Virginia House Reopening and Offering More Special Events
Museum and Garden Tours Now Available by Appointment
Virginia House, a house museum owned and operated by the Virginia Historical Society (VHS), will reopen to the public beginning April 3, 2009. Virginia House, which has been closed from January through March for maintenance and improvements, will be open by appointment for house and garden tours. In addition, Virginia House is offering new children’s camps and special events for museum visitors.
Virginia House was constructed from materials of a sixteenth century manor house in Warwick, England. Alexander and Virginia Weddell purchased the building at a demolition sale, had the house dismantled and shipped from England to Virginia, and rebuilt it on a hillside overlooking the James River in Windsor Farms. Virginia House came to the society in 1948 after Ambassador and Mrs. Weddell were killed in a train crash.
Today, Virginia House and its original furnishings are preserved much the same as when the Weddells resided there from 1928 to 1948. The Tudor home includes English and Spanish antiques, silk draperies, oriental carpets, and fine silver and china.
Virginia House will be open to the public for tours during the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week on Saturday, April 18th, Sunday, April 19th, and Friday, April 24th. The museum and gardens will be closed Saturday, April 25th.
Virginia House is offering a number of events in 2009, including new educational day camps for school-aged children. The Jr. Ambassador Passport Travels Spring Camp takes place April 6–10. This camp introduces children ages 9–12 to the culture, food, geography, and music of countries where Alexander Weddell served as a diplomat.
The Go Green! Summer Camp, which takes place August 3–7, teaches campers ages 10–13 about recycling, composting, eco-friendly gardening, rain barrels, and native plants. The annual Diggin’ in the Dirt Summer Camp is August 10–14. Campers ages 7–9 learn how to identify leaves and trees, create garden stakes and pinwheels, and record weather conditions and their garden adventures in a nature journal.
On April 4th and again on April 11th, Virginia House visitors can participate in the Spring Tea and Tour from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. The Mother’s Day Tea and Tour takes place on May 10th from 3–5 p.m. On September 26th from 2–4 p.m., visitors can experience the Harvest Tea and Tour. And in December, Virginia House offers two opportunities to enjoy the Gingerbread Tea and Tour and the Christmas Tea and Tour. Virginia House is also offering two Behind the Scenes Tours on April 3rd and October 23rd at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
For more information about any Virginia House events or to schedule a group tour, please visit www.vahistorical.org or call (804) 353-4251.
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For more than 178 years, the Virginia Historical Society (VHS) has been the steward of our state—and often national—history. Headquartered in Richmond, the VHS features award-winning exhibitions that are entertaining and educational for visitors of all ages. Although designated the Official State Historical Society, the VHS is a privately funded non-profit organization that relies on contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to sustain its operations. Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.–5 p.m. (shop and museum galleries only). Admission: $5/adults, $4/seniors 55+, $3/students, free/under 18 and free/members. Admission to the galleries is free on Sundays. For group tour information, call (804) 342-9652. For more information, please call (804) 358-4901 or visit www.vahistorical.org.
Contact: Jennifer M. Guild
Media Relations Specialist
Virginia Historical Society
P.O. Box 7311, Richmond, VA 23221
(804)342-9665
jguild@vahistorical.org
www.vahistorical.org