7 PM | Catskills Romance: Love & Desire in the Borscht Belt
Catskills Romance: Love & Desire in the Borscht Belt
Grand Opening Reception
Saturday, June 27 | 7:00 PM
RSVP Here.
The Evening’s Highlights
Honored Guest: Corey Rosen We are thrilled to welcome The Moth’s Corey Rosen as our Honored Guest. Fresh from his afternoon storytelling workshop, Corey will join us to toast the grand hotels, the bungalow colonies, and the countless matches made within them.
Live Music by The Starlight Duo Sway to the mid-century sounds that filled the grand resort ballrooms. From Mambo rhythms to the romantic standards of the Champagne Hour, the Starlight Duo provides the perfect soundtrack for a night of dancing and nostalgia.
Refreshments & Socializing Enjoy a curated selection of refreshments as you mingle with fellow guests, historians, and the museum community.
About the Exhibition
Curated by Mackensie Griffin and Cristian Petru Panaite
Catskills Romance: Love & Desire in the Borscht Belt traces the relationships—both conventional and otherwise—that defined the era. Beyond the nostalgia, the exhibit uncovers complex narratives of hidden desire, lost innocence, and the enduring memories carried home long after the season ended.
Explore the Rituals of Courtship:
The Masterminds: Celebrate the resort owners, tummlers (social directors), and dance instructors who acted as the era's ultimate matchmakers.
The Iconic Scenes: Revisit the poolside rituals, the high-stakes Mambo nights, and the world-class entertainment that made the resorts irresistible.
Rare Artifacts: View vintage photography, rare artifacts, and oral histories that bring the "secret history" of the Catskills to life.