
May 2018
Traditional 18th Century Trades Fair
Explore the art and artisanship of pre-industrial trades as seen in colonial America, most predominantly, in the Virginia tidewater region. Area craftsmen will be demonstrating blacksmithing, the art of the wheelwrights, tailoring, harness making, and rural carpentry. Archaeologist will be conducting archaeology demonstrations, answering questions about their ongoing work in the West Yard, and giving kids the opportunity to participate in hands on archaeology activities.
Find out more »June 2018
Landscape Series: Indigenous Landscapes of Stratford Hall
The event will begin with a 60 minute presentation on the diverse flora of Stratford by Helen Hamilton, master gardener and author. This will be followed by a guided hike through the Stratford Landscape by Harry Puffenbarger, local master naturalist. During the hike you will be guided through the forest and discover the plants and flowers featured during the presentation. Preregistration before Thursday, May 31 is strongly encouraged. Trekkers are reminded to wear appropriate shoes and outerwear as well as bring…
Find out more »Geo Series: Stratford Under Our Feet
Dr. Robert Weems, retired United States Geological Survey paleontologist and internationally renowned expert on the Miocene epoch will be presenting a rare opportunity to learn more about these Earth transformations as they are recorded in the cliffs. Visitors will be allowed special access to restricted beach areas. Pre-registration is required by Friday, June 8 at 5:00 p.m. Contact Jon Bachman at jbachman@stratfordhall.org or call 804-493-1972 for more information and/or registration.
Find out more »Kayaking on the Potomac
The kayak trips are guided, and instructors will offer safety education before, during, and after the event. Participants are advised to dress with suitable shoes, backpack with water and energy snacks, and waterproof camera (optional). Beginner and experienced paddlers over the age of twelve are welcome. This is a weather-dependent event. Preregistration is required. The registration deadline is Thursday, June 21. To register please contact Jon Bachman at 804-493-1972 or jbachman@stratfordhall.org.
Find out more »July 2018
Lees and Independence Family Fun Festival
A wide range of family-friendly activities in front of the Great House including geocaching activities, fun and educational history tents featuring colonial games, a sign your own Declaration of Independence activity, and a scavenger hunt for kids. Take a free self-guided tour of the Great House, explore the beach and identify fossils with the help of the complimentary fossil identification sheets, or take a ride on Teakle’s barrel-train ride.
Find out more »August 2018
Sunset Kayaking
View the spectacular prehistoric cliffs and search for birds and wildlife along the shore from your kayak. This is a weather-dependent event. The kayak trips are guided, and instructors will offer safety education before, during, and after the event. Beginner and experienced paddlers over the age of twelve are welcome. Preregistration is required. The registration deadline is Thursday, August 23. To register please contact Jon Bachman at 804-493-1972 or jbachman@stratfordhall.org.
Find out more »September 2018
Landscape Series: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Squirrels
Meet in the historic duPont Library to learn and identify different species of squirrels in eastern Virginia. Understand how squirrels communicate using vocal and visual signals, and then put your knowledge to the test. Take a guided hike across Stratford Hall and experience the numerous squirrels who call the grounds home. For more information and to register, contact Jon Bachman, 804-493-1972 or jbachman@stratfordhall.org. ($, Free for children under 13 & Friends of Stratford)
Find out more »Stratford Hall Wine and Oyster
This event features wines from Virginia wineries and oysters from Chesapeake Bay and Tidewater oyster growers. There will be free admission to the Great House, Treakle’s train barrel rides, and Westmoreland County Miniature Farm Animals. There will be car shows on both Saturday (Mustang Car Clubs) and Sunday (Memory Lane Car Club). Live music will be provided each day by a line-up of local bands and solo musicians. Transportation will be provided from the parking lots by Bay Transit and…
Find out more »Landscape Series: The Trees and Squirrels of Stratford Hall
If you love to “get out in the woods” and would like to learn more about the role of trees and squirrels in the grand scheme of our environment. This event will be led by Harry Puffenbarger, a Virginia Master Naturalist, and Bradley Lamphere of Project Squirrel. These naturalists will deepen your appreciation of some of the most important parts of our environment. Plan to bring your camera, a notepad, and your curiosity. Registration closes Wednesday, September 26.
Find out more »October 2018
The Rivals: and 18th-century Play
The theatre group The Rude Mechanicals will be performing this rollicking 18th-century play is a romantic comedy by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, produced and published in 1775. The Rivals is an example of a comedy of manners and a witty, cerebral form of dramatic comedy that depicts and often satirizes the manners and affectations of a contemporary society. No pre-registration. There will be seating for 100. Seats will be first come, first serve. For more information Jon Bachman at 804-493-1972 or Jbachman@stratfordhall.org.
Find out more »Stratford After Dark
Come celebrate Halloween, children can visit the outbuildings surrounding the Great House to trick or treat. Make sure to bring a container to carry your candy. There will be hayrides, fun seasonal crafts, fortune telling, face painting, and refreshments. Ghost tours will be offered through the Great House. To secure your spot on a ghost tour they recommend pre-registering as these tours fill up fast.
Find out more »November 2018
Star Party on the Oval
Owning a telescope is not a requirement — but if you have one, club members will help you learn how to use it. We can provide expert advice and instruction on telescopes, accessories, books, and star charts, as well as how to observe the night sky. Need help getting started in astronomy? The first step is learning the sky. To get started, you don’t need an expensive telescope, you just need a few simple printed resources and a willingness to…
Find out more »Landscape Series: The Fall Forest
The color of the changing leaves along our trails, cliffs, and fields are truly breathtaking. This event starts off with light refreshments in the duPont Library followed by a short introduction to the trek by Mr. Harry Puffenbarger, Master Naturalist. Concluding this, attendees will be lead on a guided nature hike along the trails of Stratford Hall. Please dress for the weather. Registration closes Wednesday, November 14.
Find out more »December 2018
Stratford Hall Christmastide
This annual event will capture many of the best parts of their previous celebrations with a new focus on festive and thoughtful presentations. Live music will be offered in the Visitor Center, Southwest Outbuilding, and Great Hall. On the lower floor of the Great House, poignant stories of the enslaved at Christmastide will be told by gifted interpreter and storyteller, Rita Wagstaff. Only steps away in the colonial kitchen, culinary historian B.L Trahos will be preparing savory Christmas delights. Cap…
Find out more »Geo Series: Ice Age
Based on his recent discoveries, United States Geological Survey (USGS) paleontologist Bryan Landacre will provide participants with an in-depth discussion of the vegetation and climate that existed in the Stratford region 1.5 million years ago. USGS emeritus geologist Robert Weems will follow with a discussion of the Ice Age animals that we now know lived within this landscape. Pre-registration encouraged but not required. To register, contact Jon Bachman at JBachman@StratfordHall.org or 804-493-1972.
Find out more »January 2019
Writing on the River
A space and place for academic and independent writers, to focus in a contemplative setting that inspires productivity and community. Writers will arrive on Sunday, and depart Saturday morning, unless you chose the mini retreat, in which case you would depart Wednesday afternoon. An opening dinner will be provided on Sunday, but all other meals are the guests’ responsibility. While you do not have to be an academic professional to apply, the 4-7 day retreats are designed in concert with…
Find out more »Bluebirds of Stratford Hall
This special event features a lecture, workshop, and guided hike hosted by the Fredericksburg chapter of the Virginia Blue Bird Society. During this event participants will learn about the important role blue birds play in our ecosystem, learn how to construct their own bluebird house for their property, and hike along Stratford’s property to view bluebird houses. For more information or to register for this event contact Jon Bachman at JBachman@StratfordHall.org or 804-493-1972.
Find out more »February 2019
Rise Up: the Nat Turner Story
The documentary, gives insight into Nat Turner’s life, his role in the revolt, and his death, as well as detail the 1831 historical and bloody slave rebellion in Virginia. Beyond its focus on Turner, the film also traverses the climate of the time period, tracing the circumstances that led to the violent uprising and its aftermath, a precursor to the Civil War. After the film Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, Director of Programming, Education, and Visitor Engagement at Stratford Hall and…
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