News Release
John Gilbert Fox - top left, NPS photos rest
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Contact: Stephanie Kyriazis, 802-457-3368 x222
Celebrate the National Park Service birthday and the lingering days of summer at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park’s Summer Celebration this Saturday, August 24 from 10am until 4pm at the park in Woodstock, VT.The Billings and Rockefeller families frequently entertained friends and family on the estate, a tradition that continues with this event. Bring a picnic and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the beautiful gardens while listening to live music. Try your hand at lawn games like bocce, croquet, or giant jenga. Putt on the Rockefeller’s green, or play tennis with a pro from the Woodstock Inn on the estate tennis court. Create your own take-home flower arrangement from Mary Rockefeller’s cutting garden. Younger visitors will also enjoy Animal Olympics and traditional games from the 1800s.
The park’s Artist-in-Residence, Margaret Dwyer, will be demonstrating watercolor technique, while providing art supplies and tips for artists of all ages who want to create their own nature-inspired masterpiece.
A key feature of this event is the free Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion open house. Every other day of the season, the historic home is open only by space-limited guided tour, for which a fee is charged. During Summer Celebration, visitors can stroll through the first floor of the Mansion between 11am and 3pm, with staff on hand to answer questions about the families, furniture, and art.
Other special programs include: an exploration of the park’s gardens, including the “hidden” waterfall garden, and their history at 2pm; plus short tours of the bowling alley, soda fountain and fallout shelter at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm.
“This day is really about enjoying the spirit of summer just before kids go back to school and the autumn weather kicks in,” says Chief of Interpretation Stephanie Kyriazis, “Come to the park for outdoor family-friendly games, al fresco art-making, a round of tennis, or a chance to casually check out our usually limited-access historic buildings. Enjoy the woods and garden while everything is green and in bloom.”
Or visitors can relax on the Mansion porch, enjoying a mild summer afternoon in Woodstock, VT, just like the families who once called this place home.
Check out https://www.nps.gov/mabi for more information, or call 802-457-3368 x222.
Last updated: August 19, 2019