Calendar

Looking for a fun way to nurture your child’s appreciation for the natural world? Check out one of our Exploration Backpacks which contain all the essential tools for hands-on discovery. Suggested for ages 5 to 10, the adventure is intended to take between 1- 2 hours. Packs can be checked out from The Museum Store: $5 with admission. Questions? Pease contact Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or stephanie@hildene.org.

Hildene Members are invited to meet at the Welcome Center, Fridays at 9am, through November 18, for a morning walk on the trails. Route varies but plan for 50 minutes to 1 hour, and approximately 3 miles. Enjoy the company of friends and neighbors while exploring Hildene's 412 acres and 12 miles of walking trails, through meadows, woods and wetlands, around gardens and farms. The Hildene Member family welcomes you! Drop-ins welcome. Questions: Nan Bambara, Advancement Director: nan@hildene.org

Wagon Rides, Sundays, Sept. 4 - Oct. 23, 1:00-3:00pm, by appointment. Join farm manager-educators Ann and Kim for a wagon ride exploration of Hildene Farm. Learn about diverse natural and cultivated ecosystems and sustainable farming. Swing by the greenhouse, hayfields, orchard, wetland overlook, compost facility, apiary, animal barn (including alpaca, Randall cattle, pigs, sheep, rabbits and chickens), and vegetable and flower gardens. Preregistration required at least 48 hours in advance.  $50 for a family/group (up to 4 people); $10 for each additional member, up to 14 maximum (12, if mostly children). Contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960

8:00 - 10:00am at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, in Manchester, VT.  Free.  Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along forest and meadow trails and around the main house. For more information, contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960.

Migration will be in full swing for the Saturday, September 17, monthly bird survey. One of the greatest spectacles of migration is a swirling flock of Broad-winged Hawks on their way to South America. Also known as “kettles,” flocks can contain thousands of circling birds. September is also a great time to see moving Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Turkey Vultures and Monarch butterflies. With long southern views from the orchard area and eastward to the Battenkill Valley, Hildene is an ideal place to catch migration. 

8:00 to 10:00am at Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, in Manchester, VT.  Free.  Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks run along forest and meadow trails and around the main house. For more information, contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960

Surprisingly, there are still warblers and sparrows migrating in October.  In 2018, the Hildene survey turned up uncountable numbers of White Crowned and White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos in the orchard field, albeit in subdued post-molt plumages. Ducks are beginning to congregate on ponds before also moving on. A day in the field is the only way to witness these surprises.