Tuesday, April 21, 6:30pm – 8:30pm BYOBook Club at the RJD BYOBook Club is a pop-up reading community in New Bedford where people come together to share space, stories, and conversation. Bring your current book, a magazine, or anything you enjoy reading. For the first hour, we read side by side. For the second we gather to chat about our readings. The last half hour features a guest author. Registration is required due to capacity. Free.
Calling all South Coast gardeners, New Bedford -- The Garden Club of Buzzards Bay (GCBB) Plant Sale is back! Located on the grounds of the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum (RJD), the sale will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Gardeners will be able to buy all the favorites you have come to expect, including colorful and varied annuals grown in the GCBB’s own greenhouse, unusual perennials from members’ gardens, fabulous tomatoes, delectable herbs, and striking succulent arrangements. New this year, the sale will feature heirloom dahlia tubers, rare plants, and a marketplace featuring a curated selection of garden planters from members’ collections. The RJD is located at 396 County Street, New Bedford, MA. Proceeds from the sale are used to fund community projects, including grants, scholarships, and maintenance of the gardens and greenhouse at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum. The event is free and open to the public. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted. For more information, contact Marcy Busch at 781.635.3979 or Bianca Bator at 201.704.5877.
Thursday, May 7, 2pm House Tour Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of the Rotch-Jones-Duff mansion with an RJD Docent. Free with the price of admission.
Saturday, May 9, 1pm – 3pm MOTHER’S DAY TEA Enjoy a Spring outing in the historic garden of the Museum. Parties of two to eight people are welcome for seating under the tent. Your ticket fee includes tea, tea sandwiches, desserts, and admission to the Museum House. Spring hats and dress encouraged! Tickets are $45 for Museum Members and $50 for the Public and must be purchased by May 2. Tea service by Rescue Cafe.
Thursday, May 14, 6pm Living The Old House Dream With WHALE Historic homes can be unique, charming, beautiful, and intimidating maintenance and restoration projects. At this talk, hear from an expert about best practices, processes, and resources and gain insight into preserving an older home. Part of Preservation AHA!
Tuesday, May 19, 7pm – 9pm Modern Music Concert in the Garden Featuring New Bedford High School Jazz Band, Steel Band, and Rock Band- This concert features student musicians from New Bedford High School performing various pieces of jazz, and contemporary repertoire from the last 100 years. The New Bedford High School Jazz Band is an after-school ensemble directed by Tim Mason specializing in multiple styles of jazz and improvisation. The New Bedford High School Steel Band is an after-school band, grades 6-8, conducted by Lee Dias. They perform contemporary music steeped in the traditions of Trinidad and Tobago. The New Bedford High School Rock Band is directed by Tom O’Leary and performs tasteful modern music from different eras of Rock and Roll History. Free admission; general seating on the lawn and patio.
Wednesday, May 20, noon Family Storytime With the New Bedford Free Public Library Meet in the mansion for an engaging half hour of stories for the whole family. After the stories, take home a family fun craft kit to collaborate and create together, or stay to tour the house and grounds! Family Storytime runs on the third Wednesday of every month. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free.
Tuesday, June 9, 6:30pm Garden Tour Rick Finneran, RJD’s Lead Gardener and an American Rose Society certified rosarian, gives a 45-minute tour in the garden, highlighting what’s in bloom and the hidden gems on the property. Free.
Friday, June 12 The Annual Garden Party of the RJD House & Garden Save the date! Our annual party in the garden includes seasonal hors d’oeuvres, great décor, and creative ways to support the Museum. Details coming by May 1.
Wednesday, June 17, noon Family Storytime With the New Bedford Free Public Library Meet in the mansion for an engaging half hour of stories for the whole family. After the stories, take home a family fun craft kit to collaborate and create together, or stay to tour the house and grounds! Family Storytime runs on the third Wednesday of every month. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free.
Tuesday, June 23, 4:30pm – 8:30pm Slice of History Civics Fair Drop by our beautiful house and gardens for a “slice of history” as well as a slice of pizza! Engage with your community all while learning about local history. Community organizations will be present to distribute information on everything from voter registration to local history. The fair will also feature a program of guest speakers talking about community engagement. This program is a part of Civic Season, through Made By Us. Contributing organizations and speakers will be announced closer to the event. Are you a local organization that wants to table? Reach out to Lauren Pothier at lpothier rjdmuseum org / (508) 997-1401