Roberson Museum and Science Center, in partnership with award-winning Binghamton Playwright Laura Cunningham and Southern Tier Actors Read (S.T.A.R.) co-founder Judy McMahon, has announced details of “Apron Strings,” a new theatrical production inspired by Roberson’s newest exhibition, The Civil War. 

Laura Cunningham has written the play “Apron Strings,” drawing on various characters and events described in Roberson’s The Civil War exhibition.  The play features four soldiers and a drummer boy who are returning from the Civil War to their homes in Broome County, and another man, Samuel, who is en route to Syracuse, New York. The six all served together in the Union Army.  The story twists and turns as these characters travel in a freight compartment of the Erie Railway.

With “Apron Strings” Roberson is blending exhibition skills with performance artistry to bring extraordinary creativity to storytelling.  Roberson’s Executive Director Terry McDonald calls it a partnership of museum and acting talents that brings the past to life.

The play features seven local actors and will be performed in the Roberson Mansion ballroom under the direction of Judy McMahon.  A custom stage is being designed and built for the production by Roberson’s exhibition team.

There will be four performances of “Apron Strings” with opening night on Thursday, February 23 at 7:30pm.  The performance schedule is as follows:

Thursday, February 23 – 7:30pm

Friday, February 24 – 7:30pm

Saturday, February 25 – 7:30pm

Sunday, February 26 – 2:00pm

Tickets for “Apron Strings” are $8 for Roberson Members and $10 for non-members.  Tickets are available now at Roberson, online by CLICKING HERE or by calling 772-0660.

                                                      “Apron Strings” is sponsored by

Funding for Roberson is provided, in part, by general operating support grants from the United Cultural Fund, a program of the Broome County Arts Council, the Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Roberson Hosting Model Train and Doll Fair

Annual Event features regional collectors, great displays and plenty of items to buy, sell and trade!

Roberson Museum and Science Center will host Greater Binghamton’s largest train and doll fair on Sunday, January 8 from 9am – 3pm.  This year’s event features Roberson’s expanded model train layout now located on the first floor of the museum.  There’s even an opportunity to buy “real estate” on Roberson’s new layout.    

Visitors to the Model Train and Doll Fair can explore a variety of displays throughout the museum and Roberson mansion.  The event offers a great opportunity to meet dozens of local train and doll hobbyists while discovering new ideas to enhance personal collections. 

The fair highlights two great hobbies and visitors are encouraged to bring items from home to buy, sell or trade with the various vendors!

Roberson is also holding a raffle for a Thomas Kinkade Christmas Express Train during the event.

ROBERSON’S ANNUAL MODEL TRAIN AND DOLL FAIR

When:           Sunday, January 8, 9am – 3pm

Where:          Roberson Museum and Science Center

Admission:   Adults $5

                           Seniors/Students $4

                           Roberson Members and Children under 5 Free

Roberson’s Annual Model Train and Doll Fair is sponsored by Woodland Scenics, Village Train & Hobby, Cool 100 and News Radio WEBO.

Santa to Visit Home for the Holidays at Roberson This Saturday

Roberson Museum and Science Center is excited to host Santa Claus and a couple of his helpers as part of this weekend’s Home for the Holidays festivities with a special visit on Saturday, December 17 from 12 – 2pm. 

Kids can share with Santa what’s on their wish list during his visit to the Mansion Ballroom Saturday.  Santa will be greeting visitors, handing out holiday candy and posing for pictures.  Guests are encouraged to bring their cameras and cell phones to capture the moment. 

The visit from Santa highlights a weekend full of Home for the Holidays activities at Roberson.  All activities and performances are included with general admission to Roberson.

The following is the list of various activities happening this weekend for Home for the Holidays at Roberson.

Saturday, December 17

Santa Visits the Mansion Ballroom 12-2pm

Teen Opera of the Southern Tier performs on Mansion’s first floor 1-2pm

Traditional Christmas Music by Elizabeth Crew and Mark Scudder on Museum’s second floor 1-4:30pm

Sidewalk Astronomy from Kopernik Observatory 1-4pm

First Baptist Church of Maine Choir performs in Visitor Center 1-3pm

Irene Martin plays Holiday Favorites on Mansion piano 2-4:30pm

Sunday, December 18

Mansion Tours 12:30-3:30pm

Holiday Crafts 12:30-3:30pm

“Simple Gifts” Recorder and Classical Guitar performs 1-2pm

Sidewalk Astronomy from Kopernik Observatory 1-4pm

Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church Choir sings in Visitor Center 1-2pm

German-American Club Choir of Binghamton will be providing roaming performances 2-3pm

Recorder Ensemble entertains in Mansion 2-3:30pm

Roberson is open 11am-5pm Saturday and Sunday.  General admission to Home for the Holidays is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors.  Roberson Members and children 4 and under are free. 

Home for the Holidays is on display through January 1.

The Historic Roberson Mansion will play host to a masquerade ball and cocktail party that will be the perfect end to 2011 while kicking off 2012 in elegance in style. Evening wear and masks are requested for a celebration that will continue until 2am on January 1, 2012.

Guests at Masquerade in the Mansion will enjoy the celebration on multiple floors of the Roberson Mansion including live music, dancing in the newly restored ballroom, entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, the Home for the Holidays displays, a champagne toast, bar service provided by Terra Cotta and much more. Tickets are just $35.

THE MANSION
Wander this gorgeous, historic space with your friends and take the opportunity to photograph your costumed companions in the perfect atmosphere.

DOWNSTAIRS
The Ayana D Project keeps the cocktail conversation lively with an upbeat jazz quartet in the Mansion Library.

UPSTAIRS
DJ FroZone spins Top 40, Retro, and all things fun in the newly renovated grand ballroom.

THE MASQUERADE ROOM
Local Masquerade Artisan E.L. Downey provides an elegant array of designs to compliment any attire. Masks ranging in price from $5 – $500 and professional fine face and body painting starting at $10. A portion of proceeds collected by E.L. Downey to benefit Roberson.

COCKTAIL LOUNGE AND BALLROOM BAR
Enjoy two cash bars stocked with Terra Cotta’s selection of liquors and experienced bartenders.
The New Year’s Eve Celebration is the official launch party for BingSpot.com and is a fundraising benefit for Roberson Museum and Science Center.

Roberson IS Home for the Holidays

It’s FUN, it’s MAGIC, it’s a COMMUNITY TRADITION

The lights, the trees, the celebration!  Roberson Museum and Science Center  IS  Home for the Holidays. 

Each year Home for the Holidays at Roberson welcomes thousands of visitors who discover the wonders of holiday traditions and explore celebrations from around the world.

Home for the Holidays officially opens to the public on Friday, November 25 at 11am.  From November 25 until January 1, Roberson is open 7 days a week with extended hours of 11-5 Saturday through Thursday, and Fridays 11-9.

Community members, volunteers, local businesses and Roberson staff members have beautifully decorated the Museum and Roberson Mansion.  The dazzling displays throughout the mansion and museum will all be made even more fun by the presence of music, dance and interactive activities for families.

Below is the schedule for the opening week of Home for the Holidays 2011.  A complete listing of Home for the Holidays events can be found by CLICKING HERE

Wednesday, November 23

Open 12-3pm

Closed Thanksgiving Day

Friday, November 25

Open 11am-9pm

Roberson officially opens extended Home for the Holidays hours at 11am featuring dancers, musicians, Digital Planetarium shows and crafts activities.