The Friends of the Searles Estate

08/31/2026

A HUGE thank you to all the amazing, hard working, dedicated and FUN volunteers who worked so hard today to clear more of the invasive vines and trees that have overtaken the Searles Estate. I am thrilled at the progress we have made with the wonderful folks who have dedicated their time and efforts!! Thanks to Nate Whitmer our resident invasive species and native plant guru for your guidance, and expertise...Nate is a tornado! Thanks to Sue, Bill, Tom, Shirley, David, and John as well! A big thanks to the City of Methuen and the two friendly Methuen Police officers of the Freeze Patrol for bringing ice cream treats to a real sweaty bunch of people! Thanks to Sue Neff for asking ProscapeNE.com to donate a large dumpster to collect and remove all the plant debris. Thank you for your much appreciated generosity! These volunteer garden gatherings are proof of what we can accomplish by working hard together to make Methuen a better city! Sure it's been hard work...but it's been such a pleasure meeting so many fun Methuen neighbors!! Looking ahead to future clean-up events at the Searles! Watch this page for coming dates! Come join us!

08/27/2026

Wow! Thank you so much to the volunteers who came out to help clean inside the Searles Estate today. You accomplished an incredible amount of work!

We appreciate you!

We will host another session soon to finish cleaning the remaining rooms in the estate. Stay tuned!

08/27/2026

Join fellow gardeners and people interested in learning about invasive species, the damage they do to our ecosystem, how to identify them and ways to eradicate them. Our resident expert, Nate Whitmer, will join us at the Searles Estate on Sunday, August 30 at 1:30pm for an informative, useful, hands-on session. Bring your garden equipment and gloves and join us!
Our fantastic hard-working, and fun garden volunteers have done an amazing job so far to help restore this special place! It’s recommended to wear long pants to protect against poison ivy! Thanks!

Grab your garden gloves on and join us at the Searles Estate!

After years of neglect, invasive species of all types are crowding out and damaging native plants and ornamental plants that were part of the original Searles Estate garden plan.

Little by little we’ll identify, cut back, pull-up. and remove the invasive species such as Buckthorn, Oriental Bittersweet, Trees of Heavan, Wysteria, Japanese kiwi vine...and many more. Bring your gardening gloves, pruning sheers, battery-powered garden tools and enthusiasm! Please note: As required by the City of Methuen, all volunteers will be required to sign a waiver form at the event. Thank you!•

Volunteer Dates
We'll meet at the Provincial House on the estate
(we'll have signs to direct you)

• Wednesday, August 19 at 5pm - 7pm

• Saturday, August 22 at 9am to 4pm

• Sunday, August 30 at 1:30pm - 4pm
Join invasive species and native plant expert Nate Whitmer who will be there to teach us how to identify and eradicate invasive plants and will discuss the importance of restoring native plants to your gardens and as part of the Searles Estate landscape restoration.

Let Us Know if You Can Join Us
Let us know if you can help out or if you have any questions: email us at [email protected] or text John Hadley at 781-608-3428 or Dianne Moore at 978-376-6034

Though we gardeners are tough people, these events will be held as weather permits. Thanks and we look forward to meeting you! 😊🌿🌲🦉🐦

08/25/2026

The Friends of the Searles Estate are looking for a few volunteers to assist during the tours on September 12th. It would involve following a tour group and helping the tour guide, so stairs and a lot of walking will be involved. 🚶‍♀️‍➡️🚶‍➡️If you are interested please reach out to Dianne Moore at 978-376-6034

08/24/2026

Hey friends and neighbors!

Want to check out the inside of the Historic Searles Estate while helping us spruce it up? We’re hosting a cleaning party on Thursday, August 27th at 10:00 AM to get everything looking beautiful for our big September tour.

Quick Details

When: Thursday, August 27th @ 10:00 AM

Where: Edward F. Searles Estate (indoors)

What: Dusting, wiping, and prepping the space

Bring your favorite dust rag and some elbow grease!

Want to help out? Drop a comment below if you can make it!

Thanks so much for helping out—we appreciate you!

We will meet Thursday at the upper entrance near the Provincial House. When you arrive, please ensure that you park in the circle area and not in the back of the Provincial House. From the Lawrence Street entrance, simply follow the yellow signs featuring the Friends logo to find us. See you tomorrow!

08/22/2026

Zelda was a great helper today!

08/22/2026

08/22/2026

08/22/2026

The work has bluefin today. Volunteer clean up day to make Searles proud.

08/21/2026

Next opportunity to volunteer to help is Saturday (8/22) from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Come lend a hand!

Grab your garden gloves on and join us at the Searles Estate!

After years of neglect, invasive species of all types are crowding out and damaging native plants and ornamental plants that were part of the original Searles Estate garden plan.

Little by little we’ll identify, cut back, pull-up. and remove the invasive species such as Buckthorn, Oriental Bittersweet, Trees of Heavan, Wysteria, Japanese kiwi vine...and many more. Bring your gardening gloves, pruning sheers, battery-powered garden tools and enthusiasm! Please note: As required by the City of Methuen, all volunteers will be required to sign a waiver form at the event. Thank you!•

Volunteer Dates
We'll meet at the Gate Lodge on the estate
(we'll have signs to direct you)

• Saturday, August 22 at 9am to 4pm

• Sunday, August 30 at 1:30pm - 4pm
Join invasive species and native plant expert Nate Whitmer who will be there to teach us how to identify and eradicate invasive plants and will discuss the importance of restoring native plants to your gardens and as part of the Searles Estate landscape restoration.

Let Us Know if You Can Join Us
Let us know if you can help out or if you have any questions: email us at [email protected] or text John Hadley at 781-608-3428 or Dianne Moore at 978-376-6034

Though we gardeners are tough people, these events will be held as weather permits. Thanks and we look forward to meeting you! 😊🌿🌲🦉🐦

Grab your garden gloves on and join us at the Searles Estate!

After years of neglect, invasive species of all types are crowding out and damaging native plants and ornamental plants that were part of the original Searles Estate garden plan.

Little by little we’ll identify, cut back, pull-up. and remove the invasive species such as Buckthorn, Oriental Bittersweet, Trees of Heavan, Wysteria, Japanese kiwi vine...and many more. Bring your gardening gloves, pruning sheers, battery-powered garden tools and enthusiasm! Please note: As required by the City of Methuen, all volunteers will be required to sign a waiver form at the event. Thank you!•

Volunteer Dates
We'll meet at the Provincial House on the estate
(we'll have signs to direct you)

• Wednesday, August 19 at 5pm - 7pm

• Saturday, August 22 at 9am to 4pm

• Sunday, August 30 at 1:30pm - 4pm
Join invasive species and native plant expert Nate Whitmer who will be there to teach us how to identify and eradicate invasive plants and will discuss the importance of restoring native plants to your gardens and as part of the Searles Estate landscape restoration.

Let Us Know if You Can Join Us
Let us know if you can help out or if you have any questions: email us at [email protected] or text John Hadley at 781-608-3428 or Dianne Moore at 978-376-6034

Though we gardeners are tough people, these events will be held as weather permits. Thanks and we look forward to meeting you! 😊🌿🌲🦉🐦