm.org/tasting-history.
The tour and tasting is hosted by Sarah Wassberg Johnson, Director of Exhibits & Outreach at the Hudson River Maritime Museum. She is also a food historian who has been featured on The History Channel’s “The Food That Built America” and in documentary films, on radio and podcasts, and publications such as NPR, The Atlantic, CNN, Gastro Obscura, and more. You can find her work and more at www.thefoodhistorian.com.
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related communities. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Wooden Boat School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard its floating classroom, Solaris. The museum is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. Visit www.hrmm.org for more information.
TOUR DATES INCLUDE:
APPLE TASTING
The Esopus Spitzenburg was Thomas Jefferson’s favorite. Millions were grown here, in hundreds of varieties, and shipped as far away as Germany. Even today apple orchards dot the banks of the Hudson River. Learn about why Americans eat so many apples, why New York was and still is one of the world’s biggest producers, and how American apple pie is really Dutch New York apple pie. Taste local heirloom apples and learn their individual stories.
BOOZE & PROHIBITION
In 1920, Congress passed the 18th Amendment, banning the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States. But that didn’t mean people stopped drinking. Learn about the connection between alcohol and crime in the Hudson Valley and how people kept manufacturing - and drinking - alcohol until the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition in 1933. Try samples from local breweries/distilleries/cideries and enjoy with cheese and crackers.
CHEESE TASTING
New York Cheddar, Velveeta, Liederkranz - what do all these cheeses have in common? They were all invented in New York. Learn about why New York has such a large dairy industry and its connection to cheese in the Hudson Valley. Taste and compare local and historic cheeses.
CHOCOLATE TASTING
A Jewish family helped bring chocolate to New York in the early 18th century. Soon, everyone was drinking it (yes, drinking it). Chocolate production has a long history in the Hudson Valley, and New York City was a hub for Atlantic trade and sugar refineries. Learn all about America’s favorite flavor and its Hudson Valley connections. Taste samples from local chocolate purveyors
HONEY TASTING
Bees are essential pollinators for thousands of Hudson Valley farms and orchards, but did you know that honeybees are not native to the United States? Learn about the history of honey from ancient times to the present and beekeeping in the Hudson Valley. Try a variety of different honeys with bread and butter.