Natural Lands

Open Air Chamber Music
2026-07-29 15:45 - 16:45 (America/New_York) | Stoneleigh: a natural garden, 1829 County Line Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085
Did you know the term “chamber music” derives from the fact that the music was composed of just a few instruments, traditionally a group that could fit in a palace room or chamber?
This summer, the Philadelphia International Music Camp & Festival turns the notion of performing in a small room on its head. Instead, students of all ages will perform at unique sites in and around the greater Philadelphia region, including our very own Stoneleigh: a natural garden. The birds and insects will lend their notes to the musical performance.
Event is free. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.
Registration requested.

Volunteer - Summer Gardening
2026-07-30 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-04 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-06 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-11 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-13 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-18 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-20 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-25 08:30 - 11:30 and 1 more date
Did you know more than 100,000 plants thrive at Stoneleigh: a natural garden? Grab gloves and join staff and fellow volunteers for seasonal garden projects.
Volunteering with Natural Lands is a great way to learn more about the natural world, give your time to a great cause, and connect with like-minded people.
Capacity is limited for this small-group event, and pre-registration is required. If you sign-up, please show-up. If you need to cancel, please let us know so another volunteer can attend. All are welcome, ages 12 and up. Children age 12-14 must be accompanied by an adult.

PlayIn Time Music Circle
2026-07-31 10:15 - 11:00, 2026-08-07 10:15 - 11:00, 2026-08-14 10:15 - 11:00
Join our partners at PlayIn Time Productions for a weekly, interactive musical program geared toward children ages newborn to five and their parents or caregivers. Instructor Virginia will guide you and your child through warming up their bodies with movement, practicing listening skills using activities like freeze dances, and jamming to classic and new tunes. PlayIn Time’s Music Circles build musical connection and community through shared fun. Get ready to dance, jam, and learn!
Things to know:

Classes will run on Friday mornings from 10:15am – 11:00am, June 19th through August 14th (no class on July 3)

Join for the whole series or just for one or two sessions. Registration is available on PlayIn Time’s website, linked below.

If you have them, you are welcome to bring your own shakers, sticks, or other percussive instruments.

Classes will be held outside on the Great Lawn so bring a blanket or lawn pad to sit on.

Please note that, while the program is geared toward younger ages, siblings ages 6 and older are welcome and can attend free of charge.

register now

Big Trees of Stoneleigh - SOLD OUT
2026-08-01 10:30 - 12:00
This event is sold out. Please join us for a future event.
From whispering hemlocks to weeping katsura, Stoneleigh boasts a trove of treasured trees. In fact, Stoneleigh is home to eight trees that are among the 10 largest of their respective species in the state, including two state champions. Join Stoneleigh staff on a guided walk to learn about the history and horticulture of the garden’s big trees.

Home and Garden Tour
2026-08-08 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-09-12 10:30 - 12:00
Enjoy dazzling displays of native plants, stately trees, and historical landscapes by the Olmsted Brothers that have been thoughtfully reimagined into a beautiful and biodiverse haven for people and wildlife.
The spectacular Tudor Revival Main House—which is only open for special events—is also included in the tour, so don’t miss this opportunity for a peek inside the former home of three prominent Main Line families.

The Savoy Company presents Trial By Jury and other Gilbert and Sullivan hits
2026-08-15 18:00 - 19:30
Delight in an evening of laughter and music! The Savoy Company returns for their annual summer performance presenting the hilarious one-act show that launched Gilbert and Sullivan’s career: Trial By Jury. This comedic operetta of legal absurdity will be staged along with a fantastic selection of some of Gilbert and Sullivan’s other greatest hits.
Gates open at 5:00 PM. Come early to picnic on the lawn or wander through the summer garden. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, settle in, and enjoy a delightful outdoor concert filled with wit, whimsy, and timeless melodies.
Please note: the rain date for this event is Sunday, August 16.
About the performers:
Founded in 1901, The Savoy Company is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) non-profit theatrical organization that strives to promote community involvement and educational outreach while supporting eligible local charitable organizations through its annual production of one of thirteen extant works by Sir W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur S. Sullivan.
Savoy’s membership represents a diverse group of volunteers drawn from the Greater Philadelphia area. We are committed to putting on the highest quality theatrical productions and sharing the artistic, musical, and cultural influences of Gilbert and Sullivan and their wonderful comic operas.
The Company offers opportunities for personal growth and community reinvestment for its members, beneficiaries, and audiences.  Uniquely, virtually all operations are delegated to and performed by committees and production staff consisting of Company members.  Committee chairs and production staff are appointed each season by the sitting President.  The committee chairs are responsible for directing and coordinating all efforts within the responsibility of their respective committees.  In this way, members are afforded an opportunity to share their unique skills both as performers & production staff as well as in their careers and endeavors outside of their responsibilities within the Company.
Parking:
Guests who purchase a Stoneleigh Parking Pass will be able to park (1) car in the Stoneleigh guest lot at 1829 East County Line Road, Villanova. This parking lot will also be available for those who need accessible parking.
All other guests will park at the Villanova Law School parking garage (located at 299 N Spring Mill Road), which is approximately 10 minutes’ walking distance from the performance location. More parking details will be provided during the week prior to the event.

Accessible Golf Cart Tour
2026-08-21 11:00 - 11:45
Designed for guests with limited mobility who otherwise might not be able to join a longer tour, these monthly Home & Garden tours on a golf cart will be an intimate 45-minute excursion led by a knowledgeable member of Stoneleigh’s staff. The tour includes dazzling displays of native plants, stately trees, and historical landscapes by the Olmsted Brothers that have been thoughtfully reimagined into a beautiful and biodiverse haven for people and wildlife—all from the comfort of a golf cart.
Cart tours have a limited capacity of five people. All guests joining the cart tour must have a ticket.

Home and Garden Tour
2026-08-22 10:30 - 12:00
Enjoy dazzling displays of native plants, stately trees, and historical landscapes by the Olmsted Brothers that have been thoughtfully reimagined into a beautiful and biodiverse haven for people and wildlife.
The spectacular Tudor Revival Main House—which is usually only open for special events—is also included in the tour, so don’t miss this opportunity for a peek inside the former home of three prominent Main Line families.

The Summer Garden: A Creative Writing Workshop
2026-08-26 10:00 - 12:00
Spend some time during the slower pace of summer exploring the natural beauty of Stoneleigh. During this workshop, we’ll make quick forays from Stoneleigh’s air-conditioned Pool House into the gardens, noting the lush beauty of the plants in the height of the growing season. We’ll return to the oasis of the Pool House to write, taking inspiration from the adjacent gardens, which include bog gardens flanked by arborvitae, white pines, and hemlocks. Join us to revel in the final days of August with reading, writing, and some cool drinks.
About the instructor: Catherine Staples teaches creative writing in the English and honors programs at Villanova University. Her latest book of poetry, VERT (Mercer University Press, 2024), is available at Main Point Books in Wayne.

Insect Safari for Kids
2026-08-26 10:15 - 11:15
Bugs are all around us. Underground, in the air, underwater… they’re everywhere! Despite their small size, insects are among the most important animals on the planet, supporting our ecosystems from the ground up. Stoneleigh is home to many different insects, from tiny beetles to giant dragonflies.
Kids, grab your favorite adult and join us on an insect safari in the garden as we search for bugs of all sorts. We’ll learn about their fascinating relationships with plants, humans, and each other. Afterward, you’ll be ready to embark on an insect safari in your own backyard.
This program takes places outdoors and is intended for kids aged 3 to 8 but older siblings are always welcome to join in the learning.
This event is made possible with generous support from
The Kulicke Fund.

Volunteer - Fall Gardening
2026-09-01 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-03 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-08 08:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-10 08:30 - 11:30

Harvest How-To for Natural Holiday Decor
2026-09-11 10:00 - 12:30
It’s never too early to start thinking about harvesting from the garden for a beautiful holiday display. Join Kristen Ryan, senior horticulturist and creative lead for Stoneleigh’s Home for the Holidays event series, for a workshop all about bringing the beauty of the garden indoors as home décor.
During this workshop, you’ll learn about harvesting methods, preservation techniques, and other tips and tricks for creating long-lasting and stunning natural decorations. Part lecture, part demonstration, and part practical application, Kristen will have you ready and prepared to start planning your holiday displays.
This workshop will have indoor and outdoor components, so please dress accordingly. A handout of our “Lessons Learned” will be provided, along with other instructional materials. Each participant will leave with a small bundle of flowers to dry and use at home.

PlayIn Time Music Circle
2026-09-11 10:15 - 11:00
Join our partners at PlayIn Time Productions for a weekly, interactive musical program geared toward children up to age five and their parents or caregivers. Instructor Miss Virginia will guide you and your child through warming up their bodies with movement, practicing listening skills using activities like freeze dances, and jamming to classic and new tunes. PlayIn Time’s Music Circles build musical connection and community through shared fun. Get ready to dance, jam, and learn!
Things to know:

Classes will run on Friday mornings from 10:15 – 11:00 AM, September 11 through November 13.
Join for the whole series or just for one or two sessions. Registration is available on PlayIn Time’s website, linked below.
You are welcome to bring your own shakers, sticks, or other percussive instruments.
Classes will be held outside on the Great Lawn, so bring a blanket or lawn pad to sit on.
Please note that, while the program is geared toward younger ages, siblings ages sixand older are welcome and can attend free of charge.

register now

Friday Organ Concert
2026-09-11 12:00 - 13:00
The Organ Historical Society (OHS) and Natural Lands present Friday Organ Concerts in the Main House at Stoneleigh. Join us for noontime concerts this fall featuring Stoneleigh’s mighty Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ. Local organists will perform a selection of sweeping musical pieces surrounded by the elegant beauty of the Tudor-revival style building. Come for the music and stay for the beauty of the garden, which is sure to dazzle with autumnal color.
about the organist

Andrew Senn
Known for his commanding and colorful performances, Andrew Senn has been featured as a recitalist across the United States and Europe. American venues have included the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine and St. Thomas Church in New York City; St. Philip’s Cathedral and Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta; and Old West Church in Boston. European performances have taken place across England (including Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral, London), France (Nancy Cathedral and St. Thomas, Strasbourg), and Germany (Evangelische Saalkirche, Ingelheim).

Yoga in the Garden
2026-09-13 10:15 - 11:15
Relax the mind and strengthen the body with an all-levels yoga class and meditation session guided by Christina Fittipoldi in the tranquil setting of the garden. The gentle pace will allow us time to linger in poses and build a deeper connection to the body using our breath.
Please bring a mat, water bottle, and any props you may like to use.
about the instructor
Christina Fittipoldi’s yoga practice began after the birth of her son. She was immediately drawn to the movement and strength that yoga provided both on and off the mat. Christina started teaching yoga once her son entered elementary school, and for the past 14 years, she has guided many students in their yoga journey. Christina offers sequencing that is thoughtful, meaningful, and allows for inner exploration while guiding you through safe and responsible movements using body and breath awareness.
