Coronavirus Update from Executive Director Jennifer Carlquist
Dear Boscobel members and supporters:
Winter is always a time of intense housekeeping at Boscobel House and Gardens; this year those efforts include new protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Most immediately, this means cancelling The Magic Lantern, originally scheduled for March 29. We intend to reschedule this program for later in 2020.
We feel very lucky to work in a beautiful, peaceful place, where most of our programs are either outdoors with ample fresh air or in the museum (where it is already standard practice not to touch anything but handrails!). That said, Boscobel is evaluating all of our facilities, programs, and staff activities to reduce every possible risk of exposure. Our dedicated maintenance team has stocked up on wipes, hand sanitizer, and gloves, and is increasing cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, bathrooms, kitchens, entrances/exits, handrails, etc.
We are encouraging everyone via on-site signage to practice healthy habits such as frequent and thorough handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or your elbow.
We’re closely watching and adhering to the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control, New York State Department of Health, and Putnam County Department of Health. We are reviewing all private and public programs scheduled for the next several weeks, and have already begun to modify or cancel those that pose potential risk. We have reached out to onsite partners to team up on preparedness efforts.
Most importantly, we are encouraging anyone—staff, guests, volunteers, vendors, and partners—to stay home if they have any reason to believe that they may be carrying a contagious virus.
As of today, Boscobel’s offices remain open and we plan to reopen the site to the public on Friday May 1, 2020 as scheduled. We will remain in close contact with members and program registrants, and announce any change via e-blast, website, and Facebook page should the situation require it.
Boscobel is known for the great beauty, stewardship, and interpretation of our iconic site and collections. We are so grateful to everyone who supports our work and this place—we need you. I look forward to welcoming everyone back to Boscobel as soon as we can safely do so.
With well wishes to all,
Jennifer Carlquist
Executive Director and Curator
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