Join the City of Holyoke in Celebrating 150 Years!
Holyoke has a rich history and we invite you all to celebrate and follow a long for a year of events to commemorate 150 years!
The Explore Holyoke community calendar highlights the arts and cultural events throughout the city to help plan your visit. You are invited to submit your event. Events encouraged to be submitted are art openings, dance concerts, open mic events, cultural lectures. Events not allowed on the calendar are, political fundraisers, city meetings and daily specials from restaurants.
Join City Historian, Penni Martorell, and Wistariahurst Master Gardener, Phyllis Barrett, for a guided tour of Wistariahurst’s historic gardens and grounds. Learn about how the landscape and gardens have evolved over the years; what has been planted here historically, and the history of this plot of land. Your guides will share stories about how the Skinner family came to be here and what the property looked like when they lived here.
Named after the wisteria vine that flowers in May, Wistariahurst was home to two generations of the Skinner family who loved to garden. Begun by Sarah Skinner in the late 19th Century and then transformed by her daughter Belle Skinner in the early 20th, the grounds and gardens have always been an integral part of the life and activities at Wistariahurst.
Hear stories about the about the vines, the wooded area, the victory garden, and the tea house. Discover the lions, the spirit gate and the dinosaur tracks. Learn about the historical and contemporary planning and planting and hear how a dedicated team of volunteers in the 21st century have restored and maintained this beautiful environment.
Advance registration is required for this tour. Visit www.wistariahurst.org