Northern Neck 250

Hannah Lee Corbin, Widow
2026-06-13 19:00 - 2026-06-28 15:00 (America/New_York) | Colonial Beach Playhouse, 108 Hawthorn Street, Colonial Beach, VA, 22443, United States
An original play at Colonial Beach Playhouse about the Lee Family of Westmoreland County during Revolutionary times. Opens Saturday, June 13 and runs through Sunday, June 28. Performances Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance at cbplayhouse.org.

Speaker Series: George Washington and the Presidential Title Controversy of 1789
2026-06-14 14:00 - 16:00 | George Washington Birthplace National Monument, 1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, VA, 22443, United States
Join Dr. Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon for an engaging exploration of one of the earliest and most revealing debates in American history—the 1789 controversy over the president’s title. Drawing from her book For Fear of an Elective King, she will uncover why Congress and the public fiercely argued over whether George Washington should be addressed as “His Highness” or simply “President.” Her talk will highlight how this seemingly ceremonial question exposed deep anxieties about power and the fragility of the new republic. Attendees will learn how Washington’s own choices shaped the presidency, as well as reinforced certain ideals.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon is an expert on the early presidency and is a thought leader in her field.
She received her doctorate from George Washington University and found a welcome intellectual environment at the First Federal Congress Project (FFCP) in Washington D.C. where she was Visiting Scholar, contributing to a project to document of all material related to America’s first Congress under the new Constitution, which is now a part of the Washington National Library at Mount Vernon in Virginia.
She has been interviewed by National Public Radio and has had opinion pieces in The Economist and The Boston Globe. She has appeared several times on C-SPAN and lectures on the presidency, the evolution of executive power, and the Washington administration. Her book, For Fear of an Elective King, has been recommended by sources as varied as Vanity Fair, Presidential Studies Quarterly, The Journal of the Early Republic and The American Historical Review. She is also author of
She is the author of For Fear of an Elective King: George Washington and the Presidential Title Controversy of 1789, a richly researched account of how a seemingly small question—what to call the president—became a defining moment for our country and executive legitimacy.

Celebrate Juneteenth at Holley Graded School
2026-06-19 12:00 - 17:00 | Holley Graded School, 2439 Northumberland Highway, Lottsburg, 22511
We are excited to invite you to celebrate freedom, culture, and community at the Holley Graded School Juneteenth Event!
This family-friendly celebration will take place on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 12 PM to 5 PM at Holley Graded School, located at 2439 Northumberland Hwy, Lottsburg, Virginia 22511. We will be honoring the history and significance of Juneteenth with a day full of education, entertainment, and togetherness.
Guests of all ages can enjoy a wide variety of activities, including:

Games, storytelling, and mini educational workshops
Face painting, horse riding, and line dancing
A lively dance contest and music
Guest speakers and local vendors
Raffles for door prizes and giveaways

Delicious food will be available for purchase, and free popcorn will be provided for everyone to enjoy throughout the celebration. Admission to this event is free, and we look forward to bringing the community together to celebrate African American heritage and unity in an uplifting atmosphere.
For more information, please feel free to reach out to:

Garfield Parker: 804-761-0768
Desyree Hooper: 813-843-3808
Zina Fallin: 804-580-1011

We hope to see you there for an unforgettable Juneteenth experience!

Washington's Call to Command
2026-06-20 10:00 - 2026-06-21 16:00 | George Washington Birthplace National Monument, 1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, VA, 22443, United States
Commemorate the moment Washington accepted his call to command at George Washington Birthplace National Monument on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21.
Join us for Washington’s Call to Command as we commemorate the 251st anniversary of George Washington’s appointment as the first Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. This two‑day program opens at 10 AM with a Presentation of the Colors, a wreath‑laying ceremony, and a Musket Salute performed by the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore a living Soldier Camp complete with equipment displays and daily musket‑firing demonstrations. Historian Jim Mullins will present a detailed firearms display highlighting weapons of the American Revolution and the French and Indian War. Black Horse Forge, a veteran‑support blacksmithing guild, will operate the park’s historic forge, offering a close look at traditional metalworking. Foodways and foraging practices will come to life through campfire cooking demonstrations, while pop‑up educational activities will be available throughout the Memorial Area and Visitor Center. The Visitor Center, Memorial House Museum, and grounds, will remain open throughout the event.

Juneteenth - NNK Family Folktales & Legends
2026-06-20 12:00 - 18:00 | Ma Margaret’s House B & B, 249 Greenfield Road, Reedville, 22539
Genealogy, Storytelling & Live Entertainment

“Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation” June 22 - August 3
2026-06-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Historic Christ Church, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems, VA, 22576, United States
Special traveling exhibition from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture explores the unique and essential people, events and sites in Virginia that helped bring liberty and democracy to a nation. June 22 – Aug. 3: 10 am–4 pm (Sun. 1-4 pm)

Hands-On History Day at Historic Christ Church & Museum
2026-06-26 08:30 - 12:30 | Historic Christ Church, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems, VA, 22576, United States
Step back in time with this exciting program in colonial Virginia history. Make a brick by hand, write with a quill pen, make a grave rubbing, play colonial games, create a silhouette portrait, build a brick wall and more. Enjoy a pizza party for lunch and take home a souvenir bookmark, Museum Activity Book, and knapsack. Ages 6-12. Space is limited; pre-registration required:
Email the Organizer

Foundation Celebration
2026-06-27 11:00 - 17:00 | Westmoreland State Park, 145 Cliff Road, Montross, 22520
Westmoreland Park is turning 90! In addition to America celebrating its 250th anniversary this summer, Westmoreland is celebrating 90 years of being a Virginia state park. We would like to invite YOU to join us in celebrating these important milestones and learn more about the rich history of the Northern Neck while you’re here! There will be food and drink vendors, along with activities, games, demonstrations and more provided by Westmoreland State Park and other local organizations!
If you have any questions or want to know more about this event, please reach out to us over email or phone.

Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
2026-07-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Historic Christ Church, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems, VA, 22576, United States
Patriotic celebration and reading of the Declaration of Independence inside Historic Christ Church. With the Cobbs Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Richard Henry Lee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Ampersand: Music of the New Nation
2026-07-03 13:00 - 14:00 | VA
Ampersand brings “Music of the New Nation” to the Memorial House Museum at the George Washington Birthplace Monument.
Ampersand’s special Revolutionary War-era program, “Music of the New Nation” focuses on the experience of the home front and everyday people as they faced the battle for independence. Included are songs about the stirrings of revolution; the experiences of colonists in different walks of life; songs from soldiers on both sides of the conflict; a fiddle tune written by an enslaved person, and protest songs written at the time. This trio of musicians brings guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, hammered dulcimer, cello, and penny whistles to underscore rich vocal harmonies and great joy in sharing this traditional music with modern audiences.

Kinsale 4th of July Celebration
2026-07-04 17:00 - 22:00 | The Slips, 285 Kinsale Road, Kinsale, VA, 22488
Live music, food and drinks will be here at The Slips, where the crowd gathers to celebrate the 4th of July and watch fireworks launched at 9:15PM over the Yeocomico River. The Kinsale Waterfront Fund, along with the Yeocomico Club, The Slips, The Kinsale Market, and the Cople Volunteer Fire Department come together to put on this great community event, which is free and open to all.
Address: 285 Kinsale Road, Kinsale, VA 22488

“A Perfect Frenzy”
2026-07-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Historic Christ Church, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems, VA, 22576, United States
Author Andrew Lawler speaks on his 2025 book A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution. Wine and cheese reception with author and book signing. Tickets required.

Stratford Hall's 2026 First Africans Day
2026-07-25 10:00 - 18:00 | Stratford Hall, 483 Great House Road, Stratford, VA, 22558, United States
You’re invited to First Africans Day, a powerful collaboration of reflection, celebration, and remembrance at Stratford Hall. Together, we honor the lives, stories, and contributions of the enslaved Africans and African Americans who shaped the history of this vital place in Early America. Explore these communities’ music, dance, foodways, and material culture across an unforgettable day-long experience.
Admission is free and includes access to the Great House, Grounds, and all First Africans Day activities, including:
·Opening Ceremony at the African American Cemetery, featuring Cheyney McKnight, Tanyah Dadze, Slam Stewart, and the Shiloh Baptist Church Choir
·Performance by the KanKouran West African Dance Company
·Keynote Speech by Adrienne Whaley, Director of Education & Community Engagement at the Museum of the American Revolution
·Foodways in the Historic Kitchen with Dontavius Williams
·Interpretation of the Payne Cabin with Hope & Willie Wright
·Textile & Sewing Demonstrations with Nastassia Parker
·Domestic Enslavement Interpretation by Adam Canaday
·Historic Trades with Harold Caldwell
·Drum Circles with the African Diaspora Ensemble
·Storytelling & Open Mic in the Great House
·Closing Ceremony on the Stratford Beach
Stay tuned for the full event schedule and list of activities! Food trucks and water stations will be accessible throughout the event.

Junior Ranger Day at George Washington's Birthplace
2026-08-22 10:00 - 16:00 | VA
Celebrate the end of summer by getting outdoors at George Washington Birthplace National Monument during Junior Ranger Day! On April 22nd, join us from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the fourth annual Colonial Games Tournament, where you can compete with friends and family in the kinds of games young George Washington might have played. Throughout the afternoon, enjoy demonstrations and special Junior Ranger activities presented by park partners and dedicated volunteers. It’s a perfect opportunity to play, learn, and celebrate America’s 250th birthday at the birthplace of our nation’s first president.

Star Spangled Night Sky
2026-09-26 19:00 - 22:00 | George Washington Birthplace National Monument, 1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, VA, 22443, United States
George Washington Birthplace National Monument invites you to experience the wonder of the cosmos during a special evening program, “The Star-Spangled Night Sky,” on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
This free, 90-minute event begins at 7 p.m. and features a 30-minute interpretive program that will explore how the stars have shaped the American story—from the symbolism of stars on the U.S. flag to America’s journey into space. Following the interpretive talk, park rangers will help visitors identify constellations, locate the Andromeda Galaxy, and observe Saturn through a telescope. Visitors will also learn how they can help preserve natural dark sky environments in their community.
Standard park operations will continue during normal hours on the day of the event. If poor weather prevents stargazing, the program will be postponed to Sunday, September 27, 2026.

John H. Hunt II Chesapeake History Forum: Lady Frances Berkeley and the 350th Anniversary of Bacon's Rebellion
2026-10-11 16:00 - 18:30 | VA
In the wake of Bacon’s Rebellion, join Lady Frances Berkeley, wife of Virginia’s Royal Governor, as she composes a letter to her husband while guiding you through a brief history of the recent political upheavals that saw Jamestown laid to ash. Will King Charles offer justice to Sir William Berkeley and clear him from the accusations of wrongdoing? Historian and thespian Amy Stallings transports you back to this tumultuous period in the Chesapeake in a stunning first-person performance you do not want to miss!
Enjoy fresh oysters, shrimp, handcrafted cocktails and a light supper at this annual program that honors longtime Foundation for Historic Christ Church volunteer and board member John Hunt, an avid mariner and student of the Chesapeake, who with his wife Page spent decades exploring the Bay before his passing in 2021.
Seating is Limited. Tickets available here: Lady Frances Berkeley – Chesapeake History Forum

Visit The Godspeed in Kinsale
2026-10-31 10:00 - 2026-11-01 17:00 | The Slips, 285 Kinsale Road, Kinsale, VA, 22488
The Slips marina in Kinsale is hosting the Godspeed from Jamestown and it will be open to the public on Saturday, October 31st (10AM-5PM) and Sunday, November 1st (11AM-5PM). The Godspeed was one of the three ships that carried the first permanent English settlers to Jamestown in 1607. Come take a tour of this 68FT fully operational replica!

Feuding Founders: The Lee Deane Conflict and the Political "Bloodbath" of 1778
2026-11-08 10:00 - 18:00 | Stratford Hall, 483 Great House Road, Stratford, VA, 22558, United States
How did a diplomatic dispute become one of the first political media storms in American history?
Join us at Stratford Hall for a commemorative America 250 conversation on the aftermath of the Lee Deane Conflict. In 1776, Silas Deane of Connecticut was sent to France to secure crucial wartime support. He came under fire when Arthur Lee, a Virginian also posted in Europe, accused Deane of profiteering and fraud. The matter exploded into the public sphere when Deane fired back, charging Arthur Lee with spying for the British and sharing information with them. Virginia congressmen Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee found themselves defending their family’s reputation amid a fierce smear campaign that played out in the pages of newspapers up and down the Eastern seaboard. John Jay, then president of Congress, was drawn into the dispute as well, with consequences that would shadow his diplomatic career for years. As accusations and defenses spilled from private correspondence into newspapers, the reputations of all four men were tested before a watching public.
This is a day for people who want to see how the Revolution unfolded not only in congresses and courts, but in print and in public opinion. Begin the morning with a tour of Menokin, Francis Lightfoot Lee’s home, before traveling to nearby Stratford Hall to walk the grounds and tour the house where the Lee brothers grew up. Share lunch and conversation, then hear from scholars representing all four partner sites — Menokin, Stratford Hall, the Webb-Deane-Stevens House, and the John Jay Historic Site — as they examine how the Deane controversy reverberated through the early republic. This Affair affected the reputations of other “feuding fathers” including Thomas Paine, Ben Franklin and John Adams. It offers a window into the rough-and-tumble politics of the 1770s — and a reminder that the tensions between press, politics, and personal reputation are as old as the republic itself.

SCHEDULE (subject to updates)
10:00 am – 11:30 am: Tour Menokin house and grounds, Warsaw, VA
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch at Stratford Hall, Montross VA
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Hour long round table discussion plus Q&A on the Lee Deane Conflict with representatives from the historic homes of John Jay (NY), Silas Deane (CT), Richard Henry Lee (VA) and Francis Lightfoot Lee (VA).
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Tour of Stratford Hall
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Wrap-up Reception and NNK Symposium Kick off, Stratford Hall
6:30 pm – 7:30 Talk: NNK Symposium Keynote [add-on $10]
Pricing:
$30 – Sun, 11/8 Day Pass: Includes Menokin tour, Stratford tour, Roundtable, Reception
$10 – add-on: NNK symposium keynote on 11/8
$15: Roundtable only, 11/8 at 1 pm: $15
$5: Virtual admission only to Roundtable, 11/8 at 1 pm
Special: $60: Pass to 11/8 “Feuding Fathers” + Pass to 11/9 NNK Symposium

NNK250 Discovery Symposium: The American Experiment
2026-11-08 18:30 - 2026-11-09 16:00 | Stratford Hall, 483 Great House Road, Stratford, VA, 22558, United States
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Join us for an evening keynote at Stratford Hall featuring a distinguished speaker (to be announced) exploring the meaning and legacy of the American experiment.
Monday, November 9, 2026
Spend the day at Stratford Hall with scholars and practitioners from across the Northern Neck sharing new discoveries in history and archaeology. 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.
Boxed lunch available for purchase; details forthcoming.

The Holly & The Ivy
2026-12-07 15:30 - 17:00 | Historic Christ Church, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems, VA, 22576, United States
The Holly & The Ivy with the Chesapeake Chorale. Celebrate the season at Historic Christ Church with traditional songs, carols, and music. Join in this seasonal songfest in the beautifully “greened” church. Dress warmly. Refreshments follow. Admission: 2 non-perishable food items for the Healthy Harvest Food Bank

Welcoming Winter: Rekindling Colonial Traditions
2026-12-19 10:00 - 16:00 | George Washington Birthplace National Monument, 1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, VA, 22443, United States
George Washington Birthplace National Monument invites you to experience the warmth and wonder of colonial life during the holiday season with “Welcoming Winter: Rekindling Colonial Traditions” on Saturday, December 19, two days before the winter solstice. This festive event offers a full day of demonstrations to mark the beginning of winter.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Memorial Area will be abuzz with activity. Blacksmiths will fire up the forge, seasonal recipes will be cooked over an open hearth, and skilled textile artisans will weave on the loom.
Adding a touch of holiday fun, the Annual Holiday Ornament Hunt invites you to search the Memorial Area for hidden ornaments that reveal clues to a Christmas-themed riddle. Those who solve the riddle can return to the Visitor Center to receive a special seasonal gift.
In the event of inclement weather, programming may be altered or canceled.
