Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with the HRM

Fifty years ago this week, 20 million Americans took to the streets across the United States in the first united effort to protest environmental degradation—the first celebration of Earth Day. While we may not be able to gather in person this year, the HRM is proud to provide free resources all week you can access from home to mark this historic anniversary of Earth Day. Celebrate, learn about, and become an advocate of the natural world with the Hudson River Museum!

Science & Nature Video
Take a virtual stroll with Bob Walters, former Director of Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Science Barge in Yonkers, along the banks of the Hudson River in springtime. In this video, he discusses the history and traditions of the indigenous Lenape people; folk singer and activist Pete Seeger’s many contributions to environmental awareness; ways people can contribute and clean up the environment, and what to plant to help our pollinators, the bees and Monarch butterflies, survive and thrive. The video, produced by Media Triangle/L. Brandon Krall, will be posted on the Science & Nature Projects page on at 10am.

Awesome Astronomy
Buckle up and get ready to head to the skies! For millennia, cultures have used the first sighting of the new crescent moon as a way to mark the first day of the month. Learn all about it by watching our latest video, The “Youngest” Moon. Fortunately, this new moon is so bright, you should be able to see it on April 23, 24, or 25 even if you live in the middle of the city. Then on Friday, April 24 at 4pm, join us for Awesome Astronomy LIVE (via Facebook live) and learn about current astronomy sights and news, including suggestions for activities you can do from your home. Led by Marc Taylor, Manager of Planetarium and Science Programs.

Art Project LIVE
Visual artists and writers have always used nature as inspiration for their works. Join us at 3pm for a live, interactive workshop to celebrate Earth Day, spring, and National Poetry Month! See a selection of HRM’s beautiful collections of landscape art, and then practice writing your own haiku, a traditional form of Japanese poetry that focuses on the natural world for its subjects. Led by Bridget McCormick, Manager of School Programs. Recommended for ages 6–18. Join the Zoom workshop here.

Art & Science Projects
The HRM is offering a series of new art activities for kids and their families in celebration of Earth Day including: Create Your Own Landscape and Landscape Haiku (ages 6–18), as well as science and nature projects The Best Nest and Create a Naturalist’s Journal (ages 4–11).

Hudson River Stories Films
Enjoy and learn from a series of short documentaries about the environmental risk and activism of the Hudson River: The Hudson: A River At Risk and Hope on the Hudson, produced by noted oceans expert, adventurer, and award-winning journalist Jon Bowermaster, Director & Executive Producer, Oceans 8 Films, with support from the One Ocean Media Foundation. These beautifully produced films have been screened in our Hudson Riverama environmental teaching gallery and are also available online.

#MuseumFromHome #EarthDay #EarthDay50