Events & Programs

Upcoming Events & Virtual Programs

Stratford’s Spirits: Witch Marks and Conjure during the Lee Era

Thursday, October 21 – 7 PM

Join Stratford Hall’s Director of Collections and Visitor Engagement, Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, and Curator, Amy Connolly, as they look into colonial beliefs about witches and spirits and showcase the evidence found carved into the walls of Stratford Hall.

This program will be offered virtually.

$10 per person. Free for Friends of Stratford members.

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Registration is required. We invite you to pay as you wish when you register. Contributions to support Stratford Hall can also be made year-round either online or by mail to the following address: Development, Stratford Hall, 483 Great House Road, Stratford, VA 22558.

Chocolate and Soul Food, from Colonial Virginia to Contemporary Kitchens

Saturday, November 13 – 7:00 PM

Join us for a short lecture, a cooking demonstration, and a discussion led by Stratford Hall’s Director of Collections & Visitor Engagement, Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, joined by YouTube star Cheyney McKnight of Not Your Momma’s History , historian/interpreter Nicole Moore, and commentary from celebrity chef Tanya Holland. This program will demonstrate historical chocolate recipes and discuss how chocolate made its way into historical and contemporary African American cuisine. Funded by Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Research Grant, Mars Wrigley.

This program will be offered virtually.

Christmastide

Saturday, December 11 –

6 – 9 PM

Join us for the annual Christmastide celebration at Stratford Hall. Come see the mansion decorated in holiday spirit, listen to colonial music, and step into the kitchen to see colonial food cooking on the original 1738 hearth.

Adults & Children ages 14 and older: $20

Children, ages 6-13: $10

Children, ages 5 & under: Free

Friends of Stratford Members: Free

Hands-On History Days

November 5, 2021

April 29, 2022

May 27, 2022

Calling all schoolteachers! Are you interested in bringing your class to Stratford Hall? Come explore our 1,800-acre site by registering for one of our Hands-On History Days – November 5, 2021, April 29, 2022 or May 27, 2022. Take your students on a self-guided audio tour of the Great House and historic area, along with a scavenger hunt activity. Learn about colonial foodways and the influence of enslaved chefs on American cuisine while watching an 18^th-century cooking demonstration with Dontavius Williams. Experience the music of the African Diaspora through drumming demonstrations by Slam Stewart. And talk with our knowledgeable museum educators about the scientific studies of Paleontology and Archaeology at Stratford Hall.

Please contact Mary Bowman, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at mbowman@stratfordhall.org to enroll. Pre-registration is required. Space may be limited. The wearing of masks is required while indoors.

Can’t come to us, then let us come to you. Inquire about our in-class or virtual outreach options today!

Science Saturday at Stratford Hall: Monsters of the Miocene

Saturday, November 13 – 11 AM

Join Stratford Hall’s Education & Outreach Manager, Jon Bachman, as he explores with you the world of ancient sea creatures of Westmoreland County. From giant sharks, toothed whales, sea going crocodiles, giant birds, massive sea turtles and a host of other prehistoric predators both large and small. The fossils of these ancient animals are evidence that the oceans of the Miocene Epoch were extremely dangerous environments in the history of sea life.

This program will be offered virtually.

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Colonial Baking with 18th-Century Baker Justin Cherry

Tuesday, November 23- 7 PM

Join us for an evening with historic baker, Justin Cherry, as he bakes in Stratford’s original 1738 bake oven.

This program will be offered virtually.

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Important Announcement: 2021 Stratford Hall Wine and Oyster Festival Rescheduled

After much consideration, we have come to the difficult decision to reschedule this year’s Wine & Oyster Festival for April 2-3, 2022. This decision was not made lightly as many people have devoted time and resources to this event. With local health officials reporting high rates of COVID-19 transmission, we know this course of action is necessary. Ultimately, the health and safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers, vendors, and community is our top priority.

If you purchased a festival ticket, an email was sent with the opportunity to either transfer your tickets to the April date or receive a refund. To receive a refund for your pre-purchased tickets, please respond to that email within 30 days. If we do not hear from you within 30 days, your ticket purchase will be considered a donation to Stratford Hall.

Thank you for your support and understanding and we look forward to bringing back the Wine & Oyster Festival in April 2022.

Colonial Milling & Brewing