Visitor Center

Visitor Center in the Stetson Building

Stratford Hall's Visitor Center in the Stetson Building was originally built in 1971 in honor of Eugene Stetson, who was instrumental in the purchase of the Stratford Hall property by the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation during the organization's early years. The building was constructed to provide visitors an orientation to the Lee family and its historical legacies. From 2000-2002, exhibit areas were expanded and modified to make use of audiovisual components, making it possible for visitors to spend as much--or as little--time as they chose in the museum areas.

Lobby

In the main lobby, visitors discover the variety of activities they can experience at Stratford, from hiking the nature trails and strolling through the restored gardens to guided architectural and decorative arts tours. There are many activities of interest throughout the 1900-acre plantation for visitors of all ages.

Diorama showing General Robert E. Lee before battle of Fredericksburg.

Lee Gallery

A modern exhibit area focuses on Lee family history at Stratford. Visitors are initiated to the Lees with a diorama depicting Robert E. Lee in his tent during the Battle of Fredericksburg. A timeline guides the viewer through generations of Lee history, and objects owned by members of the Lee family are on display. The gallery features three life-size mannequins--one of Richard Henry Lee and two of Robert E. Lee. Visitors can activate videos on Architecture, the famous Band of Brothers, and Stratford during the Civil War.

An interactive video on plantation life lets the visitor experience the daily activities of various members of the plantation community, including the planter himself, an indentured coachman, an itinerant music teacher, an enslaved carpenter and an enslaved manservant.

17th century "Manner House" at the Clifts Plantation.

Archaeology Gallery

This gallery highlights archaeology at Stratford, from the early excavations in the 1930s to the more sophisticated Clifts Plantation dig in the 1970s. Discoveries made by the archaeological Field School sponsored by Stratford Hall in partnership with the University of Mary Washington are also featured.

1717 design installing the Robert E. Lee & Women exhibit.

Changing Gallery

Two exhibits honoring the bicentennial of Robert E. Lee's birth at Stratford Hall were opened in January 2007. "Robert E. Lee and The Women in his Life" features family members and friends with whom Lee shared a special bond. "Capturing Robert E. Lee in Life and Memory" exhibits images of Lee in a variety of media.

In the Preservation Gallery, panels tell the story of Stratford Hall from 1929 to today.

Preservation Gallery

Visitors to Stratford Hall now have the opportunity to learn about the purchase and preservation of Stratford by the Robert E. Lee Memorial Association. Eight display panels highlight preservation activities since 1929. Around the perimeter of the gallery are architectural artifacts that were removed from the Great House and outbuildings during the restoration by Fiske Kimball in the 1930s.

Bridge from Visitor Center to historic area.

The Directors' Bridge

The wood and steel bridge linking the Visitor Center with the historic area was built in honor of former Stratford Board members. The deep ravine below the bridge is typical of the topography of the plantation.