UPDATE (Oct. 13, 2017): The HollyWoodlands Double Feature: Ghostbusters and Poltergeist event has been postponed until Saturday, Oct. 21.

It may not feel like fall yet due to unseasonably warm weather, but The Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion is kicking off their Fall events program this week. This year, the program includes Halloween Family Fun Day, a scary movie night, and special Halloween tours. Also, the annual fundraiser for the cemetery, The Woodlands Gobble Wobble 5K, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11. More information about some of this month’s events is below.

HollyWoodlands Double Feature: Ghostbusters and Poltergeist

Saturday, Oct. 14 Oct. 21, 6 p.m.

HollyWoodlands is back for a Double Feature evening on Saturday, Oct. 21. Enjoy the original Ghostbusters, and then stick around for the Halloween classic, Poltergeist! BYO chair or blanket, and bundle up for a perfect Fall evening. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m. BYO s’mores supplies for the firepits or buy them at the event. Suggested donation: $10 (to help pay for the movie equipment). Free for members of The Woodlands.  Continue Reading

Go West! Craft Fest, the bi-annual celebration of local arts, crafts, music and food, will be back at The Woodlands on Saturday, Oct. 7. Over 100 vendors will participate in the Fall edition of the festival, so stop by The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) beginning at 11 a.m. this Saturday to check out a galore of unique, handmade wares – jewelry, ceramics, knitted accessories, clothing, prints, original art, stationery, home wares, childrens’ items, soaps, candles and more.

The festival, organized by VIX Emporium, will also feature food trucks, live music, activities for children, and acrobatic performances by Tangle Movement Arts.

The popular outdoor event, which is now in its 7th year, will be held from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, Oct. 8). It is open to the public, kid and dog friendly, and free to attend.  Continue Reading

Tangle Movement Arts will present a firefly-inspired performance this Friday at The Woodlands (Photo by Michael Ermilio).

Nature Nights at The Woodlands is a great summer event for families. This Friday (June 23), the 2017 Nature Nights kick off with a Firefly Night, featuring all-female aerial acrobat group, Tangle Movement Arts, with their firefly-inspired performance.

Everyone is also invited to learn more about fireflies with the Academy of Natural Sciences’ Invertebrate Specialist Karen Verderame. She has worked at the Academy for over 13 years and oversees the live invertebrate collection.

Finally, guests are welcome to treat themselves to local snacks from Lil’ Pop Shop, and take part in fun activities and crafts with University City Arts League.  Continue Reading

It’s not that unusual to see wild turkeys in our area, with several sightings over the last few years. Most of them hang out at Bartram’s Garden, but some venture out into West Philly neighborhoods from time to time. One was spotted today at The Woodlands Cemetery at 40th and Woodland. Check out their video in the tweet below:

Turkey Tuesday here at The Woodlands. 🦃 @WestPhillyLocal @WPhillyTurkey #turkeytakesatour pic.twitter.com/21UCqi6tx4

— The Woodlands (@woodlandsphila) March 21, 2017

Sad news came in from The Woodlands Cemetery recently: Despite all the efforts to save the four remaining elms of the Grove of Seven Giants, the trees eventually succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease, and The Woodlands personnel began the process of de-limbing the historic grove that dates back to the Hamilton Era. Tree experts believe that this was the only remaining Elm grove of its kind in the country, according to a blog post on The Woodlands website.

The first signs of Dutch elm disease on some of the trees were discovered in May 2014, and testing confirmed the infection. After that The Woodlands began inoculating the remaining elms in an attempt to keep them free of the disease, but unfortunately, the trees could not be saved.  Continue Reading

The Woodlands Grave Gardener program is returning this spring for the second year and volunteers are needed. Here’s how it works:

Each volunteer (75 are needed) will be assigned to adopt a “cradle” grave at The Woodlands during the 2017 growing season. These graves were originally designed to be planters, so the volunteers are expected to plant and tend to their assigned “cradle” grave throughout the growing season (March-October). All gardens will be designed with the Victorian Garden aesthetic in mind. An approved planting list has been created by The Woodlands to help guide the gardeners.

A series of gardening workshops will also be offered to the program participants. The first workshop, on Gardening for Beginners with Sally McCabe of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), will be held on February 1.

Those interested to participate in the program are asked to submit an application. The deadline is January 20.

For more information and to apply, click here.

(Photos courtesy of The Woodlands).