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December 2016
Mount Vernon Mourns
Travel back in time on the anniversary of Washington’s death to hear his family, friends, and enslaved servants recount their poignant firsthand experiences of his passing.
Guided through the candlelit Mansion, meet members of Washington’s family, along with history interpreters who will retell firsthand experiences of the events leading up to and following the death of George Washington. On the journey through the Mansion, Tobias Lear will recount Washington’s last moments. Stop at the bedroom where Washington took his last breath, surrounded by people who were close to him.
Before exiting the Mansion, view the New Room. Here, “Martha Washington” will be dressed in her mourning clothes sitting beside a replica of Washington’s mahogany coffin, much like mourners did in 1799 for three days after our first president’s demise.
Hear their poignant stories of Washington’s death before venturing to the place of Washington’s final burial, where visitors will hear the famous eulogy.
Guests have the opportunity to follow the path of Washington’s 1799 funeral procession and participate in a candlelight wreath laying ceremony and tribute.
http://www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/calendar/events/evening-tour-mount-vernon-mourns/Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
Kick off your holiday season with sparking fireworks overlooking the Potomac River on Friday & Saturday, December 16 & 17!
oin Mount Vernon for an evening of family-friendly fun and fireworks choreographed to holiday music, with fireworks beginning around 9 p.m. Take a stroll through the estate while being serenaded by local choirs, visit with re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment in winter encampment, and learn 18th-century dance moves from costumed guides in the Greenhouse. “George and Martha Washington” will also be on site to greet Mount Vernon’s holiday guests.
Watch as colonial artisans demonstrate the 18th-century process of creating chocolate. Keep toasty by warming up by a bonfire, visiting the blacksmith shop, or enjoying some hot chocolate or cider. Additional tasty food will be available for purchase. Still haven’t found the perfect holiday gift? Take some time to complete any last minute gift needs at the Shops at Mount Vernon, open late during Christmas Illuminations.
http://www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/calendar/events/christmas-illuminations-at-mount-vernon/Christmas at Ellwood Manor
Friends of Wilderness Battlefield will host the 8th annual event called: A 19th Century Christmas at Ellwood Manor. The doors open at 9 a.m. and guests may visit until closing at 2 p.m. The 18th century home will be decorated for the Christmas season by the Fawn Lake Garden Club. Santa will welcome children of all ages from 9 a.m. – noon. See arts and crafts while you wait. Live music by Evergreen Shade from noon – 2 p.m. Friends of Wilderness Battlefield volunteers share history of the home. Free and open to the public. Directions from Culpeper: Take Virginia Route 3 eastbound approximately 18 miles to the stoplight at Virginia Route 20, where you will turn right. Then, in 0.6 miles, look carefully on the left for the “Ellwood” sign and the gravel drive. Turn left into the drive; the parking area is at the end, in 0.4 miles. Visit www.fowb.org or 540-972-5668
Annual “Get Your Guests the Heck out of the House” Week
Our 9th year of being open that quiet week between Christmas and New Years – Dec. 26th-30th, 1-5 p.m. daily. Send your guests down to the Museum (half-price for all out of town guests – kids always free. Members and local residents are, as usual, free). Located at 113 S. Commerce St. 540-829-1749.
February 2017
The Museum of Culpeper History re-opens for the 2017 season
New exhibits featuring World War I and the Women of Winston and Winston, An Early Planned Community. Located at 113 S. Commerce Street in The Depot. Hours are 10 a.m – 5 p.m 540-829-1749.
Germanna Presents Lyceum For Black History Month
Hip Hop artist and actor David Banner will appear at Germanna Community College at 1 p.m. in Room 212 of the Dickinson Building at GCC’s Fredericksburg Area Campus in Spotsylvania. The campus is located at 10000 Germanna Point Dr. off U.S. 17 near Cosner’s Corner. The event is open to the public, free. Banner will discuss his experiences in hip hop, Hollywood and political and social activism. Contact Mike Beckham at 540/846-5163 or mzbeckham@germanna.edu
Stories of Faith and Hope
Civil Rights: Finding a Voice: We each have a voice. But if we are silent though our cause is just, how can we make a difference? The voices that rose from the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s help us answer this question. Come along as Sheila Arnold Jones and Sarah Brady present an interactive program of stories of faithfulness, courage, reconciliation, and hope. Join us Friday, February 24, 7:00 pm in the Library’s Meeting Room. 271 Southgate Shopping Center. Contact Susan Keller at 540-825-8691
Gallery Talk
Museum of Culpeper History presents Gallery Talk, a series of lectures. Houses That Slaves Built: The Enslaved Community at Montpelier Plantation by Dr. Joel Tate (retired), Germanna Community College. Held in the conference room at the Culpeper County Library located at 271 Southgate Shopping Center from 5-7 p.m. First of three free lectures. Refreshments. Limited seating. RSVP to director@culpepermuseum.com
March 2017
Museum Talk
The Culpeper Boys of Summer: Our Baseball Hall of Famers. Come learn about the lives of Peter Hill and Eppa Rixey Jackie Howell, “The Baseball Bloggess” from 2-4 p.m. Light refreshments served. Seating limited. RSVP to 540-829-1749. Located at 113 South Commerce Street.
April 2017
Park Day
The Brandy Station Foundation will team up with local volunteers to aid in the maintenance and restoration of the Brandy Station Battlefield and the Civil War Graffiti House. Park Day, a nationwide effort sponsored by the Civil War Trust, includes more than 130 historic sites in 30 states. Join thousands of nationwide volunteers as Park Day celebrates 20 years. Volunteers will receive T-shirts. For information and to volunteer, please contact Richard Deardoff at deardoff@comcast.net or 540-937-7718
Museum Talk
The Museum hosts its third GalleryTalk from 2-4 p.m. in the Civil War Gallery of the Museum in the historic train depot in downtown Culpeper. Public invited to Monuments Men: Saving Art and Restoring History Gallery Talk. Refreshments served. Free. Seating is limited so RSVPs are appreciated. Fran Cecere, a writer affiliated with Windmore Foundation for the Arts, will speak about artist Dorothy Skelton’s work immediately after WWII as part of the Monuments Men project. Call 540-829-1749 for reservations and information.
May 2017
New Museum Exhibit Unveiling
The Museum of Culpeper History celebrates the United States Colored Troops with a new exhibit opening today and showing through July. Located at 113 S. Commerce Street in The Depot. Hours are 10 a.m – 5 p.m 540-829-1749.
June 2017
Civil War Paddle
Join Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) and National Park Service Supervisory Historian Greg Mertz Saturday, June 10, for a daylong canoe trip, highlighting many of the Civil War sites along the Rapidan River. We’ll float from Germanna Ford to Ely’s Ford, through rapids, past eagle nests and have lunch on a sandbar. Bring a bag lunch, sunscreen and plenty of water. Meet at the Ely’s Ford boat ramp at 8 a.m., 4.5 miles north of Route 3 on Route 610. We will arrive back at Ely’s Ford at approximately 4 p.m., depending on water flow. This trip fills FAST, so register early. Minimum age is 12 years and this is a strenuous event. The cost is $50 individual/$150 family ($40/$120 for FOR members). Please pre-register at http://www.riverfriends.org/event/civil-war-paddle/
http://www.riverfriends.org/event/civil-war-paddle/July 2017
“Libations on the Lawn”
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Museum’s popular Libations on the Lawn event will again be held behind the Burgandine House at 803 S. Main Street. Food, drink, and live music will be provided courtesy of our sponsor Gayheart & Willis, P.C.! A suggested donation of $8/members and $10/non-members will benefit future museum programs and events. Wear red, white, and blue to celebrate Independence Day for a discount and bring your lawn chair too! 540-829-1749
History: “3rd Annual Dino-Walk”
“3rd Annual Dino-Walk” 9:00am – 1:00pm- The annual Walk with the Dinosaurs event at the Luck Stone Quarry is on July 15th and passes are going quickly. Visitors will be escorted to the bottom of the quarry and discover an amazing group of 215 million year old dinosaur tracks! To obtain your timed-entry tour pass for either 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, or 12:00pm please visit the Museum at the Depot or contact us at 540-829-1749. Passes are $15/car.
History Presentation
Eugene Schmiel will present “The life of Jacob Dolson Cox, Ohio Citizen-General”, one of the Brandy Station Foundation Sunday lectures, at the Graffiti House, 19484 Brandy Road in Brandy Station at 2 p.m.. Free; donations to the BSF welcome. www.brandystationfoundation.com
August 2017
Brandy Station Foundation Event
Robert Houghtalen will present a talk on General W.H.F. Payne from Fauquier County at the Graffiti House, 19484 Brandy Road, Brandy Station. This is part of Brandy Station Foundation lecture series.
Mr. Houghtalen is a graduate of Hanover College (Indiana) with a B.A. in History/Education. He also has a Graduate Certification in U.S. Civil War History from American Military University. He has worked as a secondary school History teacher in the past. He currently works at Conner Prairie Living History Museum in Noblesville, Indiana. He does a first person interpretation of a Civil War doctor for middle school history classes.
Free; donations to the BSF welcome. More information is at www.brandystationfoundation
September 2017
“Daniel Boone Days” at Andora Farm
A colonial / early American event will be held in Culpeper at Andora Farm on September 2, 2017 from 10 am – 4 pm which is open to the public and free of charge. “Daniel Boone Days” will commemorate early American history and Daniel Boone who lived in Culpeper during the Cherokee Indian Wars in North Carolina. Boone lived in what is now known as Stevensburg and worked tobacco fields including what is present day Andora Farm (farm dating to 1758). Boone hauled tobacco to the Port of Fredericksburg for shipment to England. The event will emphasize early American life with demonstrations and recognize Daniel Boone’s life here.
The event will include demonstrations of early American crafts such as spinning and weaving, quilting, tobacco processing, blacksmithing, mussel loading demonstrations, and an authentic recreation of a Longhunter camp (hosted by American Mountain Man Association) with authentic target practice in the camp. Virginia Trappers Association will also be present with demonstrations and local historian, Zann Nelson, will be available for questions. In addition to the early American crafters, Moving Meadows Farm will be on-site with fresh baked good and locally farm-raised meats. There will be free horse-drawn wagon rides of the farm for children and adults alike.
People wishing to ride their horses on the trail ride need to pre-register with the national television show, Best of America by Horseback, who will be filming the highlights of the weekend’s events. More information can be obtained at 540-829-9555 or visit www.bestofamericabyhorseback.com
Culpeper Downtown Fiesta
The Culpeper Fiesta takes place in the heart of downtown Culpeper for 4 hours, 6 pm to 10 pm Friday, September 15th. Plan to bring your whole family down to the Depot (109 Commerce St., Culpeper, VA) for a night of good food and wonderful entertainment.
Free health screenings will be offered, including confidential HIV testing by FAHAAS, as well as glucose and blood pressure checks by University Physicians Group. Free flu shots will be administered by Walgreens. Complimentary children’s ID’s will be offered by the Culpeper Sheriff’s office and the Culpeper Town Police at the Food Closet location at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Kids can participate in children’s yoga, presented by Pranapiloga, while they wait!
The Lions Sight and Hearing Van will be in the Farmers’ Market parking lot, offering free screenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. No appointment is necessary.
Coffee with the Curator – The Horse in Ancient Greek Art
Join us for Coffee with the Curator sponsored by Middleburg Common Grounds! NSLM invites members of the public to celebrate its latest exhibition featuring a stunning collection of ancient Greek vases. The program features an informal coffee reception followed by a tour of the new exhibition, The Horse in Ancient Greek Art. $5 admission, free to NSLM members. RSVP to Anne Marie Barnes, Clarice & Robert H. Smith Educator, at ABarnes@NationalSporting.org, (540) 687-6542 x25
http://www.nationalsporting.org