Events & Programs
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
African American Material Culture at Stratford Hall
Stratford Hall’s Director of Programming, Education, and Visitor Engagement Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz will take us on a virtual trip through our collections to showcase the history, culture, and contributions of some of the enslaved African and African Americans at Stratford Hall. Focusing on archaeological evidence and archival sources, Deetz will illuminate their stories through some of the objects they left behind. Virtual program via Zoom.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Colonial Maps, Trade & the Atlantic World
Justin Fornal, host of UNEXPLAINED & UNEXPLORED, Discovery Channel’s premiere series on ancient maps, takes us to parts unknown to explain how cartography shaped the colonial world. Justin will discuss how different maps were made, what their complex symbols mean, and how they were utilized for both war, trade, and conquest. Virtual program via Zoom.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Colonial Foodways Cooking Demonstration
Led by 18th-century baker Justin Cherry, this program will discuss baking in the clay oven, and feature recipes from colonial Virginia and the south as well as some from Richard Henry Lee’s own hand in 1784. Virtual program via Zoom.
Program supported by a grant from Virginia Humanities.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1
The Lees & Liquor: The role of alcohol in the 18th century
Official explorer for Laphroiag Single Malt Whiskies, Justin Fornal takes us on a spirited journey through the libations of the Colonial era. Justin will give special focus to the Lees of Virginia and the celebratory beverages of Stratford Hall. Virtual program via Zoom.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12
Christmastide
Experience the magic of the season at a special holiday program colonial cooking demonstrations, holiday decorations workshop, live music, and a special visit with Santa Claus.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12
Christmastide
Join historical interpreters Cheyney McKnight and Dontavius Williams as they discuss Christmas traditions of early African America. This program will highlight some of the foods the enslaved African American cooks would create for the big house, as well as the traditions of those residing in the quarters. McKnight and Williams will be joined by Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, who will discuss the history of Caeser, the enslaved chef at Stratford, and one of the earliest chocolate makers in the colony.
Virtual program via Zoom.
Funded by Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Research Grant, Mars Wrigley
PAST EVENTS & PROGRAMS
January 18: Lee Family Birthday Celebration
January 24: Reading Lee: “The Perfect Man: The Mystery of Robert E. Lee”
February 28: Storytelling through Artifacts: African and African American Culture at Stratford Hall
March 14: Leading Ladies: The Material Culture of the Lee Women of Stratford Hall (postponed due to COVID-19)
March 21: Spring at Stratford Hall (canceled due to COVID-19)
April 4: Hands On History & Science Day (postponed due to COVID-19)
April 11: Easter Egg Hunt (canceled due to COVID-19)
July 24: Summer Teachers Institute
August 19: Colonial Milling & Brewing Virtual Program
August 25: African American Foodways Virtual Cooking Demonstration
September 8: Tobacco Pipes & Culture in the Colonial Era Virtual Program
September 19 & 20: Wine & Oyster Festival (postponed to 2021)
September 22: African American Foodways Virtual Cooking Demonstration
October 3: Food, Politics & Colonial Women