GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — The Time and the Valleys Museum, on State Rte. 55, will open for the season on Memorial Day weekend—Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Current exhibitions include:

• “Water and the Valleys,” covering the history of the Rondout and Neversink watershed area from early geological times to the 20th century. This exhibition includes a section on the Lenape Native Americans, early area settlers, farming, local industries and more.  
• “Tunnels, Toil and Trouble: New York City’s Quest for Water and the Rondout-Neversink Story” is about the New York City water supply system and the towns that were removed to build the system. It includes the city’s need for water and the heartache of the people who had to give up their homes, as well as how the complex system was built. 
• “1930s Catskill Family Farm” is an outdoor, open air experience with several early farm buildings. The exhibit illustrates life on a Catskill family farm during the 1930s, and how that farm is about to be removed for the building of a reservoir. The buildings include a farmhouse, an 1870s barn, an electric plant, a milk house, an outhouse and a workshop with a working waterwheel.
• “Bittersweet Memories: Lost Towns of the Catskill Watersheds” was created by 19 local artists. It’s a mixed-media art exhibition of the buildings and homes taken for New York City’s water system in the Catskills. The exhibit includes stories, photos and information about the people whose lives were forever changed when they were forced to move from their homes. There is an augmented-reality overlay to the exhibition, so bring your smartphones to see the artwork come to life and hear the voices tell their stories.  

At 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, the museum will hold a remembrance for long-time volunteer and trustee Elise Hornbeck, honoring her contributions to the museum.

The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. through September or by appointment. 

Adult admission is a suggested donation of $5, for children under age 16, the cost is $2 and there is no charge for children under age six. There is no charge for museum members.

Admission is also free to active duty military members (with ID) and up to five family members through the Blue Star Museum program.  

For more information, call 845/985-7700, email info@timeandthevalleysmuseum.org or visit www.timeandthevalleysmuseum.org. Volunteers are always welcome and needed. Email or call for more information.