Autumn in the Garden

Pascale Bouchard will be in the Wisner House Gallery on this final day of the Féminin Pluriel exhibit. Join her for these free special events as we celebrate this beautiful exhibit. Registration is recommended. See details below.

All works in this exhibition, including a curated selection of artist-designed garments and accessories (including skirts, scarves, ponchos, bow ties, pocket squares, earrings, makeup pouches, aprons, and placemats) are available for purchase with 30% generously benefitting the Arboretum.

Encaustic Demonstration with Pascale Bouchard

Sunday, November 1, 10-11:30 am

Join exhibiting artist Pascale Bouchard for an intimate, interactive demonstration of the encaustic techniques behind her work in Féminin Pluriel. Following the demonstration, Pascale will be available for informal conversation and a walk through the exhibit to share more about the techniques, stories, and inspiration behind individual works.

Closing Reception: Pascale Bouchard in Action

Sunday, November 1, 1-3 pm

Join us for an afternoon with artist Pascale Bouchard as we celebrate the closing of her exhibition, Féminin Pluriel. Enjoy refreshments while meeting Pascale and get a firsthand look at her encaustic process. Drop in anytime between 1-3 pm.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the magic of fall with us on Sunday! From the festive atmosphere to the wonderful community spirit, you helped make our fall celebration truly special. We are so grateful to be part of such a wonderful community. Your support helps us care for these beautiful gardens, inspire a love of nature, and provide meaningful educational experiences for visitors of all ages.

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of so many people. Thank you to the following:

• Volunteers, staff and Board members
• Our sponsors: Title Sponsor - The Lees Group of Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty; In-Kind Sponsors - Bruce Lorenz Fine Photography and ShopRite
• Zoophoria for their engaging animal education show
• BOLD Arts student dancers for their fun performance
• All of our vendors: Dizzy Dally Designs, Enchanted Crusts, Frank's Pickled Peppers, Goods Again, Imaginart Mats, My Happy Bluebird Ceramics, Paolo's Kitchen, Pizza Vita, Puras Paletas, Rosie's Empanadas, Shellbi Boys, Sugar & Whisk, The Mustard Indigo Tales, The Secret Tea Room, Vivienne Gathered Living, Waffles & Dreams, Whoops Macarons, Yorozu

And of course we can't forget our four-legged friends form Green Goats Farm. P.S. The votes were tallied and Butterball was voted favorite goat!

Stay tuned for all the fun programs we will be offering this December! Here are the highlights:

Historic Holiday Manor Tour

Friday, December 4, 9 am - 4 pm

Ringwood Manor is newly reopened after an extensive renovation! Join us for a festive day exploring both Ringwood and nearby Skylands Manor, both dressed in their holiday best, with two holiday markets included at each location. A perfect daytrip to kick off the holiday season!

Sponsor + Decorate a Tree!

Saturday, December 5, 10 am-2 pm

Calling local businesses, organizations, families, schools, and scout groups!

Sponsor a tree, bring your creativity, and help us fill Reeves-Reed Arboretum with holiday cheer! Decorated trees will be featured at our Holiday Open House, where visitors can vote for their favorites. There are a limited number of trees, register today!

Holiday Open House

Sunday, December 6, 11 am-4 pm

Our Holiday Open House is the perfect way to kick off the season with something for everyone in the family...register today!



Event Highlights include: A Sip 'n Shop Holiday Market, Festival of Trees, Cookies, Cocoa & Photos with Santa (separate registration), Kids & Family Activities, Festive Carolers, and a Lifetime Family Membership Holiday Raffle.

Cookies, Cocoa & Photos with Santa!

Sunday, December 6, 11 am-4 pm

Skip the mall and celebrate the season at Reeves-Reed Arboretum! Enjoy a magical afternoon filled with cookies, cocoa, and photos with Santa. Families will love the festive activities happening throughout the grounds at our Holiday Open House. Entry is FREE with your Photos with Santa session!

Click on program titles for more information and to register.

Registration is required unless otherwise noted.

The Secret Tea Room

Enjoy each season with an enchanting tea experience in historic Wisner House. Fall tickets are selling quickly!

Cream Tea: Oct 21, 22; Nov 6, 11, 12; Dec 2, 3, 16, 17

Afternoon Tea: Oct 24, 25; Nov 14, 15, 22; Dec 19 (Family Holiday Tea), Dec 20

THIS FRIDAY! Beginner Modern Calligraphy

Friday, October 23, 10-11:30 am

Friday, November 13, 10-11:30 am

Introducing the Elegant Basics of Modern Calligraphy, where you’ll explore a new skill in a relaxed and enjoyable class. Grounded in traditional ink and nib techniques, you’ll learn how to use an oblique pen and develop a strong foundation in pointed pen calligraphy.

Arboretum After Hours: Spooky Spirits

Thursday, October 29, 6-8 pm

Join us for some spooky spirits at our autumn After Hours! $20 ticket includes one drink and lite bites. Wander our beautiful fall gardens at twilight, explore our current art exhibit, and stroll through our spooky trail if you dare! Adults 21+ only.

Forest Bathing

Sundays, Nov 8, 9:30 am-12 pm

Monday, Dec 21, 1-3:30 pm (Winter Solstice)

Reduce stress, improve well-being, and foster a sense of calm on these meditative walks led by certified nature and forest therapy guide, Rich Collins.

Fall Woodland Walk

Thursday, November 12, 1-2:30 pm

Join our Woodland Horticulturist, Daniel Phillips, on an autumn walk through the Arboretum’s woodlands. Learn about our ongoing woodland restoration efforts and the native plants and trees that make this area of the Arboretum so special.

Arboretum After Hours: Friendsgiving

Thursday, November 19 , 6-8 pm

This is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season with your chosen family! $20 ticket includes one drink and lite bites. Bring your friends and get ready for cozy vibes. Adults 21+ only.

Thankful for Autumn Floral Arrangement Workshop

Tuesday, November 24, 11 am-1 pm

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, you’ll discover how to select, condition, and arrange flowers while being inspired by nature’s beauty. Learn seasonal bloom tips and creative arranging techniques in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Hosted by Daica Skrobola, owner and floral designer of Polycarp Flowers.

THIS THURSDAY! Campfire Friends (families w/children ages 5+)

Thursday, October 22, 7-8 pm

If you love camp songs, s'mores, and making new friends, this family-friendly evening is for you! Join our Environmental Educators for a guided nighttime hike as we explore the Arboretum using our senses and discover fun facts about the moon, nocturnal creatures, and more through storytelling.

Kids Can Cook! Trick or Treat (ages 5-10)

Wednesday, October 28, 4 pm-5:30 pm

We'll be cooking up some spooky treats in the Wisner House kitchen. Come join the fun!

JUST ADDED! Election Day BOLD Arts Mini Camp (ages 5-10)

Tuesday, November 3, 9 am-12 pm - Nature in Motion

You'll get moving in this fun mini-camp featuring art, nature, music and dance!

JUST ADDED! NJEA Fall Mini Camps (ages 5-10)

Come enjoy time out in nature and explore art, animals, and more at these Arboretum mini-camps! Lunch Buddies is also available after morning mini-camp sessions from 12-1 pm.

Thursday, November 5, 9 am-12 pm - Take a Walk on the Creative Side

Thursday, November 5, 1-4 pm - Our Marvelous Moon

Friday, November 6, 9 am-12 pm - Animal Hideaways

ONGOING FALL PROGRAMS

Oaks + Acorns (ages 3-5 w/adult)

Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 am

*Select dates also offer a 4-5 pm session.

October 21*, 28; November 4*, 11

Wonder, respect, and love for the natural world will get a great start in these engaging weekly classes. Take nature hikes, read stories, and create a one-of-a-kind project every week.

Amazing Animal Artists (ages 5-10)

Wednesdays, 4-5 pm; October 28; November 11

Become a wildlife detective in this fun art and nature program! Participants will uncover a mystery wild animal through games and clues, explore it with photos, artifacts, and hands-on activities, then learn how to draw it using simple lines and shapes. Everyone will leave with a masterpiece to proudly take home.

Homeschool Adventures: Adaptations (ages 5-12)

Friday, November 20, 10-11:30 am

Explore the amazing world of plants and animals at the Arboretum! Each session brings new hands-on adventures, nature discoveries, and creative activities designed to inspire curiosity and a love of the outdoors.

Féminin Pluriel is a solo exhibition by Québec-based artist Pascale Bouchard. Her richly layered encaustic paintings draw inspiration from flowers and natural forms, exploring themes of transformation and memory in a way that feels both personal and universal. The work brings fresh, contemporary energy to the Arboretum, creating a natural connection between art and the landscape.

All works in this exhibition, including a curated selection of artist-designed garments and accessories (including skirts, scarves, ponchos, bow ties, pocket squares, earrings, makeup pouches, aprons, and placemats) are available for purchase with 30% generously benefitting the Arboretum.

This exhibition is open to the public Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-4 pm through Sunday, November 1.

Wild Impressions: Foxes by Wendy Klemperer

On view through Oct. 31

This garden installation features a series of six fox silhouettes, serving as a tribute to the native wildlife that calls our region home. Created by Brooklyn-based artist, Wendy Klemperer, these sculptures utilize plasma-cut reclaimed steel and masterful craftsmanship to bring the natural world vividly to life.

Registration is required for all volunteer opportunities. Click on the titles below for more information and to register. Questions? Email Trish Cassin here.

HOLIDAY DECORATING VOLUNTEERS

Help us get ready for the holidays with prepping supplies, getting organized, or making festive wreaths! Multiple dates and times available beginning November 17. Click here for details and to register.

CORPORATE VOLUNTEER DAYS

Book your team's volunteer day in our gardens, trails, and woodlands! Contact Trish here for details.

CHILDREN'S EDUCATION VOLUNTEERS

Assist our educators with programs including Let's Get Growing, Amazing Animal Artists, Kids Can Cook, and more.

WEEKLY VOLUNTEER SESSIONS

Ground Force (ages 14+, 12-13 w/ an adult)

Thursdays & Saturdays

10 am-12 pm (through October); 1:30-3:30 pm (beginning in November)

Join our staff outdoors to maintain and enhance the beauty of our grounds.



Woodland Restoration (ages 14+, 12-13 w/an adult)

Fridays, 10 am-12 pm

Help restore existing trails, plant native trees, remove invasives, and more.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

For the past 12 years, Kathy Fox has served as our lead docent at Reeves-Reed Arboretum, sharing this special place with visitors and enjoying conversations about gardens, favorite plants, and the ongoing challenge of keeping deer and rabbits at bay!

Beyond leading tours, Kathy helps with planting, pruning, weeding, plant sales, and holiday projects, connecting with many fellow volunteers along the way.

A former teacher and science writer, Kathy has been visiting the Arboretum for much longer than she's been volunteering. "I wanted to give back to a place I've enjoyed for years, and it's fun! I'm also grateful to the horticulture staff for all they’ve taught me about garden design and care. I especially appreciate that the Arboretum was preserved as a beautiful green space for everyone to enjoy. I fondly recall a visitor who was new to the area saying during a tour, “I think I’ve found my happy place.” And that sums it up for me. This place makes me happy.”

We are so grateful to Kathy for her 12 years of dedication, generosity, and enthusiasm! Her love for the Arboretum and the connections she creates with our visitors help make this such a special place for our community. We’re fortunate to have her as part of the Reeves-Reed Arboretum family!

Give the Gift of Membership this Holiday Season!

Looking for the perfect gift for the nature lover in your life? We've got you covered! Reeves-Reed Arboretum Members enjoy free entry to all Signature Festivals (Maple Sugaring, Daffodil Day and Celebrate Fall), exclusive perks like early registration, discounts on education programs, summer camps (family level and up), special events, reciprocal benefits at 400 arboreta and public gardens nationwide, and a 10% discount on plant material at several local garden centers and florists.

This holiday gift will allow your friends and family to enjoy more of the Arboretum all year long!

LEGACY GIVING

Does the Arboretum hold a special place in your heart? If so, consider making a legacy gift to sustain our mission and ensure Reeves-Reed Arboretum is here for all to enjoy for generations to come. Learn more here. Questions? Contact Kim at k.cerf@reeves-reedarboretum.org.

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Reeves-Reed Arboretum programs and events in 2025 were made possible, in part, by support from:

Grants / E.J. Grassmann Trust; Investors Foundation; Mary Reinhart Stackhouse Foundation; NJ Historic Trust; The Summit Foundation; Summit Garden Club; Union County Board of County Commissioners, a division of the Department of State, through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks & Community Renewal; Union Foundation; Citizens Foundation; ADP, Union County Means Green; The Christopher + Dana Reeve Foundation; Fred C. Rummel Foundation; Wallerstein Foundation; Hyde and Watson Foundation

Corporate/Business Sponsors / Bartlett Tree Experts; Barth’s Market; Bassett Associates; Beacon Hill Club; Cambridge Wines; Compass Realty/The Price Group; Country Club Services; Creative Digital Solutions; David Ellis Events; Elisse Glennon Consulting; The Farm at Green Village; Fisk Foto; Fountainhead Advisors; Fusion Staffing Partners; Infantini Landscaping; James M. Wood, CPA; Java’s Compost; KPMG LLP; Landmark Hospitality; Lees Group/Prominent Properties; Lois Schneider Realtor; Lorenz Fine Photography; Mega Business Systems; Mix and Mahjong Association of Summit; Natale's Bakery; Nexgen Sources; The Oldendorp Group; Peapack Gladstone Wealth Management; Peerless Beverage Co.; PwC; Shoprite; The Secret Tea Room; Summit Elks Lodge 1246; Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream