Special Events

Traction Line to be closed from Convent Station to Danforth Road during the week of April 3 for trail paving work.

Traction Line to be closed from Convent Station to Danforth Road during the week of April 3 for trail paving work.

Family Photo Scavenger Hunt: It’s A Small World

Family Photo Scavenger Hunt: It’s A Small World

All ages. 

Grab your camera and get your eyes ready. In this month's scavenger hunt we'll search for signs of spring no matter how tiny they are.  

Register here.

  • Date:
    Wednesday, March 1—Friday, March 31
  • Time:
    8 am - 4 pm
  • Location:

    Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353  East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960

  • Cost:
    $10 per family or group of 6.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information call 973.326.7601.

Frog Jamboree

Frog Jamboree

Ages 6 & up.

March 25: 2 pm - 3 pm at Great Swamp

March 29: 4 pm - 5 pm at Great Swamp

March 30: 4 pm - 5 pm at Pyramid Mountain 

The spring peepers and wood frogs are singing in the forest pools.  Learn all about these two frogs, looking and listening for them from the trails on a naturalist-led walk. Rain or shine.

Register here.

  • Date:
    Saturday, March 25—Thursday, March 30
  • Time:
    4 pm - 5 pm
  • Location:

    Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928

    Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, 472 Boonton Avenue, Montville Township, NJ 07045 (intersection of Mars Court and Boonton Avenue)

  • Cost:
    $5 per person.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.635.6629.

Garden Sprouts

Garden Sprouts

Ages 3 - 5 with an adult. 

Wednesday, March 29: Small Seeds, Big Roots - With some time, teeny tiny seeds grow into very big plants. How? Sprouts will discover what is inside a seed, and will start their own.

Register here.

  • Date:
    Wednesday, March 29—Wednesday, March 29
  • Time:
    10 am - 11 am or 1:30 - 2:30 pm
  • Location:

    Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960

  • Cost:
    $10 - $15 per child with an adult.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.326.7601.

Frog Walk for Littles

Frog Walk for Littles

Ages 2 - 5 with an adult.

Join us with your toddler to take a walk with a naturalist to visit the vernal pools and the many frogs that are singing. Enjoy a frog-themed story too! This program is rain or shine, frogs don't mind the rain!

Register here.

  • Date:
    Thursday, March 30
  • Time:
    10 am - 11 am
  • Location:

    Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, 472 Boonton Avenue, Montville Township, NJ 07045 (intersection of Mars Court and Boonton Avenue)

  • Cost:
    $7 per child.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.635.6629

Paranormal Evenings: The Vail House

Paranormal Evenings: The Vail House

****** SOLD OUT ******

Adults.

Join staff and the New Jersey Paranormal Project team as they investigate Historic Speedwell’s Vail House to see what goes bump in the night!

Register here.

  • Date:
    Friday, March 31
  • Time:
    7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
  • Location:

    Historic Speedwell, 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, NJ 07950

  • Cost:
    SOLD OUT
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.326.7645.

Early Spring Birding for Adults

Early Spring Birding for Adults

Adults.

Spring is in the air! You can already hear the winter resident birds singing for mates, and the earliest migrants are starting to arrive. Join a naturalist to search for birds along the trails. Bring binoculars or borrow ours.

Register here.

  • Date:
    Friday, March 31
  • Time:
    8 am - 9:30 am
  • Location:

    Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928

  • Cost:
    $7 per person.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, 973.635.6629.

Lamb Frolic!

Lamb Frolic!

All ages.

Meet the newest arrivals to the farm! Help the farmers socialize the baby lambs by playing with them one on one. Everyone will have a chance to pet and hold a lamb. 

To register, please call 973.631.5022.

  • Date:
    Saturday, April 1—Sunday, April 9
  • Time:
    9 am - 10 am, 10:30 am - 11:30 am, 1 pm - 2 pm
  • Location:

    Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960.

  • Cost:
    $50 per lamb. Maximum 2 people per lamb.
  • Contact:
    To register please call, 973.631.5022.

Family Photo Scavenger Hunt:  April Fools!

Family Photo Scavenger Hunt:  April Fools!

All ages.

Plants offer some of the best camouflage in the garden. Use your eyes and camera to spot some of the spring garden's hidden gems. 

Register here.

  • Date:
    Saturday, April 1—Sunday, April 30
  • Time:
    8 am - 4 pm
  • Location:

    Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.

  • Cost:
    $10 per family or group of 6 or less.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.326.7601

“Branching Out!”

“Branching Out!”

Ages 6 - 9. 

Saturdays, April 1 through June 17

Celebrating it's 50th year, “Branching Out!” offers hands-on gardening for young people who are encouraged to play in the dirt. Kids learn that with a little luck and much patience, the food you grow yourself tastes much better! Time to get digging and get dirty.

Register here.

  • Date:
    Saturday, April 1—Saturday, June 17
  • Time:
    9 am - 10 am
  • Location:

    Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.

  • Cost:
    $175 per child.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.326.7601

“Branching Out!”

“Branching Out!”

Ages 10 - 13. 

Saturdays, April 1 through June 17

Celebrating it's 50th season, "Branching Out!" offers young green thumbs (kids who love nature and plants, or those who just want to learn) the chance to dig into the science, art, and culture of plants and gardening. Each gardener tends their own plot and reaps the fruits -- and vegetables -- of their labor. 

Register here.

  • Date:
    Saturday, April 1—Saturday, June 17
  • Time:
    10:30 am - 12 noon
  • Location:

    Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.

  • Cost:
    $250 per child.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.326.7601

Opening Day at Historic Speedwell

Opening Day at Historic Speedwell

All ages.

Historic Speedwell is back for the 2023 season! Join us in exploring the fascinating history of the Vail family, the telegraph, and life in 19th century Morristown with a brand-new house tour, lawn games, craft activities, and our interactive exhibit spaces. Support our Friends group with limited time discounts at the Museum Store. 

  • Date:
    Saturday, April 1
  • Time:
    10 am - 4 pm
  • Location:

    Historic Speedwell, 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.

  • Cost:
    $5 per person.
  • Contact:
    For more information, call 973.285.6537

Pruning Workshop with Bruce Crawford

Pruning Workshop with Bruce Crawford

Adults.

**** This program has been moved to April 1 due to weather. The event will now be held rain or shine on 4/1. ****

Learn the how’s and why’s of pruning, the science behind it, and what tools to use from Bruce Crawford. Practice your new skills on the trees and shrubs in the gardens. Dress for the weather, and bring your garden gloves and pruners. 

Register here.

  • Date:
    Saturday, April 1
  • Time:
    10 am - 12 noon
  • Location:

    Willowwood Arboretum, 14 Longview Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931.

  • Cost:
    $40 per person.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information call 973.326.7601.

Opening Day at the Cooper Gristmill

Opening Day at the Cooper Gristmill

All ages.

Join us in celebrating the reopening of the Cooper Gristmill for the 2023 season! We are keeping our nose to the grindstone with timed tours of the mill throughout the day. Spread out with a picnic lunch on the grass while the kids conduct science experiments and make crafts with our Education Team, and enjoy a walk along the scenic Black River trail.

  • Date:
    Sunday, April 2
  • Time:
    10 am - 4 pm
  • Location:

    The Cooper Gristmill, 66 Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930.

  • Cost:
    $5 per person.
  • Contact:
    For more information, call 973.285.6537

Floral Arranging with Supermarket Flowers

Floral Arranging with Supermarket Flowers

Adults.

Ann Fahey, Superintendent of Horticulture Education, will demonstrate how to design beautiful floral arrangements with supermarket bouquets for any special person this May. We supply the container, the greens, and the mechanics. Bring your own supermarket bouquet to style. 

Register here.

  • Date:
    Tuesday, April 4
  • Time:
    10 am - 11 am
  • Location:

    Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.

  • Cost:
    $25 per person.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.326.7601

WWI Tour of the Willows

WWI Tour of the Willows

All ages.

Join a WWI Doughboy for a guided tour through the Willows. Explore the impact of the conflict on the Foster family, the workers, Morris County, and the world.

Register here.

  • Date:
    Thursday, April 6
  • Time:
    1 pm - 2:30 pm
  • Location:

    Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960.

  • Cost:
    $10 per person.
  • Contact:
    For more information, call 973.326.7645.

Children’s Tour of the Willows

Children’s Tour of the Willows

Ages 4 - 12 with an adult.

Step back in time at the Willows Mansion! Learn about the people who lived there, and use your senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch to learn about life in the past. This tour is designed for kids.

Register here.

  • Date:
    Saturday, April 8
  • Time:
    2 pm - 3 pm
  • Location:

    Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960.

  • Cost:
    $10 per person.
  • Contact:
    For more information, call 973.326.7645.

Muffin Mania

Muffin Mania

Ages 4 - 12 with an adult.

Do you know the muffin man? Mix and bake muffins; decorate your own cloth flour bag with us at the Cooper Gristmill. While your muffins are in the oven, join us for a tour of the mill where the flour is ground. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Register here.

  • Date:
    Saturday, April 8
  • Time:
    11 am - 12:30 pm, 12:30 pm - 2 pm
  • Location:

    The Cooper Gristmill, 66 Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930.

  • Cost:
    $10 per person.
  • Contact:
    For more information, call 973.285.6537

Sensory Friendly Saturday

Sensory Friendly Saturday

All ages. 

Saturdays: April 8, May 27, June 17.

Visit Fosterfields for our new Sensory Friendly Saturdays. This event is designed to be less overwhelming to those with sensory sensitivities. This hour-long program allows families to come to the farm and enjoy the open, quiet spaces with no crowds. 

Register here.

  • Date:
    Saturday, April 8—Saturday, June 17
  • Time:
    9 am - 10 am
  • Location:

    Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960.

  • Cost:
    $5 per person.
  • Contact:
    For more information, call 973.326.7645.

Tubbs Lecture - The Rutgers University Dogwood Breeding Program: A Long History Supports an Exciting Future

Tubbs Lecture - The Rutgers University Dogwood Breeding Program: A Long History Supports an Exciting Future

Adults.

Associate Professor of Plant Biology at Rutgers University, Tom Molnar, will speak on the university's long history of research and breeding of Dogwoods from its beginning in the 1960s through his own new cultivar Cornus kousa Scarlet Fire®. Learn the history of this great landscape tree and get a glimpse of new plants in the pipeline. Join Dr. Molnar in the Stone Barn at Willowwood Arboretum.  

This program is made possible by a grant from the Willowwood Foundation.

Register here.

  • Date:
    Sunday, April 23
  • Time:
    1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Location:

    Willowwood Arboretum, 300 Longview Rd. Chester Township, 07930

  • Cost:
    $25 per person.
  • Contact:
    Preregistration is required. For more information, call 973.326.7601.