First Fridays 2026: Planting Fields as Palimpsest, An Archival Walking Tour

First Fridays 2026: Planting Fields as Palimpsest, An Archival Walking Tour Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 10 - 11am $25 per person Location: Throughout the grounds of Planting Fields Check-in: 9:45am at Main House at Planting Fields Register Now! What stories remain when the buildings themselves are gone? Explore the hidden layers of architectural history at Planting Fields on this special walking tour that uncovers the traces of structures, landscapes, and eras that have shaped the estate over time, led by Planting Fields Foundation's Director of Collections and Research, Marie Penny! A palimpsest refers to the layers of history embedded within a place, where remnants of the past continue to influence the present. Throughout its history, Planting Fields has been home to remarkable buildings that have since disappeared--from the Byrne House, which stood on the property before the Coe family, to the mid-century SUNY-era geodesic domes. Though these structures are no longer part of the landscape, their stories remain woven into the identity of the site. This fascinating tour invites guests to uncover the architectural evolution of Planting Fields through historic photographs, archival materials, and the physical landscape itself. Discover how the estate has transformed across generations and how each era has left its mark. As part of this exclusive experience, guests will receive an advance preview of Fragment of the Foundation of the Babel Tower, the 2026 Catalyst installation by Fiona Tan, before its public opening. The installation offers a timely reflection on memory, fragments, and the ways we preserve and reconstruct our understanding of the past. The tour concludes with a special opportunity to visit the Planting Fields Foundation archives, where historic documents, photographs, and collections provide an even deeper look into the people, places, and stories that have shaped the estate. This tour takes place primarily outdoors and requires a moderate amount of walking. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable footwear. More about First Fridays This monthly series dives into the various themes that make up Planting Fields, with exclusive behind-the-scenes walking tours and workshops led by Planting Fields Foundation and New York State Parks staff, who are experts in their respective fields. From wellness and Olmsted landscape features to the life-stories of Coe family members and their unchallenged spectacular horticultural, historic and personal collections, participants of this series will see this site with a new lens. Each month a new theme is explored with at least one staff expert serving as your guide. This series will take place on the first Friday of each month. For any additional information and questions, please contact Kayla Cheshire, Communications and Marketing Manager at kcheshire@plantingfields.org All ticket sales final. Outside tours will continue in the case of light rain. Should weather become inclement, tour participants will be notified and the tour will be rescheduled. 48 Hour Cancellation Policy: Should you need to cancel; you will be credited the amount towards a future 2026 First Friday event. By registering for this event, you consent to Planting Fields Foundation photographing and filming during the event. These images may be used for promotional purposes, including social media, on our website, newsletters, grant requests, reports. As it may not be feasible to identify individuals who may wish to opt out, your registration implies your consent to be photographed. By registering for this event, you are also you are agreeing to receive pre-registration emails, e-newsletters, and other communications from Planting Fields Foundation. If you have any concerns, please contact Kayla at kcheshire@plantingfields.org Thank you to our partners: ®I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission.