Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum spring tea to feature “Gardens of the Gilded Age” talk in Norwalk

Jane Milbocker to speak at Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk, Connecticut in May 2026 — Jane Milbocker photo by Katrina Milbocker Vandever

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum (295 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 068509) will host its annual “Spring Tea at the Mansion” on Sunday, May 3, from 2 to 4 p.m., featuring a presentation titled “Gardens of the Gilded Age” by author and garden designer Jana Milbocker.

Chaired by museum trustee Lynne H. Byington, the event will include luxurious tea refreshments, a hat contest, a silent auction, and a special drawing. Tickets are $65 for members and $75 for non-members, and reservations are required through the museum’s website.

In her illustrated talk, Milbocker will explore the elaborate estates and gardens of Gilded Age families, including the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and du Ponts. Attendees will learn about the visionary architects and designers who shaped these iconic landscapes and the stories behind the gardens’ creation.

“Guests will enjoy a lavish tea, shop for gifts donated by local businesses, and revel in the Gilded Age, while learning about its magnificent gardens,” Byington said.

Milbocker, based in the Boston area, has authored four garden travel guides profiling over 300 East Coast gardens and leads tours highlighting historic sites and landscapes across the U.S. and abroad.

The Spring Tea is sponsored by Fairfield County Bank and Bigelow Tea, with all proceeds benefiting the museum’s cultural and educational programs.

Book Cover and Garden courtesy of Jana Milbocker.

Tickets are limited, and reservations must be made by April 24. For more information or to RSVP, visit Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, email info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call (203) 838-9799 ext. 113.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s 2026 programs are supported in part by City of Norwalk, The Maurice Goodman Foundation, Inc., and Lockwood-Mathews Foundation, Inc..

This year’s Spring Tea offers visitors a chance to enjoy the museum’s historic architecture, learn about the lavish gardens of the Gilded Age, and experience a traditional afternoon tea in Norwalk.

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Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum spring tea to feature “Gardens of the Gilded Age” talk in Norwalk