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.

Friday, June 19th
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Join us at Hildene in the Formal Garden on June 19th from 5-6pm for a delightful evening of music performed by The Dorset Harp Colony. Student harpists will perform a repertoire of solo and ensemble pieces. The concert will conclude with "Lift Every Voice and Sing" to celebrate the observance of Juneteenth. All welcome to attend, free to the public.

The Dorset Harp Colony is a premier summer program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of harpists through intensive study, mentorship, and performance. Founded in 2024 by acclaimed harpist and educator Alix Raspé Gray, the Colony brings together talented students in a supportive, inspiring environment that emphasizes artistry, individuality, and career sustainability. With a focus on both musical excellence, mindfulness and real-world skills, participants leave empowered, confident, and prepared for a lifelong journey in music.

Sunday, June 21st
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

This program is free with admission.

Celebrate Father’s Day at Hildene Farm in the dene with a fun-filled day on the farm!

Join us for a special Father’s Day Storytime from 11:00am- 12:00pm featuring tractors, jumbo building blocks, a corn sandbox, and Peaches' Mud Kitchen for hands-on play and exploration. Hildene’s tractors and gators will be nearby for all the future farmers to check out.

Stay for the afternoon and enjoy complimentary wagon rides through the dene from 12:00am- 4:00pm. Pack a picnic, relax on the farm, and make memories together with family and friends.

Perfect for little farmers, tractor lovers, and dads who enjoy a day outdoors!

Questions? Call (802) 367-7960 or email Stephanie.

Saturday, July 11th
7:00 am - 10:00 am

This program is free and does not require admission. 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. No registrationrequired. Questions?Contact Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or click to email.

Bird Note: Great Crested Flycatcher

An easily heard, loud, penetrating whee-eep signals the presence of a Great Crested Flycatcher. Because its call is so conclusive, this flycatcher is often ‘confirmed’ without a visual sighting. It is the size of a Bluejay, has a rusty brown back, lemon yellow belly, white throat and a long rufus tail. Unlike their smaller flycatcher cousins, these are treetop birds who add fruits to their insect diet and nest in cavities. They often add snake skins to their nests!

Friday, July 17th
8:30 pm – 10:30 pm

This program does not require or include admission. It does require registration. Appropriate for all ages, including 16 and under.

As the summer sun sets over Hildene, nightlife awakens. This nocturnal world often goes unnoticed by us, but it is brimming with activity by fascinating creatures -- magnificent moths, among them. In celebration of National Moth Week, join us for an evening of exploration with special guest lepidopterist JoAnne Russo. Using UV lights and white sheets, we’ll attract moths as well as beetles, lacewings, and other nighttime visitors. Gain a new appreciation for the over 2,000 species of moths that have been identified in the Green Mountain State and the work they do after dark. Optional, but recommended: eye protection (UV or regular glasses), camera, phone, headlamp or small flashlight. No experience necessary. Open to all ages of nature explorers who love to be out after dark.

Program fee:
$5 for children 16 and under
$10 for member adults
$12 for nonmember adults

Space is limited. Preregistration required by Thursday, July 16.

The rain date for this event is Saturday, July 18.

Sunday, July 19th
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Appropriate for tweens, teens and adults. This program requires registration, and does not include admission for the day.

Further enrich your day with a hands-on Gilded Age experience by learning how to create atussie-mussie using fresh flowers from Hildene, guided by Hildene Farm Co-Director Ann OgdenHausslein. Popular in the Victorian era and into the Gilded Age,tussie-mussies — small, fragrant bouquets — were often used to convey messages through the language of flowers while also helping to mask less pleasant odors. This workshop makes a delightful addition to the Gardens of the Gilded Age program or can be enjoyed as a fun stand-alone activity. $20 for members / $25 for nonmembers, which includes all materials for yourtussie-mussie. The workshop will take placeinHildene's Lincoln Hall.

Monday, July 27th
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

No registration necessary. This program does not include admission. Appropriate for all ages.

Join Ann Ogden Hausslein and the BBA-Hildene Summer Farm Crew for a tour of the Greenhouse and Gardens In the dene Monday July 27, 3-4 PM. Every summer for the past 10 years, Hildene has collaborated with Burr and Burton Academy (BBA) and shared student workers for the greenhouse and gardens. This unique program has a core purpose of "actively engaging students on a working landscape as they build skills for a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future." Come hear from the work crew about how they steward the gardens that provide learning, curriculum and food for the surrounding community.