By Tammy Thornton
If you are looking for a day trip destination from our Shore Local area, consider Grounds For Sculpture, in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. No, not the Hamilton Township, New Jersey, minutes away in Atlantic County, but the other Hamilton, New Jersey, in Mercer County. Once you get that straight, plan on spending the day or a weekend getaway to visit this unique and intriguing sculpture garden. Boasting 42 acres, Grounds For Sculpture was opened in 1992 by John Seward Johnson, II, a sculptor and philanthropist who desired to make contemporary sculpture accessible to all.
Peacocks will announce your arrival and greet you with their unmistakable call. But after enjoying their vibrant plumage, you’ll soon be distracted by the artwork drawing you away from the entrance. As you wander through the meandering paths, life-like sculptures will have you thinking you have interrupted a secret tête-à-tête, until you realize the inanimate statues haven’t moved in years. You’ll encounter these realistic, life-size sculptures all through the outdoor museum. They depict scenes of both the Victorian era and modern everyday life. As you explore, you will be led through mysterious doors and tunnels. Along the way, you will gain a bit of culture as you are exposed to modern art sculptures that loom large and offer moments of contemplation. Every step of the way, art meets nature as both native and exotic trees and flowers grow happily throughout the grounds. Ponds, meadows, and manicured fairways lure birds, bees, and butterflies to dance among the flowers. Be sure to stop and appreciate the flora where you may find hellebores, witch hazel, roses, and wisteria. Take a walk through the meadow in mid-to-late summer to see pollinators flitting about the 25 different species of flowers such as blanket flower, cosmos, and phlox.
After working up an appetite, you can dine at one of the museum’s cafes or Rat’s Restaurant, surrounded by a scenic lake and pond. Take a new path and find previously undiscovered works of art and secret pathways. Walk back to the indoor museum and take a somber moment to view the exhibit “Double Check: The Survivor”, an emotional reminder of the tragedy of 9/11.
Indoor exhibits are always changing as new works and different artists are featured. In the same way, the gardens always have something new to offer as trees and flowers change with the seasons, so each visit offers a new experience.
Grounds For Sculpture also offers a variety of meeting and event spaces for work or play, with their beautiful gardens and sculptures as a backdrop for any affair. Catered events and live music are just more reasons to pack your overnight bag or daypack for a visit to Grounds For Sculpture.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
