Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
A Real Baby in the Swedish Nursery
First-year decorating volunteers Susan Morettini and daughter Emily Noel decorated the mansion’s nursery, and they did a marvelous job! The two were tasked with decorating this room with a Swedish theme. They found their inspiration … Read more.
THE Big Tree
Blithewold is officially back open for the season, warmly inviting visitors to tour the Mansion and grounds all beautifully decorated in the theme of A Grand Tour of Europe. And one of the favorite attractions … Read more.
Teatime in England
The decorating of Marjorie’s Bedroom in the Mansion, which has an English theme for Christmas at Blithewold’s “A Grand Tour of Europe,” fell to Betty Durfee, a sixth-year decorating volunteer, who teamed up with volunteer Nancy … Read more.
A Blue and White Swedish Christmas
When Nancy Rosner learned that this year’s Blithewold Christmas theme was A Grand Tour of Europe, she drew inspiration for her “Christmas in Sweden” theme in the loggia from the colors Sweden is known for. … Read more.
Christmas at Blithewold 2012: “A Grand Tour of Europe”
Can you believe winter is just around the corner? We can—because it’s that time of year again… Christmas at Blithewold! I know what you’re thinking … so soon? It’s never too soon for Christmas, so … Read more.
October 1903 – Italy
OCTOBER 1903: It is now October 1903 and Marjorie has just spent an idyllic month in Venice — visiting churches, art museums, palaces, a glass factory, and a lace factory. She spent a day at the Lido and took daily … Read more.
Guest post: A Sensory Walk
Tricia Bailey, our gardens intern this year, is a horticultural therapist by training and instinct has an infectious enthusiasm and energy for the work she clearly loves to do. She is even willing to write … Read more.
Marjorie’s European Tour, 1903-1904
When nineteen-year-old Marjorie Van Wickle graduated from school in May 1903, she found herself pressured by her mother, Bessie McKee, to join a group of socially prominent young women who would spend a season being … Read more.