BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Henry L. Ferguson Museum - ECPv6.17.5.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Henry L. Ferguson Museum X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Henry L. Ferguson Museum REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260819T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260819T150000 DTSTAMP:20260722T202954Z CREATED:20260325T130520Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260722T202954Z UID:38310-1787148000-1787151600@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Inspect an Insect DESCRIPTION:Gain an appreciation for the diversity of insects as we examine insect specimens\, meet a live insect\, and use nets to see what insects are living outside of the Museum! \nWHEN: Wednesday\, August 19\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/inspect-an-insect-2/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/monarch-butterfly_usfws.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T170000 DTSTAMP:20260806T171253Z CREATED:20260407T195339Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T171253Z UID:38473-1787414400-1787418000@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Tour of Olmsted Brothers’ Landscape Design Being Restored at East End DESCRIPTION:Join RoAnn Costin and William (Ned) Friedman\, Director of Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum\, for a tour of her property\, Rose Nest\, which she is restoring to the original Olmsted Brothers landscape design.\nIn the late 1920s\, the legendary Olmsted Brothers Firm of Brookline\, MA. created an elaborate landscape design for the George E. Hardy property overlooking Island Pond (later owned by the Mallory and O’Keefe families). \nRoAnn invites you to tour the grounds! \nWhen: Saturday\, August 22\, 2026\nTime: 4 pm\nPlace: Costin house at the East End\nReception to follow.\nRegistration Required. SOLD OUT! To be placed on the wait list\, contact the Ferguson Museum by phone (631-788-7239) or by e-mail (info@fergusonmuseum.org). \nABOVE PHOTO: Lot design for Hardy property\, originally named Winkath. \nPlease note related talk “Evolving Landscapes: Olmsted\, Design\, and the Arnold Arboretum” on Sunday\, August 23 by William (Ned) Friedman\, Director of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University\, who will take us on an exploration of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design legacy embodied at one of his most renowned and best-preserved landscapes: the Arnold Arboretum. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/tour-of-olmsted-brothers-landscape-design-being-restored-at-east-end/ CATEGORIES:Garden Tour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Winkath_Olmsted-landscape_DSC01178.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T170000 DTSTAMP:20260815T152116Z CREATED:20260403T210833Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260815T152116Z UID:38423-1787500800-1787504400@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Evolving Landscapes: Olmsted\, Design\, and the Arnold Arboretum DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for a richly illustrated talk by William (Ned) Friedman\, Director of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University\, who will take us on an exploration of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design legacy embodied at one of his most renowned and best-preserved landscapes: the Arnold Arboretum.\nWhen: Sunday\, August 23\, 2026\nTime: 4-5 pm\nPlace: At the Museum\, 2nd floor and virtual\, via zoom\nReception to follow.\nSpace is limited for in-person talk\, registration is required. Please register by contacting the Museum at 631-788-7239 or info@fergusonmuseum.org. \nJoin Zoom WebinarWe will learn about the design history of the Arboretum\, from its origins under Frederick Law Olmsted to decades of evolution that involved contributions by the Olmsted Brothers\, including lessons learned in modern times about how to manifest their visions in our contemporary world. \nNed will also share how a groundbreaking\, 19th-century collaboration between the City of Boston and Harvard University gave birth to the Arnold Arboretum\, which is today a world-leading scientific research enterprise dedicated to the study of woody plants\, and a crown jewel in Boston’s Emerald Necklace – a public park that is free and open 365 days a year\, fulfilling Olmsted’s vision of making the natural world accessible to every person\, no matter their background. This talk will connect past to present\, culminating in a reminder that we can learn from legendary designs and also make them relevant for our times. \nPlease note related event\, “Tour of Olmsted Brothers’ landscape design being restored at East End” – the SOLD OUT event with RoAnn Costin and William (Ned) Friedman\, Director of Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum\, Saturday\, August 22\, 2026 to tour her property\, “Rose Nest”\, which she is restoring to the original Olmsted Brothers landscape design. Registration required. \nWilliam (Ned) Friedman\, an evolutionary biologist who has done extensive research on the origin and early evolution of flowering plants\, has served since 2011 as the eighth director of the Arnold Arboretum. He is also a tenured professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University. \nAs leader of the nation’s first public arboretum\, Ned has positioned the Arnold Arboretum to confront current world challenges by redoubling the institution’s commitments to public health\, free access to programming and the beauty of the landscape for all citizens\, and global change mitigation projects. His vision for what a twenty-first century arboretum can and should be is fueling the largest redesign of horticultural and visitor infrastructure in the landscape since the Arboretum’s founding\, as well as forging a significant commitment to advancing environmental equity and climate change scholarship. \nFriedman’s academic research has focused on patterns of plant morphology\, anatomy\, and cell biology. He has been acclaimed for his discovery of a new type of reproductive structure in an ancient flowering plant that may represent a critical link between flowering plants and their ancestors. Friedman also has a keen interest in the history of science\, particularly the intellectual history of evolutionism. He has designed and taught courses on the life and work of Charles Darwin and other historical figures and lectured on the subject at natural history museums and other venues. \nAs a botanist who has devoted his entire career to studying the evolutionary diversification of plants\, he feels privileged to have the opportunity to steward\, promote\, and share the extraordinary botanical and horticultural resources of the Arnold Arboretum with students\, scholars\, and millions of annual visitors. \nHe is a graduate of Oberlin College and the University of California\, Berkeley\, and taught at the University of Georgia and the University of Colorado before joining Harvard University and the Arnold Arboretum. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Olmsted Arboretum Design\n \n \n \n \n \n Arboretum Bussey Hill\, Lilac Collection photo by Jon Hetman\n \n \n \n \n \n Arboretum Kent Field\, Conifer Collection\, Autumn photo by Ned Friedman\n \n \n\nJoin from PC\, Mac\, iPad\, or Android:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/84589313776 \nPhone one-tap:\n+16465588656\,\,84589313776# US (New York)\n+16469313860\,\,84589313776# US \nJoin via audio:\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 646 931 3860 US\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n+1 305 224 1968 US\n+1 309 205 3325 US\n+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n+1 253 205 0468 US\n+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n+1 360 209 5623 US\n+1 386 347 5053 US\n+1 507 473 4847 US\n+1 564 217 2000 US\n+1 669 444 9171 US\n+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)\n+1 689 278 1000 US\n+1 719 359 4580 US \nWebinar ID: 845 8931 3776 \nInternational numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdg4DhZ8gb URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/evolving-landscapes-olmsted-design-and-the-arnold-arboretum/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/arnold_arboretum_Oak-Collection-Fall_Ned-Friedman_34568.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260826T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260826T120000 DTSTAMP:20260812T150705Z CREATED:20260811T182442Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T150705Z UID:39262-1787734800-1787745600@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Step onto Race Rock. Visit inside the lighthouse! DESCRIPTION:Visit Inside Race Rock Lighthouse\nFor the first time in three years\, the New London Maritime Society in partnership with the HLF Museum is offering a limited number of trips to visit inside Race Rock Lighthouse. \nWHAT: There will be four trips \nWHEN:  Wednesday\, August 26 – SOLD OUT! Stay tuned for new tour date! \nWHERE: Departing from Silver Eel Cove on Fishers Island\, NY\, next to the Fishers Island Ferry dock. (Passengers coming from the mainland will take the Fishers Island Ferry) \nTIME: Trips depart on the hour at 9:00 AM\, 10:00 AM\, 11:00 AM\, and 12:00 noon. (For each departure we estimate you will return in 1 hour 45 minutes.) \n\nGet TicketsThe Race Rock Experience\nSpace is very limited. Each Race Rock trip is limited to six passengers. \nTo reach Race Rock Light Station\, we take a landing craft out to the lighthouse. \nOnce there\, you’ll have approximately 45 minutes to explore Race Rock Light before returning to Fishers Island. \nLanding at Race Rock requires some physical dexterity. You don’t have to be a Ninja\, but you will need to balance on the edge of the boat and climb directly up a ladder to reach the lighthouse platform. \nEveryone must sign a waiver of liability before boarding. \nAll passengers must wear a life jacket\, provided by us\, while in transit. \nAppropriate footwear is also required: deck shoes or sneakers only—no sandals or flip-flops. \nWeather & Safety\nTrips are weather-dependent. Wind conditions can change quickly\, and there is always the possibility of a last-minute cancellation. Our captain makes the final decision\, and your safety is our primary concern. \nPlease check your email before leaving for the dock for any last-minute changes or cancellations. If the tour is canceled because of weather\, we will notify you by email. \nIf you want to take a chance on a last-minute opening\, please call 203-444-2884. \nAbout Race Rock Light Station\nRace Rock Light Station is a remarkable feat of 19th-century engineering. The lighthouse consists of a two-and-one-half-story Gothic Revival-style granite masonry keeper’s dwelling with an integral three-and-one-half-story tower. The 67-foot-high tower has an octagonal cast-iron lantern and gallery surrounded by a wrought-iron railing. The station also contains six brick-lined rooms in the basement and dwelling. \nConstruction of Race Rock Light was an engineering feat directed over seven years by New London’s own Captain T. A. Scott. The lighthouse was first lit in 1878. For 139 years\, Race Rock’s red lantern and foghorn guided mariners through the roiling currents at the Race. \nIn 2013\, Race Rock Light Station was entrusted to the New London Maritime Society by the federal government through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. \nRace Rock Light Station (1878)\, along with New London Harbor Light (established 1760; current tower 1801) and Ledge Light (1909) at the mouth of the Thames River\, forms a pathway of beacons leading from the Atlantic Ocean to the historic port of New London. All three lights are now owned by the New London Maritime Society. \nProceeds from these tours support the restoration and preservation of our local lighthouses. \nTour Prices\nAdults: $135 \nNLMS Members: $110 \nYour ticket also includes: \n\nFree admission to the Custom House Maritime Museum ($10 value)\n10% discount in the Museum Shop\n\nTickets are non-refundable unless there is a weather cancellation. All tours are weather-dependent\, so please check your email inbox before departing for the dock. \nImportant Information\nFood and drink\, except for water\, are not permitted on the boat. \nFor safety reasons\, no alcoholic beverages are permitted. \nAppropriate footwear is required: deck shoes or sneakers. No sandals or flip-flops. \nAll passengers must wear a life jacket while in transit. \nAll passengers must sign a waiver of liability before boarding. \nPlease check your email before the trip for weather updates and any last-minute changes or cancellations. \nPlease make your reservation immediately—space is limited! \nThank you for your support of our historic lighthouses. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/step-onto-race-rock-visit-inside-the-lighthouse/ CATEGORIES:Tour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NLHS_Race-Rock.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260826T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260826T150000 DTSTAMP:20260325T131704Z CREATED:20260325T131704Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T131704Z UID:38313-1787752800-1787756400@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Innovative Animal Adaptations DESCRIPTION:Discover the world of biomicry and learn about human inventions that were inspired by animals and plants in the wild. Explore hands-on activities to replicate some of the incredible adaptations that animals have perfected over millions of years. Meet DPNC ambassador animals and observe their innovative adaptations! \nWHEN: Wednesday\, August 26\, 2026\nTIME: 2 to 3 p.m.\nLOCATION: In person at the Museum \nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) family program for ages five and up.\nSuggested donation $10.\n \nAll Wednesday children’s programs are in person at the Museum.\nAttendance is limited to 15 children so advance registration is recommended.\nPlease phone: 631-788-7239 or email info@fergusonmuseum.org\n(note the name and date of the specific program and the name and age of the attendee/s). URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/innovative-animal-adaptations-2/ CATEGORIES:Family Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/belted-kingfisher_Courtney-Celley_usfws.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260829T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260829T130000 DTSTAMP:20260812T151020Z CREATED:20260812T150542Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T151020Z UID:39274-1787997600-1788008400@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Step onto Race Rock. Visit inside the lighthouse! - 2nd Day Added DESCRIPTION:Visit Inside Race Rock Lighthouse\nFor the first time in three years\, the New London Maritime Society in partnership with the HLF Museum is offering a limited number of trips to visit inside Race Rock Lighthouse. but due to high demand\, these tours sold out quickly! Because of this\, we are happy to add an extra tour day so more people can experience this remarkable feat of 19th-century engineering! \nWHAT: There will be four more trips \nWHEN:  Saturday\, August 29 – 2nd DAY ADDED! \nWHERE: Departing from Silver Eel Cove on Fishers Island\, NY\, next to the Fishers Island Ferry dock. (Passengers coming from the mainland will take the Fishers Island Ferry and connect with the tour.) \nTIME: Trips depart on the hour at 10:00 AM\, 11:00 AM\, 12:00 noon\, and 1 PM. (For each departure we estimate you will return in 1 hour 45 minutes.) \n\nGet TicketsThe Race Rock Experience\nSpace is very limited. Each Race Rock trip is limited to six passengers. \nTo reach Race Rock Light Station\, we take a landing craft out to the lighthouse. \nOnce there\, you’ll have approximately 45 minutes to explore Race Rock Light before returning to Fishers Island. \nLanding at Race Rock requires some physical dexterity. You don’t have to be a Ninja\, but you will need to balance on the edge of the boat and climb directly up a ladder to reach the lighthouse platform. \nEveryone must sign a waiver of liability before boarding. \nAll passengers must wear a life jacket\, provided by us\, while in transit. \nAppropriate footwear is also required: deck shoes or sneakers only—no sandals or flip-flops. \nWeather & Safety\nTrips are weather-dependent. Wind conditions can change quickly\, and there is always the possibility of a last-minute cancellation. Our captain makes the final decision\, and your safety is our primary concern. \nPlease check your email before leaving for the dock for any last-minute changes or cancellations. If the tour is canceled because of weather\, we will notify you by email. \nIf you want to take a chance on a last-minute opening\, please call 203-444-2884. \nAbout Race Rock Light Station\nRace Rock Light Station is a remarkable feat of 19th-century engineering. The lighthouse consists of a two-and-one-half-story Gothic Revival-style granite masonry keeper’s dwelling with an integral three-and-one-half-story tower. The 67-foot-high tower has an octagonal cast-iron lantern and gallery surrounded by a wrought-iron railing. The station also contains six brick-lined rooms in the basement and dwelling. \nConstruction of Race Rock Light was an engineering feat directed over seven years by New London’s own Captain T. A. Scott. The lighthouse was first lit in 1878. For 139 years\, Race Rock’s red lantern and foghorn guided mariners through the roiling currents at the Race. \nIn 2013\, Race Rock Light Station was entrusted to the New London Maritime Society by the federal government through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. \nRace Rock Light Station (1878)\, along with New London Harbor Light (established 1760; current tower 1801) and Ledge Light (1909) at the mouth of the Thames River\, forms a pathway of beacons leading from the Atlantic Ocean to the historic port of New London. All three lights are now owned by the New London Maritime Society. \nProceeds from these tours support the restoration and preservation of our local lighthouses. \nTour Prices\nAdults: $135 \nNLMS Members: $110 \nYour ticket also includes: \n\nFree admission to the Custom House Maritime Museum ($10 value)\n10% discount in the Museum Shop\n\nTickets are non-refundable unless there is a weather cancellation. All tours are weather-dependent\, so please check your email inbox before departing for the dock. \nImportant Information\nFood and drink\, except for water\, are not permitted on the boat. \nFor safety reasons\, no alcoholic beverages are permitted. \nAppropriate footwear is required: deck shoes or sneakers. No sandals or flip-flops. \nAll passengers must wear a life jacket while in transit. \nAll passengers must sign a waiver of liability before boarding. \nPlease check your email before the trip for weather updates and any last-minute changes or cancellations. \nPlease make your reservation immediately—space is limited! \nThank you for your support of our historic lighthouses. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/step-onto-race-rock-visit-inside-the-lighthouse-2nd-day-added/ CATEGORIES:Tour ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NLHS_Race-Rock.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260830T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260830T170000 DTSTAMP:20260811T134356Z CREATED:20260331T201450Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T134356Z UID:38385-1788105600-1788109200@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:The Blue Humanities: Reimagining America’s Maritime History DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Museum for an illustrated talk by Associate Professor of History at the University at Albany\, State University of New York\, Christopher L. Pastore\, who will give a fast-paced tour through America’s maritime history and explore how and why sea stories have changed over time.\nDuring the early twentieth centuries maritime topics drew considerable interest\, but by the second half the ocean’s past had fallen from favor. More recently\, historians\, geographers\, and literary scholars have breathed new life into salty subjects\, filling shelves with books organized around the idea of the “blue humanities.” Intended for fishermen\, sailors\, and beach combers alike\, this lecture explores why the field has faced this ebb and flood—and provides a winter reading list in the process. \nWHEN: Sunday\, August 30\, 2026\nTIME: 4 p.m.\nPLACE: In person at the Museum and virtual via zoom \nJoin Zoom WebinarChristopher L. Pastore \nChristopher L. Pastore is Associate Professor of History at the University at Albany\, State University of New York\, where he teaches courses in environmental history\, early America\, and the Atlantic world. He holds a Ph.D. in American History and M.S. in college teaching from the University of New Hampshire\, an M.F.A. in nonfiction Creative Writing from New School University\, and a B.A. in Biology from Bowdoin College. He is the author of Temple to the Wind: The Story of America’s Greatest Naval Architect and His Masterpiece\, Reliance (Lyons Press\, 2005) and Between Land and Sea: The Atlantic Coast and the Transformation of New England (Harvard University Press\, 2014). He is currently writing an environmental history of the Atlantic world with working title of A Thousand Thousand Slimy Things: A Natural History of the Sea from the Bottom Up. \nPHOTO CREDIT: Winslow Homer\, Boys in a Dory\, 1873\, Public domain\, via Wikimedia Commons \nJoin from PC\, Mac\, iPad\, or Android:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/88457097810 \nPhone one-tap:\n+16694449171\,\,88457097810# US\n+16699009128\,\,88457097810# US (San Jose) \nJoin via audio:\n+1 669 444 9171 US\n+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)\n+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n+1 719 359 4580 US\n+1 253 205 0468 US\n+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n+1 564 217 2000 US\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 646 931 3860 US\n+1 689 278 1000 US\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n+1 305 224 1968 US\n+1 309 205 3325 US\n+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n+1 360 209 5623 US\n+1 386 347 5053 US\n+1 507 473 4847 US \nWebinar ID: 884 5709 7810 \nInternational numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdL7znbQy7 URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/the-blue-humanities-reimagining-americas-maritime-history/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Winslow_Homer_-_Boys_in_a_Dory_WC.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260913T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260913T150000 DTSTAMP:20260905T175554Z CREATED:20260905T142009Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T175554Z UID:39405-1789308000-1789311600@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Moldy Tombs\, Feces\, Corpses\, and the Business of Fungal Decay DESCRIPTION:Mushrooms are increasingly being marketed as a solution for decomposing our waste and even our bodies. How effective are these methods\, and what does the science actually support? Can fungi eat soiled plastic diapers? Can mushrooms “break down” the toxins released from our buried remains?\nJoin us and Lighthouse Works at the Museum for an Illustrated Talk by sculpture artist Sam Shoemaker\, a current LW Fellow\, whose work is a collaboration between himself and living fungi. Based on his extensive experience with mushrooms\, this lecture investigates the companies leading this emerging market\, examining what they promise and where enthusiasm for fungal sustainability runs up against the limits of biology. Along the way\, the lecture takes several anthropological detours through the history of our relationship to fungal decay. \nWHEN: Sunday\, September 13\, 2026\nTIME: 2:00 p.m.\nPLACE: In-person at the Museum\, 2nd floor and virtual via Zoom \nJoin Zoom WebinarArtist Bio: \nSam Shoemaker photo by Damien Maloney \nSam Shoemaker is a Los Angeles-based sculpture artist whose work is a collaboration between himself and living fungi. Shoemaker’s work has been shown at Craft Contemporary\, Fulcrum Arts\, Armory Center for the Arts\, Vielmetter\, David Horvitz’s Garden\, Make Room\, Emma Gray HQ\, and OCHI\, among others. He was also included in World Without End: The George Washington Carver Project at the California African American Museum\, an official exhibition of PST ART: Art & Science Collide presented by Getty. Shoemaker has been featured in many publications and news outlets\, including the Guardian\, Los Angeles Times\, Galerie Magazine\, W Magazine\, Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles\, and Graphite. He lives and works in Los Angeles and is represented by OCHI. Shoemaker has led numerous mushroom cultivation workshops across Southern California\, at venues including Art Center College of Art and Design\, Yucca Valley Material Lab\, Otis College\, College of the Redwoods\, Vielmetter\, Claremont Botanical Garden\, Pitzer College\, South Coast Botanic Garden\, and Hahamongna Native Plant Nursery. \nThis event is co-sponsored with Lighthouse Works \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nJoin from PC\, Mac\, iPad\, or Android:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/81733775733 \nPhone one-tap:\n+16469313860\,\,81733775733# US\n+16465588656\,\,81733775733# US (New York) \nJoin via audio:\n+1 646 931 3860 US\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\n+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n+1 305 224 1968 US\n+1 309 205 3325 US\n+1 564 217 2000 US\n+1 669 444 9171 US\n+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)\n+1 689 278 1000 US\n+1 719 359 4580 US\n+1 253 205 0468 US\n+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n+1 360 209 5623 US\n+1 386 347 5053 US\n+1 507 473 4847 US \nWebinar ID: 817 3377 5733 \nInternational numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcoX5ct5UK URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/moldy-tombs-feces-corpses-and-the-business-of-fungal-decay/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/living-tomb-Sam-Shoemaker.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260920T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260920T110000 DTSTAMP:20260912T132047Z CREATED:20260908T205916Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260912T132047Z UID:39454-1789894800-1789902000@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Migratory Songbird Trail Walk DESCRIPTION:Fall is one of the best times to go birding on Fishers Island with lots of species making their way south for the winter. Join us on a guided nature walk led by DPNC Outreach Coordinator Lauren Michael to explore the HLFM Land Trust’s woodlands – which provide great habitat for migrating songbirds such as warblers\, vireos\, tanagers\, thrushes\, and more. This program is great for birders of all skill levels. \nWHEN: Sunday\, September 20\, 2026\nTIME: 9:00-11:00 AM\nPLACE: Meet at the Museum’s parking lot at 9AM and we’ll drive to the first site from there. (If you don’t have a car\, you can carpool with others.) \nPlease dress for the weather and don’t forget your binoculars! \nThis Penni Sharp Nature Walk is sponsored in loving memory of Penelope “Penni” Sharp\, birder\, botanist & HLFM president from 2003 until 2014. \nLauren Michael is the Outreach Coordinator at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic\, CT. Before stepping into this role\, she spent most of her twenties crisscrossing North America as a field biologist\, studying a wide range of bird species — from songbirds and seabirds to the elusive rail. She received her MSc from the University of Rhode Island\, where she studied long-term trends in migratory songbirds on Block Island\, RI. Lauren earned a BA in Biology from Kenyon College in Gambier\, OH. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/migratory-songbird-trail-walk/ CATEGORIES:Nature Walk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Blue-headed_Vireo_AndyReagoChrissyMcClarren_8088895251.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260920T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260920T170000 DTSTAMP:20260918T015553Z CREATED:20260914T191051Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T015553Z UID:39486-1789920000-1789923600@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Underwater Rainforests: Eelgrass Meadows Sustain the Sea DESCRIPTION:Eelgrass meadows are biodiversity hotspots that provide critical habitat for fish and invertebrates; stabilize shorelines against waves and erosion; efficiently store carbon below ground; and even reduce human and wildlife pathogens in seawater – directly influencing human health.\nJoin us and the Fishers Island Seagrass Management Coalition (FISM) at the Museum for an Illustrated Talk by research scientist Dr. Olivia J. Graham\, who will share insights from over 10 years of work studying the health of eelgrass in the Pacific Northwest. Learn why eelgrass meadows are essential coastal habitats\, how different stressors impact eelgrass health\, and what her team’s research reveals about the future of these ecosystems. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore underwater “rainforests” and discover what a decade of research can teach us about the health and resilience of our coastal ecosystems and how local communities can play a role in protecting and conserving eelgrass habitats. \nWhen: Sunday\, September 20\, 2026\nTime: 4-5 pm\nPlace: At the Museum\, 2nd floor and virtual\, via zoom \nPhoto courtesy of Olivia Graham \nDr. Olivia J. Graham is a Research Scientist at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories. She conducts field- and lab-based experiments on San Juan Island\, WA\, focusing on the health and resilience of eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows. Dr. Graham leverages diverse research approaches—including robust molecular tools\, drones\, artificial intelligence\, environmental DNA (eDNA)\, and many more—to understand drivers of eelgrass disease. Her work also bridges science and storytelling\, as she translates complex ecological processes into meaningful insights for coastal communities. \nPhoto courtesy of Becca Maher\, Friends of San Juan \nEelgrass meadow photo courtesy of Annie Crawley \nThis program is co-hosted by the Fishers Island Seagrass Management Coalition and the Henry L. Ferguson Museum URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/underwater-rainforests-eelgrass-meadows-sustain-the-sea/ CATEGORIES:Illustrated Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Eelgrass-Meadow-photo-by-Annie-Crawley.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261010T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261010T140000 DTSTAMP:20261002T210949Z CREATED:20261001T120048Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261002T210949Z UID:39645-1791635400-1791640800@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:Invasive Plant Trail Walk: Wildlife Returns to Chocomount Cove DESCRIPTION:Join us for a guided walk along the HLFM Land Trust’s Chocomount Cove Trail to see invasive plants firsthand and learn how thoughtful land management can restore a landscape and bring back wildlife.\nSince acquiring the property in 2017\, the HLFM Land Trust has successfully managed invasive plants and replaced them with native species. During the walk\, attendees will learn how the HFLM Land Trust approached this challenge\, which techniques proved effective\, and how to apply similar practices on their own properties. \nWe’ll explore native red maple and black cherry woodlands\, open grassland\, sandy beach\, and marsh habitat. Along the way\, we’ll identify invasive plants\, discuss strategies for controlling them\, and see how native plants provide essential food and shelter for Fishers Island’s wildlife. These restoration efforts have created healthier\, more diverse habitats that now support Black-capped Chickadees\, Yellow Warblers\, and the many birds that gather around the trail’s small coastal marsh. The trail also offers wonderful views of Fishers Island Sound and forms the northern link of an important island wildlife corridor. \nDate: Saturday\, October 10\, 2026\nTime: 1–2 PM\nMeeting place: Meet at the Museum at 12:30 PM. We will arrange carpooling to Chocomount Cove Trail for those who need it.\nLight refreshments and a Q&A will follow the walk. \nPlease wear long pants and long sleeves for protection from thorns and poison ivy. \nThis event is free\, but attendance is limited to ensure a high-quality learning experience. Please reserve your place by emailing fiseagrass@fergusonmuseum.org. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n View of Fishers Island Sound from Chocomount Cove Sanctuary Trail.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nThis event is co-sponsored by the Fishers Island Seagrass Management Coalition and the Henry L. Ferguson Museum. URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/invasive-plant-trail-walk-wildlife-returns-to-chocomount-cove/ CATEGORIES:Trail Walk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/InvasivePlantWalk_7925.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261127T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261127T160000 DTSTAMP:20261008T201329Z CREATED:20261008T200940Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T201329Z UID:39704-1795788000-1795795200@fergusonmuseum.org SUMMARY:21st Annual Thanksgiving Trail Clearing\, Beach Clean Up DESCRIPTION:The Henry L. Ferguson Museum\nPresents the\n21st Annual\nThanksgiving Trail Clearing\, Beach Clean Up\, Invasive Removal \nFriday\, November 27\, 2026\n2 – 4 pm \nWE NEED YOUR HELP! You and your family and friends are invited to join the rest of the HLFM community for some hale and hearty in-the-field-fellowship on the Friday afternoon after Thanksgiving. Together we’ll clear invasives from bunker emplacements and trails\, de-vine trees\, and pick up debris along the beach. It’s a wonderful tradition\, now in its 21st year—as good for the soul as it is for the Island. ALL are WELCOME! \nWHERE / WHAT: \nBe sure to arrive promptly at 2 p.m. for hot cider and autumn treats as you get your team assignments and pep talk from Board Member Scott Reid before proceeding to the Museum’s Land Trust trails and beaches. This year we will be expanding assignments to include invasive plant control in order to clear vines on select trails such as the bunker emplacements along the new coastal trail\, as well as clean-ups at several beach areas. \nTOOLS: \nPlease bring tools you can handle safely (clippers\, loppers\, etc.) NO CHAINSAWS. We will provide heavy-duty garbage bags for beach and path cleaning. \nDRESS: \nWe suggest you wear long pants\, long-sleeved shirts\, socks and gloves to battle beastly thorns and poison ivy. \nPlease take photos of your team in action and share them with the Museum. \n“OYSTERS AFTER” PARTY \n(approximately 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.): \nAll participants are invited immediately thereafter to a post-clearing party AT THE MUSEUM to enjoy drinks and oysters. Thanks to Fishers Island Oyster Farm\, Summer Shuckers\, Bottlerocket\, and Fishers Island Lemonade for their generous sponsorship of this festive Island tradition. \nFor further information please contact:\nScott Reid\n646.431.8536\nbsr1265@gmail.com\nor\nPierce Rafferty\n631.788.7239\ninfo@fergusonmuseum.org \nHappy Thanksgiving!\nOysters on deck\, H.L.F. Museum\, Thanksgiving weekend\, November 26\, 2021. \n2025 Annual Trail Clearing URL:https://fergusonmuseum.org/event/21st-annual-thanksgiving-trail-clearing-beach-clean-up/ CATEGORIES:Trail Clearing ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fergusonmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/HLFM-Trail-Clearing-2025-volunteers.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR