Recent News

Estate gets an important "Wishing Tree" gift!

Wednesday, 19 December 2012 11:56

We are very grateful to Virginia (Bohlin) Dorman, who generously donated her tractor to the Wakefield Estate last week in memory of her late husband, William Dorman. The tractor is an essential piece of the equipment needed to maintain the estate, and we are so happy for the donation! The tractor will be affectionately referred to as "Bill." The tractor was one of an array of items we had  as a "wish" on our newly created "Giving Tree." Highlighting important items we will need for programs in 2013 and beyond, the Giving Tree offers an opportunity for friends and supporters to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Wakefield Trust at year-end or throughout the year. To see the entire list with proposed giving amounts starting at $35, visit our "Donate" tab on our website, or see the complete list below.

The Wakefield Giving Tree

 Each ornament on the Wakefield Giving Tree represents an item or service for which we seek donations.  Your support – whether you can donate the entire amount or a portion of the item’s cost – directly benefits our mission of education and community enrichment. In addition to individual items, there are “volunteer” ornaments for those interested in working with us to fulfill our mission.  This holiday season,  please consider taking an ornament home and mailing your contribution to the Wakefield Estate.

All contributions are tax-deductible.

Checks can be made payable to: Wakefield Charitable Trust /1465 Brush Hill Rd. / Milton, MA  02186

Bus Load of School Kids- $300 each.   Our goal is 10 buses.  In order for school groups to visit the Wakefield Estate, transportation must be provided.  If we sponsor more buses, more  students  can visit the Estate and experience a wonderful hands- on learning experience.

School Trip Snacks - $35. Healthy snacks for school trips.

Pond Package – $100. Instructor- ($30) and student nets-( $40; 5@$8) plus leopard frog tadpoles and/or dragonfly larva and 2 Macro lens ($15 each)- increases the students understanding of lifecycles in the natural environment.

Beneficial Bugs – $100. Praying Mantis cases and Lady Beetles are beneficial insects that feed on predators and invasive species.

Wild Bird Seed Bundle - $100. Polly Wakefield was always interested in attracting wildlife to her landscape. We continue that tradition today.

Blue Egg Starter – $75.  A dozen araucana chicks and a #25 bag of chick starter feed. Children love the opportunity to see chicks born and watch them grow to adulthood to produce beautiful blue eggs.

Earth Art Program Angel –  $100. Sun print paper, laminating sheets, construction paper, crayons, glue sticks.  Excellent learning opportunity for school groups.

Nighttime Wildlife Camera - $100. The Wakefield Estate is active with wildlife that includes, fox, coyote, raccoon and deer just to name a few. Capturing them on film at night will provide an important learning tool to help kids understand the environment and how these animals survive.

Animal feed-  $100. Favorite student destinations at the Wakefield Estate include the chicken coop and the sheep pen. Kids have the opportunity to collect an egg from the coop, have the chance to hold a chicken and pet a sheep.

Chipper (Used)- $8,500.  The removal of dead and  invasive trees from the collection and the property buffer requires a wood chipper.

Plant Material- $100-$300. The Wakefield Estate is working to add and replace plants in the collection that will provide habitat for wild life and enhance the educational value for horticulture research.

Garden Tools- $15-$100. Tools of all shapes and sizes are used in everyday maintenance of the plant collection.

Interpretive Signage -$175.  To improve the understanding of all of the unique elements of the property we are working to develop an interpretive plan. Signage will allow teachers and visitors to gain more information about the environment and the Wakefield landscape.

Large Size Ratchet Set, Tap and Die Set -$50-$100. Most of the maintenance of our equipment is done on site.  Tools are an integral part of this work.

20’ Carbide Chain Saw Blade- $125. Chainsaw work is an integral part of our maintenance work. Carbide blades are especially useful on hardwoods. 

Tree Sprayer- $400.  Over the past several years. The Wakefield Estate has encountered an increasing number of invasive pests. Our goal is to use environmentally safe horticultural oils and natural bacteria to keep these insects at bay and protect our historic plant collection. 

Laptop/Printer- $1200.  Necessary for collections work.

Farm Truck (used)- $7500.  A truck is used for everything from snow plowing, pulling the chipper, spreading mulch and invasive removal. It is an integral part of maintaining the landscape and the animals.

Volunteer Opportunities- 8 hours per month. Research, Horticulture, Education, Interpretation, Wood working 

R.I.P. Henry, king of the roosters

Monday, 17 December 2012 15:07

We were sad to see the passing of Henry the rooster this past weekend. Henry was given to us by Anthony Sammarco, along with seven hens, when he moved from the Suffolk Resolves house in Milton. Henry was named after the king, and two of the hens came with the names Mary and Elizabeth. Henry was always a favorite of our because of his stunning good looks with a shiny black feathers, a gigantic red comb, and large white "cheeks." He will be sorely missed.

Davenport Mansion Delights during Holiday Open House

Monday, 17 December 2012 13:58

Despite the balmy temps outside, the Davenport mansion exuded an enchanting holiday feel at last week's Annual Holiday Open House. Boasting a freshly painted front entry side and piazza, along with the most elaborate decorations and collections display, the mansion has never looked more stunning and visitors were delighted by the opportunity to peek at some of the recent discoveries at the property. This year for the first time, the Charitable Trust created a "giving tree" and guests could pick an ornament off the tree to sponsor one of our "wishes" and thereby help underwrite some of our 2013 programs. You can still participate in our giving tree through a gift of any level. For more information, call us at 617-333-0924 during regular business hours. If you missed this year's open house, be sure to get on our mailing list to hear about these special invitation-only events.

Eagle Scout Project Creates New Boardwalk

Tuesday, 27 November 2012 15:34

On a recent Saturday, Eagle scout candidate Will Vinke directed a project to build a boardwalk at the low point of the estate property. In the spring, run-off makes it impossible to get to this area, where glacial deposits of roxbury puddingstone, native plants, and beautiful stone walls make it an important educational area. Over three dozen volunteers participated in the day-long effort that involved invasive removal, path clearing, along with construction, and installation of the 132' wooden structure. The installation project capped months of planning and fundraising by the Eagle candidate who lives nearby in Canton.