Submitted
A girl plays animal Olympics at the community open house and picnic held at Vermont’s only national park.
Saturday, Aug. 22 at 12 p.m. — WOODSTOCK — Celebrate summer by enjoying a special afternoon of discovery and fun at the national park in Woodstock. Taking a cue from previous occupants of the park’s historic Mansion — the Billings and the Rockefeller families — who hosted fun family gatherings of recreation, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and the Billings Farm & Museum invite the community to an open house and picnic on the grounds of the Mansion, Saturday, Aug. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. Bring a blanket and a picnic or get a snack from the “Change the World Kids.” Sit a spell in a wicker chair on the veranda and enjoy the views, and a glass of lemonade. Explore the art-filled Mansion at your own pace with rangers to hear the stories and history of a family who celebrated their connections to community and the land.
Family-friendly activities will include croquet, bocce, animal Olympics, and old-fashioned children’s games. Special recreation options include a chance to practice your putt on the Rockefellers’ putting green, designed by the renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. with instruction by expert golfer Bob Holt, and the opportunity to bring your own tennis racquet or borrow one from the park and experience some court time on the Rockefeller-era tennis court with tennis pro Tom Hopewell of the Woodstock Inn and Resort. ‘Hidden Spaces’ tours will explore the seldom seen spaces of the park such as the historic Belvedere with its vintage bowling alley and Cold War era fallout shelter. These tours will be held every half-hour between noon and 3:30. A Curator’s Behind the Scenes tour of the Mansion will also be offered.
Arts and crafts activities will include a fiber arts activity offered by ArtisTree, a plein air painting workshop with the park’s Artist in Residence Lyal Michel from 1:30 to 3 p.m, and an outdoor photography workshop from noon to 1 p.m. All activities, workshops, and tours are free. Parking is at the Billings Farm & Museum. A full schedule of events and more info at https://go.nps.gov/CommunityDay or by calling 802-457- 3368 x17.
