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Pleasure Gardens of the Colonial Revival - A Look at New England Colonial Revival Gardens Thursday, June 13, 2024, 6-7 PM in the Lawrence J. Yerdon Visitors Center Lucinda Brockway, managing director of Cultural Resources at The Trustees, illuminates the early 1900s Colonial Revival gardens of the Piscataqua River basin in this lecture.

Gardens and garden clubs were promoted as a way to improve the appearance of the summer homes and communities in the region. Authors, artists, and socialites advocated for the cultivation of pleasant dooryards and highly aesthetic public and private landscapes that served as an illustration of their commitment to their homes and communities.

Nostalgia for the pastoral appeal of the colonial period was paramount within the designs of many gardens of the period, many of which can still be visited today, including the Thomas Bailey Aldrich Memorial Garden, Hamilton House Garden, and Celia Thaxter's Garden. Members $15; Nonmembers: 20. About The Mark Connolly Distinguished Speaker Series: The Mark Connolly Distinguished Speaker Series honors the legacy of Mark Connolly, a former Strawbery Banke Museum Trustee and prominent figure in finance, literature, and politics. In April 2019, following his passing, the Museum embarked on a mission to commemorate Connolly's memory and continue his dedication to intellectual discourse and civic engagement.

Connolly’s varied career, including roles as director of the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities, an accomplished author, and a Democratic candidate for governor, exemplified his unwavering commitment to public service and belief in the transformative power of education and dialogue. Inspired by Connolly’s enduring spirit, Strawbery Banke initiated the distinguished lecture series to provide a platform for leading national speakers to explore a wide range of topics, from history and art to politics and current events. The Mark Connolly Distinguished Speakers Series aims to spark thought-provoking discussions and nurture intellectual curiosity within the community, ensuring that Connolly's legacy of civic responsibility and the pursuit of knowledge continues to inspire future generations.