Borscht Belt Museum Surprise Opening With Major Events Scheduled

The Borscht Belt Museum is reopening after taking a winter break.

This museum takes pride in maintaining a legacy of a special time and era of the Catskills area. The Borscht Belt Museum is a place where guests can learn about the Borscht Belt Region within Ulster County, NY.

The Borscht Belt Region was an escape, a place where friends, family and loved ones could spend time together.

This museum also explained that those who visited this area would look forward to taking in summertime in the Hudson Valley with fresh food and clean air.

What Was Life Like In The Borscht Belt Region In The Past?

The Borscht Belt Museum shared,

"For generations of Jews in the New York metropolitan area, there was no doubt about the location of those “mountains.”

The Borscht Belt Museum does a great job of explaining the era, people who visited the idea and how it appeared in the past.

They explained,

"From the turn of the 20th century to the 1970s, more than 1,000 hotels, bungalow colonies, summer camps and boarding houses dotted the Catskill Mountains of southern New York"

While some visitors or residents may also know this area or region as The Mountain, Jewish Alps or Solomon County.

Overall, the Borscht Belt was a name that most people recognized and continue to remember the most.

Borscht Belt Museum Used Their Winter Break To Plan Exciting Events For 2024

Canva, Allison Kay

I was excited to visit the Borscht Belt Museum in Ellenville, NY. Upon my first arrival, I instantly laughed at a sign outside that stated "Come in and schmooze, free admission".

I enjoyed learning about the Borscht Belt region and seeing props, items and pieces of the past which were from residents who once lived in the Borscht Belt area in the past.

This fun, pop up museum is astonishing, it's filled with pictures and hand written stories of those who have a deep connection to the Borscht Belt region and that time period.

During my visit to the Borscht Belt Museum, I was informed that it is a pop-up for now and that they will continue to change the setup until the official opening in 2025.

On November 19, 2023, the Borscht Belt Museum made a post on social media about how they were temporarily closing for the winter months. Thankfully, this museum has made an announcement of when they will re-open in April of 2024.

They also have events lined up for 2024.

What New Events Will Take Place With The Borscht Belt Museum In 2024?

Canva, Instagram, Borscht Belt Museum

The Borsch Belt Museum has events planned for 2024. Most importantly, the Borscht Belt Fest will take place once again.

The Borscht Belt Fest will happen in downtown Ellenville, NY on Saturday, July 27, 2024, and Sunday, July 28, 2024. Guests can look forward to two days of fun, entertainment, food and more.

Along with the Borscht Belt Fest planned, they added a fun, new and exciting series that allows the community to laugh and connect with one another.

An Ulster County, NY Spot Is The Latest Hudson Valley Comedy Hub

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The Borscht Belt Museum is starting something new. They will be hosting their "first Borscht Belt night of comedy".

The Borscht Belt Museum is "Bringing stand-up back to the Catskills!" with New York Comedy Club.

This took place on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Shadowland Stages in Ellenville, NY. This event featured Rachel Williams, Eitan Levine, Jesse Eigner, and Michael Hirsch.

As I followed the Borscht Belt Museum on their fascinating journey, I noticed that they only had a 7pm slot for this event. I later saw that they added a 9pm spot as well due to the previous one being completely sold out.

This success from this event must have drawn in another show to come.

Another Round Of Borscht Belt Comedy Is Scheduled To Take Place In April 2024

Canva, Borscht Belt Museum

Guests can get ready to laugh with more comedy shows from the Borscht Belt Museum.

On Saturday April 27, 2024 at 7pm, locals and visitors can enjoy this night of stand up comedy. This will take place at Shadowland Stages on Market Street in Ellenville, NY.

Christian Finnegan will headline the show featuring Anddy Egan-Thorpe, David Lonstein and Alejandro Morales.General Admission is $25 with a $3 fee and this event is for ages 16+ or 13+ with a guardian.

Additional information can be found on the Borscht Belt Museum's website.

When Will The Borscht Belt Museum Reopen In April Of 2024?

Canva, Allison Kay

Surprise! I received an email from the Borscht Belt Museum with great news. They will reopen on April 4, 2024.

Their spring hours are Thursday through Sunday from 12pm until 5pm. Those who are interested in becoming a museum volunteer can contact the Borscht Belt Museum.

Have you ever been to the Borscht Belt Museum before? Will you visit it or any of their upcoming events? Share more with me below.

Borscht Belt Museum

90 Canal St, Ellenville, NY 12428

Sneak Peek at Highly Anticipated Hudson Valley Museum

A New Museum Will Open In The Catskills Featuring Hollywood's Biggest Stars

The Borscht Belt Museum will open in Ulster County,NY. This allows for the history of the Borscht Belt to carry on in the Hudson Valley.

While celebrities in the past visited the Borscht Belt region, there will be more involved in the community when this museum opens in 2025.

Fran Drescher And Fellow Celebrities Will Sit On A Hudson Valley Museum Board

Fran Drescher is a celebrity that almost everyone likes. Known for her role as Fran Fine in The Nanny, the world couldn't help but laugh at her jokes, statements, and relatable interactions with other members of the show.

According to Yahoo News,

Fran Drescher isn't the only celebrity who will be in the Catskills.

"The museum’s list of advisory board members includes Fran Drescher, Harvey Fierstein, Judd Hirsch, Robert Klein and Richard Lewis — a fitting cast for a place where some of the nation’s top comedians got their start."

Have You Ever Heard Of The Borscht Belt?

According to Borscht Belt Museum.org,

"For generations of Jews in the New York metropolitan area, there was no doubt about the location of those “mountains.” Less than 100 miles from the cramped, sweltering tenements of Manhattan’s Lower East Side was a lush patchwork of forests, farms and bustling rural towns that hosted a summertime population of nearly a million urban strivers hungry for the clean air, fresh food and familiar camaraderie that even a garment worker or cab driver could afford."

Spending the summer in the Catskills sounds ideal.

"From the turn of the 20th century to the 1970s, more than 1,000 hotels, bungalow colonies, summer camps and boarding houses dotted the Catskill Mountains of southern New York. At first they came by train, and later, by bus and car along The Quickway, now known as Route 17."

Some may know this area or region to be called Solomon County, Jewish Alps or The Mountains. The Borscht Belt was also another term that most people remember the most.

How Can You Visit The Borscht Belt Museum In Ellenville, NY?

I took a day trip to the Borscht Belt Museum in Ellenville, NY. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a humorous sign stating "Come in and schmooze, free admission".

When I entered the museum, I was greeted by a volunteer. I was able to walk around and see memorabilia from the different resorts of the Borscht Belt region and community.

I was also told that this museum is a pop up for now, they will continue to change the set up as well. 2025 marks the year that the Borscht Belt Museum will officially open.

Gallery Credit: Allison Kay