"We need a renaissance of wonder. We need to renew, in our hearts and in our souls, the deathless dream, the eternal poetry, the perennial sense that life  is miracle  and magic." 

- E. Merrill Root

 

This month's quote resonates with me on so many levels. It also relates to the feelings I often have when I walk throughout this enchanted landscape left to us by Polly Wakefield. Poetry, wonder, magic -- all words I've used to describe this place to those who have yet to set foot here. Another word I often lean on when contemplating this little corner of the Blue Hills is 'mystery' -- the unfathomable mystery and complexity of nature, from its one-cell building blocks to the cosmic-scale universe of which we are all a part. At the turn of this new year, I embrace this idea of "renaissance of wonder," and trust it to inform our path forward in 2015.

 

 Mark Smith
Executive Director
logo 

Donate!

Consider supporting our work with a generous contribution.

 

Like us on Facebook

 

Join Our Mailing List!

Join us at our 5th Annual Winterfire:
Saturday, January 10 - 5:00 - 7:00 pm
winter fire
Once again, it's time for one of our favorite events: the Wakefield Estate's annual Winterfire! Our 5th Winterfire will be held Saturday, January 10 from 5:00-7:00 pm. This annual event combines lightscape with landscape to highlight many of the estate's signature trees and garden features against a deep mid-winter sky. After a garden stroll, join others for some hot chocolate and roast a hot dog on an open fire. This is a fun, family-friendly event. Subject to cancellation due to weather; see www.wakefieldtrust.org or our Facebook page for any last minute changes. Dress warmly and bring a friend! While this event is free, donations are appreciated, and pre-registration is requested. To RSVP or for more information, call 617-333-0924.
2015 Stone Soup Series: Great Trees of the Estate
Thursday, January 29: Portrait of the White Pine

This month we kick-off our 2015 Stone Soup and Speakers Series, held in the early evening from 5:30 until 7:00 pm on the final Thursday of each month. These warm and casual programs begin with a bowl of tasty home-made soup, followed by a short presentation by a featured speaker.

The theme for this year's series offers "portraits" of great trees at the Wakefield Estate. During our series, arboriculture experts, including two of our staff, will offer portraits of five of the many special trees at the estate including exciting anecdotes about plant hunters and some of the rich botanical history that is as stunning the tree's presence as a specimen in our arboretum. January's fascinating topic is the White Pine, a species that figures prominently in the early history of our nation, and more recently, provided the basis for a boom in dwarf conifers due to its "witches brooms.". 

The schedule for the rest of the Stone Soup and Speaker Series is:

February 26: Apple, Malus species

March 26: Dawn Redwood, Metasequoia

April 30: Dove or Hankerchief Tree, Davidia Involucrata

May 28: Chinese Dogwood, Cornus Kousa

dottie and chic ks  
Have you been thinking of raising your own chickens and enjoying your own fresh eggs? Our annual Backyard Homesteading workshop on raising backyard chickens is a great way to explore the idea. This session is designed for people interested in learning how to start a backyard chicken coop and grow healthy, productive chickens for years of enjoyment and fresh food. After the indoor portion of the workshop, there will be a tour of the coops and chicken tractors on site, so dress accordingly.
Suggested donation for the workshop is $20; space IS limited so please pre-register by calling 617-333-0924 x22.
Want Apples too? Sign up for our Backyard Homesteading Compact Orchard Session
Saturday, March 21, 9:00 - 11:00 am

Become a backyard orchardist and grow your own fruit! Even in a small backyard, you can enjoy fruit from your own trees with minimal effort and cost. This step-by-step workshop on March 21, 9:00-11:30 am will teach you all you need to know to plan and create a compact orchard for years of enjoyment. No experience necessary. Participants will spend part of the workshop outside in the orchard for a pruning demonstration, so dress accordingly. Suggested donation $20. Space is limited; pre-registration required. Register at http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu. For more information, call the Arnold Arboretum at 617-384-5277 or our office at 617-333-0924 during business hours.

This event is co-sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum. 

We need YOU!                
In 2015, one of our goals is to build up our nascent volunteer corps. We need volunteers to help us with our events, ranging from family activities and school visits to Dogwood Days in June. We will also be training a small crew of Visitor Info Pals, so we can expand our Open Hours. For those interested in just lending a hand occasionally, we will be scheduling monthly volunteer work days starting in April.
If you have some free time, and would like to get a little more involved; or are a high school student looking to log some Community Service hours, please call Erica Max at 617-333-0924x22 or join us at the first 2015 meeting of our volunteer committee on February 2nd at 6:00 pm.
Upcoming Events - Save these Dates!

January 10: Winterfire

January 29: Stone Soup and Speaker: White Pine

February 2: Volunteer Committee Meeting 

February 7: Backyard Homesteading: Raising Chickens

February 26: Stone Soup and Speaker: Apple

March 21: Backyard Homesteading: Compact Orchard

March 26: Stone Soup & Speaker: Dawn Redwood

April 30: Stone Soup & Speaker: Dove Tree
May 28: Stone Soup & Speaker: Chinese Dogwood
July 6-17: Summer Archaeology Institute, Session I
July 20-31: Summer Archaeology Institute, Session II
For more information about any of these programs, visit our website:  www.wakefieldtrust.org or call us at 617-333-0924.
Mary M. B. Wakefield Charitable Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Staff:
Mark Smith, Executive Director - email: [email protected]
Erica Max, Program Director - email: [email protected]
Dave Cafaro, Grounds and Building Maintenance - email: dave@dogwoodlanefarm.org
Deb Merriam, Landscape Director - email: [email protected] 
For more information, call us at (617) 333-0924 or check out our website at wakefieldtrust.org