Garden Railway - Storytime Rail

With a changing theme each year, the Garden Railway is a miniature world set in the splendor of a summer garden, featuring historic buildings created entirely of natural materials, each meticulously detailed with leaves, bark, vines and twigs. Logs and branches are also used to create unique tunnels and overhead trestles. Nestled among woody plants, colorful annuals and perennials, the finished product is an enchanting landscape that never ceases to delight visitors both young and old. Free with regular admission.

Garden Railway is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm during the week and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends through September 3rd, Labor Day. Thursday evenings in June, July and August, the Arboretum is open until 8:30 and the trains will run until 8:00 pm.

Garden Railway Grand Opening – Storytime Rail

Saturday, May 26
1-3pm
Storytime magic will be around every bend of the rails this season! Discover the sea-shell encrusted castle of Hans Christian Andersen’s tucked inside a curve of one of the fifteen rail lines. Around the bend from another era, the humble houses of The Three Little Pigs can be found, a tale first told by Joseph Jacobs in 1890. And nestled in the woods beyond the trestle bridge, you just might find Charles Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty’s Castle,” covered with forbidding brambles and thorns.

Morris Arboretum will delight you with houses and palaces and castles from these and other beloved tales and unforgettable classic storybooks. To kick-off this magical summer, children are invited to wear their favorite character’s costume during the grand opening celebration on Saturday, May 26 from 1-3pm. Princesses, cowboys, wizards, and pirates are all welcome and may make a crown in the craft activity. And the first 125* people will enjoy free ice cream beginning at 1pm.

Other Events:

PA Train Weekend

Saturday, June 9 & Sunday, June 10: 10am-4:30pm

Model Train Night

Thursday, June 14: 5-8pm

The Circus Comes to Compton

Saturday, June 30, 2012: 11am-1pm
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the land purchase for Compton, Lydia and John Morris’ estate that would become Morris Arboretum.  To celebrate this event, the Give & Take Jugglers will give an interactive performance complete with walking the tightwire, juggling plates, and playing fun songs of the era on the harmonica.  Children of all ages will delight in showing off their own juggling skills and singing along to “I’ve been working on the Rail Road!”
The big show will take place at the top of the hill at the Two Lines sculpture, which marks the spot where Compton stood.  A chalk outline of the mansion along with photos of Compton’s interior will be on display at the sculpture as well.  Also look for the Morris Players, volunteers dressed in 19th century period costume and be sure to grab one of 125 complimentary cookies specially made for the occasion.
Free with admission.