The Borscht Belt Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Catskills resort era, and celebrating its history as a refuge from bigotry, the cradle of stand-up comedy and a cultural catalyst that changed America.

Events

  • Uproarious Comedy, One Night Only

    Saturday May 17, 2025 at 7 PM

    This month, we’re proud to welcome stellar comedians Darryl Charles and Eddie Liles to the stage, here in the historical hotbed of standup entertainment. Ellenville native Alejandro Morales is your host.

    Darryl Charles was an engineer before turning to the world of comedy. His 1st album, ‘Black Gentrifier’, debuted at No. 3 on the iTunes Comedy Chart. Darryl is also co-host of DTF: The Darryl & Timaree Fun Hour, the greatest sex-ed, comedy, game show and podcast in the known universe!

    Eddie Liles is a regular feature performer for Tony Woods and has opened for Dave Chappelle, David Keochner, Tim Dillan, Joe Clair, Rich Vos, and many others. He is also a co-host of the podcast "I'ma Get In Trouble.” Standing 6'5" and 300lbs, Eddie will not let you forget him, and his laugh is infectious and genuine.

    GET TICKETS HERE

  • We're Coming to Houston!

    Saturday, June 21 & Sunday, June 22 at 5 PM

    Kenny & Ziggy’s Delicatessen, Restaurant & Bakery, 1743 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX

    Please join us at the iconic Kenny & Ziggy’s for evening of nostalgia, laugher and enough food to make you plotz. The one-and-only Ziggy Gruber is your host.

    We’ll also be screening the acclaimed new documentary “The Catskills” by director Lex Gillespie.

    Did we mention prizes?

    It will be a ridiculously fun evening, and all proceeds benefit the Borscht Belt Museum.

    Oh, and the price of the ticket is 100% tax deductible!

    BUY TICKETS HERE

We’re Open!

Early Spring Hours: Friday to Sunday

12 pm - 5 pm

Summer Hours start May 16

Tuesday to Sunday

11 am - 5 pm
Closed Mondays

90 Canal St., Ellenville, NY
Admission: $15 for adults
$5 for Wawarsing/Ellenville residents

Free: 18 and under.

Questions? Email info@borschtbeltmuseum.org or call 845-879-3561.

 

The Borscht Belt Resort Era

For much of the 20th century, urban dwellers, many of them Jews, migrated en masse each summer to the Catskill mountains 90 miles north of New York City. They were seeking escape from the pestilence and sweltering tenements of the city, but also from rampant antisemitism that barred Jews from most hotels.

The vacation world they created included nearly 1,000 resorts, bungalow colonies and boarding houses, and a vibrant nightlife that drew the nation’s top entertainers — and a parade of sports figures, political leaders and civil rights activists.

Keep in Touch!

Engaging, Interactive, Educational

The Borscht Belt Museum occupies the historic Home National Bank, a 1928 Neo-Georgian gem that has strong links to the Borscht Belt era. The Home National Bank was one of the few financial institutions willing to lend to the region's Jewish hoteliers and bungalow colony owners in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

Actor and comedian Danny Kaye with resort owner Jennie Grossinger.

Boxer Floyd Patterson trains at Kutsher’s for a title fight.

President Lyndon B. Johnson meets Homowack Lodge owners Irv and Florence Blickstein during a visit to the Catskills in 1966.