Winter Lecture to feature Gravetye Manor gardener Tom Coward
Lenox — Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Winter Lecture will mark its 23rd year with “The Legacy of Wild Gardener William Robinson,” a presentation by internationally recognized gardener Tom Coward Saturday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. at the Lenox Memorial Middle and High School Duffin Theater.
Coward is the head gardener of Gravetye Manor, the former estate of Victorian “wild garden” exponent and author William Robinson, who established the historic gardens in 1885. Situated in the Ashdown Forest of Sussex— the basis of A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh books — this would become Robinson’s inspiration for the creation of the English natural or wild gardens. “The English Flower Garden” and “The Wild Garden” were Robinson’s most notable books on the topic. The meadows of Gravetye’s wild garden are composed of naturalized bulbs and perennials mixed with native wildflowers.
Building on his experience restoring the wild gardens of Gravetye and drawing from the inspiration of North American meadows, Coward will describe his process of how he continues to develop the wild garden at Gravetye and how the concept might translate to other gardens. Said Coward: “Some of the modern wild gardens that are being developed today are so exciting, particularly in the USA. It is important for us to keep Robinson’s wild garden abreast with this development. We are always trying to keep the garden moving forward. Robinson would have never wanted his garden to become a mausoleum to a moment in time and so we feel that the best way to care for our heritage is to keep in developing.”
Tickets are $45 general admission or $35 for Berkshire Botanical Garden members. The snow date for the lecture is Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call (413) 320-4794.
–E.E.
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Spencertown Academy to welcome contemporary folk artist Tracy Grammer
Spencertown, N.Y. — Spencertown Academy Arts Center’s Roots & Shoots Concerts series will welcome contemporary folk artist Tracy Grammer Saturday, Feb. 22, at 8 p.m.
Grammer is renowned for her pure voice, deft guitar and violin work, and incantatory storytelling. She has recorded and performed with Joan Baez and Mary Chapin Carpenter; headlined several of the nation’s top folk festivals, including Philadelphia Folk Festival and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival; and enjoyed 12 consecutive years as one of folk radio’s 50 top-played artists, both solo and with the late Dave Carter. Her 11th release, “Low Tide,” showcases her original songs and was Folk Alley’s No. 2 album of 2018 (just after John Prine at No. 1).
Tickets are $25 for the general public, $20 for Academy members and $10 for students. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact Spencertown Academy Arts Center at (518) 392-3693 or info@spencertownacademy.org.
–E.E.
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Celtic-American roots band Runa to perform at Dewey Hall
Sheffield — Dewey Hall will welcome Celtic-American roots band Runa Sunday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m.
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary as a band, Runa continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into Americana and roots music formats. Seeking to preserve traditional culture in a modern age, Runa creates the backbone of its sound from the musical and geographical diversity of its individually established band members. The band consists of vocalist and stepdancer Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, Jake James of New York on fiddle, and Caleb Edwards of Nashville on mandolin and vocals.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact (413) 429-1176 or deweysessionsmusic@gmail.com.
–E.E.
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Ventfort Hall to host lecture on ‘The Ice Famine of 1919’
Lenox — A museum professional in the field of living history, historian and author Dennis Picard will discuss “The Ice Famine of 1919” Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m. at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. Picard’s visual presentation and demonstration will be followed by a Victorian tea.
By the end of the 19th century, ice harvesting was the ninth largest industry in the U.S., employing tens of thousands of workers in New England alone and producing hundreds of thousands of tons of block ice annually. According to Picard, “People don’t think of ice as a crop, but it was so very important for food preservation and transportation.” In 1919, there was a shortage that led to some hard choices being made by Americans. Picard’s presentation will include images of the progression of ice harvesting, the innovation of manmade ice and refrigeration, and an exhibit of ice-harvesting tools.
Picard began his career at Old Sturbridge Village, spending 12 years filling various positions. He also served on the staff of Hancock Shaker Village as a historic trade craftsman and site interpreter. He has held the position of assistant director and director at sites including the Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown, New Hampshire, and the Sheffield Historical Society. He recently retired after 27 years at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield.
Tickets are $28 in advance and $32 on the day of the event. Reservations are recommended due to limited space. For more information or to make reservations, call Ventfort Hall at (413) 637-3206.
–E.E.
