Lecture Series

Thursday, September 21 10:30 am, In-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)
The Private Library in America: “Never Just a Random Collection of Books”
with Jim Abbott, Executive Director and Chief Curator of Wright’s Ferry Mansion
 

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James Archer Abbott will highlight the evolution of personal and private libraries in America, from those of our Founding Fathers to more contemporary players in the development of the nation and its cultural identity. He will touch upon libraries as both physical information centers of varying periods in time and as visual/architectural translations of the ambitions and visions of statesmen, authors, artists, philanthropists, tastemakers, and kingmakers. Among the libraries to be focused upon are those of: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, John D. Rockefeller Jr., Brooke Astor, Baltimore’s own Ambassador John Work Garrett, and of course Harvey S. Ladew.

Mr. Abbott is currently the Executive Director and Chief Curator of Wright’s Ferry Mansion, Louise Steinman von Hess Foundation, in Columbia, Pennsylvania.https://lancastercountymuseums.org/wrights-ferry-mansion/

Thursday, September 28 10:30 am, IN-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)
Storing Tropical Plants in Temperate Climates: Decisions, Tips, and Techniques 
with Marianne Willburn, Garden Writer
 

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Used strategically, tropical and subtropical plants can create incredible energy and excitement in the temperate landscape; but many gardeners unfamiliar with the genre are hesitant to dabble, unsure of the work involved. Using unique storage categories from her book Tropical Plants and How to Love Them, Marianne Willburn will help audience members discern what they can easily store, which plants may take more effort, and where to draw the line, providing tips and techniques for successful storage in cold climates.

Marianne is an opinion columnist for the American Horticultural Society’s The American Gardener, and a contributing editor at GardenRant.com.https://mariannewillburn.com/

Thursday, October 5 10:30 am, In-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)

Dual Visions: Quang Ho & Adrienne Stein Paint Ladew
with Quang Ho and Adrienne Stein, Ladew Gardens 2023 Artists-in-Residence

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Husband and wife oil painters, Quang Ho and Adrienne Stein, will share their reflections and insights on their time as the 2023 Artists-in-Residence at Ladew Topiary Gardens.  They will present images of painting on site and in their studios to give an inside glimpse into their unique and distinctive processes.  

Quang Ho’s subject matter ranges from still-life and landscapes, to interiors and figurative. As he explains, “The real essence of painting is the dialogue between shapes, tones, colors, textures, edges, and line. Everything else follows — including light, form, concepts, personal beliefs, and inspirations.” Ho is a much sought-after teacher and lecturer on art and has won numerous prestigious awards nationally from the Artists of America to the Oil Painters of America exhibits.  He has held a retrospective exhibit at the Steamboat Springs Museum of Art and has held shows at the Woolaroc Museum as well as the Booth Museum of Western Art.  

Adrienne Stein is an award-winning artist that paints and celebrates the natural world through bold, vibrant color. The lush magical environments and figures she depicts form the nexus between reality and fantasy, expressed through a world of symbolic imagery. https://quangho.com/  https://www.adriennestein.com/ 

Thursday, October 12 10:30 am, In-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)
Supporting Wildlife in Your Winter Garden
with Samantha Nestory, Horticulturist and Naturalist 

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Where do our garden wildlife friends go when we cozy up for winter? While some move on to warmer climates, many species wait for spring right in our own backyards. Learn about the ingenious ways our favorite birds, insects, and mammals weather the winter and what you can do to provide them with the habitat resources they need.

As engagement manager and naturalist at Stoneleigh in Villanova, Samantha develops educational programming, coordinates public events, and manages the volunteer program at Stoneleigh, using her passion for insects, plants, and people to connect and engage the community. https://stoneleighgarden.org/garden/home/

Thursday, October 26 10:30 am, In-person and virtual (refreshments begin at 10 am for in-person attendees)
Reimagined Fall Decorations from the Garden
with Claire Jones, Owner of Claire Jones Landscapes, LLC

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For creative inspiration join Claire Jones and learn how to create sumptuous and eye-catching arrangements reflecting bold fall colors. Creating many of her own containers out of found and foraged materials, Claire will share her tips on sourcing, foraging, and designing something special that even a beginner can create. Arrangements will be raffled off at the conclusion of her presentation.

Chosen to decorate the White House for Christmas, Claire is a horticulturist, landscape design consultant, and floral designer. Owner of Claire Jones Landscapes, LLC, Claire’s designs have been featured in Chesapeake Home, Style Magazine, Garden Design, and The Wall Street Journal.https://www.clairejoneslandscapes.com/