Hidden Garden Events 2026

Garden Lecture with Sigrid Gray

Saturday, June 27: 9:30am
Held at the Spencertown Academy
Tickets: $15-20

Sigrid Gray of Take Root Design: On the Edge: Mills Park Community Experiment
This is the story of the renovation of a small green in the village of Kinderhook, NY into a meadow park; inviting curiosity and effort by many, stiff resistance by some, and learning by all.

Speaker Sigrid Gray’s gardening background is in public gardens; from gardener at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum to Director of Horticulture at The Battery in NYC, growing the gardens of noted plantsman Piet Oudolf.

Refreshments will be served
Spencertown Academy
Members: $15/ General admission: $20

Hidden Gardens Tour

Saturday, July 18: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Advance Sale:
Tickets: $35

Day of tickets: $40
Sold at the Market on the Green from 9:00-2:30

This very popular annual Academy fundraising event celebrates its 21st year bringing an opportunity for the community to visit five artful private landscapes in Columbia County villages: Spencertown, Chatham and East Chatham.

The gallery of destinations on the self guided tour features a variety of styles and environments for every taste. Attendees will visit a curated woodland hiking trail, designed and constructed on private property by Pinnacle Trail Design, using primarily natural occurring materials. Another stop is a modern hilltop residence with spectacular mountain views and lush perennial gardens surrounded by farmland. One of the oldest houses in Spencertown, built circa 1820’s, features flower gardens, a pool and tennis court, and a restored dairy barn converted to hold a gym, lounge, and massive model train layout which will be on display on the day of tour. In addition to lush, mature gardens, many of these locations boast spectacular views, swimming pools, ponds, patios, firepits, outdoor rooms, and vegetable gardens; thoughtful design elements to inspire and thrill every garden lover and voyeur.


On July 18th only, Hidden Gardens ticket holders will have access to the restored grounds and gardens at Steepletop, the historic home of Edna St Vincent Millay in Austerlitz. The Poetry Trail, created by the Friends of the Millay Society, the gift shop and the current gallery exhibit will all be open from 9:30am to 5pm. The House Tour is not included in the Hidden Gardens ticket.

Market on the Green

Saturday, July 18: 9:00am – 2:30pm


This year, the Market on the Green will focus on things to plant, nurture and grow including native perennials, shrubs and trees suited to this region from Arthur’s Point Farm in Ghent. Local Chatham flower farm, Guiding Green Thumbs, will be selling organically grown potted perennials, dahlias and herbs. Mud Road Farm will be offering exceptional cut flowers, both fresh and dried, for sale. The popular Academy White Elephant Booth will be filled with bargain- priced items for the garden and home. Robert Bangiola, nature artist and sculptor will be in attendance with new creations for sale and taking orders for custom pieces. Chef Tommy Carlucci will be dispensing breakfast and lunch options from his new food truck, Lucci’s Blue Zone, and St. Peter’s Church Auxiliary will be selling homemade baked goods and lemonade.


The tour and market will take place rain or shine.