Events

 

Seasons at Lindenwald: April – September 2026

A 6-part series of events at the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site led by researchers from the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program. Discover and experience seasonal highlights at Lindenwald, the historic home and farm of Martin Van Buren.

 

A Wood Frog spotted during one of the yearly vernal pool egg mass surveys conducted within the historical bounds of Lindenwald.

Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology

Amphibians at Lindenwald (Walk)

Saturday, April 11th: 1 – 2:30 pm (To register, email: [e-mail])

An exploration of several amphibian breeding pools and ponds within the historical bounds of Lindenwald and an opportunity to learn about the frogs and salamanders that use them in early spring. If the timing is right, participants may even have the opportunity to observe the egg masses of vernal pool amphibians like Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders. The Farmscape Ecology Program has been conducting vernal pool amphibian surveys as well as frog call surveys at Lindenwald for many years and will share from their experiences and observations.

 

The bright yellow Lance-leaved Coreopsis is one of the late-spring-blooming flowers that was planted in a native wildflower plot inside the orchard at Lindenwald.

Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology

Spring in the Orchard at Lindenwald (Tours)

Saturday, May 30th: Tours at 10:15, 11:15, 1:15, and 2:15

Tours of the recently restored historic orchard at Lindenwald highlighting spring happenings, including in two second-year native wildflower plots within the orchard. The tours will provide an opportunity to learn how Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program biologists are working to monitor the ecology of the organically managed orchard over time, including the impact on pollinators and other insects. Participants will also have an opportunity to closely observe the young apple and pear trees and learn about what historical records tell us about these varieties, and when they were flowering, during Martin Van Buren’s time.

 

The flower of an Amercan Basswood (Linden) just opening.

Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology

Linden Flowers and Other Phenology at Lindenwald (Tours)

Saturday, June 13th: Tours at 10:15, 11:15, 1:15, and 2:15

Guided walks featuring the late-spring flowers and fruits seen along the “Phenology Trail” at Lindenwald, including the fragrant, late-flowering American Basswoods (“Lindens”) for which Lindenwald was named. Park staff have been monitoring the timing of flowering, leafing, fruiting, and other life cycle events—also known as phenology—for 10 different species of trees and shrubs at the site since 2021, as part of the USA National Phenology Network. Tours will explore the history of phenology in Kinderhook during Martin Van Buren’s time, observe current happenings like the flowering Lindens, and learn how phenology monitoring provides important insights into the impact of climate change on local plants and animals.

 

A view of the experimental “Kinderhook Pine Barrens” plot shortly after it was planted and seeded.

Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology

Kinderhook Pine Barrens at Lindenwald (Tours)

Saturday, July 18th: Tours at 10:15, 11:15, 1:15, and 2:15

Tours of an experimental, sandy “Kinderhook Pine Barrens” plot that was installed last year within the orchard and features the types of sand-frequenting plant species that may have historically populated Kinderhook when the area was had pine barrens, including when Martin Van Buren was growing up there. The Farmscape Ecology Program has identified the Kinderhook Pine Barrens as a “ghost” habitat now missing from our landscape, and participants will not only visit the restoration and nearby wild-growing trees that may serve as pine barren remnants, but also learn about this fascinating lost habitat.

 

Conrad Vispo of the Farmscape Ecology Program shows off the antique and replica weather instruments that he has assembled to create an historical weather station.

Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology

Historical Weather Day at Lindenwald (Exhibit)

Saturday, August 29th: 10am-3pm

An interactive display of a historical weather station featuring predominantly 19th century antique and replica weather instruments assembled by the Farmscape Ecology Program. The event will offer a chance to try out these early weather instruments, some of which were made or used locally and are still functional. It will also provide an opportunity to explore seasonal and meteorological records made by a 19th century New York network of observers, including in Kinderhook, and discover how these records are helping to provide a window into how weather and climate have changed since Martin Van Buren’s time.

 

A species of mining bee on an apple blossom.

Kyle Bradford / Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology

Insects in the Orchard at Lindenwald (Workshops)

Saturday, September 12th: Workshops start at 10am and 1pm; come to one or both. (To register or for more details, email: [e-mail])

An exploration of insect life in the Martin Van Buren orchard with entomologists from the Farmscape Ecology Program's Insect Conservation Center. During this event, participants will learn to use the citizen science platform iNaturalist to contribute to an orchard "bioblitz" and discover the important roles that insects such as ants, bees, butterflies, and wasps play in agriculture. Participants should bring their mobile devices, cameras, and questions about insects and how to identify them.