The Woodlands

Grateful for the very good light today. The gates are open daily from dawn until 5:30pm for fresh air, walks, and space. It’s free to visit, but you can always make a quick and easy donation using the QR code at the entrance. Thank you for all your support in 2020, we are looking forward to this new year.

Between 1789 and 1813 the Hamilton Mansion was the location for countless social events featuring music, dancing, and Madeira. In recent years, we’ve hosted Jane Austen movie nights, regency costume competitions, and brought music, English country dancing and feathered head pieces back to the Hamilton Mansion. Now we’re inspired by the recent Netlfix hit, #bridgerton. Would you be interested in a socially distanced Promenade around the grounds in the coming weeks?

"[E]den’s story is larger than its notables. Its very existence was shaped by segregation and the fight for civil rights, a history legible in its archival documents, material culture, and physical design, if you know how to read them." WHYY recently featured the legacy and preservation efforts of Historic Eden Cemetery. You can also help: https://gofund.me/a52c6d54

GOODBYE 2020! This is your last chance to donate to Give to The Woodlands before the end (finally!!) of 2020. Visit givetothewoodlands.org to make your tax-deductible end of year donation to your favorite community green space.

A new resident was spotted at The Woodlands this weekend by birder Simon Westly. A Great-horned Owl spent a lovely Sunday high up in a tree just south west of the Hamilton Mansion. Toribird, our resident birding expert created a video to share with everyone who wasn't able to experience this celebrity-sighting in person.

180 years ago The Woodlands was converted into a cemetery to preserve the landscape. Today we have 54 acres of scenery, nearly 2 miles of paved roads, over 1,000 trees, a mile long running path, 30,000 headstones, and 2 National Historic Landmark Buildings. That’s a lot to take care of with a small staff and a small budget. COVID-19 showed up, but our costs didn’t go away. More people than ever are using the space, which also means more wear and tear. We need your help to continue making improvements to the site and keep it safe for public use. We act like public space, but are privately owned and operated, receiving no city funding. This makes support from our community imperative. It’s not too late to make your end of year gift. Visit givetothewoodlands.org to donate now and help preserve this sacred space

It took a long time, but site-wide golden carpets are officially here! These last few days of cold temps have finally encouraged any leafy procrastinators to shed their yellow canopies. Visiting The Woodlands right now will provide you with fresh, crisp air (to enjoy behind a mask), moody winter views, and give your feet the glamorous golden walking experience they deserve. On a separate note, please remember that we are still an active cemetery that is used by hundreds of pe...ople daily. Wear a mask (even when running) throw trash in an appropriate receptacle (not behind a headstone), and remember to treat other visitors with respect by staying distanced, keeping your dog leashed, and keeping bikes on the paved road. Thank you for your support and a big thank you to those who have made tax-deductible donations to The Woodlands so far this year. It's not too late, if you'd like to donate and help maintain this space, visit: https://www.givetothewoodlands.org/

Finding ways to gather as a community during a pandemic has been a challenge but one that we’ve met. Digital Tours helped us share new cemetery stories with visitors on site and at home. Jazz concerts at sunrise with our partner Ars Nova Workshop were spiritual and reinvigorating. Volunteer events kept the Grave Gardens blooming, and kept our partnership with Philadelphia Orchard Project growing. Welcoming local organizations in need of open space for their programs has become a way for us to support our neighborhood. Support The Woodlands and visit givetothewoodlands.org to make an end of year gift today. You still have time to make a big impact. Learn more about our partner, Philadelphia Orchard Project and the work they’re doing at The Woodlands here:

This Giving Tombstone Tuesday we need your help to continue making improvements to The Woodlands and keep it safe for public use. We act like public space, but are privately owned and operated, receiving no city funding. This makes support from our community imperative. We are raising $1,500 this Giving TOMBSTONE Tuesday to help us restore and repair headstones across our 54 acres. Will you help us?

Feel inspired with this introduction to Historic Eden Cemetery. They are working to preserve their historic records, and could use your help. Learn more here: https://gf.me/u/y6v6mq

Our gates are open daily from Dawn - Dusk. Tomorrow also happens to be the perfect day to take a Digital Tour (may we suggest one featuring two suffragists?) and a walk through the grounds.

It's a beautiful day to take a walk through The Woodlands. The trees are showing off their fall colors, and our newest digital tour highlights some of the spookier individuals buried at The Woodlands. Take the "Spirits of The Woodlands: Mischief Makers" digital tour here: https://www.woodlandsphila.org/digital-tours

We dedicated our most recent newsletter to Historic Eden Cemetery, the people who fought adversity to create a more equitable world, and the ongoing fight for the right to vote. Eden has launched a Go Fund Me to assist in their efforts to protect their archival records and preserve African American legacy. Learn more and donate at the link below.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Woodlands! This year, we wanted to share the story of Joseph Campbell, founder of the Campbell's Soup Company with you as canned food items and food drives are on people's minds this time of year. Did you know that there is a Community Fridge at 511 S. 52nd Street in West Philly? The People's Fridge at Mina's World is open to anyone and they are always accepting donations. You can learn more and donate here: https://www.instagram.com/thefridgeon52nd/

In solidarity with the Wallace family, and those who are mourning and working to create a better Philadelphia for all, we recognize this is not a time to celebrate. We have therefore decided to cancel Friday night’s After Hours: Mischief Night. In the wake of the recent loss to our West Philly Community, we will continue to do our part to create a safe space at The Woodlands for everyone, and will be in touch regarding opportunities for the community to come together for the... purpose of healing and reflection. We hope for brighter days ahead. In the meantime, our gates will continue to be open from dawn to dusk. Photo by: Ryan Collerd

Today (Monday) is the last day to register for After Hours: Special Member Nights Mischief Night edition! Learn more and register here by 5pm today: https://bit.ly/2J8MsCD

The gates are open EVERY DAY! Enjoy the fresh air, trees, and open space found within the 54 acres of The Woodlands every day this week, ever day this year, dawn to dusk. Learn more and stay safe: https://www.woodlandsphila.org/visit

Become a Member and register for After Hours: Special Member Nights "Mischief Night!" on Friday, October 30th. Event registration will close on Monday, 10/26 at 5pm, so get your tickets soon for this spooky night in the cemetery complete with Curio Theatre Company, fire pits, and s'mores. Learn more and register here:

We've welcomed more visitors new and old in 2020 than we could have imagined. Help us maintain this sacred space. Give to The Woodlands and help us reach our $50,000 end of year fundraising goal. All funds raised will go towards management of The Woodlands, a 54-acre National Historic Landmark District located in West Philadelphia. Learn more: https://www.givetothewoodlands.org/

Philadelphia Orchard Project, our Community Partner and the ones behind the new POP Learning Orchard on the north side of The Woodlands, was recently featured in the The New York Times!

After Hours: Special Member Nights is cancelled due to rain! We hope you'll consider becoming a member and joining us for After Hours" Mischief Night on 10/30. For more information visit: https://www.woodlandsphila.org/events-calendar

We visited the Elm wood from the Grove of 7 Giants today. It has been slowly drying at Bucks County Hardwoods and is now ready to be used for projects at The Woodlands, and maybe even your own home! We are considering selling some of these special pieces of wood as a fundraiser. Would you be interested in purchasing some wood for your own use, and supporting The Woodlands at the same time? Comment below!

**EARLY CLOSING REMINDER** The gates will close at 5pm this evening and reopen at 6pm for After Hours: Special Member Nights. Learn more here: https://www.woodlandsphila.org/membership

Don't feel like packing a picnic for tomorrow's After Hours: Special Member Nights? Our friends at Renata's Kitchen have put together a special picnic offering just for you. Pre-order by 3pm today and pick up after 5:30pm tomorrow in time for After Hours. Order here: https://renatas-kitchen.square.site/

We've partnered with our friends at Renata's Kitchen to offer a special picnic menu just in time for our After Hours: Special Member Nights at The Woodlands. Learn more and pre-order a picnic here: bit.ly/2EMA5KI

Migration Season is in full swing! In her most recent blog post, Toribird talks about species you may see while birding at The Woodlands, and action items to help birds have a successful journey. Read Toribird's latest blog post here: