Included is a free, all-ages Shakespeare-themed birthday celebration on Sat., April 27
Agecroft Hall and Gardens – the 16th-Century, English Tudor manor home shipped across the ocean in crates to Richmond, Va. in the 1920s – hosts several events to commemorate the Bard’s 460th birthday this April.
While most historians place the playwright’s birthday on April 23, the celebration at Agecroft Hall lasts all month long, culminating in Shakespeare’s Birthday: A Celebration of the Bard, on April 27 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. This free outdoor party features entertainment, dances, games, songs and other merry activities. Costumed “living history” staff mingle with partygoers and demonstrate Tudor-era crafts. The gardens and grounds are open to picnickers and revelers of all ages. All outdoor activities are free; house tours of Agecroft Hall are available at the regular rate.
Those wishing to extend their celebration may also enjoy the following special focus tours at Agecroft Hall during the month of April:
Special Focus Tour: Dining with Shakespeare. Tuesday, April 16 and April 30; 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Participants learn about culinary customs in the Elizabethan era; explore seasonal culinary displays in Agecroft Hall’s great hall, dining parlor and Tudor kitchen; and take home some period recipes to try on their own. $12 per person.
Special Focus Tour: Shakespeare’s Garden Tour. Sunday, April 21; 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Registrants enjoy a tour of Agecroft Hall’s unique Shakespeare Garden. With his writings reflecting Elizabethan beliefs in witchcraft, fairies and the “language of flowers,” the Shakespeare garden is the perfect place to recall some favorite Shakespearean quotations and learn about gardens of that period. $10 per person.
“There is so much to celebrate about William Shakespeare and his contributions to the English language and culture, and there’s no better place in the entire country to be part of the festivities than Agecroft,” says Anne Kenny-Urban, executive director. “Come join the fun! The Bard will only turn 460 once!”
Find more Information on these upcoming events.
About Agecroft Hall and Gardens
Agecroft Hall and Gardens, located at 4305 Sulgrave Road, is a 23-acre estate featuring a Tudor house originally built c. 1500 in England and transported to Richmond in 1925. Now a museum, the house is open to the public six days a week.
