Events & Programs
Starting Tuesday, October 16th, the road to the beach will be closed to vehicular traffic for the replacement of a retaining wall and repairs to the concrete flume piers at the Gristmill. Visitors are welcome to park at the Cliffs Overlook and either walk down the road or take the nature trail leading to the beach.
We appreciate your patience as we work to repair key elements of the reconstructed Gristmill over the next 4–5 weeks. Stay tuned for project updates!
Immerse Yourself in
Virginia's History
Welcome to Stratford Hall Historic Preserve, the home of the Lee family of Virginia and two-thousand acres of natural and human history.
“The Voices of Stratford Hall” Video
With this video and all that we offer on a daily basis throughout this historic preserve, we are giving voice to Stratford Hall’s people, places, and past to engage, educate, and inspire visitors and future generations.
The Great House and Historic Area come to life through the historic preservation and presentation of 18th-century furnishings, paint, and period-specific objects. Self-guided audio tours bring the social and cultural history of Stratford Hall to life as you wander through the circa 1738 Great House, historic outbuildings, gardens, and grounds.
The 150-foot-high Cliffs along the Potomac River are world-renowned Miocene fossil deposits and one of only four places around the world where these fossils are found. Take a stroll along the beach, search for sharks’ teeth, and enjoy the serenity along the waters’ edge.
Stratford Hall maintains the only currently active water-powered gristmill on the Northern Neck. Cornmeal and grits, produced at the Gristmill, are sold at the Stratford Hall Gift Shop.
Stratford Hall features nearly three miles of nature and hiking trails throughout our nearly 2,000 acres. Our nature trails are as varied as they are scenic and many offer stunning views of the Potomac River.
Stratford at the Crossroads:
Atlantic Cultures & Creation of America
The exhibition contains 18th-century maps of West Africa and the Atlantic world, portraits of Lee women, cameos of enslaved African women, Lee family clothing, 18th-century furnishings, mourning jewelry, Native American material culture, archaeological artifacts, West African objects that survived the middle passage, architectural treasures, and significant objects related to all of those who lived at Stratford Hall.
Stratford Mail
A podcast for history lovers! Join Stratford Hall’s Director of Research, Dr. Gordon Blaine Steffey, as he reads over the shoulder of letter-writers of yesteryear. Every month we select a historical letter from a onetime resident of Stratford, read it together, and offer concise, meaningful interpretation. Whether the topic is war in the colonies or a fanciful hat from London, you’ll learn what life on the ground looked like from those who lived the moments that make up our difficult and beloved past. Never more than 20 minutes! History for folks on the go!
Our Gift Shop offers the opportunity to experience the taste and history of Stratford Hall.
Taste and purchase local jams and honey, real Gristmill products made on-site, home décor, books on the Lee family and all who lived at Stratford Hall, and many other Virginia and historically-inspired products. The Gift Shop offers the opportunity to experience the taste and history of Stratford Hall long after your visit.