Wistariahurst Museum
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Calendar Schedule      

 

May
Friday, May 9 - 7:00 p.m. - Concert of the Berkshire Hills Music Academy
A concert performance by the Berkshire Hills Music Academy students and faculty. Join us for a delightful evening filled with classical music. Located in South Hadley, BHMA is a post-secondary school for young adults with cognitive learning disabilities who are studying music as a vocation as well as a quality of life. Donations welcome at the door

Saturday, May 10 - 1:00 p.m. at Barnes and Noble in Holyoke - Book Signing for Destination Holyoke
Wistariahurst Curator Kate N. Thibodeau will be on hand at Barnes and Noble near the Holyoke Mall at 1 pm on Saturday, May 10 to sign her book DESTINATION: HOLYOKE. Books will also be available for sale. Ms. Thibodeau will answer any questions about her research. The book is a culmination of two years of research for an exhibit series on Holyoke's immigrant and migrant people. DESTINATION: HOLYOKE includes extensive new research, local family histories, and many never published photos.

Sunday, May 11 — 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Gallery Reception for We Are Holyoke: A Series of Family Portraits
On Mother's Day, May 11th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. join Wistariahurst for the opening of We are Holyoke a series of photographs by local photographer Bruce Barone. Bruce will be exhibiting a series of portraits from the local community in a photographic exploration of the rich diversity of life in Holyoke and beyond. Celebrate with your family at Wistariahurst by posing for a family portrait. Portrait sittings will be between 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. and printing will be done by Bruce on Wistariahurst's premises. Sit with your family for a portrait, peruse Bruce's photographs in the gallery while you wait, then leave with the printed picture. Copies of family portraits will be part of the ongoing display in the gallery during the month of May. Families of any size are accepted! The reception will provide an opportunity to meet Bruce and view his work. Admission to the gallery is $3. Family portraits are free. Reservations are suggested. For more information, please call Wistariahurst events at 413-322-5660 ext.5168

Wednesday, May 14 -6:00 p.m. -Garden Talk: Herbs
Master Gardener Nancy Howell will discuss in depth the history, cultural requirements, landscape uses, and culinary delights (including some unusual recipes) of 15 different herbs. All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration projects at Wistariahurst. Garden Workshops presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners & Western Mass Gardeners Association

Saturday, May 17 - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.-Wistariahurst Gardeners Annual Plant Sale
Once again, the Wistariahurst gardeners will be sharing the bounty of their gardens with the gardening public. Plants for sale include: Houseplants, annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs.

Saturday, May 17 - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. -- Mountain Park : A Book Signing and Talk
Wistariahurst welcomes back Mountain Park historian Jay Ducharme who will share his knowledge and memories of working at the much-loved amusement park and discuss his recently- published tribute Mountain Park from Arcadia Publishing. Jay will be available for a book signing after the talk and much reminiscing. Cost is $3. All are welcome!

Sunday, May 18 -3:00 p.m. -Chamber Music at Wistariahurst: Schumann & Brahms
Come to Wistariahurst to listen to the Schubertians Chorus, directed by Jane Hanson, solo voices, and the piano trio of Monica Jakuc Leverett, Sarah Cornelius Briggs, and Volcy Pelletier. This program includes Brahma "Ziegeunerlieder" (Gypsy songs,) arranged for chorus, and Schumann's "Spanishes Liederspiel," for four solo voices. The soloists will be Mary Beth Taylor, soprano, Jane Hanson, mezzo-soprano, Peter W. Shea, tenor, and Terry Ward, bass. Admission $15

Saturday, May 24 - 7:30 p.m. - Pioneer Valley Capella Concert
Wistariahurst welcomes the Pioneer Valley Capella in a spring concert featuring sacred and secular works by J. S. Bach, Brahms, John Rutter, Irving Fine, and a host of Renaissance composers. The group will also perform two of Brahms' five choral songs from op. 104 set poems dealing with lost youth and mortality. The program will close on a lighter note, joining one of Rutter's "Five Childhood Lyrics" with Irving Fine's vivacious setting of Ben Jonson's poem "O Know to End as to Begin." The Pioneer Valley Cappella is a 22-voice auditioned chamber chorus based in Northampton, that has been singing together for more than 20 years. Donations will be accepted.

Sunday, May 25 - 2:00 p.m. - Tour the Mansion with a Skinner Descendant
Wistariahurst once again invites you to tour the Mansion with a Skinner Descendant. Join Allerton Kilborne, descendant of the Skinner family, for a tour of his grandmother’s home. Allerton will bring to life stories and memories of living at Wistariahurst in the 1950s. Wistariahurst acquired its name from the flowering vine surrounding the house and the twenty-six room mansion features parquet floors, vaulted ceilings, elaborate woodwork and two marble lions that have guarded the entrance since the late nineteenth century. The estate was kept in the Skinner family until 1959 when Katharine Skinner Kilborne and her heirs gave Wistariahurst to the City of Holyoke for cultural and educational purposes. Admission is $5 and $3 for seniors and students.

June

Sunday, June 1 - 3:00 p.m. - Chamber Music at Wistariahurst: Holyoke Civic Symphony
A delightful ensemble of string winds from the Holyoke Civic Symphony will perform. The orchestra, conducted by David Kidwell, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a variety of opportunities for people in the community to perform and listen to symphonic works. The orchestra is comprised primarily of nonprofessional musicians who come together once a week to rehearse. Opportunities are provided for local professional musicians to be guest soloists and to contribute original compositions for the orchestra to perform. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Holyoke Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and the Friends of Wistariahurst Museum. Admission $5

Sunday, June 8 - 1:00 p.m. - Interplay Jazz Band
The Interplay Jazz Band has excited audiences throughout the Pioneer Valley since 1995. The quartet performs jazz-driven instrumental original compositions, choice standards and modern jazz classics that run hot and cool and appeal to both jazz aficionados and new listeners alike. The band blends influences from hard bop, straight-ahead jazz, Brazilian sambas and bossa novas along with rock-fusion and odd-meter grooves. $3 donation to Wistariahurst Museum

Wednesday, June 11 -6:00 p.m. -Garden Talk: Low Maintenance Gardener
You can own your garden or your garden can own you! Master Gardener Elaine Williamson will offer tips and techniques from planning to plant choices to minimize the time spent on upkeep in your garden so you will be able to spend more time enjoying it. All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration projects at Wistariahurst. Garden Workshops presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners & Western Mass Gardeners Association.

Sunday, June 15 - 3:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. - Father's Day Flashback: Classic Cars and Classic Music
Wistariahurst Museum and Holyoke Parks & Recreation invite you and your friends to celebrate Father's day with a classic celebration featuring classic cars, live music and jivin' dance! There will be live music with Ray Guillemette "A Ray of Elvis" and Patrick Tobin as "Frank Sinatra" along with the swinging music of the Holyoke High School Band. Antique autos will be on hand with fabulous cars from the 30's, 40's and 50's. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this lively event! This event is free and open to the public. Please bring a blanket or lawn chair, as seating will not be provided. Call (413) 322-5660 for more information

July

Wednesday, July 9 - 6:00 p.m. - Garden Talk: Concrete Leaf Casting
Decorative Artist Dianne Willitts will demonstrate how to use large leaves as molds for garden sculptures. There is an ART to leaf casting, a unique and creative garden art decoration. Dianne Willitts is a Master Gardener and decorative artist. She will present a talk and demonstration on how to cast leaves in concrete for decorative use outside such as birdbaths and stepping stones. Demonstration will take place on the grounds at Wistariahurst. All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration projects at Wistariahurst. Garden Workshops presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners & Western Mass Gardeners Association.

Wednesday, July 23 - 6:30 p.m. - Summer Garden Concert: The Holyoke Civic Symphony and Youth Strings Program
Wistariahurst and the Holyoke Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to spend a summer evening in the gardens listening to the music of the Holyoke Civic Symphony and Holyoke Youth Strings Program. There will be music in the air as these performance groups combine their talents for an evening of entertainment. The Holyoke Civic Symphony, a nearly all volunteer orchestra of almost 60 musicians, offers concerts throughout the year. Rain date scheduled for the following evening, July 24 -6:30 p.m.

August

Wednesday, August 13-6:00p.m. -Garden Talk: How to make Hypertufa Garden Containers
Master Gardener Mary Morse will demonstrate how to make an attractive and lightweight alternative to expensive purchased tubs and pots. Hypertufa containers are made from commonly available materials and are easy to make. All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration projects at Wistariahurst. Garden Workshops presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners & Western Mass Gardeners Association.

September

Wednesday, September 10-6:00 p.m. -Garden Talk: Shrubs for the Small Garden
Master Gardener Duncan McQueen will be speaking on the subject of unusual conifers and deciduous shrubs for the Western Massachusetts garden. Duncan will present an illustrated program emphasizing low maintenance plantings. There will be time provided for a how-to on designing a small shrub border or bed. All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration projects at Wistariahurst. Garden Workshops presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners & Western Mass Gardeners Association.

October

Wednesday, October 8- 6:00 p.m. -Garden Talk: Cooking with Herbs
Master Gardener Chris Brown will give a cooking demonstration that will show how to enhance the flavor and healthfulness of meals every day using garden herbs. Techniques and recipes included. All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration projects at Wistariahurst. Garden Workshops presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners & Western Mass Gardeners Association.

November

Wednesday, November 12-6:00 p.m. -The Fragrant Garden
Master Gardner Toi Graham will speak on how to plan for fragrance in a New England garden for nine to ten months of each year. The lecture is organized by month so that the gardener can select varieties of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees to bloom in succession, ensuring a continuum of fragrance. Special attention will be given to especially fragrant cultivars of plants not usually known for their fragrance with which many gardeners may not be familiar. All talks are a $5 donation to benefit the garden restoration projects at Wistariahurst. Garden Workshops presented by Wistariahurst Museum Gardeners & Western Mass Gardeners Association.

December

Wednesday, December 10-6: 00 p.m. -Garden Talk: TBA

Call the Museum for details on any upcoming events (413) 322-5660