Past Events
Each fall as colors fade outdoors, a riot of color erupts indoors in the Lyman Conservatory at the Botanic Garden of Smith College.
Parking info >>
Group visit info >>
Groups of 10 or more must schedule in advance.
Hours: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily
Fridays - 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
The suggested donation is $5.00
Space for Well-being: Japanese Spatial Concepts in Gardens and Architecture by Yoko Kawai
Friday, November 1, 2019 at 7:30 pm, Campus Center Carroll Room
Followed by a reception and preview of the Chrysanthemum Show in the Lyman Plant House and Conservatory
Free and open to the public
Why do we feel contemplative in Japanese gardens and architecture? Can our physical environment foster our mindfulness and well-being? Yoko Kawai, lecturer at Yale School of Architecture and co-founder of Mirai Work Space, discusses the mind-body-space relationship found in Japanese gardens and architecture that is instrumental to mindfulness.
The Botanic Garden + Design Thinking Initiative invite you to a Natural Dyeing Workshop with fiber artist Michelle Parrish. Participants will learn about dyeing with indigo and marigold, while having the opportunity to create their own uniquely designed textile. The workshop and waitlist are now FULL.
The Botanic Garden is now recruiting volunteers to train to lead tours for groups of school children and adults. Volunteers are also trained to staff our reception area and provide hospitality for our special events.
One Day Bulb Sale for Members of the Friends of the Botanic Garden
9:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday, March 23
Please bring your membership card and trays or flats for your purchases.
Parking on the pond side of College Lane will be allowed for the duration of the sale.
Not a member? Join now!
Advancing Racial Equity through Regenerative Place-Making
By Duron Chavis
7:30 pm Campus Center Carroll Room - Free and open to the public
Followed by a reception and a preview of the Bulb Show at the Lyman Plant House
The built environment of urban cities across the country bear the scars of racial inequality inherent in slavery, Jim Crow discrimination and economic marginalization. Place-making capitalizes on a local community’s assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness, and wellbeing.
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Smithies: Join us for our second Late Night at Lyman to create your own original blend of herbal tea using botanical elements. Sip on it as you enjoy the sweet serenades of the Smith Ukuleles while they play in the greenhouses. Please bring your own mug to reduce waste.
Event runs 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Smith Students! Join us for our inaugural Late Nights at Lyman event. Come for a private viewing of the Mum Show and build your very own aerarium to take home. Wander through the illuminated Conservatory and enjoy some light snacks. Please note that aerarium supplies are limited to the first 200 students, so come early!
AMERICAN EDEN: David Hosack, Botany, and Medicine in the Garden of the Early Republic
Presented by Victoria Johnson, Phd.
7:30 pm Campus Center Carroll Room - free and open to the public
Followed by a reception, book signing and view of the Chrysanthemum Show at the Lyman Plant House.
In this lecture featuring her book, American Eden, Johnson rescues Hosack, (family doctor and friend to both Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, and attending doctor at the famous duel) from obscurity and highlights his significant contributions to botany and medicine.
Music in the Noon Hour
12:30 PM, Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall
Mary Hubbell, soprano; Monica Jakuc Leverett, piano.
Songs and piano pieces by Schumann, Liszt, Brown, Joplin and more. Featuring the premiere performance of a new song by Gregory W. Brown, dedicated to the College Hall American elm, with text by Naila Moreira.
Co-sponsored by the Smith College Music Department.
