Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary
| Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
| Type | arboretum and bird sanctuary |
| Location |
324 Forest Drive South Short Hills, NJ, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°43′30″N 74°19′41″W / 40.725°N 74.328°WCoordinates: 40°43′30″N 74°19′41″W / 40.725°N 74.328°W |
| Area | 16.5 acres (6.7 ha) |
| Website | hartshornarboretum.org |
The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary (16.5 acres), also known as the Hartshorn Arboretum, is an arboretum and bird sanctuary located at 324 Forest Drive South, in the Short Hills section of Millburn, in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. Its trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk without charge. Various programs are also offered for children, families, and adults.
The arboretum began when the 16.5 acres of land was gifted to Cora Hartshorn in 1923 by Stewart Hartshorn on undeveloped woodland of oaks, tulip trees, dogwood, and beech. She designed a system of roads and walking paths; by 1938 there were 3 miles (4.8 km) of paths. In 1958, Cora died, and she willed the arboretum to the township.
The arboretum contains 45 species of trees, including 275-year-old tulip trees, as well as rare ferns, over 150 species of wildflowers, and 100 species of birds.
Animals
The Stone House is filled with a variety of animals, including:
Reptiles
- Leopard Geckos
- Chinese box turtles
- Eastern Painted Turtles
- Albino Corn Snake
Mammals
Amphibians
- Eastern Spotted Newt
Invertebrates
Additions
The original part of the building, also known as the Stone House, was built in 1933 for Cora. All the stones in the Stone House are original and are from Stewart Hartshorn's local quarry in nearby Springfield, NJ.
Around 1970, an addition to the "Stone house" was added as there was a need for more office space.
In 2007, this addition was removed and replaced with a reception area, bird observatory, additional office space, a basement, and an upstairs meeting room. The Stone House also received a kitchen space.
Membership
In addition to visiting the grounds, you can also sign up for a membership. Membership dues provide crucial support for our many high-quality education programs and maintenance of our woodlands. We encourage you to support the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, a unique green oasis that provides a critical habitat for plants and wildlife. Please note that Arboretum membership is required to participate in many programs. Membership pricing is as follows:
- Individual - $40: Member only rates/discounts for select CHA events, trips and workshops, A priority registration period for our popular children’s programming, and E-mail notices of upcoming programs, schedule changes and important Arboretum news.
- Family - $75: Member only rates/discounts for select CHA events, trips and workshops, A priority registration period for our popular children’s programming, and E-mail notices of upcoming programs, schedule changes and important Arboretum news.
- Wilflower Garden: $150: Member only rates/discounts for select CHA events, trips and workshops, A priority registration period for our popular children’s programming, and E-mail notices of upcoming programs, schedule changes and important Arboretum news, PLUS Complimentary eco-friendly bag (may be picked up at CHA), and 2 complimentary admission tickets to the spring Arb-B-Que.
- Fawn Dell - $250: Member only rates/discounts for select CHA events, trips and workshops, A priority registration period for our popular children’s programming, and E-mail notices of upcoming programs, schedule changes and important Arboretum news, Complimentary eco-friendly bag (may be picked up at CHA), and 2 complimentary admission tickets to the spring Arb-B-Que, PLUS Exclusive invitation to annual fundraiser(s).
- Devil's Punchbowl - $500: Member only rates/discounts for select CHA events, trips and workshops, A priority registration period for our popular children’s programming, and E-mail notices of upcoming programs, schedule changes and important Arboretum news, Complimentary eco-friendly bag (may be picked up at CHA), and 2 complimentary admission tickets to the spring Arb-B-Que, Exclusive invitation to annual fundraiser(s), PLUS 10% discount toward one session of summer camp or Turtle Tots for 1 child, and 2 complimentary tickets to one Family Program or one Adult Workshop.
- Stone House - $1000: Member only rates/discounts for select CHA events, trips and workshops, A priority registration period for our popular children’s programming, and E-mail notices of upcoming programs, schedule changes and important Arboretum news, Complimentary eco-friendly bag (may be picked up at CHA), and 2 complimentary admission tickets to the spring Arb-B-Que, Exclusive invitation to annual fundraiser(s), 10% discount toward one session of summer camp or Turtle Tots for 1 child, 2 complimentary tickets to one Family Program or one Adult Workshop, PLUS 20% discount toward summer camp or Turtle Tots for 1 child, 2 complimentary tickets for one Field Trip, and Invitation to join an Arboretum staff member for a private hike of the grounds for a group of up to 4 people, followed by light refreshments (reservation required).
In addition to free, public trails, the CHA offers a variety of programs and events for children, families, and adults. These include hikes, camping trips, and classes for children. Volunteer opportunities are also available. Brochures for member programs and family programs can be picked up at the front desk. If you're a member, you can also host a Birthday Party at the Arboretum! Members can rent the Stone House for approximately 1.5 hours, and an additional half hour can be added for $50.