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X-WR-CALNAME:Stratford Hall Historic Preserve
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.stratfordhall.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Stratford Hall Historic Preserve
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261010T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261010T150000
DTSTAMP:20260924T220001Z
CREATED:20260716T194107Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T220001Z
UID:15337-1791622800-1791644400@www.stratfordhall.org
SUMMARY:Fossil Excursion SOLD OUT
DESCRIPTION:This event has sold out. \nDating from the Miocene Epoch – approximately 15 to 6 million years ago\, the Stratford Cliffs are part of a rare geological phenomenon ranking among the most important fossil research sites in the Mid-Atlantic region. Whether you are a seasoned collector\, or this is your first experience\, Stratford Hall is the place for you! Spend a day hunting for fossils along the shores of the Potomac River\, explore the Stratford Cliffs\, and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the great outdoors. \nExcursions last approximately 6 hours\, weather permitting. During these trips\, participants are accompanied by Stratford Hall employees and/or volunteer guides and given access to the restricted area of the beach which includes approximately 2.5 miles of riverfront. \nFossil hunting excursions are designed so that participants can set their own pace dependent upon their experience level and physical abilities. However\, we do rate our fossil hunting excursions at a moderately strenuous activity level. Trips involve long periods of standing and walking\, crossing slick or uneven surfaces\, climbing over and/or under downed trees\, and wading in water. Due to changes in weather conditions\, water levels\, and the influence of tides there are portions of the beach that may not be accessible at all by foot. \n  \nPlease read our full FAQ document(opens in a new tab) and note the following regarding check-in: \n\nGuests should arrive at the Visitor Center prior to 9 a.m.\nThe door to the Visitor Center will not open before 9 a.m.\nGuests must complete a release form and a collections management policy prior to going down to the beach\, or they will not be given permission to go beyond the ropes.\n\n  \nGroup sizes are approximately 40 participants per trip. Please be aware that while there are guides available during these excursions to ensure guest safety and assist with fossil hunting tips and identification\, we do not classify these as “guided” experiences as the ratio of participants to guides is typically 7:1. Minimum age requirement for all fossil hunting excursions is 8 years old. Any participant under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. \nFossil hunting excursions are weather dependent activities and Stratford Hall reserves the right to cancel excursions at any time. A full refund will be given unless the cancellation is due to inclement weather\, in which case a reschedule date will be provided. All participant cancellations require a 48-hour email notice before the excursion takes place. Absence from an excursion is nonrefundable. Refunds are the sole discretion of Stratford Hall and will be considered in such cases where there is an illness or emergency. All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to Mary Bowman at mbowman@stratfordhall.org.
URL:https://www.stratfordhall.org/event/fossil-excursion-october-2026/
LOCATION:Stratford Hall\, 483 Great House Road\, Stratford\, Virginia\, 22558
CATEGORIES:Stratford
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.stratfordhall.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Excursion-Cover.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261108T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261108T180000
DTSTAMP:20260930T183559Z
CREATED:20260915T191422Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T183559Z
UID:15610-1794132000-1794160800@www.stratfordhall.org
SUMMARY:Feuding Founders: The Lee-Deane Conflict and the Political Bloodbath of 1778
DESCRIPTION:The Feuding Founders is a multi-site public history initiative that humanizes Silas Deane\, John Jay\, and the Lee brothers of Virginia—men who were in conversation\, in collaboration\, and sometimes in conflict with one another. \nThe day opens with a special guided tour of Menokin\, home of Francis Lightfoot Lee\, in Richmond County. Lunch at Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County will be followed by a brief presentation and opportunity to hear from historians representing each partner institution as they build a more layered\, more human portrait of Jay\, Deane\, and the Lees—their relationships to power and to one another. A special guided tour of Stratford Hall\, cradle of the revolutionary generation of Lee brothers and sisters precedes a reception that concludes the Feuding Founders event and precedes the evening keynote lecture of the NNK250 Discovery Symposium: The American Experiment. The Symposium speaker is Dr. Krystyn Moon\, Professor of History and American Studies at the University of Mary Washington.  \nAn “All-Access Pass” can be purchased for $55* and includes all Feuding Founders events\, a boxed lunch\, and access to the evening reception. Alternatively\, visitors can register for the lunch\, roundtable\, or Great House tour individually. Tickets for the NNK250 Discovery Symposium are purchased separately. *Not including fees. Discounts are available for Friends of Stratford members. Only orders placed by 11:59 PM on Wednesday\, November 4 are guaranteed a boxed lunch. The options are chicken salad\, ham & cheddar\, or turkey & swiss (all served with lettuce\, tomato and condiments on the side) with bagged chips\, pickle\, a cookie and bottled water. \nGET TICKETS HERE \nREGISTER FOR VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE HERE \nSchedule of Events:  \n10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Guided Tour of Menokin (4037 Menokin Rd\, Warsaw\, VA 22572) \n12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Lunch at Stratford Hall Dining Room (792 Great House Rd\, Stratford\, VA 22558) $20 box lunches are available for preorder through Wednesday\, November 4.  \n1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Feuding Founders Roundtable (duPont Memorial Library\, 251 Great House Rd). Registration is $5 to attend this session virtually. \n3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Guided Tour of the Stratford Hall Great House with Dr. Gordon Blaine Steffey \n5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Feuding Founders/NNK250 Reception (Dining Hall\, 792 Great House Rd) \n6:30 – 8:00 p.m. NNK250 Discovery Symposium: The American Experiment Keynote with Dr. Krystyn Moon (Council House\, 862 Great House Rd). Admission to this event can be purchased at the door or through the NNK250 Discovery Symposium event page. Registration is $10 to attend this lecture virtually. \nExtend your stay by reserving a room in the Cheek Guest House or Astor Guest House at $159* per night! Visit our lodging website\, call (804) 493-1967 or email reservations@stratfordhall.org. *Subject to taxes and fees. Log cabins not included in offer.
URL:https://www.stratfordhall.org/event/feuding-founders/
LOCATION:Stratford Hall\, 483 Great House Road\, Stratford\, Virginia\, 22558
CATEGORIES:Stratford
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.stratfordhall.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Feuding-Founders-Cover.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261108T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261109T150000
DTSTAMP:20260930T183528Z
CREATED:20260923T171440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T183528Z
UID:15657-1794162600-1794236400@www.stratfordhall.org
SUMMARY:NNK250 Discovery Symposium: "The American Experiment"
DESCRIPTION:The Northern Neck 250 Discovery Symposium is an annual collaboration of historic sites and museums that focuses on bringing new research to the community during the Semiquincentennial of the United States. This year’s theme\, “The American Experiment” will be covered over two days on Sunday\, November 8 and Monday\, November 9. \nGET TICKETS HERE \nAn “All-Access Pass” can be purchased for $40* and includes all NNK250 Discovery Symposium events\, a boxed lunch\, and access to the evening reception. Alternatively\, visitors can register for the keynote lecture\, sessions\, or lunch individually. Tickets for Feuding Founders are purchased separately. *Not including fees. Only orders placed by 11:59 PM on Wednesday\, November 4 are guaranteed a boxed lunch. The options are chicken salad\, ham & cheddar\, or turkey & swiss (all served with lettuce\, tomato and condiments on the side) with bagged chips\, pickle\, a cookie and bottled water. \nSunday\, November 8\, 2026 \n5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Feuding Founders/NNK250 Reception (Dining Hall\, 792 Great House Rd) \n6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Join us for an evening keynote lecture at the Stratford Hall Council House by University of Mary Washington Professor of History and American Studies Dr. Krystyn Moon\, who will explore the meaning and legacy of the American experiment. $15 admission. Registration is $10 to attend this lecture virtually. \nMonday\, November 9\, 2026 \nSpend the day at Stratford Hall with scholars and practitioners from across the Northern Neck sharing new discoveries in history and archaeology. Accessible presentations from partners including George Washington Birthplace National Monument\, Stratford Hall\, Menokin\, and others will highlight ongoing research and what it reveals about the region’s central role in the nation’s founding. \n9:00 – 11:15 a.m. Session 1: “Challenging Authority” in the Stratford Hall Council House. $5 admission. Registration is free to attend this session virtually. \nSpeakers: Dr. Julia A. King (St. Mary’s College of Maryland)\, Kayla Payne (Menokin)\, Dr. Tayzhaun Glover (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) \nTopics: Bacon’s Rebellion\, Self-emancipation in the Northern Neck and Chesapeake \n12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Lunch: Stratford Hall Dining Room. $20 box lunches are available for preorder through Wednesday\, November 4.  \n12:45 – 3:00 p.m. Session 2: “Between the Roof and the Ground: Architectural History and Archaeological Discoveries in the Northern Neck” in the Stratford Hall Council House. $5 admission. Registration is free to attend this session virtually. \nSpeakers: Kerry Gonzalez (George Washington Birthplace National Monument)\, Dave Myers\, Raina Regan\, Kyle Keister (Virginia State Parks)\, Lisa Manderson (Stratford Hall) \nTopics: Building X at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument\, Stratford Hall East Steps\, Westmoreland State Park history and cabin renovations \nExtend your stay by reserving a room in the Cheek Guest House or Astor Guest House at $159* per night! Visit our lodging website\, call (804) 493-1967 or email reservations@stratfordhall.org. *Subject to taxes and fees. Log cabins not included in offer.
URL:https://www.stratfordhall.org/event/nnk250-discovery-symposium-the-american-experiment/
LOCATION:Stratford Hall\, 483 Great House Road\, Stratford\, Virginia\, 22558
CATEGORIES:Stratford
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.stratfordhall.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NNK250-Symposium-Cover.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261205T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261205T190000
DTSTAMP:20261009T202526Z
CREATED:20260923T173017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261009T202526Z
UID:15662-1796468400-1796497200@www.stratfordhall.org
SUMMARY:Christmastide
DESCRIPTION:There’s no better time to visit Stratford Hall than during Christmastide. New this year\, we’re excited to welcome Mr. & Mrs. Claus from the North Pole to collect letters from our post office! We’re also offering two dinner experiences to choose from\, plus a number of convenient offers like gift baskets\, ornaments\, and more that you can pick up from the Gift Shop. The more the merrier! \n  \nGET TICKETS HERE \n  \nSchedule \n10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Open house tours of the Great House \n11:00 – 4:00 PM Historic chocolate demos in the Gift Shop with David Borghesani\, American Heritage chocolate historian \n11:00 – 1:00 PM Pictures with Santa in the Great House (your smart phone/camera) \n1:15 PM Santa Letter Pickup at the Stratford Post Office (next to Gift Shop) \n2:00 PM Story time with Mrs. Claus in the Dining Room ($10 per pack of 4 cookies)* \n4:00 PM Buffet-style breakfast dinner in the Stratford Dining Room* \n6:00 PM Four-course Christmastide dinner in the Jessie Ball duPont Memorial Library* \n*reserve by Sunday\, November 29. \nAdmission \n$10 general admission \nFree for ages 3 and under \nFree for Friends of Stratford members \n$140 Family Package: Includes event admission and buffet-style dinners for two adults and two youths\, photos with Santa in the Great House (your smart phone/camera)\, two packs of cookies for 2:00 p.m. story time with Mrs. Claus in the Dining Room\, and a wooden Stratford Hall Christmas ornament. Reservations are required by Sunday\, November 29. \n  \nHistoric Area \nExplore the c. 1738 Great House fully decked in Colonial Christmas splendor! Families are invited to take pictures with Santa in the Great House Parlor from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (bring your own smart phone or camera). Be sure to visit Harold Caldwell in the Historic Kitchen to learn all about the holiday foods being prepared before you dive into West African drumming demos with Slam One LLC or climb onto a tractor ride around the twilight grounds. You can even stroll with members of the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society and sing all your favorite carols. \nGift Shop \nWarm up in the charming Stratford Hall Gift Shop with historic chocolate demos by David Borghesani\, an American Heritage chocolate historian from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Add ornaments\, mill products\, holiday jams\, or gift baskets to your order by Sunday\, November 29 and pick them up here! All visitors will receive a 10% off discount on purchases made during the event\, with Friends of Stratford members enjoying 20% off discount (exclusions apply). Just outside the Gift Shop\, families can remember the occasion by making their own authentic tin punch ornaments to take home. \nLetters to Santa \nStarting November 1\, the Stratford Hall Visitor Center will collect letters to Santa! At 1:15 p.m. during the Christmastide event\, Santa will pick up the letters at the Gift Shop and say goodbye before he departs for the North Pole. Please include a return address for Santa to write back. \nCookies & Story Time with Mrs. Claus \nJoin us in the Stratford Dining Room at 2:00 p.m. to hear Christmas stories and decorate homemade cookies with Mrs. Claus. This add-on costs $10 and includes one pack of four cookies. You can add additional packs to your cart. Please note two packs are included in the Family Package. \nFamily Package \nTake advantage of the season’s best deal on festive cheer: $140 Family Packages include event admission and buffet-style dinners for two adults and two youths\, photos with Santa in the Great House (your smart phone/camera)\, cookies with Mrs. Claus in the Dining Room\, and a wooden Stratford Hall Christmas ornament. \nBuffet-Style Dinner in the Dining Room \nWe’ve saved your family seats at our table for a 4:00 p.m. buffet-style dinner with plenty of holly and jolly to go around (and of course\, good food). $35 for adults and ages 15+\, $25 for youth aged 4-14\, and free for youth aged 3 and under. Reservations are required by Sunday\, November 29. Event admission is included with this dinner option. Each guest receives one plate for the buffet. \nMenu: \n\nPancake bar with fresh strawberries\, blueberries\, bananas\, chocolate chips\, whipped cream\, sprinkles\, powdered sugar\, maple syrup\, and chocolate sauce\nPork or chicken sausage links\nScrambled eggs\nYogurt parfaits\nMilk\, apple juice\, orange juice\, water\nHot chocolate bar with mini marshmallows\, whipped cream\, chocolate shavings\, candy canes\, chocolate syrup\, sprinkles\, and crushed cookies\n\n  \nDinner in the duPont Memorial Library \nChristmastide dinner is a can’t-miss tradition at Stratford Hall\, and this year we’re excited to serve you in the Jessie Ball duPont Memorial Library! This four-course dinner catered by Dori Farrell is $95 per person and has a maximum table size of eight guests. A cash bar will be available. Book your table today! Reservations are required by Sunday\, November 29. Event admission is not included with this dinner option.
URL:https://www.stratfordhall.org/event/christmastide-2026/
LOCATION:Stratford Hall\, 483 Great House Road\, Stratford\, Virginia\, 22558
CATEGORIES:Stratford
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.stratfordhall.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Christmastide-2026-Cover.jpg
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