News Release

Washington’s Birthplace and Stratford Hall to Host a Holiday Weekend in the Northern Neck

NPS / Cleo Kantz-Schultz

News Release Date: November 25, 2024

Contact: Dustin Baker, Public Information Officer, 804 224-1732 x 225 (office), 804 456-7299 (cell)

COLONIAL BEACH, Va. —On Saturday, December 14th and Sunday, December 15th, staff at George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Stratford Hall Historic Preserve will be celebrating the holiday season with a weekend of family-friendly activities and special programs. 

On December 14th, a presentation titled Church and State in Colonial & Revolutionary Virginia will be offered by Robert Teagle in the George Washington Birthplace National Monument visitor center at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Teagle is the Executive Director at the Foundation for Historic Christ Church in Weems, Virginia. His presentation will explore how Virginia moved from a royal colony and a well-established Church of England to an independent commonwealth that declared religious freedom to be a natural right. Visitors can also create the perfect holiday greeting card at a quill pen writing station or by wearing 18th century fashions in the Colonial Photobooth.

Beginning at 4:00 p.m., spend the evening at Stratford Hall to see the historic buildings and grounds decorated in the spirit of the holidays. Listen to colonial music by Ampersand in the Great Hall, African Diaspora Ensemble (ADÉ) in the Southwest building, and step into the historic kitchen for a cooking demonstration with interpreter Dontavius Williams. Tractor wagon rides in the historic area will be also available.

On December 15th, Ampersand will perform a free concert in the colonial tradition at 1:00 p.m. at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument visitor center. After the performance, join artisan Jeannette Rose in the Birthplace Craft Shop from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for a hands-on experience building holiday boxwood wreaths and other seasonal decorations using fresh pine, juniper, and holly. Staff will also be hosting the third annual Holiday Ornament Hunt from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Participants who find an ornament in the Memorial Area may return it to the visitor center in exchange for a special gift. Gifts are limited to one per group.  

In case of inclement weather, events may be altered or cancelled. For more information about George Washington Birthplace National Monument, please visit the park’s website (nps.gov/gewa), Instagram page (@GeorgeWashingtonBirthplaceNM) or Facebook page (@GeorgeWashingtonBirthplaceNPS). For more information about Stratford Hall Historic Preserve, please visit www.stratfordhall.org.