Programs – August & September

Program Calendar – August & September

August 2023

Presentation and Docent-led History Ramble

Saturday, August 12
10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.

Gain an understanding about the garden’s evolution during the short slide presentation, From Pleasant Days to Greenwood, a Century of Change in the Garden, narrated by Executive Director, Abby O’Neill.  Then join a 45-minute guided walking tour of the grounds led by our volunteer docents who will share details about the site’s history, landscape, and architecture.  In the process, participants will learn about the impact two families – the Days and the Blanchards – had on the property and how their efforts set the stage for the Greenwood of today.  The tour ends with discussion time and Q & A session.

Open to 30 participants.
$15 members; $20 non-members.

Register

Creative Arts Day in the Garden

En Plein Air Painting, Sketching, and Photography for Enthusiasts

Wednesday, August 16
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Whatever your preferred mode of creating art, en plein air artists of all skill levels are invited to practice at Greenwood on this day. Watercolors, pastels, pen and ink, photography, sketching, and journaling are welcome. Our century-old site offers magical views, iconic Arts & Crafts follies, stately fountains, and ample space in which to feel at home. What’s more, you might meet up with a skilled photographer for a mini-workshop, a professional botanic artist who can provide some special tips, or former students of our beloved Co-founder, the late Peter P. Blanchard III, who can share the special methodologies and principals he developed over his lifetime growing up on the estate. Artist easels and tripods are permitted provided they are not placed in the planted beds and pathways are not blocked. Drop cloths required for painting.

$10 members; $15 non-members.

Register

Arts and Architecture Walk

Thursday, August 24
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

In this fascinating walk through the garden and the Main House, you will learn about the relevance of such unique terms and names as “whale-back,” “Rookwood,” and “Della Robbia.” Discover the difference between the three homes that have graced the property, hear about the history of the site’s iconic structures, and even find hidden ceramics. A tour of the first floor of the Main House includes a discussion of the hand-painted Zuber wallpaper mural and interior art pieces original to the home.

Open to 15 participants.
$10 members; $15 non-members.

Register

September 2023

Bird Walk

Thursday, September 7
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Immerse yourself in nature as you venture into the garden with New Jersey Audubon Naturalist, Dave Hall. This avian expert will talk about the varied species of birds that visit Greenwood’s peaceful woodlands and the surrounding 2,100 acres of South Mountain Reservation’s protected parkland. End the morning with refreshments at the gift shop.

Open to 15 participants.
$15 per person.

Register

Music in the Garden Concert Series

New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players

Friday, September 8
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Stone Mountain Properties

Join us for the third in a series of three intimate outdoor concerts featuring music through the ages, including tonight’s special focus on classical chamber music, courtesy of the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players, who will perform and also provide insight into the music and their lives as professional musicians.  Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to stroll through the garden before the concert begins at 6:30 p.m. Wine and cheese will be served under the tent on the West Terrace starting at 6:00 p.m. This will be a magical evening!

Open to 90 attendees.
$30 members; $35 non-members.

Register

For Members

The Book Group at Greenwood Gardens

Tuesday, September 12
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Enjoy a guided discussion of a preselected book led by Greenwood Advisory Board member and Short Hills resident, Patti Manzi.  Light refreshments will be served. The Book Group at Greenwood Gardens meets quarterly. Book to be determined.

Open to 16 members. Free to members.

Register

Native Plant Walk

Wednesday, September 13  10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Join Sonia Uyterhoeven, Head of Horticulture, on a walk highlighting many of Greenwood’s favorite native plants and delightful plant combinations in the garden. Natives are integrated throughout our borders as a means of attracting pollinators and showcasing sustainable designs that are both robust and elegant.

Open to 15 participants;
$10 members; $15 non-members.

Register

Twilight History and House Tour

Tuesday, September 19
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy this rare opportunity to tour the first floor of the 1950s Main House, followed by a rambling walk through the 1920s property at twilight, a magical time in the garden. A special bonus:  experience the drama of the Main Axis illuminated!

Open to 15 participants.
$15 members; $20 non-members.

Register

Experience Tai Chi in the Garden

Thursday, September 21
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

with Carl Klemme, QiGong Practitioner, Glow Yoga Center
Lean into the ancient Chinese technique of Tai Chi, a graceful form of exercise, akin to meditation in motion, through which various self-defense forms are strung together in a fluid, slow-motion sequence. The result is a quieter mind, reduced stress and improved balance, posture, and strength. Surrounded by the beauty of Greenwood Gardens, Carl, an experienced instructor, will demonstrate a variety of short Tai Chi flows that you can enjoy practicing at home.

Open to 15 participants.
$15 members; $20 non-members.

Register

Peter P. Blanchard III Lecture Series

Gardening Can Be Murder!

Thursday, September 28
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

with Marta McDowell

Reading a murder mystery is a bit like working in the garden! It starts with tangled chaos and ends, at least for a moment, in an ordered universe. Plants, gardens, gardeners, and various garden tools have made frequent appearances in crime fiction, from classic to contemporary. Come sleuth out the genre’s horticultural connections with author Marta McDowell as she shares her latest book, Gardening Can Be Murder.

Open to 50 attendees.
$20 members; $25 non-members.

Register

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