Virginia History Field Trips
Bring your K-12 class for an exciting and educational exploration of Stratford Hall through the lenses of history, science, art, and culture.
Plan a Field Trip to Stratford Hall
Are you a K-12 school teacher, homeschool coordinator, or the leader of a community youth organization that is interested in bringing your students to Stratford Hall Historic Preserve? Come explore nearly 2,000 acres and over 250 years of Virginia history by registering for a field trip today!
Established by Thomas Lee in the late 1730s, Stratford Hall lets visitors step back in time to experience life as it was 250 years ago in our country. Stratford Hall was home to four generations of the Lees of Virginia, including the only two brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence. It is the birthplace of Robert E. Lee, and was home to multiple generations of enslaved Africans and African Americans who built and maintained the Great House, worked the land, and labored as carpenters, blacksmiths, cooks, manservants, and nannies.
Join us as we explore colonial Virginia’s rich and diverse history through the lenses of history, science, art, and culture.Â
Students Can Experience Virginia’s History Through All Five Senses
Caesar’s Kitchen: 18th-Century FoodwaysÂ
Join one of our historical interpreters as we dive deeper into the lives of the indentured and enslaved men and women who prepared and served meals to the Lee family.
As early as the 1600s, the Virginia Colony was known for its food, feasting, and hospitality. Food played an important part in the social lives of 18th-century Virginians not only by providing basic sustenance, but as a way for colonial Virginians to demonstrate their social standing and exchange information.Â
Experience the historic kitchen come to life as you learn about how Atlantic trade influenced foodways in the colony and what foods were being eaten by those who lived and labored at Stratford Hall.
Music of the African
Diaspora and
African DrummingÂ
Take a voyage across the Atlantic as we connect the dots between West African rhymes and the music of the present day. Through interactive songs and games, students learn about the skills, culture, and customs that enslaved Africans brought with them to the colonies and how those traditions have been incorporated into the fabric of America.Â
History Under Our Feet: Explore Paleontology and Fossils at Stratford HallÂ
According to the fossil record, the cliffs along the Potomac River on the Stratford Hall property are a geological phenomenon from the middle-Miocene Epoch dating as far back as 16 million years. Explore the scientific field of paleontology, learn how Stratford’s cliffs and fossils were formed and what they can tell us about the history of our planet.
Unearthing History’s Mysteries: Archaeology at Stratford Hall
Archaeology is one of the most valuable tools to help historians learn about history, especially when we are trying to find out about those people and civilizations that were not able to record their stories through a written record. Discover how we use the science of archaeology and the things that people have left behind to help us know more about those who lived and labored at Stratford Hall in the 18th and 19th centuries.Â
Hands-on Candle Dipping
Candle making was an important skill in 18th-century America. Colonists needed candles to light their homes since electricity was not common until the late 1880s. Students can experience this activity hands-on by participating in candle dipping while at Stratford Hall.
Please note that this activity involves open flame and we encourage students to wear close-toed shoes. Hand dipped candle making is available for groups of 75 or less participants, and requires an additional charge of $2.00 per student to cover supply costs.
Stratford Hall Field Trip Options
Organized School Field Trips:Â (groups of 80 to 120)
A 4-hour program including three 40-minute activities, a guided house tour, and 30-minute lunch break.
Small Group Field Trips:Â (groups of 25 to 75)
A 3.5-hour program including two 40-minute activities, a guided house tour, and 30-minute lunch break.
Groups < 25 people:Â (minimum of $100.00, minimum of 12 people)
Programs designed on a case-by-case basis. Includes one 40-minute activity and self-guided children’s audio tour.
Groups are welcome to picnic and explore the grounds at their leisure.Â
School Rates
Student rates         $8.00 per student
School faculty rates    Free
Chaperone rates      $15.00 per person
* Limit of 3 chaperones per class
For school trip inquiries and bookings, please contact either Kelly Childress, Director of Education, or Matthew Torres, Programs Manager. Â
