Wethersfield Estate & Garden

10/08/2026

Several seats still available for this Sunday's discussion with Sarah McNear and James Brayton Hall. We hope you can join us!

Join us for a special afternoon with Sarah Anne McNear, author of Edward Steichen and the Garden, in conversation with James Brayton Hall, President and CEO of The Garden Conservancy.

McNear brings more than thirty years of experience in museums and cultural organizations, with a particular expertise in photography and art education. She has held leadership and curatorial positions at the MoMA The Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Aperture Foundation, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the 92nd Street Y’s School of the Arts. She is also the author of several books on photography and has advised the National Endowment for the Arts and other leading cultural institutions.

In this beautifully illustrated new book, McNear explores the remarkable garden created by legendary photographer Edward Steichen at his Connecticut home—and the profound influence that nature, horticulture, and experimentation had on his artistic life.

The conversation will take place in the Gloriette at Wethersfield House, overlooking the garden, followed by a book signing and a reception with w**e and cheese.

Space is limited. Advance registration is required and includes admission to the garden: https://www.wethersfield.org/event/edward-steichen-and-the-garden-an-author-conversation-and-book-signing/

Books may be preordered through our local bookseller, Merritt Bookstore & Toystore, which is generously donating a portion of the proceeds to Wethersfield: https://merrittbooks.com/item/ShvvqaJOcPUYrkocfyvmUw

10/02/2026

The Wethersfield Hunter Pace will now take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, moving one day from the previously announced date of Saturday, November 7.

After rain forced us to cancel the September 27 event, we were eager to welcome everyone back. However, several other riding events scheduled for November 7 have created conflicts for our participants. We hope moving to Sunday will make it easier for more riders to join us.

We recognize that another date change may require you to adjust your plans, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and flexibility. Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and support of Wethersfield.

We look forward to welcoming you for a beautiful day of riding on November 8!

10/01/2026

As we welcome fall and the changing of the season into our gardens, we bring you another installment of 'What’s In Bloom.'

In many gardens, early fall is when annuals are at their peak. Every Zinnia, Marigold, and Dahlia is as tall and colorful as it will ever be in its annual lifecycle. Many native perennials, like Aster, Goldenrod, and Echinacea, are also in full bloom this time of year, bringing vibrant pops of color to our gardens.

It’s important to note that while these late-season flowers provide beautiful color, they are also supplying crucial nectar to migrating pollinators, such as hummingbirds and monarch butterflies. Late-season native plants also provide food and habitat to pollinators that overwinter in the Northeast, such as specialist bees, wasps, moths, and butterflies, all of which are integral in our food chain and help sustain local bird populations.

Planting with pollinators in mind is not only good for the environment, but it gives your garden additional life, creating a unique sensory experience that encompasses both sight and sound.

If you’ve been to Wethersfield Estate & Garden, you know that our gardens are alive with bees, birds, butterflies, frogs, dragonflies (and sometimes just flies, which is not as fun, but unfortunately they are important), which is all due to our plant selection and continuous succession of blooms. We welcome you to visit and see our fall garden in person before the garden closes for the season on Sunday, October 18: https://www.wethersfield.org/garden-reservations/

Our What’s in Bloom Autumn edition is as follows:
1. Dahlia ‘Juanita’
2. Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ & Deam’s Coneflower
3. Dahlia ‘American Dream’
4. Dahlia ‘Canby Crazy’
5. Dahlia ‘Fatima’
6. Dahlia ‘Hula’
7. Dahlia ‘Jowey Linda’
8. Dahlia ‘Zundert Mystery Fox’
9. Fleeceflower ‘Blackfield’, New England Aster ‘Alma Potscke’, Dahlia ‘Hula’, & Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’
10. Fleeceflower ‘Blackfield’ & Deam’s Coneflower
11. Hairy Alumroot
12. Tall Marigold ‘Crackerjack Mix’
13. Monkshood
14. New England Aster ‘Alma Potscke'
15. New England Aster
16. Old Field Aster
17. Sedum Autumn Joy
18. Swamp Aster and Deam’s Coneflower
19. Witch Hazel
20. Zinnia Elegans Senorita

09/24/2026

Due to an inclement weather forecast, the Wethersfield Hunter Pace has been rescheduled to Saturday, November 7th. The safety of both horses and riders is our highest priority, and forecasted conditions would not allow for a safe and enjoyable ride experience.

Current registrants have the option to carry over their registration to the rescheduled date, receive a credit towards a 2027 Equestrian Pass, or request a refund.

Thank you for your understanding and for supporting the Wethersfield Equestrian Program.

Warm regards,
The Wethersfield Team

09/22/2026

Wethersfield is currently hiring for the position of Membership and Programs Coordinator.

Wethersfield is seeking a Membership & Programs Coordinator with experience in customer service, membership management, event coordination, CRM systems, and administrative support. We seek an organized, collaborative, and detail-oriented individual who will support the mission of the Wethersfield Foundation.
The Membership & Programs Coordinator will support membership operations, seasonal programming, events, donor engagement, and general office administration.

For additional information and to apply, please visit https://www.wethersfield.org/get-involved/.

09/18/2026

Join us on September 27th for the 2026 Wethersfield 2026 Hunter Pace & Trail Ride.

All English and Western riders are welcome to join us for a hunt, hilltop, or untimed pleasure ride through 8.5 miles of gorgeous trails at Wethersfield Estate on Sunday, September 27. There will be approximately 80 jumps, including many of our cross country schooling jumps (all jumps have go-arounds). Pace begins 8:30 AM for Hunt and Hilltop riders, pleasure riders will leave between 11:30-12:30 PM. This event is rain or shine. Teams will go out on a first-come, first-served basis, there are no set start times. Teams can be of mixed disciplines and ages, but there must be no more than 4 riders per team.

Register here:

Wethersfield Hunter Pace & Trail Ride Wethersfield Estate & Garden, Amenia, NYSunday September 27, 2026 All English and Western riders are welcome to join us for a hunt, hilltop, or untimed pleasure ride through 8.5 miles of gorgeous trails at Wethersfield Estate. There will be approximately 80 jump...

09/17/2026

Join us for a special afternoon with Sarah Anne McNear, author of Edward Steichen and the Garden, in conversation with James Brayton Hall, President and CEO of The Garden Conservancy.

McNear brings more than thirty years of experience in museums and cultural organizations, with a particular expertise in photography and art education. She has held leadership and curatorial positions at the MoMA The Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Aperture Foundation, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the 92nd Street Y’s School of the Arts. She is also the author of several books on photography and has advised the National Endowment for the Arts and other leading cultural institutions.

In this beautifully illustrated new book, McNear explores the remarkable garden created by legendary photographer Edward Steichen at his Connecticut home—and the profound influence that nature, horticulture, and experimentation had on his artistic life.

The conversation will take place in the Gloriette at Wethersfield House, overlooking the garden, followed by a book signing and a reception with w**e and cheese.

Space is limited. Advance registration is required and includes admission to the garden: https://www.wethersfield.org/event/edward-steichen-and-the-garden-an-author-conversation-and-book-signing/

Books may be preordered through our local bookseller, Merritt Bookstore & Toystore, which is generously donating a portion of the proceeds to Wethersfield: https://merrittbooks.com/item/ShvvqaJOcPUYrkocfyvmUw

09/10/2026

The Friends of Wethersfield’s Sixth Annual Wethersfield Garden Luncheon was held on Saturday, September 5, at the verdant 1,000 acre Dutchess County estate. The sold-out event welcomed nearly 400 guests in support of preserving Wethersfield for the public’s education and enjoyment. In just six years, the Garden Luncheon has become one of the most anticipated and elegant events of the season in Dutchess County.

This year, Wethersfield proudly honored Zibby Farran Tozer for her enduring dedication to the estate and her deep respect for founder Chauncey Stillman’s vision: that Wethersfield serve the community as a place of inspiration through conservation, horticulture, classical ideals, the cultural arts, and outdoor recreation.

World distinguished curator Richard Armstrong introduced Mrs. Tozer, and Board Chair Nancy Hathaway announced that a native white oak will be planted at Wethersfield in Zibby’s honor. Holly Lipsky, Perrin Berkey, and Natasha Blodgett served as the distinguished co-chairs of the much-admired Garden Luncheon. The event was flawlessly executed by COO Hillary Henderson and Wethersfield’s extraordinary team. Wethersfield also extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Friends of Wethersfield Committee, who created this event in 2021 to raise crucial funds for the organization and whose dedication and generous support have been instrumental in funding programming, historic preservation and operating support.

Quadrille Luxury Textiles graciously donated bespoke table linens by John S. Knott and John Fondas. Featuring peacocks and ferns, the designs were inspired by some of Chauncey Stillman’s favorite motifs.

Presiding as auctioneer extraordinaire, Michael Poulin captivated guests with a curated selection of exclusive offerings in support of Wethersfield. The event was generously sponsored by Bank of Millbrook, Quadrille New York, Creel and Gow, and George T. Whalen Real Estate.

09/04/2026

Wethersfield Garden will be closed to the public on Saturday, September 5, as we host our annual Friends of Wethersfield Garden Luncheon. We thank you for your support of Wethersfield, and for your anticipated understanding. We invite you to make a garden reservation for Sunday or another weekend to come and explore Wethersfield.

09/02/2026

Registration for the 2026 Wethersfield Hunter Pace & Trail Ride is now open.

All English and Western riders are welcome to join us for a hunt, hilltop, or untimed pleasure ride through 8.5 miles of gorgeous trails at Wethersfield Estate on Sunday, September 27. There will be approximately 80 jumps, including many of our cross country schooling jumps (all jumps have go-arounds). Pace begins 8:30 AM for Hunt and Hilltop riders, pleasure riders will leave between 11:30-12:30 PM. This event is rain or shine. Teams will go out on a first-come, first-served basis, there are no set start times. Teams can be of mixed disciplines and ages, but there must be no more than 4 riders per team.

Register here: https://www.wethersfield.org/hunter-pace/