Postcard of The Fells, in Lake Sunapee, N.H.
Postcard of The Fells, in Lake Sunapee, N.H. Credit: Courtesy of The Fells Historic Estate and Garden

Here is a look at the May events at the John Hay Estate at the Fells. For more information or to register, visit thefells.org.

First Thursday Hike, May 6, 11 a.m.: Join Nick Scheu, landscape director, or Simon Parsons, education director, at The Fells property. These informal, moderate walks will be an opportunity to get a little exercise, spend time out in the landscape, and learn something new about the gardens and the home once owned by the John Hay family. The topic will change monthly. Members free, non-members included with regular admission fee. No reservations are necessary. Meets at The Fells Kiosk.

Shearing of the Heather, May 7, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Since 1996 the Northeast Heather Society have guided and assisted The Fells in this important annual task. Please come join us in shearing last season’s flower heads from atop these sub-shrubs improves their vibrant display of color that we all enjoy from late July to early September. It also improves the health and vigor of the plants overall. This event is free to all but advance reservation is required as space is limited. Contact 763-4789, ext. 3, or email info@thefells.org to register. Sponsored in part by the Northeast Heather Society.

Potting Workshop, May 12, 9 to 11:30 a.m.: Join Nick Scheu, landscape director, and Shayna Levesque, nursery manager to begin the season at The Fells. Pot seed and plant plugs for use in our landscape and your home garden. $5 per person includes a sample of plant specimens to take home. Reservations required, call the office at 763-4789, ext. 3, or online.

Solitary Bee Hotels: Construction Ideas to Support these Pollinators, May 18, 1 to 3:30 p.m.: Solitary bees of all kinds are important pollinators in your garden. They are the bee type which rarely, if ever, sting and fail to produce honey. And yet, their work can “bee” vital to a healthy garden! A little encouragement and a fine home is all these hard workers need in order to continue making a significant contribution to our environment. Nick Scheu, Landscape Director and Simon Parsons, Education Director will guide you as you build and take home your very own bee hotel with its own unique and distinctive character. Buy a second kit to take home! This is a hands-on, building experience for ages 8-98! All supplies and tools will “bee” provided. Individuals or family groups are welcome to build a house. Cost per individual or family group: $25 members, $35 non-members. Advance registration required, space is limited. Contact 763-4789, ext. 3, or email info@thefells.org to register.

Potting Workshop, May 22, 9 to 11:30 a.m.: Join Nick Scheu, Landscape Director, and Shayna Levesque, Nursery Manager to begin the season at The Fells. Pot seed and plant plugs for use in our landscape and your home garden. $5 per person includes a sample of plant specimens to take home. Reservations required, call the office at 603-763-4789 ext. 3 or online.

The John Hay Estate at The Fells: Historic Home Opens for the Season, May 29: The Main House is now open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Discover what life was like on an early 20th century New Hampshire summer estate. See new exhibits in history, ecology and art. Take a historic guided or self-guided tour of the 22-room Colonial Revival Main House, explore the renowned gardens and sculpture, build a fairy house in the children’s Fairy Village and experience the natural world on an easy hike along one of our scenic trails. Our Plant Stand located in the Gatehouse Courtyard is open daily. Site admission applies. Please note that we have guidelines for visiting to help protect our visitors, volunteers, and staff from COVID-19. Masks are required when in the Main House.

■The Fells Exhibit in the Main Floor Gallery is “Peace and Tranquility.” After these past stressful months with our world turned upside down we find that The Fells has offered a retreat, a place to come and experience the peace and tranquility of the natural world. In these past months, many artists have found peace and tranquility painting in their studios or out in the landscape. This show featuring selected artists who will share their work and experiences over the past 14 months creating art that reflects the peace and tranquility that they sought. Open during Main House hours and included with regular admission fee.

■The Second Floor Gallery features the artists from the Art Café and their work inspired by Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. Whitman’s verse collection was first published in 1855 and is considered a landmark in the history of American Literature. These paintings, sculptures and collages are individual creations reflecting a line taken from this noted collection. Through the history exhibit, read excerpts from the literary works of four generations of the Hay family. Accompanying the exhibition throughout the season will be a selection of educational programs about history, literature, and the arts. Located in the Main House and included with regular admission fee.

■This season’s ecology exhibit will be Habitat Stewardship at The John Hay Estate at the Fells located in the pavilion. Environmentalist and nature writer John Hay called on us to raise awareness about habitat loss and its impacts on ecology. Through interactive and informative exhibits, guided interpretive hikes, and ecology programs, we hope to teach our visitors to be good stewards of wildlife habitat.

■The Art in Nature Sculpture Exhibit is a contemporary exhibit of some of the finest New England sculptors set on the beautiful grounds of The Fells. Each piece is sensitively sited to seamlessly integrate that which is human-created into the surrounding landscape. This year’s exhibit continues the theme of “Stillness & Motion,” and features a combination of still and kinetic pieces. Open from dawn to dusk and included with regular admission fee.