Hands On History Day

Immerse yourself in the rich history and natural beauty of Stratford Hall Historic Preserve in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Join us for Hands-On History Day as we experience Stratford Hall and its people through the lenses of history, science, and culture! Spend the day exploring the historic area while participating in special activities provided by our education and interpretive staff. Pack a picnic lunch for the family and relax at one of the numerous picnic areas throughout the site. Take a nature walk, go for a hike, enjoy bird watching, fishing, or hunting for sharks’ teeth along the Potomac River.

Tickets are available for prepurchase and at the gate. This program is free for Friends of Stratford members. 

For questions, contact Kelly Childress, Director of Education, at kchildress@stratfordhall.org or (804) 493-1972.

Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Discover what life was like in colonial Virginia while taking a self-guided audio tour of the Great House and historic area.

Experience an 18th-century carpentry demonstration with Harold Caldwell as he crafts furniture in our historic carpenter’s shop.

Take part in an interactive African drumming demonstration while exploring the cultural and historical influences of the music of the African Diaspora.

Learn about common plant and animal fibers that were produced at Stratford Hall and experiment with natural dye stuffs.

Engage with a knowledgeable museum educator about the geology of Stratford Cliffs and get an up-close look at our paleontology collection.

Make a scented castile soap ball to take home as a souvenir of your visit!

This program is made possible in part by a gift from The Tidewater Foundation.

Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Discover what life was like in colonial Virginia while taking a self-guided audio tour of the Great House and historic area.

Experience an 18th-century cooking demonstration in the historic kitchen while learning about the Transatlantic trade, colonial foodways and the influences made by enslaved cooks on American cuisine.

Take part in an interactive African drumming demonstration while exploring the cultural and historical influences of the music of the African Diaspora.

Play with common colonial toys and games of the 18th-century.

Engage with a knowledgeable museum educator about the scientific study of Archaeology at Stratford Hall and how we use it to tell stories.

Make a hand-dipped bees wax candle to take home as a souvenir of your visit! Please note that this activity involves open flame, and we highly encourage participants to wear closed-toe shoes.