2025 Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden Reservations

847c52_9b7026a84fca45f9854d8dda83765047~mv2.jpg

Preserve Activities

Field walks and talks, member garden tours, and other activities are scheduled for the spring through the fall each year. Join us for these special opportunities to learn and explore at the Preserve.

June and July Activities

August Activities

September and October Activities

Plan Your Visit

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden Reservations

Become a member of the Preserve

June 9

Asticou Azalea Garden: Exploring the Watershed

Follow the stream to the ponds of the Garden, identify plants that thrive on their edges, consider these as design features, and learn how the water system is maintained for beauty and ecological health. This activity is for Forget-Me-Not level members and up.

10 - 11 a.m.

June 24

Field Walk: Trees and Shrubs

Discover the diversity of trees and shrubs in the field and forests of the natural lands. Practice identifying a variety of woody plants and learn more about their natural history with Tate Bushell.

9 - 11 a.m.

July 8

Loon Watching

A pair of common loons often nest at Little Long Pond. This series of three field walks will follow a loon family through chick rearing and provide insight into their ecology. Sign up for more than one walk to see the chicks grow and mature.

9 - 11 a.m

July 10

Thuya Lodge Tour

Step back in time as you explore the historic Thuya Lodge, originally built in the early 20th century by Joseph Henry Curtis. Linda Thayer will share the rich heritage and stories of this cherished summer lodge.

9 - 9:45 a.m.

July 16

Carriage Ride

Enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride along the roads of the Preserve. This activity is offered for Dahlia members and up.

9 - 11 a.m.

July 22

Field Walk: Q&A

Enjoy this informal walk and learn more about the natural lands of the Preserve. Bring your questions and hiking shoes; we will circle the pond by walking north on the David & Neva Trail and south on the carriage road. Distance covered 2.5 miles

2 - 4 p.m.

July 29

Field Walk: Trail Building

Land Steward Ed Hawes will lead this walk introducing the art of trail building within the Land and Garden Preserve. Learn about design, construction and history of our trails. Enjoy a hands-on demonstration of stone shaping.

1 - 3 p.m.

July 31

Evening at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of an early evening visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. This activity is offered for Lily, Trillium, and Birch level donors.

4:30 - 6 p.m.

August 6

Carriage Ride

Enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride along the roads of the Preserve. This activity is offered for Dahlia members and up.

9 - 11 a.m.

August 12

Little Long Pond Ecology Paddle

Experience Little Long Pond from the water! Paddle with Preserve staff to discover what flora and fauna call Little Long Pond home; learn more about our current conservation practices. Bring your own kayak, paddleboard, or canoe, paddle, and life vests.

9 - 11 a.m.

August 20

Asticou Azalea Garden: Exploring the Watershed

10 - 11 a.m.

August 27

Carriage Ride

Enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride along the roads of the Preserve. This activity is offered for Dahlia members and up.

9 - 11 a.m.

September 4

Evening at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of an early evening visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. This activity is offered for Lily, Trillium, and Birch level donors.

4:30 - 6 p.m.

September 15

Thuya Garden Walk:
Gates and Entrances

How is our experience of a space framed by how we enter it? Join Garden Manager Ben Boegehold for a thoughtful and whimsical look at the gates of Thuya Garden. This activity is for Forget-Me-Not level members and up.

8 - 10 a.m.

June 17

Loon Watching

9 - 11 a.m

July 1

Field Walk: Trail Building

9 - 11 a.m.

July 8

Field Walk: Wildflowers of Little Long Pond

Wander the fields and forest of our natural lands and discover the diversity of wildflowers. Practice identifying what we find and learn more about the natural history of the flora at Little Long Pond.

1 - 3 p.m.

July 15

Little Long Pond Ecology Paddle

9 - 11 a.m.

July 17

Evening at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of an early evening visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. This activity is offered for Lily, Trillium, and Birch level donors.

4:30 - 6 p.m.

July 23

Carriage Ride

Enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride along the roads of the Preserve. This activity is offered for Dahlia members and up.

9 - 11 a.m.

July 30

Carriage Ride

Enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride along the roads of the Preserve. This activity is offered for Dahlia members and up.

9 - 11 a.m.

August 3

Asticou Azalea Garden Walk: The Inside View

Garden Manager Mary Roper will lead a walk through the garden sharing stories and expertise while addressing particular interests and questions of the participants. This activity is for Forget-Me-Not level members and up.

10 - 11:30 a.m.

August 7

Evening at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of an early evening visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. This activity is offered for Lily, Trillium, and Birch level donors.

4:30 - 6 p.m.

August 13

Carriage Ride

Enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride along the roads of the Preserve. This activity is offered for Dahlia members and up.

9 - 11 a.m.

August 21

Evening at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of an early evening visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. This activity is offered for Lily, Trillium, and Birch level donors.

4:30 - 6 p.m.

August 28

Asticou Azalea Garden Walk: The Inside View

10 - 11:30 a.m.

September 9

Field Walk: Meadows of Little Long Pond

Explore the meadows at Little Long Pond with Director of Lands, Tate Bushell. Learn about the meadows as a biological community and the restoration efforts that are taking place.
Distance covered 2.5 miles.

2 - 4 p.m.

October 8

Field Walk: The Night Sky

Join Tate Bushell and a naturalist educator from Maine Outdoor School for an exploration of the night sky. Learn some constellations, hear star stories, and find out how animals adapt to dark conditions. This is a family-friendly event; all are welcome.

7 -9 pm.

June 23

Thuya Garden Walk: Trails

Join Ben Boegehold, garden manager, to learn about the history and care of trails of Thuya Garden and enjoy time in these less explored parts of the Thuya property. Bring your curiosity and questions. This activity is for Forget-Me-Not level members and up.

10 - 11 a.m.

July 2

Carriage Ride

Enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride along the roads of the Preserve. This activity is offered for Dahlia members and up.

9 - 11 a.m.

July 9

Carriage Ride

Enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride along the roads of the Preserve. This activity is offered for Dahlia members and up.

9 - 11 a.m.

July 15

Field Walk: All About Fireflies

Nothing says summer like fireflies! Come watch their bioluminescent light show and learn about the ecology and natural history of these beetles. Kids welcome. This field walk is highly weather dependent; we will communicate with registrants if we need to reschedule.

8 - 10 p.m.

July 21

Thuya Garden Walk: Pollinators

Identify beneficial insects and birds in the various habitats of Thuya Garden. Jill Wilson will highlight the important roles they play and strategies for attracting them. This activity is for Forget-Me-Not level members and up.

10 - 11 a.m.

July 24

Evening at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of an early evening visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. This activity is offered for Lily, Trillium, and Birch level donors.

4:30 - 6 p.m.

July 30

Lantern Stroll

The winding paths of the Asticou Azalea Garden are illuminated by lanterns for this magical evening.

7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

August 5

Loon Watching

9 - 11 a.m

August 11

Thuya Garden Walk:
Border Gardens

Explore the colorful and fragrant border gardens with Head Gardener Wendy Dolliver. Enjoy conversation about the design, history, and horticultural practices for these beds. This activity is for Forget-Me-Not level members and up.

3 - 3:45 p.m.

August 20

Carriage Ride

Enjoy a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride along the roads of the Preserve. This activity is offered for Dahlia members and up.

9 - 11 a.m.

August 26

Field Walk: Q&A

2 - 4 p.m.

August 28

Evening at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of an early evening visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. This activity is offered for Lily, Trillium, and Birch level donors.

4:30 - 6 p.m.

September 11

Evening at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden

Enjoy the beauty and serenity of an early evening visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden. This activity is offered for Lily, Trillium, and Birch level donors.

4:30 - 6 p.m.

July activities

August Activities

September Activities