Historic London Town & Gardens
Visit a "lost" colonial town and garden sanctuary on the South River
Historic London Town & Gardens
Interested in sponsoring a program? Learn about our sponsorship benefits and how to get started here.
Fun and Games!
Saturdays & Sundays in June
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
In a world without video games, how did people entertain themselves? One way to pass the time was by playing a variety of games. Join us in the Tavern, or outside on our lawn, to try your hand at playing some of those 18th Century games.
SOLD OUT! Colonial Cocktails:
Rack Punch and Bumbo
Thursday, June 15, 2023
6:30 to 7:30
From punches to bounces, syllabubs to juleps, colonists imbibed a wide variety of alcoholic beverages.
At Colonial Cocktails, you’ll get to make and enjoy two historical drinks and learn about colonial tavern culture.
From Atlantic to Pacific, this month we're exploring sugar-based spirits. We will discover the world of arrack, an Indonesian palm/rice wine that became the base of the British Rack Punch, then sail on to learn about Bumbo, a sweetened cocktail of Caribbean Rum.
Participants must be 21+
Members: $25
Non-Members: $33
Please note: this program is held outside.
Thank you to sponsors Lori and William Griffin, Bryan and Pat Dowell, Mary Morrison Littleton, and Debra Patrick for making this series possible!
Homeschool Program: Jacob & Sall
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
10:00-11:30
$8 for member children ages 6-12
$10.50 for non-member
children ages 6-12.
More information can be found on our homeschool page.
Homeschool Program: Why Is It So Hot?
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
10:00-11:30
The dog days of summer are upon us and we can't help but wonder, why is it so hot??
This month, we'll explore the adaptations used by plants and animals to stay cool, and discover how scientists study ancient climates.
$8 for member children ages 6-12
$10.50 for non-member
children ages 6-12.
Pre-registration is required.
History 'Round the Hearth: Fairy Butter
Saturday, June 10, 2023
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
In this program, you’ll learn the history behind a popular colonial food and try your hand at making it.
This month we’ll make Fairy Butter, an elevated butter popular in the 18th century.
Participants must be 8+; children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Ingredients: heavy whipping cream, eggs, sugar, orange flower water, wheat-based crackers
Members: $13
Non-Members: $17
Pride Pots
Saturday, June 24, 2023
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Want to show off your colors? Come out and join us for Pride Pots where participants will get to create and take home the start of a rainbow garden, and learn about LGBTQIA+ history and how it relates to the world of botany
Members: $15
Non-Members: $20
History 'Round the Hearth: Kitchen Peppers
Saturday, July 22, 2023
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
In this program, you’ll learn the history behind a popular colonial food and try your hand at making it.
This month we’ll make Kitchen Peppers, spice mixes popular in the colonial world. (Don’t worry, they’re not too spicy!)
Participants must be 8+; children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Ingredients: miscellaneous spices, list available upon demand
Members: $15
Non-Members: $20
History 'Round the Hearth: Pickles
Saturday, August 12, 2023
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
In this program, you’ll learn the history behind a popular colonial food and try your hand at making it.
What do you do when it’s too hot to cook but you need to preserve the summer harvest? You make pickles! Join us as we learn pickling methods from the colonial era.
Participants must be 8+; children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Ingredients: cucumbers, salt, various spices (list available upon request).
Members: $13
Non-Members: $17
SOLD OUT! Homeschool Program: Water, Water, Everywhere!
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
10:00-11:30
With the temperatures climbing, this month we'll cool down by learning all about water! Students will perform experiments on density, currents, and tsunamis and learn about the plants and animals that call our local waters home.
$8 for member children ages 6-12
$10.50 for non-member
children ages 6-12
Pre-registration is required.
Revolutionary London Town
Saturday, July 8 - Sunday, July 9, 2023
10:00-4:00
Experience the heady days of 1776 and join the people of London Town in exploring what “independence” really means. Meet individuals from London Town's past and discover what they thought of the Revolution. Join us in listening to a reading of the Declaration of Independence, try your hand at some colonial crafts, and play tavern games in our newly restored William Brown House. Great for families!
More information can be found here!
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Pre-registration *not* required
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Free for members
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General admission included
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Free for active military members & their families through the Blue Star Museums program
Colonial Cocktails:
Social Club Punches
Thursday, July 27, 2023
6:30pm to 8:00pm
From punches to bounces, syllabubs to juleps, colonists imbibed a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. At Colonial Cocktails, you’ll get to make and enjoy two historical drinks and learn about colonial tavern culture.
This month we'll explore the signature drinks of social clubs of the Colonial Chesapeake: the local South River Club Punch, a boozy concoction of rye whiskey, peach bounce, and rum, and Richmond's Quoit Club Punch, an iced and refreshing mix of madeira, rum, and cognac.
Participants must be 21+
Members: $25
Non-Members: $33
Please note: this program is held outside.
Thank you to sponsors Lori and William Griffin, Bryan and Pat Dowell, Mary Morrison Littleton, and Debra Patrick for making this series possible!
Register Here!
Colonial Cocktails:
Lemonade a Second Way, and Sherry Cobbler
Thursday, August 17, 2023
6:30pm to 8:00pm
From punches to bounces, syllabubs to juleps, colonists imbibed a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. At Colonial Cocktails, you’ll get to make and enjoy two historical drinks and learn about colonial tavern culture.
This month, we'll try two colonial summer citrus sippers (try saying that ten times fast!). Lemonade a Second Way, a perennial favorite, is a refreshingly chilled wine and citrus drink, and Sherry Cobbler, a new take on the colonial cobbler, is a sweet icy treat, also of wine and citrus!
Participants must be 21+
Members: $25
Non-Members: $33
Please note: this program is held outside.
Thank you to sponsors Lori and William Griffin, Bryan and Pat Dowell, Mary Morrison Littleton, and Debra Patrick for making this series possible!
Register Here!