April is beautiful at Hillwood

Spring is here! Wander the gardens as they burst into bloom and explore beautiful displays on view. This month, Hillwood has something for everyone, both in person and from home.

Complete Your Visit

Merriweather Café and the Museum Shop

Enjoy a delightful selection of items made fresh from Merriweather Café, open Tuesday through Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or Merriweather To Go, open Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bring home the beauty of Hillwood from the museum shop. Browse books, jewelry, games, décor, and more! And, you can always shop online from the comfort of home. Hillwood members receive an extra 10% off the first Saturday of each month. Don't miss it tomorrow, Saturday, April 2!

 

On View

The Luxury of Clay: Porcelain Past and Present
Through June 26, 2022

Enter a world of opulence and reinvention. The discovery of porcelain in Europe is one of innovation and intrigue, one that shaped the luxury goods market in the 18th century. The craze for “white gold,” as porcelain was known, left a lasting impact on the art world. This special exhibition is the first at Hillwood to explore and present the full range of hard-paste porcelain production represented in its collection alongside relevant loans from museum and private collections.

Featuring more than 140 objects, the exhibition traces the remarkable development of porcelain, from its origins in China to its discovery in Europe in the early 18th century, placing these historic pieces in dialogue with contemporary creative porcelain inventions, from artists including Bouke de Vries, Chris Antemann, Cindy Sherman, and Roberto Lugo. Unearth the journey of porcelain, through the finest examples of vases, teapots, figurines, services, and more.

 

Programs

Gardener's Focus Tour | Spring Designs
Tuesday, April 5 and 12, 2022, 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Friday, April 8 and 15, 2022, 2:30-3:15 p.m.

Explore Hillwood’s magnificent spring displays with Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture, and learn about the design process that led to this year’s unique display.

Livestream Lecture | "The Porcelain Sickness" in the Gilded Age
Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Please note: This is the second program in The Luxury of Clay lecture series.

Rebecca Tilles, curator, will explore the porcelain collections of Consuelo Vanderbilt, Anna Thompson Dodge, and Marjorie Merriweather Post, Hillwood’s founder.

Welcome Spring! Virtual Floral Design
Friday, April 8, 2022, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Welcome spring and follow along with Ami Wilber, floral and event décor designer, to create a floral arrangement inspired by the season.

Member Extended Hours
Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 5-7 p.m.
Thursday, April 14, 2022, 5-7 p.m.

Members have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy spring at Hillwood after hours! Spend an evening at Hillwood wandering the spring gardens, exploring the greenhouse, enjoying the mansion, viewing the special exhibition, and more.

Virtual Artist's Talk with Chris Antemann
Thursday, April 21, 2022, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Please note: The is the third and final program in The Luxury of Clay lecture series.

In this lecture celebrating the installation of two elaborate centerpieces in the dining and breakfast rooms as part of The Luxury of Clay: Porcelain Past and Present, artist Chris Antemann describes the development of her ceramic artwork inspired by 18th-century porcelain figures.

Earth Day
Friday, April 22, 2022, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

This Earth Day, meet members of Hillwood’s Environmental Action Team (HEAT) on the Lunar Lawn and learn about environmental stewardship initiatives.

Onsite Salad Bowl Container Workshop
Saturday, April 23, 2022, 10-11 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Follow along with Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture, to plant a container garden with lettuce and a variety of salad fixings, learning tips for harvesting and reseeding.

Conversation with Allison Pataki, author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post
Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (Reception at 5:30, Lecture begins at 7 p.m.)

Join Allison Pataki and Kate Markert, executive director, in conversation about Pataki’s new novel, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post. Enjoy a wine and cheese reception for all attendees prior to the lecture. 

 

Explore Hillwood from Home

Want even more Hillwood? Explore from home!

Continue to enjoy all Hillwood has to offer from the comfort of your own home through our comprehensive digital offerings. Delve into the online collection, video library, immersive mobile app, art projects and activities, and more! And, of course, follow Hillwood on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for daily museum and garden content. 

 

Volunteer Recruitment

Now Recruiting: Visitor Service Volunteers

After a two-year hiatus from recruiting new volunteers, Hillwood is delighted to announce we have once again opened recruitment for incoming volunteers starting with a new Visitor Services Volunteer class in early 2022.

Visitor Services Volunteers are integral members of Hillwood’s volunteer cohort who provide customer service and interpretation to museum visitors in the visitor center and mansion. This is the perfect opportunity for those who have a passion for sharing their love of history, art, and/or gardens with others in a forward-facing role. Weekday and weekend positions are available.

To apply, please review the detailed position description and complete the online application on Hillwood’s website.