Each season, Greenwood offers a wide range of on-site programs intended to inform and entertain. You won’t want to miss our special guided tours, engaging lectures, interesting workshops, uplifting musical events, and more.
An Evening of Arias gives listeners the chance to experience the beauty of opera and watch the next generation of classical singers in action. Princeton University students in the Princeton Opera Company, Princeton’s student-run opera organization, will perform a curated program of arias from selected operas and art songs, presenting an exciting variety of classical music. Throughout the night, audience members will learn firsthand what makes each piece unique and how the performers personally connect to the music. Revel in the music of opera and join the Princeton Opera Company for a memorable evening!
$50 members; $55 non-members
Open to 90 participants
With Dave Hall, Naturalist, New Jersey Audubon
Immerse yourself in nature on a guided walk through the garden with avian expert Dave Hall. Discover the diverse bird species that frequent Greenwood’s tranquil woodlands and the surrounding 2,100 acres of protected parkland in South Mountain Reservation. Whether you are a seasoned birdwatcher or simply curious, this is a unique opportunity to learn more about the feathered visitors that call this area home. Photo credit: Chris Neff, NJ Audubon
$15 per person
Open to 15 participants
With Nate Adamson, Senior Gardener, Greenwood Gardens
Enjoy the crisp air of autumn on a guided garden walk surrounded by fall foliage. Learn essential tips for preparing your garden for the colder months, including fall planting, proper pruning techniques, and overwintering strategies. Whether you are tending to a large landscape or a small backyard bed, you will leave with practical knowledge to carry your garden through the seasons.
$15 members; $20 non-members
Open to 15 participants
This one-hour, docent-led tour highlights the history, landscape, horticulture, and architecture of Greenwood.
Complimentary and open to 15 members per tour
Join fellow artists for a day of creativity in the open air! Whether you paint, sketch, photograph, or journal, all en plein air enthusiasts – beginner to experienced – are welcome to explore and capture the beauty of Greenwood’s historic gardens. Bring your preferred media – watercolor, pastel, pen and ink, or camera – and find inspiration in our century-old landscape, complete with enchanting views, Arts & Crafts follies, and elegant fountains.
Please note:
*Easels and tripods are permitted (please avoid placing them in planted beds or blocking pathways)
*Drop cloths are required for painting
$10 members; $15 non-members
Open to 25 participants, including five dedicated spots for oil painters
With Carl Klemme, Owner, Glow Yoga
Join this 30-year plus mindfulness expert as he guides you on a walk to cultivate balance, energy, and inner calm. Be immersed in the sight and sound of our newly restored Cascade. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking and meditating in the garden. Beginner to advanced welcome.
$15 members; $20 non-members
Open to 18 participants
With Ian Wardropper, Retired Director, Frick Museum
From modest origins in western Pennsylvania, Henry Clay Frick rose to become a titan of industry. This lecture traces his art collecting, beginning with contemporary art in Pittsburgh, through his ascendency to being one of the foremost collectors of Old Master art in the world. His houses, notably, the Frick mansion in New York, inspired Frick to ever higher ambitions in assembling his famous collection.
$30 members; $35 non-members
Book Pre-order; Price to be announced
Open to 30 attendees
No experience is necessary for this fun and creative session! Bring your own pumpkin or choose one of ours, and we will provide all the florals and greenery you will need to design a stunning seasonal centerpiece — one to rival your Thanksgiving turkey! Enjoy a cup of warm cider as we create beautiful pumpkin masterpieces together.
$40 members; $45 non-members
Open to 15 participants
With Jana Milbocker, Author, Gardens of the Gilded Age
The Gilded Age is famous for its ornate mansions and grand gardens built by the Roosevelts, Vanderbilts, and du Ponts. Created by the most esteemed designers of the day and filled with water features, statuary and rare plants, these lavish landscapes gave birth to the Golden Age of American Gardens. Transport yourself back to the Gilded Age with an armchair tour of the gardens of the Newport Mansions, Vanderbilt Estate, Vizcaya, Untermyer Gardens, Nemours, Pleasant Days, and others!
$30 members; $35 non-members
Book pre-order; $40
Open to 30 attendees
With Patti Manzi, Moderator and Greenwood Advisory Board Member
Enjoy a guided discussion of a pre-selected book with a theme reflective of one or more aspects of Greenwood’s focus on nature, beauty, and history. Light refreshments will be served. The Book Group at Greenwood Gardens meets quarterly. Book to be determined.
Complimentary and open to 16 members
With Carl Woodward, Greenwood Trustee and Avid Birdwatcher
Join us for the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), the world’s longest-running citizen science survey, organized by the National Audubon Society. Greenwood is proud to participate for the sixth consecutive year as part of the Watchung Ridge Count. Led by Greenwood Trustee and passionate birder, Carl Woodward, we will explore the grounds in search of the bird species that winter here. Our sightings will contribute to the official North American bird census, supporting vital conservation efforts. Help us make a meaningful contribution to this important conservation initiative!
What to Bring and Know:
Meet at the Cottage Parking Lot at 11:45 a.m.
Dress warmly with sturdy, insulated footwear and good gloves
Bring binoculars and bird field guides (if you have them)
Cameras are welcome
Some birding knowledge is helpful but not required
Takes place rain or shine, and is focused on group participation
Free and open to 25 participants
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