America at 250: The Politics of National Memory
Wednesday, September 9th
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Registration is required. This program does not include admission to Hildene for the day.
What shapes the way we understand America's past — and who influences the stories we remember?
As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, join Manchester resident Jim Ramsey, Senior Advisor to the United States Capitol Historical Society in Washington, D.C., for an engaging evening exploring the politics of national memory.
Through compelling commentary and historic images, Ramsey examines how monuments, memorials, museums, school curricula, national holidays, public art, and historic sites shape the stories Americans tell about themselves — and how those stories influence the way we understand our present and imagine our future.
From the United States Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial to the legacy of the Civil War, Reconstruction, the “Lost Cause,” and today’s evolving conversations about commemoration, this program invites audiences to look more deeply at how history is remembered, interpreted, and used.
Join us in Lincoln Hall for a timely discussion connecting America’s founding ideals with the choices we make about national memory today.
Meet Plein Air Artist, Patti Campbell
Saturday, September 12th
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Museum Store
Through my paintings, I hope to share a little of what I experience when I am here- the beauty, atmosphere, history, and quiet sense of wonder. Painting Hildene is ultimately about connection: to the landscape, to the moment, and to the stories held within this remarkable place.
- Patti Campbell I Local Vermont Artist
Bird Walk
Saturday, September 12th
8:00 am - 9:30 am
This program is free and does not require admission. Registration required. Appropriate for teens and adults.
Meet at the Welcome Center parking lot. 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 uneven terrain on forest and meadow trails and around the main house.
Please register, Questions? Contact Juliette at 802-362-1835.
Bird Note: Osprey
The Osprey is a large bird of prey with a white head and belly, dark brown back and wings. A dark stripe from its eye towards the back of its head is visible even in a flying bird. The bent M-shape shape of the wings in flight, however, is a better clue to identifying this bird. A fish-eating specialist, it has barbed pads on the soles of its feet to help it grip slippery fish. Ospreys are in VT by mid-April to late September to breed, generally occupying the same nest year after year.
Breeding Osprey had disappeared from VT in the early 70s due to thin, weak eggshells from the pesticide DDT and loss of suitable nesting sites. Since 1988, the VT Fish and Wildlife Department and the Central Vermont Public Service have worked cooperatively to install artificial nesting platforms mostly in the northwestern part of the state. In 2006, there were 82 active nests in VT. The species has now been removed from the state's endangered species list.
Pressed Flowers with Artist Ellie Roden
Sunday, October 11th
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Registration is required. This program does not include admission to Hildene for the day.
Preserve a little of the garden to enjoy all year long.
Join pressed flower artist Ellie Roden for a creative autumn afternoon at Hildene. Ellie will share the art of flower pressing and demonstrate techniques for preserving the color, form and delicate details of flowers and foliage.
Working with a beautiful selection of pressed botanicals, participants will create their own one-of-a-kind floral artwork, cards and bookmarks to take home. Along the way, Ellie will share tips and techniques for pressing flowers and foliage from your own garden and using them in future projects.
No experience is necessary, and all materials are provided.
Come enjoy a relaxed afternoon of creativity and discover a beautiful way to keep the garden with you through the seasons.
Exploration Backpack Program
June – October
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
This program is free with admission.
Looking for a fun way to nurture your child’s appreciation for the natural world? Check out our self-guided Into the Woods exploration backpack which contains all the essential tools and activity cards for discovery. Through a series of stops along a Hildene trail, children will engage in hands-on forest activities. Suggested for ages 5 to 10, the adventure is intended to take between 1- 2 hours. The pack is designed for 1 to 3 children, but more could participate if they are willing to share tools. This experience is free with admission. While packs may be checked out from The Museum Store, it is recommended that you reserve one in advance by contacting Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or click here.
