No Fooling: Hammond Museum And Stroll Garden Opening Day Is Here

NORTH SALEM, NY — Spring is in bloom and there might be no better place to enjoy the season than at the Hammond Museum And Stroll Garden.

Winter was mild but lingering this year. It's time to put the winter blahs away because the opening day at a Hudson Valley treasure is almost here.

This year, the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden will reopen for the season on April 1. Visitors might notice a few changes.

On Saturday, the museum and gardens will open their doors to the public at 11 a.m. and offer free admission. Three new exhibitions will be on display in the museum and of course, early spring flowers and colors will be on display in the Japanese-inspired gardens.

Chick’s Candy Store will provide a live music soundtrack.

Expanded Open Hours

This season, the Hammond will expand both the days and hours that they are open to the public. The facilities will be open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Spring Exhibitions

The 2023 season of rotating exhibitions begin this weekend.

Laura Cannamela: A Thousand Layers

Hays Gallery

Exhibition: April 1-May 20, 2023

Laura Cannamela’s cut paper relief forms are created with many layers of paper and, also, many layers of meaning. Informed by many sources, including the Genji Monogatari, topographic maps, waterfalls, Persian miniatures, Tibetan thangkas, and Jūnihitoe kimonos, these intimately sized works reflect their literary, historical, and natural references.

The Elemental Clay: Ceramics by Helen Kunzman

Goelet Gallery

Exhibition: April 1-May 20, 2023

The Elemental Clay. “On the potter’s wheel I feel harmony with the universe. Throwing clay on the wheel is an intuitive and spontaneous process. Transformation can happen when you push to unexpected places. And if the clay can survive the transformation – then the alchemy can happen…” -Helen Kunzman

Brush With Nature: Asian Brush Artists Guild

Guild Hall

Exhibition: April 1-May 6, 2023

This annual exhibition of paintings by ABAG members presents landscapes and bird-and-flower paintings based on and inspired by traditional Chinese techniques and materials.

The museum promises opening day will kick off a season of varied and engaging programs, exhibitions, and events, including the wildly popular Cherry Blossom Festival on April 30, a special piano concert by famed soloist Taka Kigawa on June 3, the Family Tanabata Festival on July 8, and the renowned annual Moon Viewing Concert on September 30.

Visitors can savor the changing seasonal faces of the garden any time, especially in spring when the grounds come alive and benefits from TLC over the winter.