Blithewold

10/24/2026

Fridays are for lovers.

10/23/2026

Thank you to East Bay Media Group for featuring this special project. We are so pleased to welcome visitors back to this area!

Blithewold’s rock garden was the favorite of Bessie Pardee Van Wickle Mc Kee, the lady of the manor at the turn of the 19th century. She called it Little Mt. Hope, and had a great deal of influence …

10/23/2026

Great News! Blithewold Mansion, Garden & Arboretum has extended their season until October 25th. You can still borrow our pass for the next few days and visit this beautiful location. Book the pass here: https://attleborolibrary.libcal.com/passes/aa16e68bb91b

10/22/2026

A mini dahlia appreciation album from a walk around the grounds by one our most devoted volunteers ☺️

📸 Sheila Konis

10/19/2026

A day of exploration and learning in our “Happy (Blithe) Woodland (wold)”!

It’s a choose your own foliage-filled adventure kind of day...
🍂Take a stroll through the colorful landscape.
🍂Enjoy a scavenger hunt.
🍂Vote for your favorite fairy house.
🍂Join a guided tour of our incredible plant collections with local experts.
🍂Send your kids to the treetops with the Kids’ Climb.
🍂Plan a picnic or enjoy a delicious treat from our food vendors.
🍂Create autumnal treasures to take home.

👉 All activities are included with regular admission! 👈

Schedule of Events:
😎ALL DAY!
Food Vendors: Chill's Cheesecakes, Tolia, & Red's
Activities: Scavenger hunts, nature crafts, & lawn games

🌳10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Kids Climb – Sponsored by the New England ISA

🌲10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Talks & Tours
10 AM: The History of Arboretums in America, hosted by Chris Fletcher, former manager of Juniper Hill Arboretum
1 PM: Assisted Migration, Relocating Plants due to Climate Change, hosted by Nathan Lambstrom of Lambstrom Garden Ecology
3 PM: Marvelous Maples! hosted by Joe Verstandig, Living Collections Manager at the Newport Tree Conservancy
🧚3:00 PM
Fairy House contest judging

Event Info:
🍂 Wonder Wold
📆 Saturday, October 24
🕰 10 AM – 4 PM
📍101 Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02885

10/17/2026

Costume Party circa 1914 👻🎃

A rare Halloween time artifact from the collection. Augustine Van Wickle is in second row, second from right.

10/13/2026

Six more weeks until we light up the night for the Christmas season ✨🎄❄️

The Manor and Grounds will be glowing with holiday cheer every Tuesday-Sunday from November 24, 2026 until January 3, 2027!

Bonfires and s'mores available on Friday and Saturday evenings (by reservation only). Last admission starts at 7pm.

10/12/2026

Thank you, New England ISA !

We are thrilled to announce that we have received the 2026 ISA Gold Leaf Award for our outstanding Arbor Day activities this past April, and ongoing commitment to tree education, preservation, and community engagement!

“Blithewold’s commitment to celebrating trees and engaging the community makes it an excellent example of what the Gold Leaf Award represents. Their programs help people of all ages understand the value of trees, while creating opportunities for the community to
experience, learn about, and appreciate the living landscape around them.”
– Rich Cartier, President of the New England Chapter ISA

Horticulture team members Dan Christina and Dennis Taylor accepted the award in person at NEC-ISA’s 2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show.

MORE ABOUT THIS AWARD: The Harry J. Banker Gold Leaf Award recognizes an individual, organization, or community within the New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (NEC-ISA) for outstanding Arbor Day programs or community landscape beautification projects. The award provides an opportunity for NEC-ISA to recognize projects that have made a meaningful impact on a community or region and demonstrate a sustained commitment over several years.

The Gold Leaf Award is presented in two categories: Outstanding Arbor Day Activities and Outstanding Landscape Beautification Activities. Recipients may include individuals, organizations, or municipalities whose efforts have contributed to tree planting, preservation, conservation, environmental protection, education, beautification, wildlife protection, or other activities that promote tree care and preservation.

ABOUT NEC-ISA: The New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture is dedicated to advancing the knowledge, professionalism, and safe practices of arboriculture while promoting the benefits of trees and responsible tree care throughout New England.