2012 Calendar

February 24, 2012
Girl Scout Programs for Older Girls
IPP Blitz Sleepover

February 26, 2012
Girl Scout Programs for Older Girls
1:00 - 5:30 pm: Women Through Time IPP

March 10, 2012
Girl Scout Try-It and Badge Programs
12:30 pm: Movers Try-It
3:00 pm: Weather Watch Badge

March 22, 2012
Behind the Scenes Tour
5:30 pm

March 23, 2012
Behind the Scenes Tour
12:00 pm

March 25, 2012
Girl Scout Programs for Older Girls
1:00 - 5:30 pm: All About Birds IPP

April 15, 2012
Girl Scout Programs for Older Girls
1:00 - 5:30 pm: Collecting IPP

April 18, 2012
Garden Tour
5:00 pm

April 21, 2012
Girl Scout Try-It and Badge Programs
12:30 pm: Plants Try-It
3:00 pm: Plants & Animals Badge

April 21, 2012
Young Virginia House Naturalist Program
9:00 am - One Square Yard Backyard

May 4 - 5, 2012
A Night at Virginia House
Junior Girl Scout Badges - Drawing, Flowers and Playing the Past
6:00 pm

May 6, 2012
Girl Scout Programs for Older Girls
1:00 - 5:30 pm: Plant Life IPP

May 12, 2012
Young Virginia House Naturalist Program
9:00 am - Flowers

May 12, 2012
Girl Scout Try-It and Badge Programs
12:30 pm: "Water Everywhere Try-It"
3 pm: "Earth Connections Badge"

May 13, 2012
Mother's Day Tea and Tour
2:00 - 4:00 pm

June 2, 2012
Young Virginia House Naturalist Program
9:00 am - Trees

June 2, 2012
Girl Scout Try-It and Badge Programs
12:30 pm: Earth and Sky Try-It
3:00 pm: Outdoor Creativity Badge

June 3, 2012
Girl Scout Programs for Older Girls
1:00 - 5:30 pm: Wildlife IPP

July 14, 2012
Young Virginia House Naturalist Program
9:00 am - Insects

July 23 - July 27, 2012
Junior Ambassador Passport Travels Summer Camp
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

July 30 - August 3, 2012
Young Virginia House Naturalist Summer Camp
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

August 4, 2012
Young Virginia House Naturalist Program
9:00 am - Habitats and Food

August 6 - August 10, 2012
Diggin' in the Dirt Summer Camp
(Joint Program with Agecroft Hall)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

September 5, 2012
Garden Tour
5:00 pm

September 6, 2012
Behind the Scenes Tour
5:30 pm

September 7, 2012
Behind the Scenes Tour
12:00 pm

September 8, 2012
Young Virginia House Naturalist Program
9:00 am - Clouds and Weather

October 20, 2012
Young Virginia House Naturalist Program
9:00 am - Birds

November 10, 2012
Young Virginia House Naturalist Program
9:00 am - Other Animals In Your Backyard

December 7, 2012
Holiday Tea
2:00 - 4:00 pm

December 8, 2012
Gingerbread Tea
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

December 9, 2012
Gingerbread Tea
2:00 - 4:00 pm

December 14, 2012
Holiday Tea
2:00 - 4:00 pm

December 15, 2012
Gingerbread Tea
(for families with children 5 years and younger)
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Current exhibition

Warwick to Windsor Farms: Building Virginia House
• Long-term exhibition
The design and building of Virginia House, home of Alexander and Virginia Weddell, is the subject of this exhibit featuring vintage photos and architectural plans. The stones and much of the glass that became Virginia House in Windsor Farms were once part of a sixteenth–century manor house in Warwickshire, England, home to the Order of the Holy Sepulcher. The Weddells, with their architect Henry Grant Morse, created a composite design for their house including a center wing that recalled elements from the original manor house, a wing that replicated the Washington family's Sulgrave Manor, and a tower wing that reproduced the gatehouse at Wormleighton, home of the Spencer and Churchill families. When the house was completed in 1929, the Weddells deeded it to the Virginia Historical Society, retaining lifetime tenancy for themselves.

Tours and Events

Girl Scout Try-It and Badge Programs
• March 10, 2012
• April 21, 2012
• May 12, 2012
• June 2, 2012

Girl Scouts now have the opportunity to earn badges and try-its from Virginia House. Girl Scouts will explore the gardens, wildlife, and history of Virginia House while participating in the specially designed programs. Each Girl Scout program costs $5 per child. Times and programs vary by date. Advance registration is required. Please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

Girl Scout Programs for Older Girls
Last call for Interest Projects!
• February 24, 2012 - IPP Blitz Sleepover
• February 26, 2012 - Women Through Time IPP
• March 25, 2012 - All About Birds IPP
• April 15, 2012 - Collecting IPP
• May 6, 2012 - Plant Life IPP
• June 3, 2012 - Wildlife IPP

Virginia House will offer the above IPPs during the spring of 2012. The patch is included in the registration fee for the program. In addition to the individual programs, we will offer an IPP Blitz on February 24. This sleepover will give Girl Scouts the opportunity to complete activities towards the Textile Arts, Folk Arts or Paper Works Interest Project Patch.


Advance registration is required. For more information, or to register for any Virginia House events, please contact Tracy Bryan at 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

A Night at Virginia House
• May 4, 2012

Have you ever wondered what happens at night in the museum? This educational and interactive experience allows Junior Girl Scouts to participate in activities throughout the museum in order to earn Drawing, Flowers or Playing the Past Badge. Girls will have the opportunity to work on requirements for the badges while learning about the museum and its history. For more information CLICK HERE!.

Young Virginia House Naturalists
• April 21, 2012 - One Square Yard Backyard
• May 12, 2012 - Flowers
• June 2, 2012 - Trees
• July 14, 2012 - Insects
• August 4, 2012 - Habitats and Food
• September 8, 2012 - Clouds and Weather
• October 20, 2012 - Birds
•November 10, 2012 - Other Animals In Your Backyard

Families with children ages 6 and under
This Saturday morning program introduces young children and their parents to the history and nature of a place. Children will have the opportunity to explore the site while learning about nature. Each program includes a story, hands-on activity and craft. Registration fee: $5 for VHS members' child or grandchild and $11 for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan

Behind-the-Scenes Tours
• March 22, 2012
• March 23, 2012
• September 6, 2012
• September 7, 2012

Join the staff for a behind-the-scenes look at Virginia House. Visit seldom-seen areas of the museum and enjoy a close look at the collections of Alexander and Virginia Weddell. The house, preserved much the same as it was when the Weddells resided there from 1928 to 1948, includes English and Spanish antiques, silk draperies, oriental carpets, and fine silver and china. After the tour, guests are welcome to visit the more than eight acres of grand gardens at Virginia House. Programs last approximately one hour. The program is free to VHS members and $6 for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

Garden Tours
• April 18, 2012
• September 5, 2012

Join the staff for an in-depth look at more than eight acres of grand gardens at Virginia House. It took 20 years for Virginia Weddell, working with noted landscape architect Charles Gillette, to create the picturesque gardens. From formal spring tulip displays to the naturalistic plantings, the gardens and grounds of Virginia House provide a rich tapestry of texture and color throughout the year. Today, close to 1,000 types of ornamental plants thrive throughout formal gardens. This event takes place at 5 pm and is free for VHS members and $6 for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

Mother's Day Tea and Tour
• May 13, 2012

Your afternoon includes a tour of Virginia House followed by a stroll through the gardens. While you enjoy tea, sandwiches, and sweets on the terrace, learn about the silver, linens and china used for entertaining by Mrs. Virginia Weddell. This event takes place from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and costs $23 for VHS members and $29 for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

Jr. Ambassador Passport Travels
• July 23 - 27, 2012

Children ages 7 – 10
Offers a full day camp where children explore the culture, food, geography and music from the countries where Alexander Weddell served as a diplomat. Each day focuses on a different country, giving children the opportunity to compare/contrast customs and traditions from each country. Registration fee: $135 for VHS members' children and grandchildren; $150 for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

Young Virginia House Naturalists Summer Camp
• July 30 - August 3, 2012

Children ages 9 – 11
Offers a full day camp where children explore the natural history and unique nature of a place. Emphasis on habitats, native plants, eco-friendly gardening, composting and recycling. Registration fee: $135 for VHS members' children and grandchildren; $150 for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

Diggin' in the Dirt
• August 6 - 10, 2012

Children ages 6 – 8
Offers a full day camp were children experience the gardens of Virginia House and Agecroft Hall. Camp focuses on Virginia plants, weather and gardening. Projects include creating butterfly gardens, growing herbs, making stepping stones, learning cloud types and weather charting. Registration fee: $135 for VHS members' children and grandchildren; $150 for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

Harvest Tea and Tour
Your afternoon includes a tour of Virginia House followed by a stroll through the fall gardens. While you enjoy tea, sandwiches, and sweets on the terrace, learn how to harvest herbs and include them in your tea at home. Participants will even have a chance to sample herb-infused treats and develop their own tea blend. This event takes place from 2–5 pm and costs $20 for VHS members and $26 for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

Gingerbread Tea and Tour
• December 8, 2012
• December 9, 2012
• December 15, 2012 (for families with children 5 years and younger)

Celebrate the holidays and create a new family tradition! Design and build your own gingerbread house using gingerbread pieces, snow-like frosting, gumdrops, candy canes, and other colorful treats. Cider and cookies will be served as Virginia House staff talk about holiday traditions in the Tudor home. This event costs $15 per family for VHS members and $21 per family for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.

Holiday Tea and Tour
• December 7, 2012
• December 14, 2012

Spend an afternoon enjoying tea, conversation and holiday decorations at Virginia House. Learn how Alexander and Virginia Weddell may have celebrated the holidays while living in Mexico, Argentina and Spain. This event costs $23 for VHS members and $29 for nonmembers. Reservations required; please call 804.353.4251 or email Tracy Bryan.