News Archive

Backyard Homesteading Series: Raising Your Own Chickens 2/27

Tuesday, 02 February 2016 14:58

Have you been thinking of raising your own chickens and enjoying your own fresh eggs? Our annual Backyard Homesteading workshop is a great way to explore the idea. This session is designed for people interested in learning how to start a backyard chicken coop and grow healthy, productive chickens for years of enjoyment and fresh food. After the indoor portion of the workshop, there will be a tour of the coops and chicken tractors on site, so dress accordingly.

$30 for non-members, $20 for members; space IS limited, so please pre-register by calling 617-333-0924 x22.

Seeing a lot of winter damage in your yard? Restorative Pruning 4/9

Tuesday, 12 January 2016 09:49

Horticultural Triage: Assessing and Repairing Your Winter-damaged Landscape

We all know that winter is always brutal on plants, trees and shrubs, with many broken branches and limbs, animal damage, and plants drying out. Our Restorative Pruning Workshop, April 9, 9:00-11:30 am, led by the estate’s Landscape Director Debbie Merriam, will cover the basics of good pruning theory and practice, with a particular emphasis on evaluating and restoring plants that have been damaged by weather. After a brief classroom session, Debbie will demonstrate some rejuvenative pruning methods and participants will practice their skills on plants in the estate’s formal garden. Dress accordingly. Please bring safety glasses and hand-pruners if you have them; if not, they’ll be provided. If time allows, Debbie will also cover transplanting and soil health. Cost for this session is $10 for members; $20 for non-members. Space is limited; pre-registration required. To register, call  617-333-0924.

Registration open for 2016 Summer Archaeology Institute

Monday, 11 January 2016 11:18

The Wakefield Estate's Summer Archaeology Institute is a hands-on archaeological excavation at the historic Wakefield Estate in Milton, MA. It is one of only a few programs of its type in the country. The institute is specifically designed for high school and college students interested in learning about local history and archaeology. Participants will work side by side with graduate archaeology students from Boston University. Each two-week session offers students a hands-on introduction to the field of archaeology through participation in an actual excavation on site at the estate. To read about some of the past discoveries, check the news archive on here on our website.

2016 Dates & Schedule

Session I: July 5 – July 15; Monday-Friday 9 am-3:00 pm

Session II: July 18 – July 29; Monday-Friday, 9 am-3:00 pm

Program Description

In each two-week session, participants will work closely with archaeologists to conduct survey work and learn how to set up an archaeological dig. Students will gain excavation experience and the methods and techniques involved in conducting archaeology. Possible field trips and special events include visiting the Boston City Archaeology Lab and meeting specialists from nearby archaeological museums.  Participants will also gain experience in identifying artifacts and the behind-the-scenes activities that occur after the fieldwork has been conducted.

Requirements

• Willingness to work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
• Enthusiasm for hard work and getting dirty -- this is an archaeological dig!
• Commitment to teamwork and respect for others.
• Ability to work independently as well as with others.

Cost

• $300 per session; $450 for both sessions
• Scholarships available based on need.  Please call 617-333-0924 for more information.

Application Process and Deadline

To obtain a copy of our application, call 617-333-0924 or click here for a downloadable pdf.

• Send completed application to address below.
• Space is limited; applicants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. 

Send or fax(call 617-333-0924 before faxing) completed application to:

 Erica Max, Program Director 

Wakefield Charitable Trust

1465 Brush Hill Road 

Milton, MA  02186

Backyard Homesteading: Create a Compact Orchard 3/19

Friday, 08 January 2016 13:22

Become a backyard orchardist and grow your own fruit! Even with a small yard, you can enjoy fruit from your own trees with minimal effort and cost. This step-by-step workshop, to be held March 19 frrom 9:00-11:00 am, will teach you all you need to know to plan and create a compact orchard for years of enjoyment.

Participants will spend part of the workshop outside in the orchard for a pruning demonstration, so dress accordingly. $30; $20 for members of Wakefield Estate or Arnold Arboretum. Space is limited; pre-registration required.

Register through the Arnold Arboretum at http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu or call 617-384-5277. Offered with the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.