Events & Programs

Upcoming Events & Virtual Programs

Colonial Baking with 18th-Century Baker Justin Cherry

Tuesday, November 23- 7 PM (Savory Pies and Pastries)

Join us for an evening with Justin Cherry as he bakes in Stratford’s original 1738 oven. Learn a few tips and tricks from the professional baker and impress your guests at Thanksgiving with a historic recipe. Recipes will be shared following the program.

This program will be offered virtually.

$10 per person. Free for Friends of Stratford. Pre-registration is required.

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Northern Neck Free Admission Days

Wednesday, December 8 – Friday, December 10

As a gift to our local community, Stratford Hall will be offering a Free Day for residents in the counties of Westmoreland, King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond and Essex. On December 8, 9, 10, residents of each county will have a day to visit Stratford Hall for free.

Explore the over 1,800 acres with a Grounds Pass offering access to the hiking trails, public beach area, gardens, public grounds, Visitor Center, and Gift Shop (this does not include entry into the Great House and other historic buildings).

Experience the Great House and historic buildings through one of our four self-guided Audio Tours – reserve in advance for either 10 a.m., 12 p.m., or 2 p.m. Limited tour tickets are available.

Both grounds and audio tour passes provide entry into the new exhibition, Stratford at the Crossroads: Atlantic Cultures & the Creation of America which highlights objects from the Lee family, enslaved Africans and African Americans, and Virginia Indians, located in the Visitor Center.

With an audio tour ticket, you can also enjoy the hiking trails, public beach area, gardens, public grounds, Visitor Center, and Gift Shop. If reserving an Audio Tour ticket, a Grounds Pass is not necessary.

Local residents will receive a 10% discount in the Gift Shop and Friends of Stratford members a 20% discount during free days.

Wednesday, December 8

Westmoreland and King George County residents. Register today!

Thursday, December 9

Lancaster and Northumberland County residents. Register today!

Friday, December 10

Richmond and Essex County residents. Register today!

Science Saturday at Stratford Hall: Understanding Deep Time

Saturday, December 11 –

11 AM

To understand the geological concept of Deep time, humans must think of time scales in unimaginable larger units than those that define our lives. What is Deep time? Who is James Hutton and why is he so important in understanding what Deep time. How do we begin to visualize this geological chronology? Join Education & Outreach Manager, Jon Bachman, as he answers these questions and more in a search for the deepest of Earth timelines.

This free program will be offered virtually. Pre-registration is required.

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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.

Chocolate and Soul Food, from Colonial Virginia to Contemporary Kitchens

Tuesday, December 7 – 7 PM

Join us for a short lecture, a cooking demonstration, and a discussion led by Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, joined by YouTube star Cheyney McKnight, historian/interpreter Nicole Moore, commentary from historian Ramin Ganeshram, and an appearance 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 free program will be offered virtually. Pre-registration is required.

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Christmastide

Saturday, December 11 – 5 – 8 PM

Join us for the annual open house 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

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Hands-On History Days

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 18th-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!

Colonial Milling & Brewing