Uncharted Territories

Amazing Butterflies Exhibit Comes to Lasdon 

Amazing Butterflies invites you to shrink down into the undergrowth to become one of the most extraordinary creatures on earth. The exhibit runs from  February 4 , through May  of 2024. Dates, times and tickets are now available. Produced by Minotaur Mazes of Seattle, this immersive experience is based on an exhibition created for the Natural History Museum in London, featuring their scientific input and interpretation.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer says, “A child's imagination is a powerful and magical instrument, that helps boost their social, emotional, creative, physical, verbal and cognitive development  crucial skills they will take into adulthood. Tapping into their thoughts and pretending to be a caterpillar on its journey to become a butterfly through this new educational exhibit will help the children of Westchester to better understand the natural world around them.”

Embark on a challenging journey teeming with friends and foes revealing the unusual relationship between caterpillars, butterflies and their natural surroundings.

Adventure through the leaves, learn how to move like caterpillar, discover an ant that reaps the reward of an unusual friendship, then transform into a butterfly and take flight! Together, families will explore this interactive experience and learn the surprising challenges butterflies face every day. Become a caterpillar and find your way through a secret, wild world. As you navigate the terrain filled with challenges around every twist and turn, take on puzzles, games and exciting interactivities. The brave can even take to the air and soar down the butterfly zip slide.

 Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial

Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial is a magnificent 234 -acre property consisting of woodlands, open grass meadows and formal gardens with flower and shrub specimens from all over the world. The park is home to several inspirational memorials and a museum honoring Westchester veteran.

The main house that presently stands on this property was built in nineteen thirty tree . This three-story Colonial-style home was modeled after George Washington’s Virginia residence, Mount Vernon. In nineteen forty the property was sold to William and Mildred Lasdon. The Mildred Lasdon Bird Sanctuary was donated by the Lasdon family, and in 1976, the Youth Conservation Corps developed an intricate system of trails running through a variety of wildlife habitats. After the passing of Mr. Lasdon in 1986, the estate was sold to Westchester County.

Originally called Cobbling Rock Farm, the Lasdon estate was purchased by William and Mildred Lasdon in nineteen thirty nine . Known for establishing a major pharmaceutical company and for their philanthropic endeavors, the Lasdon family used the estate as a country retreat and had a full-time staff to maintain its buildings and grounds. William Lasdon had a keen interest in horticulture and, through his world traveling, imported many tree specimens to his estate.

Situated off Route 35 in Somers, Lasdon is bounded on the south and east by New York City watershed property, the Amawalk River and the county's own Muscoot Farm, and on the west by the Mildred D. Lasdon Bird and Nature Sanctuary. This 22 Acres preserve was donated to the county in 1976 by William Lasdon and named for his wife. A self-guided trail affords views of many species of birds and as many as 20 distinct types of warblers can be observed there during migration.

In 1986, Westchester County purchased the property from the Lasdons for $4.2 pmillion as part of the county's continuous effort to obtain and preserve open space. During that summer, the motion picture "The Secret of My Success" was filmed within the formal gardens, pool and main house. Much of the formal grounds remain as they were originally designed, and Westchester County has been developing and embellishing the collections on the property.

Today, Lasdon Park is the horticultural hub of Westchester County. The Colonial Revival-style pavilion main house provides offices for groups such as the Ninth District Federated Garden Clubs and the Westchester Tree Protective Association and is home to the Lasdon Horticultural Library.

The house also consists of meeting rooms for horticultural workshops and botanical art classes, a gallery for art exhibits and serves as the headquarters for the Friends of Lasdon Park and Arboretum volunteer organization. The pool house has been converted into the Gift Shop, an information center and plant shop that offers plants and gardening-related items for sale, and is staffed by members of the Friends of Lasdon.

Comprising civic-minded individuals from all over Westchester County, the Friends of Lasdon works to develop and cultivate public interest, participation and financial support for the Lasdon Arboretum. Volunteers help with work in the greenhouse and staff the plant shop, with the proceeds going to help support the Lasdon Arboretum and its programs. Membership is open to everyone. More information 914-864 7286.