Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens  |  View in browser

July 2026 Schedule 

The July 2026 schedule is now open to all interpretation volunteers in Volgistics, complete with private tours and special events. Please log in to your Volgistics account to schedule your shifts. If you have any changes or questions regarding the volunteer schedule, please continue to contact volunteers@hillwoodmuseum.org or 202.686.8528. Thank you.

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Now Open | Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles

Hillwood is excited to welcome you to our new exhibition, Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles, open in the Adirondack building from Saturday, June 6, 2026-Sunday, January 3, 2027.

Textiles have long served as both functional objects and extraordinary works of art, woven into the fabric of everyday life and elevated by generations of makers. Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles will be the first to focus on this essential yet unexplored aspect of the collection, showcasing the remarkable artistry, technical mastery, and cultural importance of textiles across centuries. Drawing from Hillwood's rich holdings, the exhibition invites visitors to consider the enduring power of textiles, not only as decorative or domestic objects but also as expressions of identity, devotion, innovation, and exquisite craftsmanship.

Volunteer Resources 

There are several resources available for volunteers to learn more about the exhibition:

These resources can also be found on the 2026 Exhibition Information & Mansion Display Updates and 2026 Lecture Videos pages of the volunteer website.

Upcoming Public Programs | Interwoven Lecture Series

Hillwood’s interpretation department is hosting a number of exciting public programs in relation to the new exhibition. Explore the offerings below or visit Hillwood’s website for more information on ticket availability and pricing.

We hope you enjoy exploring Interwoven! 

As a friendly reminder, On Time: Giving Form to the Fleeting closes on Sunday, June 14, so head over to the dacha for a visit before it ends.

Final Week | Volunteer Survey: Accessibility Observations

As part of Hillwood’s ongoing commitment to improving accessibility across campus, we invite you to share your observations and feedback through this survey. Your insights will directly inform improvements to signage, seating areas, and campus accessibility.

The survey will close on Monday, June 15, 2026, so be sure to share any additional observations or feedback before it closes. Thank you so much to those that have been submitting their observations over the last few months!

Behind the Easel: Painting Conservation at Hillwood

Have you ever wondered how a painting gets conserved? 

In this article, take a peek behind the scenes of the conservation process with Diana Brazil, exhibitions and collections project manager, as she interviews Hillwood’s contract painting conservator Sarah Gowen Murray.

Painting removed from frame for assessment.

Painting removed from frame for assessment.

Volunteer News & Reminders

As we head into our summer season, we have a few volunteer updates and reminders to share.

Update to Mansion Entry Hall Portrait ID Chart

Thank you all so much for sharing your feedback on our new portrait ID charts for the paintings in the mansion entry hall! We’re happy to share that the chart for the west wall has now been updated to include the Portrait of Grand Duke Alexander (future Alexander II) (52.5). This is the small painting to the right of the Portrait of Peter the Great (51.53). 

You can find the updated west wall document here or on the 2026 Exhibition Information & Mansion Display Updates page of the volunteer website. If you have any questions or comments to share on these new resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

The entry hall portrait ID charts will be updated as objects are removed or installed.

The entry hall portrait ID charts will be updated as objects are removed or installed.

Save the Date: October 5 Volunteer Appreciation Reception

This year, we’re excited to try something new by moving our Volunteer Appreciation Reception to the fall. Join us on Monday, October 5, from 5–7 p.m., to celebrate your meaningful contributions. With spring being such a busy season at Hillwood, this shift allows us to dedicate more time and intention to honoring our volunteers.

Invitations will be emailed closer to the event. Hillwood is so grateful for your time and dedication and for the many ways you bring the estate to life – we look forward to celebrating together this fall!

Cutting garden in fall. Photo courtesy of Erik Kvalsvik.

Cutting garden in fall. Photo courtesy of Erik Kvalsvik.

Spring Garden Touring Season Ends Soon

Hillwood’s spring garden tours will be coming to a close on Sunday, June 14. We’re so grateful for the hard work and dedication of our fabulous garden docents, who have been touring rain or shine throughout our busy season. We look forward to the start of the fall garden tour season, which will run from September 1-November 15, 2026. 

For more information, visit the 2026 Garden Touring Season Information​ page of the volunteer website.

Spring blooms. Photo courtesy of Erik Kvalsvik.

Spring blooms. Photo courtesy of Erik Kvalsvik.

Visitor Survey Comments

Hillwood regularly surveys visitors to learn more about their experience around the estate. Time and time again, guests highlight the superb work that our volunteers put in to create the welcoming, gracious visitor experience that we’re known for. Read on to see some highlights from visitor surveys over the last few months.

Guests and staff alike recognize the impact of Hillwood's amazing volunteer cohort:

  • “I'd like to congratulate the volunteers at Hillwood. They make this place so special.”

Visitors love the personal touch and added experience that our docent-led tours lend to their visit:

  • “I truly had a fantastic time visiting for an entire afternoon, having eaten lunch at the café, and attended both the mansion and garden tours. I have very much enjoyed every visit I’ve ever made to Hillwood."

Visitors enjoy the beauty of the gardens and greenhouse thanks to the hard work of our horticulture staff and volunteers:

  • “The orchids and greenhouse items were glorious and inspiring, as were all of the outdoor gardens!”

We greatly appreciate your ongoing commitment to our visitors and Hillwood’s mission – we can’t thank you enough for all you do to make Hillwood the wonderful place it is!

Staff Updates | Berea Whitley

Berea Whitley, Administrative Assistant

Hillwood is pleased to share that Berea Whitley has been promoted to administrative assistant, after having served as the inventory coordinator in Hillwood’s museum shop. Please join us in congratulating Berea for her new role in the Executive Office!

Berea Whitley

Berea Whitley started in her new role on May 27.

Upcoming Volunteer Education

Mark your calendars for these upcoming volunteer educational sessions:

Volunteer Cutting Garden Tour

June 11 & 12 (Thursday-Friday), 10:15-10:45 a.m.

Join Matt Boyle, cutting garden & volunteer manager, for a tour of the cutting garden as the perennials and annuals transition from spring to summer. He will discuss all the tools and strategies used in the area to maintain a functional source of cut flowers for floral designs, sustainable habitat for native plants and animals and a beautiful garden for visitors. Group size limited to 15 volunteers per tour. The tour will depart from the upper cold frames at the end of the greenhouse. Please use the links below to sign up for a tour:

Mansion Docent Training Resources

Resources from the 2026 Mansion Docent Training Program are now available to all volunteers and staff as part of our continuing education offerings. These pre-recorded lectures and accompanying readings are excellent refreshers and also provide new insights into the collection and visitor engagement methods.

We encourage all volunteers to take advantage of this opportunity by exploring the lecture recordings and readings on the 2026 Mansion Docent Training page of the volunteer website. The content is organized by topic, beginning with the first class in the training program. Simply click on a topic to expand the page and view the full list of pre-recorded lectures and related reading materials.


Pre-recorded lecture on Historic Objects and Contemporary Stories and Artists in Hillwood’s collection, as part of the 2026 Mansion Docent Training Resources available on the volunteer website.

Pre-recorded lecture on Historic Objects and Contemporary Stories and Artists in Hillwood’s collection, as part of the 2026 Mansion Docent Training Resources available on the volunteer website.

Staff Help and Resources 

Thank you for being a part of the Hillwood community! Our doors are always open. Feel free to reach us at volunteers@hillwoodmuseum.org. 


-The Volunteer Support Team

Erin Allen, Holly Scanlon, Matt Boyle, and Lisa Leyh

Explore Hillwood Online

Stay connected with Hillwood anytime through our website! Discover treasures in the collection database, see what’s blooming in the gardens, and sign up for upcoming programs. Planning a visit? Head to our Plan Your Visit page for the latest offerings and to book your next visit.

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Visit the Volunteer Website

Stay informed and inspired by visiting Hillwood’s volunteer website. Revisit past newsletters and updates, watch recordings of volunteer programs, and review the latest guidelines. Dive deeper into your Hillwood journey with a wide array of educational resources designed just for volunteers.

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