Richard Henry Lee Invites You and Your Family to Stratford Hall on June 4 and It’s Free!

Media Contact: Jim Schepmoes
804-493-8038 ext. 8119
jschepmoes@stratfordhall.org

For Immediate Release

STRATFORD, VA, (May 24, 2011) - An event for the whole family...and it's FREE! Come to Stratford Hall on June 4 from 3 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and learn to play the “first baseball"--cricket, visit the soldiers of the 2nd Virginia Regiment at their encampment on the Oval, and enjoy family and children's activities, including a scavenger hunt, opportunities to dress up in colonial clothing, and games. Watch firing demonstrations of both muskets and cannon, hear a spirited debate that “spans time” as a 21st-century historian debates our special guest, Richard Henry Lee, on the Revolution, and meet authors James Thompson and James Bayne at a special book signing.

The Lees and Independence event commemorates the date that Richard Henry Lee presented his famous resolution to the 2nd Continental Congress on June 7, 1776, to formally declare the independence of the colonies:

Admission tickets are $10 per adult and $5 for children; children under 5 will be admitted free. Friends of Stratford tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children. The cost of admission includes a tour of the Great House and historic grounds. The southwest outbuilding, now interpreted as a workshop, will also be open.

“Resolved, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

This resolution led to the writing, and subsequent adoption, of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

The Lees and Independence event also highlights the important roles that other Lees, including Francis Lightfoot, Arthur, William, Thomas and "Light Horse Harry" Lee, had in the fight for independence.

The schedule of activities includes:

• Activities for children from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Signing the Declaration of Independence with a quill pen, taking pictures in colonial clothing, and doing a Lee interactive activity to receive a prize in the Gift Shop. Children can also try out their aptitude for military drilling. Holding their wooden muskets and marching to the drummer's beat and the musical strains of "Yankee Doodle" will give them a taste of upcoming summer camp activities at Stratford Hall.

• "PLAY BALL" 18th-century style: What did Americans have in the way of sports during the colonial period, a time when there was no football, basketball, or even baseball? Probably the most popular team sport with Americans at that time was the venerable old English game of cricket which was brought to the United States by English immigrants as early as 1709. Visitors to this year’s Lees & Independence will have an opportunity to personally relive this long lost sporting legacy by joining in the short, informal, 18th- century cricket games that American cricket player and historian Tom Melville will be conducting throughout the day. The games will be run on a continuous walk-up basis from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are open to everyone. Absolutely no experience required!

• Revolutionary War Encampment by the Second Virginia Regiment with firing demonstrations, outdoor cooking, and a number of other activities. The Second Virginia Regiment is a recreated Revolutionary War history group. The organization is composed of volunteers who authentically clothe and equip themselves to portray the soldiers and families of this historic military unit.

• George Washington’s Young Friends present an authentic experience that portrays Virginia’s colonial past in a most appealing way, by allowing you to meet and talk—even play and dance—with colonists. The Friends delight in bringing colonial experiences alive. The true flavor of colonial times is depicted in passionate detail, through personal perspectives of historic events and simple everyday life in 18th-century Virginia.

• The Lees and the American March to Political Independence: A special multi-media program written especially for our event will highlight the unrest and conflict of the events surrounding the Stratford Lees and the events preceding the Revolution. This is a must-see presentation that will engage and entertain all ages. Presented in the Preservation Gallery of the Visitor Center from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

• Book Signing and talk: Meet authors James Thompson and James Bayne at a special book signing in the Stratford Hall Gift Shop from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Costumed Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society members will show various aspects of colonial life and demonstrate late-18th-century games from 4 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Food and Drink will be served on the Oval by the Stratford Dining Room from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a limited menu of food items at reasonable prices including hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQs, coleslaw, potato chips, ginger cookies, bottled water and soft drinks. The Dining Room facility itself will be closed that day.

• Visitors can sign up for a free giveaway of a Stratford Hall gift basket in the Gift Shop, which will be open throughout the event.

• Please Note: Great House tours (last tour begins at 4:00 p.m.) will be the regular price of admission and are not included in the special event activities. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets. Please do not bring pets, coolers, knapsacks, backpacks, baskets or food or drink.

For more information, contact Jon Bachman at 804-493-8038 extension1039, by email at jbachman@stratfordhall.org or visit www.StratfordHall.org.