Event

Vanderbilt Garden Tea

The beautiful formal gardens of the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site in Hyde Park, NY will be the site for a special event. A special tea will be held on September 13, 2015 from 2pm to 4pm. The event is in the spirit of the "Downton Abbey" era, the early 1900's. It will feature a selection of teas from Harney and Sons, and delectable refreshments including tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and French macarons. There will be live entertainment including music and a guest speaker, Margie Coffin Brown, Senior Project Manager at the National Park Service Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation. She will speak on "Preserving Nationally Significant Gardens". Ms. Brown has authored and co-authored numerous cultural landscape reports for nationally significant properties in the Northeast, including for the Vanderbilt estate and garden. She holds a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University and a Bachelors degree in Plant Science from Cornell University.

The event will take place rain or shine, under a tent. Parking will be at the main visitors center and there is a moderate walk to the gardens. Very limited transportation will be available. Handicap access is available by pre-arrangement. Would you consider wearing period clothing, party garden wear or even a fancy hat? It isn't necessary but it might be fun!

The F. W. Vanderbilt Garden Association is an all volunteer group. All funds raised by the tea will be used to help fund the planting and maintenance of the gardens. Members of the association will be available for guided tours.