News Archive

Celebrate the equinox March 20th or 21st by taking a walk outdoors at the Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum. The vernal equinox is the day when daytime and nighttime hours are nearly equal, and the days are getting longer and longer. During these past months, we've seen how valuable it is for individuals and families to have opportunities to get outdoors in nature. While masks and social distancing will still be required and attendance limited, the public is invited to welcome the arrival of spring with a scheduled visit to the arboretum on the weekend of the vernal equinox, March 20-21. Registration is required; hours are limited to 11 am- 2 pm daily. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided walks and visit with some of the animals, one group at a time. As all activities will be outdoors, visitors are asked to dress warmly and limit their visits to one hour. Register via this link or by calling 617-333-0924 x22.

The last session of the series, scheduled for Wednesday, March 31, will examine the evolution of our educational programs and how they have been informed by Polly Wakefield's own experiences as a naturalist and botanist. Program Director Erica Max will trace the roots of our outdoor environmental education programs to some of Polly's early writings.

or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please note: If you missed either of the two previous 2021 Stone Soup and Speaker events, they can be viewed at Milton Access Television video on demand link.

½ cup diced, turkey bacon or bacon

½ cup chopped onion

3 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 cup cubed, peeled potato

1 cup milk or 1/2 and 1/2

? teaspoon pepper

Dash ground red pepper

½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 ounces)

Fresh basil for garnish

For this winter's Stone Soup Speakers Series, we will focus inward to reacquaint our followers with the history, landscape, and program vision that led to our renaming this year as the Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum. Through storytelling and photos, we hope to engage participants in a conversation that increases people's understanding and attachment to this beautiful and unique cultural landscape nestled in the Blue Hills. The Stone Soup Speakers Series is normally a convivial gathering around homemade soup, but this year will be conducted virtually via Zoom.

The February Stone Soup session on Feb. 24 at 6:30 pm will explore the cultural landscape that existed before Mary May "Polly" Binney Wakefield developed her arboretum over a 50-year period. Much of this information was gained by researchers through a series of photographs, maps, archeological evidence and archival papers. Debbie Merriam will discuss the evolution of the landscape and Polly's life-long work to transform it into the formal gardens and nurseries we see today. To receive the zoom link for the Feb. 24th session, please register here or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .