All upcoming Study Tours

During this all-day tour with horticulturist Chelsea Mahaffey, spend the morning at Oak Spring, the former home of philanthropists Paul Mellon and Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, usually closed to the public. The nearly 700-acre estate includes the main Mellon residence, its extensive gardens with examples of Bunny Mellon’s landscaping, and the formal greenhouse. The afternoon takes you to the University of Virginia’s Blandy Experimental Farm on the former Tuleyries estate, which includes the State Arboretum of Virginia.

Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are home to natural splendor, cultural treasures, and coastal charm. Spend two days with naturalist and educator Liana Vitali immersed in island life, exploring the natural wonders the barrier islands have to offer—and hear the lore of the Chincoteague ponies’ origin.

From the period after World War II through the late 1960s, the Mid-century Modern design movement swept through the United States and Europe, emphasizing functionality, clean lines, and simplicity. Design historian Elizabeth Lay Little leads a tour to eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey that explores how the movement took root in the region. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

In May 1862, Union Gen. George B. McClellan and his army were on Richmond’s outskirts. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was assigned the daunting task of stopping a Union juggernaut capable of ending the Civil War. Thus, the stage was set for what became known as the Seven Days Battles. Led by Civil War tour guide Marc Thompson, this tour travels to five of these battlefields plus other significant related locations.

The Philadelphia region boasts the title of America's Garden Capital­, and with more public gardens than anywhere else in the country, it’s a well-deserved one. Spend a day with horticulturist Chelsea Mahaffey exploring two captivating green spaces in the area— the Scott Arboretum on the Swarthmore College campus and the Brandywine Valley’s Mt. Cuba Center—and gather new ideas for your own home garden.

A day-long visit to the Brandywine Museum of Art led by art historian Bonita Billman brings the landscape of Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley to life and offers an opportunity to explore a trio of special exhibitions, featuring works by Andrew Wyeth, Jamie Wyeth, and Karl J. Kuerner—plus the Andrew Wyeth house and studio and Kuerner Farm (open to public tours for only a few days of the year). (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Dubbed “The Queen of the Washington Suburbs” in 1903, Cleveland Park is one of the District’s most beautiful and architecturally eclectic neighborhoods. With a rich history, the neighborhood boasts fanciful Victorian mansions, gorgeous gardens, and the National Cathedral, the second-largest in the United States. Carolyn Muraskin leads a visit to the National Cathedral’s grounds and explores Cleveland Park highlights including the site of President Grover Cleveland’s summer home, Red Top, and the McLean Gardens apartment complex, built on the grounds of the estate of an owner of the Hope Diamond.

Dubbed “The Queen of the Washington Suburbs” in 1903, Cleveland Park is one of the District’s most beautiful and architecturally eclectic neighborhoods. With a rich history, the neighborhood boasts fanciful Victorian mansions, gorgeous gardens, and the National Cathedral, the second-largest in the United States. Carolyn Muraskin leads a visit to the National Cathedral’s grounds and explores Cleveland Park highlights including the site of President Grover Cleveland’s summer home, Red Top, and the McLean Gardens apartment complex, built on the grounds of the estate of an owner of the Hope Diamond.

Dubbed “The Queen of the Washington Suburbs” in 1903, Cleveland Park is one of the District’s most beautiful and architecturally eclectic neighborhoods. With a rich history, the neighborhood boasts fanciful Victorian mansions, gorgeous gardens, and the National Cathedral, the second-largest in the United States. Carolyn Muraskin leads a visit to the National Cathedral’s grounds and explores Cleveland Park highlights including the site of President Grover Cleveland’s summer home, Red Top, and the McLean Gardens apartment complex, built on the grounds of the estate of an owner of the Hope Diamond.

Frank Lloyd Wright left an indelible signature on the American Midwest: a legacy of buildings that trace the arc of his career as one of the world’s most significant and innovative architects. This 5-day tour led by historian Bill Keene offers a one-of-kind opportunity for a close-up look at a wide range of Wright’s designs in Illinois and Wisconsin, as well as visits to seminal works by other architects of the early and mid-20th century. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)