Category: Botanical Gardens and Parks

Mount Tabor Historical Society Richardson History House 32 Trinity Place Mount Tabor, NJ 07878

Mount Tabor Historical Society

Richardson History House

32 Trinity Place

Mount Tabor, NJ 07878

973-975-0001

https://www.facebook.com/mounttaborhistoricalsociety/

Welcome

Open: Sundays 1:00pm-4:00pm/Monday-Saturday Closed

Admission: Free but donations accepted and recommended to help the museum operate.

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46652-d28537558-r971784929-Mount_Tabor_Historical_Society_Museum-Mount_Tabor_Morris_County_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The Mount Tabor Historical Society at 32 Trinity Place

The Historical Society and the gardens

I went on the Mount Tabor House and garden walking tour in late September on a rather gloomy Saturday and I had a wonderful time. It may have been gloomy out but the museum could not have been more interesting and the people who opened their homes could not have been nicer.

The tickets were $35.00 at the door which I thought was very fair for this fundraiser. They had transportation from the elementary school to the site and back that ran on a continuous basis from 11:00am to 4:30pm when the tour was over.

The sign by the bus tour stop

The first stop where we bought the tickets was the old Mount Tabor Fire House

When we arrived in the historic Mount Tabor neighborhood, this had once been a summer Methodist Camp. The planned community still has the original layout of the tent community and plots of land that the houses had been built on since old camp closed.

The center of the community was Trinity Park, a beautifully landscaped park

My first stop on the tour was the old Tabernacle, the original gathering place and hall where the religious services took place.

The inside of the Tabernacle, now being used for the quilt show for the tour

The Quilts were displayed on all the pews

The quilts were all handmade, some really colorful and beautifully stitched. It was a really impressive show of artistry.

The beautiful quilts on display

The colorful quilts on display

After I left the Tabernacle display, I headed up to the Mount Tabor Historical Society Museum for a tour of the museum and gardens. It was located on Trinity Park.

The Mount Tabor Historical Society on the eastern side of Trinity Park

The museum is part of triplex with a private home in the two other former homes. They are undergoing a renovation right now

The J. Smith Richardson History House (1873): A Camp Meeting Cottage Museum

(from the museum website)

The Mount Tabor Historical Society is privileged to share our historic community, founded as a post-Civil War permanent Camp Meeting ground, and the Richardson History House – a Camp Meeting Cottage Museum. The 1873 History House invites visitors to travel back to another era and see what it was like to spend a summer “camp meeting style” in the cottage of J. Smith and Lydia Richardson.

The parlor area in the home of Mr. Richardson

The home on the furthest to the left of the building is the museum, once home to the Richardson family, who were part of this Methodist retreat.

Mr. Richardson’s portrait hangs proudly on the wall overlooking the parlor of the home

The homes pipe organ that was used to entertain the family

The table was formally set with period China in the Dining Room that was shared with the parlor area. The tour guide told me that the family kept meticulous records of everything and on the table was the wedding menu of Mr. Richardson’s daughter’s wedding.

The Dining Room table set for dinner

The beautiful Victorian China

The bride’s Wedding menu. You can tell they ate well that afternoon

The brides wedding was pretty elaborate for the time and you could tell by the menu they ate pretty well that afternoon.

The bride’s Wedding photo hangs proudly in the parlor

The family heirloom, the bureau, sits proudly in the corner of the room

The family did not leave much behind but this bureau is the one piece of furniture that the family owned. It now holds serving pieces and dinner items. The kitchen is small but has all the modern convenes of the time including a range coal stove and an ice box, which were pretty elaborate for the time.

The kitchen of this small summer home

The shelves with all the cooking and storage materials

There are all sorts of baking materials, cooking utensils and items to cook full meals for the household.

Baking and measuring items

Items for baking

The historic map of the Mount Tabor Camp Ground was hung in the kitchen

Off the kitchen door was a beautiful garden and a landscaped walkway

Some vintage clothing was on display in the parlor

Vintage women’s clothing on display in the front parlor

I took a trip up the narrow stairs to the upstairs bedrooms and bathroom. I discovered that the house was much bigger than I thought. There was a nice size bathroom at the top of the steps.

For a small house, the bathroom was nice sized

The main bedroom was nice in size and also had a nice breeze from the window

The rooms were decorated with period furniture and bric a brac of the period. On the bed, lay funeral clothing of a family member in morning.

The clothing of someone in morning

The family bedroom set also returned to the house when donated back from the Richardson family

This gorgeous dollhouse was to the side of this bedroom with its tiny furniture and miniature decorations

The other bedroom was a little smaller but again was nicely furnished.

The view from the upstairs bedroom of the garden below

The second bedroom was a bit smaller and contained vintage clothes and toys

Family heirlooms, clothing and toys

The doll carriage for some lucky child

A sewing kit not too dissimilar from my grandmother’s

Baby dolls asleep on the second floor bedroom

The view from the parlor overlooking the Tabernacle

The Trinity Garden in the middle of historic district

The History of the Mount Tabor Methodist Camp:

(from the Society website)

Mt. Tabor, New Jersey, is a fine example of a 19th century community. Established in 1869 as a Methodist summer camp meeting ground, Mt. Tabor is now a full-time residential community.

While walking through Mt. Tabor, one can see Victorian cottages, complete with gingerbread, and several historic community buildings. Trinity Park is still a busy and central focus of the community. In addition to residences surrounding the park are three octagon structures. The Mt. Tabor branch of the Parsippany library occupies one of them, once known as the Ebenezer Pavilion. The Bethel, a pavilion erected in 1873 and enclosed in 1886, is used as a community meeting hall. Historic displays are featured in the Bethel the day of the annual house tour. The Tabernacle, built in 1885, is used to host large community events, including concerts. The fountain in Trinity Park is a close replica of the original fountain erected in 1875.

Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, private cottages were built at a rapid rate, while some summer residents stayed in tents. By the turn of the 20th century, more than 200 cottages were built, making Mt. Tabor a lively summer resort. The Depression and World War II brought some changes to Mt. Tabor: during these times when families could no longer afford two houses, the cottages were turned into year-round dwellings.

Mt. Tabor is still a special community. Its historic heritage is being preserved and its community is full of good will and participation. There are many events each year, including Children’s Day, an annual Holiday Craft Fair, House Tour, and concerts. The many active committees in town include the Garden Club, Historical Society, and Children’s Day Committee. Mt. Tabor also has a golf course and country club.

In 2001 we celebrated the reconstruction of a decorative iron arch at the entrance to Mt. Tabor closest to Dickerson Rd. at Rt. 53. The original arch was in place around the turn of the 20th century, and the reproduction was a project of the Mount Tabor Historical Society and the Beautification Committee of the Camp Meeting Association. It was completed in June of 2001, and helps one to visualize how Mt. Tabor appeared to people arriving by train, as many did. This project was made possible by contributions from individuals, from the Camp Meeting Association, and from money the Mt. Tabor Historical Society raises from events such as the annual House Tour.

Taking the Walking tour sponsored by the Society:

After the tour of the museum, I started my tour of the houses and gardens of the historic district. In the gloomy weather, I walked all the streets in the neighborhood visiting as many stops as I could.

As the rain subsided, I was able to walk around the neighborhood without juggling an umbrella. I wanted to see the gardens and parks first while the weather nice.

I loved walking around the neighborhood and admiring the homes

I walked up Strowbridge Avenue to make my first stop to see this whimsical front garden of this beautiful Victorian house.

The garden in front of 6 Strowbridge Avenue

The figures and small structures of this magical garden. I thought I would see ferries and elf’s walking around the yard.

The details of the front of 6 Strowbridge Avenue

The next house garden I visited 11 Sommerfield Avenue and this yard was hidden from the road to see its many surprises.

The front garden of 11 Sommerfield Avenue

The creative detail of the on just one side of the house

As you enter the garden, its theme was the Fall and Halloween

The water features and fountains of their background

The background fountains, water features and patio that make this backyard enjoyable

The new cottage home of 33 Embury Place

I walked down Embury Place to visit a last minute addition. I was surprised when the owner told me that six people once lived in the house. I saw the loft space and bunk beds that made this house work as a family home.

The elegance of 33 Embury Place

I walked down Morris Avenue, which is the heart of the complex and then walked up the “golden stairs” to West Park Place to next set of gardens and parks. The gardens in front of 12 West Park Place may not have been as elaborate as other homes but was nicely landscaped which complimented Mother Nature.

The gardens in front of 12 West Park Place

The gardens in front of 12 West Park Place

Across from these creative gardens is St. James Park, which sits in the middle of the complex. The park was gloomy with the rain drizzle so I really could not appreciate it. Still I could see how engaging the park must be in nice weather.

St. James Park

The Labyrinth in St. James Park

I made my way back down the stairs and made a walk down Morris Avenue to visit more homes. I noticed that time was running out and I only had an hour to visit this part of the neighborhood.

Trinity Park in full bloom when the rain stopped

Looking down the street down Whitfield Place during the tour of homes

A stuffed bear on display at 60 East Morris Street

The family who opened their home at 60 East Morris Street had a beautiful home. They invited us into their home, had a fire going on their patio and served us homemade cookies and apple cider which I thought was a nice touch. I saw this whimsical bear in one of the bedrooms.

71 Morris Avenue is the home of artist Gabriella D’Italia and her family

The artist’s work on the walls and her collection of puppets

The last set of gardens that I visited were at 36 Boehm Avenue. The rain had stopped and I was able to visit the gardens and not feel rushed.

The yard at 36 Boehm Avenue.

The yard at 36 Boehm Avenue where gold fish I thought were a nice touch

I saw this point of creativity at 26 Whitfield Place

When I finished the tour, I explored the area around Trinity Park. I walked around the park around the Pollinator Garden and admired the foliage.

The gardens at the start of the Fall

The map of the historical sign of the complex

The historic marker of the complex

The historic buildings around Trinity Park

The Gazebo in the park

The Methodist church on Simpson Avenue

The old Firehouse where we checked in

The old Camp office

It really was a wonderful walking tour and I learned a lot about the old Mount Tabor site. This was an eye opener of how a former Methodist camp becomes a desirable historical neighborhood that everyone wants to live in. The museum was an interesting look on how people lived in the past here and the walking tour showed how modern times living here that not much has changed. People still making these small charming houses home. This walking tour in Mount Tabor, NJ is every September.

After the tour for lunch:

After the tour was over, I stopped into Downtown Denville, NJ right down the road, which is right off Route 46 and Route 80 for a late lunch. Denville has a very nice downtown with lots of restaurants and stores. Even on a gloomy afternoon, most everything was open. I checked out by Advantage Dining site and found Second Half on Main at 5 East Main Street. This contemporary bar/pub had all the TV’s going for the football game and a packed bar. I ate in the dining room section of the restaurant and was able to stretch out in one of the booths.

The Second Half of Main Street Street at 5 East Main Street in Downtown Denville, NJ

https://www.secondhalfonmain.com/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g46392-d2386465-Reviews-Second_Half_on_Main-Denville_Morris_County_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The restaurant is a lively place and the bar area was busy. The menu has a nice selection of salads, burgers, pastas and large entrees with a nice beer listing. It got cold and miserable outside and it was the perfect burger day. I chose the Texas Burger with Bacon, BBQ sauce and sharp Cheddar Cheese and that hit the spot. What I liked about Second Half on Main is the prices are very fair. The burgers will run you around $15.00 and they include the French Fries, something you do not see in the Hudson River Valley or Bergen County anymore. They pull the a la Carte routine since COVID.

The Dining Room area at Second Half on Main

The burgers here are excellent. Perfectly cooked, stacked with ingredients and are juicy. The fries were also perfectly cooked. On a cool gloomy day, the burger hit the spot. If you are touring in the area, I highly recommend the restaurant. After lunch if the weather is nice, check out Downtown Denville.

The Texas Burger and French Fries at Second Half on Main

The Texas Burger and Fries is the perfect meal on a cool day

Yum!

Wetlands Institute 1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

Wetlands Institute

1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard

Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

(609) 368-1211

Home

Open: Sunday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm

Admission: Adults $12:00/Children $10.00/Military $10.00/Members and Children under 3 Free

My review on TripAdvisor:

Entering from the highway, I was surprised at this interesting place of nature and how the Institute is not just part of the community but how it integrates itself into the fabric of helping understand how Mother Nature plays a part in benefiting everyone in this shore community from cleaning the water, sustaining wildlife and preventing flooding.

The front of the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, NJ

The back of the Institute from the salt marshes

The sign that welcomes you inside

You would almost miss the Institute without the sign

The beautiful gardens in the front during the summer months

The Institute’s gardens in the front of the building during the summer months

The History of the Wetlands Institute:

(From the Institute’s website)

The Wetlands Institute was founded by Herbert Mills in the late 1960s, thereby fulfilling his life-long vision of creating a world-class research, education and conservation center at the Jersey Shore that would educate people of all ages about the beauty and wonders of the coastal environment, and the importance of that environment to their daily lives. His dream was to inspire everyone to want to conserve and sustain that environment forever.

Herb loved birds and nature all his life. In fact, he joined the National Audubon Society at the age of seven. Many of his maturing years were spent as an executive in the glass and canning industries of South Jersey. During those years he further developed his abiding interest in conservation issues, so much so that he left the business world in 1967 to became the Executive Director of the World Wildlife Fund. In 1969, under his leadership, the World Wildlife Fund purchased 6,000 acres of salt marsh in Middle Township. 34 of those acres became the site of the Wetlands Institute’s facility. The rest were held by the World Wildlife Fund until being transferred to New Jersey’s Green Acres Program. Herb also raised the funds for the design and construction of our main building which was designed by Malcolm Wells, a world-renowned and environmentally-oriented architect.

Our building was officially dedicated on September 16, 1972. Herb Mills’ friend and the international president of the World Wildlife Fund, Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands was the keynote speaker (the Institute website).

The bird exhibition at the entrance of the Institute

The other bird exhibition in the hallway

Later History:

(from the Institute Website)

In its earliest years the Institute was run by Lehigh University under a dollar-a-year lease. That relationship continued beyond Herb Mills’ untimely death at the age of 62 on October 21, 1972 while addressing an ornithology meeting at Cornell University, barely a month after the Institute’s dedication ceremony.

After a few years, however, the Institute and Lehigh parted company amicably. The late Marion Glaspey, a shy but very determined woman, succeeded Herb Mills as Chairman of the Board and guided the Institute for several difficult years as the Institute struggled to become a self-sustaining, independent entity, and garner and maintain the kind of financial support that is vital to any nonprofit organization. In addition to being totally dedicated to the Institute, Marion was a talented artist and photographer, teaching classes in both subjects, and–most significantly–she was a passionate gardener (she’s the “Marion” for whom our Marion’s Garden is named). She remained on our Board of Trustees until her death in 2000.

Through Marion’s leadership and that of her successors, the Institute has evolved to become a leader in coastal environmental education, research, and conservation. At present the Institute is supported almost entirely by funds from private sources, receiving only an occasional government grant for a special project.

My visit to the Institute in the Summer of 2024:

The first stop on the tour of the facility was walking up to the observation deck at the top of the building to view the salt marshes below. It gave an overview of the area that the Institute is trying to protect. The top floor observation gives a clear view of the marshes that surround the town of Stone Harbor and how these acres of area help both the natural population as well as the human population both residing in this beach community.

The view of the Wetlands between the barrier islands and the mainland

The Wetlands closer to the main road

The view of the front of the building and its colorful gardens

The Wetlands that line the highway out of Stone Harbor

When you leave the deck area and head back downstairs, there is wonderful little aquarium that houses the background of the local fish, crabs and wildlife that are part of the ecosystem that make the salt marshes such an important part of this shore community. One side of the aquarium is dedicated to the local Terrapin turtle whose habitat has long been affected by human encroachment. This conservation effort is ongoing.

The first room in the complex of rooms is the Terrapin Turtle exhibit showing the habitat of this local creature and its importance in the ecosystem.

Conservation Programs at The Wetlands Institute

(from the Institute website)

Concerns about the local terrapin population led Dr. Roger Wood, former Director of Research at The Wetlands Institute, to establish the Terrapin Conservation Project in 1989. The project has grown and broadened in scope to become the Coastal Conservation Research Program (CCRP), where undergraduate interns work closely with research scientists at The Wetlands Institute on a wide variety of research and conservation projects, including terrapin conservation. Since 1989, over 200 college and university students from more than 100 academic institutions have participated in the program.

The turtles will just stare at you as walk their display

The turtles swimming around

The turtles in a recreation of their habitat

The turtles in captivity interacting with one another in the tanks

These playful turtles are just part of the chain of ocean animals under study and conservation at the Institute and it is interesting to see to their interaction with each other and then watch us from the other side of the tank to see the human observation.

The next exhibition was the Horseshoe Crab conservation tank. The Horseshoe Crab holds a very important role in the ecology of the shore.

The Efforts with Horseshoe Crab Conservation:

(from the Institute website)

In an effort to address the Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab situation, The Wetlands Institute has embarked on a statewide partnership project to support the stewardship and conservation of Horseshoe Crab populations in New Jersey. As part of this partnership, The Wetlands Institute collects fertilized Horseshoe Crab eggs with the proper permits from spawning beaches along the Delaware Bay and rears the eggs under controlled conditions in our aquarium. After about a month, eggs hatch and newly born Horseshoe Crabs are maintained in their culture tanks. Enclosed in this cultured environment and free of predation, aquaculture dramatically increases Horseshoe Crab survival both before and after the first molts. These small crabs are kept in culture tanks until they are ready to begin feeding, and then are released at their respective egg collection locations.

The Horseshoe Crab exhibit

The Nesting exhibition

The Salt Marsh exhibition

The exhibit on how shore development is affecting wildlife and the ecosystem

The aquarium was very interesting as the exhibits were not there for amusement but to show the wildlife that lives in our oceans and how they interact with one another.

The Whale bone exhibition

The exhibit on Shore birds and their home at the shore

The Aquatic tanks are the interaction we have to the aquatic population. I am sure many of the fish in the exhibition are not native to New Jersey or the Atlantic still it was fun observing them.

The tanks showed the importance of marine life in our beaches and oceans

Some of the types of fish in our oceans: the Striped Burrfish, Permit, and Pigfish

The Striped Burrfish

The Stripped Burrfish

The Permit fish

The Pigfish

The next tank over held the very active Spider Crab, who seemed to follow my every move.

The sign at the tank of this very playful crab

This guy was following me around the tank

The aquarium was interesting because the fish seemed to be very jaded of being around humans. They seemed so used to seeing us it does not faze them.

I then toured the salt marshes outside. The Institute has a series of paths and walkways where you can view the marshes and see the cause and effects these natural areas. It was a beautiful warm sunny day when I visited and it was relaxing to just walk along the paths and just take it all in.

The view of the salt marshes from the back of the Institute

A closer view of the marshes from the paths

Coastal Sustainability and Wetland Health

(from the Institute Website)

The Coastal Sustainability and Wetland Health program began with efforts to document the impact of sea level rise on marshes and marsh-dependent species. The health of coastal bird and diamondback terrapin populations is intricately linked to the condition of coastal marsh systems; as a result, monitoring changes in the local population size, behavior, and breeding success of these animals can help us perceive changes within the salt marsh itself. Our work is also increasingly focused on the monitoring of marsh restoration and habitat creation projects. Through beneficial reuse of dredged sediments, we aim to protect the marsh platform from conversion or drowning, and to create elevated coastal bird and terrapin nesting habitat. In order to understand the response of wildlife to these projects, and to document how sea-level rise and coastal flooding are impacting local populations, we are carrying out surveys of marsh-dependent species on The Wetlands Institute property and other restoration sites (Institute website).

The Marsh Field sign

The Salt Marshes

The back of the Institute from the Salt Marshes

The Institute has a complete elevated walkway where you can walk through the marshes and observe the area.

The sign explaining your walk through the marshes

The possible animals and fish you will see on the walk

Plan to take the time to walk through the pathways on a nice day and observe the salt marshes. You will not see many animals or fish but you know they are there. It is interesting to see the town of Stone Harbor in the distance and realize how much these marshes help the human population without them knowing it. Not just are they beautiful to look at but how what an important role in the environment they play.

The beautiful view of the marshes

The elevated walkway goes through the marshes and offers excellent views

The marshes from the walkway

The effects of a healthy marsh

The breathtaking views of the marshes

When you finish the walk of the pathways and the elevated walkway, this leads you back to the Institute.

Don’t miss a trip to their terrific gift shop with all sorts of fun items and nautical gifts. I bought a delicious jar of the local beach plum jelly. That was a treat. There are all sorts of interesting gift items in the store from gifts from local farms to items dealing with conservation and nature to children’s items. This benefits the Institute and its mission.

Don’t miss one last stroll through their gardens on the way out the door.

What I liked about the Wetlands Institute was that it was engaging, entertaining and educational all at the same time. You walk out with a lesson learned of the positive efforts being made to save the environment in a way that does preach but first shows the cause and the effect and with simple efforts made can benefit everyone.

Day Three Hundred and One: Seeing the Solar Eclipse at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden April 8th, 2023.

Day Three Hundred and One Seeing the Solar Eclipse at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden April 8th, 2024.

The Solar Eclipse at its full extent from our location in Brooklyn.

Daffodil Hill at its peak of blooming.

The Children’s Garden in bloom during the Eclipse.

Gobbler’s Knob and Trail 1548 Woodland Avenue Ext. Punxsutawney, PA 15767

Gobbler’s Knob and Trail

1548 Woodland Avenue Ext.

Punxsutawney, PA 15767

https://www.facebook.com/weathercapital

https://www.groundhog.org/getting-here-and-around

Open: Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm/Monday-Tuesday Closed/Wednesday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm (Visitors Center) Site open: Dawn to Dusk.

Admission: Free

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g53500-d106564-r936944434-Gobbler_s_Knob-Punxsutawney_Pennsylvania.html?m=19905

My review on Exploring Punxsutawney, PA for Groundhog’s Day:

(this will give you some great places to stay, eat and visit)

https://mywalkinmanhattan.com/category/exploring-punxsutawney-pa

The entrance to Gobbler’s Knob when you arrive in the morning.

“Are you off to see the Groundhog?” is a famous line in the movie “Groundhog’s Day”. The one thing is that the scene in the movie was shot in the square of Woodstock, ID. The real Gobbler’s Knob is located in Punxsutawney, PA, the real home of Phil.

The welcome sign to Gobblers Knob.

Located just outside the downtown (ironically behind a Walmart; talk about progress), Gobblers Knob is located in what was once woods in the back of town has become an open field with a stage, Visitors Center and gift shop. Every years thousands of people flock to this small town literally in the middle of Pennsylvania to see the Groundhog’s Day Festival.

Taking the bus to Gobblers Knob on Groundhog’s Day morning.

Gobbler’ Knob is the famous home of the “Groundhogs Day” festival and swells into a crowd of more than thirty thousand people from all over the world. It is an incredible event to join in.

I attended the festivities here twice. Once in 2016 and again in 2024 and I have to say that it is something you have to do once in your life just to experience the excitement of the morning that Phil sees his shadow.

Arriving in the morning for the prediction.

The signs were out and lit for the prediction. No one knew how Phil would react. Would he see his shadow or not?

The History of Groundhog’s Day (From the Groundhog’s Club website):

The Christian religious holiday of Candlemas Day has become most commonly associated with the current celebration, but it’s roots are older than that. The celebration started in Christianity as the day, (February 2nd), when Christians would take their candles to the church to have them blessed. This, they felt, would bring blessings to their household for the remaining winter.

As time rolled on the day evolved into another form. The following English folk song highlights the transition to weather prognostication.

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.

This “interpretation” of Candlemas Day became the norm for most of Europe. As you can read, there is no mention of an animal of any kind in the preceding song. It wasn’t until this traditional belief was introduced to Germany that an animal was introduced into the lore, hence another evolution of February 2nd. If, according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a “Second Winter” or 6 more weeks of bad weather. As German settlers came to what is now the United States, so too came their traditions and folklore. With the absence of hedgehogs in the United States, a similar hibernating animal was chosen. This leads us to yet another evolution in the legend and to present day Punxsutawney.

In Punxsutawney, 1886 marked the first time that Groundhog Day appeared in the local newspaper. The following year brought the first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob. Each year since then has seen a steady increase in participation of the celebration from people all over the world.

When the knob is full that morning you can feel the excitement of the crowd. From three in the morning until Phil comes out to make his prediction, there are all sorts of bands, comedians and singers to entertain the crowds all morning.

The crowds get bigger as the morning gets later, most arriving before 6:00am.

The stage was always filled with entertainment acts.

The entertainment for the evening until the top hats arrive and the fun begins. First they are the introductions of the VIPs, like the Governor of Pennsylvania showed up as well as all the other politicians to follow him.

The governor of Pennsylvania talking to the crowd.

Watch my video of Phil seeing his shadow in 2024:

IMG_2186 Download

Then there is a fantastic fireworks display. This lasted about a half hour.

The fire works were amazing that morning.

Watch the fireworks display and you will see why you need to be there at 3:00am to enjoy the festivities:

img_2178 (2)Download

The video on the finale was the best:

IMG_2172 Download

Then the camera’s arrive and it time for the prediction. Will it be an early Spring or will Winter keep going.

The arrival of the Punxsutawney Groundhog’s Club starts the program.

Phil did not see his shadow in 2024. Spring is on its way!

On the day after Groundhog’s Day, I went back to Gobblers Knob to visit it when it wasn’t so chaotic and crowded. It can magical in its own way in that you see the field and knob empty and realize that people all over the world watch the activities here every February 2nd. It is fascinating to just think about.

The entrance to Gobblers Knob the Saturday after Groundhog’s Day 2024.

The history of the site.

The historical marker of the site.

The stage area when it is quiet.

The end of the ceremony on Groundhog’s Day people were still milling around.

Gobbler’s Knob from the stage area.

The entrance display to the field.

The field when things were quiet after the event the next day.

Groundhogs Day in Punxsutawney, PA is a real experience that you should experience once. To sit out in the field with thousands of others to celebrate the day is a lot of fun. Until next year.

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Conservation Programs at The Wetlands Institute

Coastal Sustainability and Wetland Health

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