Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
Springing into flower
Springtime often has me in one of two places – laying on the ground to get a good look at a spring bulb in flower or staring up toward the sky at the tree buds … Read more.
Bristol News: March 1, 1897
One hundred and twenty-three years ago, on March 1, 1897, Marjorie Van Wickle was at the Jekyll Island Club in Brunswick, Georgia, with her parents Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle. While she was there she … Read more.
Spring messengers
In the midst of upheaval, one thing is constant. The sun rises, the birds sing, the spring flowers rise out of their rest to greet the warming weather. There is peace and rest in connecting … Read more.
Wildlife Revealed
There’s a world around us living, breathing, and dying that is easy to ignore. We may be tempted to think of insects, birds, and amphibians as only alive in the summer – but so much … Read more.
Household Staff at Blithewold
Blithewold and other large mansions of its era were designed on the assumption that there would always be a plentiful supply of servants. Bessie Van Wickle McKee could not have maintained her large residences without … Read more.
Wintertime Garden Inspiration
January often heralds the official arrival of the winter doldrums. Gail, Joe, Fred, and I are here to offer a cure – inspiration for your gardening plans this year. Last year, we started our series … Read more.
Greenhouse Trellis
This past fall, Garden volunteer Bill Knipps and I built a bamboo trellis on the greenhouse wall of the potting shed. Gail wanted to try something different to catch people’s attention this winter, and all … Read more.
Fresh Snow
I was so excited on my drive into work today because last night’s snow created the most beautiful winter landscape. There is nothing quite like a freshly fallen snow to make the world feel clean … Read more.
John DeWolf
John DeWolf, Blithewold’s landscape designer, was born in Bristol. He was intimately connected with the Blithewold property from childhood, his DeWolf ancestors having owned the land which, in the 18th century, ran from Mount Hope … Read more.
Merry, Warm, and Bright
It has been positively frigid this week, which makes the warm humid atmosphere of the greenhouse an even sweeter relief than usual. Staff and visitors aren’t the only ones enjoying this indoor climate. Blithewold’s tender … Read more.
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