Visit Sylvester Manor in June for guided tours, workshops, celebrations, fresh produce, a Juneteenth ceremony, and more. Below is a sampling of what’s on offer at the nonprofit’s 235-acre waterfront campus — a rare remnant of a Northern provisioning plantation — that’s open to the public daily. For additional details, visit Sylvester Manor’s online calendar.
10th Annual Farm to Table Benefit
The highlight of Sylvester Manor’s fundraising calendar is the Annual Farm to Table Benefit, which takes place on Saturday, June 24, starting at 6 PM. This event has raised over $3.5M since it began in 2012. Participation in the event supports Sylvester Manor’s History & Heritage work, expanded farm, public trails, educational programming, historic preservation, and more. Find ticket details and other information at sylvestermanor.org/farmtotable.
Summer Youth Programs
While the Manor’s other Summer Youth Programs are fully subscribed, a few spaces remain for the STEM @ Sylvester Manor for kids ages 8 to 13. There are two sessions: July 17 to 21 and July 31 to August 4, from 9 to 11:30 PM. You can also sign up for waitlists for the other programs; people’s plans can change, and spaces may open up. Learn more on the Summer Youth Programs page on the Manor website.
Farm update
The farm is really starting to take off, led by new Farm Manager Arielle Gardner and apprentices from around the world. The team is planting veggies, from greens and carrots to tomatoes and eggplants. Perennials planted over the past two years are starting to produce in abundance. The asparagus and strawberries coming out of the field are especially delicious right now, the Manor says. On the livestock front, Sylvester Manor has added more chickens to the flock. You’ll know they’re laying when you see green-speckled and chocolate-colored eggs at the Farmstand. Another batch of piglets arrives soon.
Farmstand
The Farmstand is stocked with lots of new items, as well as many well-loved favorites. Later this month, the Farmstand will begin to offer Sylvester Manor Provisions — grab ‘n go entrées and sides, all provided exclusively to Sylvester Manor by The Lettuce Lady. Think miso glazed salmon, short ribs, chicken piccata, cucumber edamame salad, Asian tofu stir fry, and more. Perfect for an easy dinner at home, on the beach, at a winery, or just to enjoy at the Farmstand. Fresh Sylvester Manor eggs, pork, produce and berries are available along with local cheeses, Stars coffee and baked goods, Holly Cronin lotions, By Way of the Farm candles, Ali Katz goodies, and much more!
Farmstand Hours:
- Through June 25, Thursday to Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM
- Starting Monday, June 26, daily, 9 AM to 5 PM
CSA, egg and pork shares, and Farmstand credit
The first CSA pickup is at the Farmstand on Saturday, June 10, between 9 AM and 4 PM. If you are signed up, be on the lookout for an email with all of the details.
You can sign up now for an egg share or pork share. The egg share consists of one dozen eggs every week for 21 weeks. Pickup is during CSA hours. The cost for the season is $231, which is $1/dozen less than the Farmstand retail price.
The pork share includes a variety of cuts from the Manor’s woodland-raised pigs. The cost is $430 for a pickup every other week during CSA hours. regular CSA pickup. You do not have to be a member of the regular CSA to purchase an egg or pork share.
Farmstand Credit is also a great option. Spend $500 and receive a Farmstand Credit for $550 to use until the Farmstand closes for the season. With regular CSA shares closed, this is the best way to still enjoy Sylvester Manor’s fresh produce.
Find registration details for egg and pork shares and Farmstand credit here.
Juneteenth: ‘Call Their Names’
Sylvester Manor celebrates Juneteenth with “Call Their Names,” a commemoration at the Afro-Indigenous Burial Ground. Over 200 people of color are buried in unmarked graves there. Sylvester Manor researchers have gathered information and stories of over 50 individuals, including their names and facts about their lives. The Manor invites all to participate in a ceremony honoring the Indigenous, enslaved, and free men, women, and children of color who lived, worked, and were buried here. Director of History & Heritage Donnamarie Barnes will give a short talk and tour of the Burial Ground, followed by a ceremony including a traditional libation homage to the ancestors. The celebration is Saturday, June 17, from noon to 1:30 PM.
Guided Tours
This year’s guided tours give a glimpse into the history, the present, and the future of Sylvester Manor. Sign up for Past, Present & Future tours scheduled for Saturdays June 10, July 15, and August 5 at 10 AM. Tickets for the Past, Present & Future tours are $25 and available through Eventbrite. You could also take a History & Heritage Extended Tour focused on the three cultures that came together in 1651 when Sylvester Manor was established as a provisioning plantation. They’re scheduled for Saturdays July 6 at 2 PM and August 12 at 10 AM. Tickets for the extended History & Heritage tours are $40 and available through Eventbrite. There’s a 45-minute version of this tour scheduled for Thursdays July 20 and August 17 at 2 PM; tickets for the History & Heritage Core Tour are $25 and available through Eventbrite.
Salt Scrub Workshop
Sylvester Manor invites you to splash into summer with shimmering skin. Make your own personally fortified sea salt scrub at the Farmstand with natural skincare guru, Holly Cronin. Add a favorite essential oil and take home a jar of enhancing skin renewal along with an exfoliating glove. The workshop is Friday, June 16 at 11 AM. The registration fee is $20. Follow this link to register for the Salt Scrub Workshop at Eventbrite.
Please note Eventbrite charges a small processing fee for ticket purchases.
Yoga at the Farm
Unwind from the busy world on Friday mornings during an hour of yoga on the farm with certified yoga instructor Danielle Kohl. The vinyasa-style sessions start with an affirmation. All are welcome regardless of fitness level or yoga experience. Please bring your own mat. Yoga at the Farm takes place through Labor Day on Fridays at 9 AM at the Farmstand. The fee is $25, payable to the instructor with cash or via Zelle.
Trails are open
Sylvester Manor’s trails and grounds are open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. Pick up a map highlighting the four walking trails (Creekside, Woodlands, Old Growth Forest, and Farm). Paper maps are available at the main entrance off Route 114 or at the parking area kiosk. Or download a digital trail map using this link. You can download the “Sylvester Manor Walking Tour” from the App Store for a self-guided tour of the grounds to learn about the historic property at your own pace. Leashed dogs are welcome. No bicycles or motorized vehicles are allowed on the trails. There are currently no public restroom facilities available.
