Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
Springing into action
Despite the wretched weather this week, we ushered in May with a flurry of activity. The volunteers helped us pot up 100 dahlias in preparation for planting out in the gardens next month. They also … Read more.
A Boy’s Trip to Europe, 1869
In 1869, 16-year-old Israel Pardee left his home in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, for a one-year educational journey through Europe, accompanied by his younger sister Anne. Israel (known in the family as Izzie) was Bessie McKee’s older … Read more.
Daffodil Bliss
Daffodil Days here at Blithewold are in full swing. The soft, sweet fragrance of the flowers wafts toward me whenever I walk near the Bosquet. It’s positively enticing! I could wax poetic about each daffodil … Read more.
Delightful Daffodils
This post is written by Gail Read, the Gardens Manager here at Blithewold. She has been here at Blithewold for over 25 years and is a fountain of knowledge about the plants and the property. … Read more.
The Charmingly Resilient Daffodil
Snow. Freezing temperatures. Rain. Wind. I think it’s safe to say that the weather this week has dampened the spirit of gardeners and flower enthusiasts, but hopefully not for long. Six inches of snow … Read more.
Under Cover
It certainly feels like a New England spring to me! We’ve had snow, rain, and 65 degree weather all within several days. It’s always interesting when I hear people wondering if their spring bulbs will … Read more.
A Sad Day in Hazleton, February 1923
The Pardee Mansion, built by Ario Pardee in 1859, was once the showpiece of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. It was home to Ario and Anna Maria Pardee and their 12 children including Bessie Pardee who was born … Read more.
New Trials
It is starting to feel like spring and I couldn’t be more excited about it! Each fall, when we put the gardens to bed and I feel a bit worn out by the long … Read more.
Gettysburg, July 1863
Our collection of 500 letters from the Civil War has one glaring omission. Ario Pardee Jr.’s letters from Gettysburg are missing, and prolonged efforts to locate them (both nationally through Civil War collection experts and … Read more.
Reflections
Last week, when February felt like May, it was difficult to keep a lid on all the spring ideas that were spinning around my head. Thankfully, the warmth last week was only a brief respite and … Read more.