Ready to make history one mile at a time? Walk or Run 250 Miles to Celebrate America’s 250th!

Lace up your sneakers and get moving in the free Run America 250 Challenge: a country-wide virtual walk/run event celebrating 250 years of American history!

Between July 4, 2025 and July 5, 2026 we’re challenging you to walk or run 250 miles—anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re hitting the trails, the treadmill, or your neighborhood sidewalk, every mile brings us closer to honoring America’s incredible journey since 1776.

How you hit 250 miles is totally up to you! From grocery runs to evening dog walks, teeing off on the golf course to exploring scenic trails, every step counts.

Registration for the Run America 250 Challenge opens July 4, 2025, and it’s completely free to join! Sign up by April 30, 2026, to start working toward your 250-mile goal and a commemorative medal.

To log your miles, make sure you’ve downloaded the RaceJoy app. This is how we’ll track your progress so that you can get your well-earned medal! Use the app’s GPS feature to log your miles in real-time, or enter your miles manually into the RaceJoy app. This will help make it easy for you to track your progress and help you reach your goal!

Register Here!

The Central Rappahannock Regional Library is hosting four book discussions in celebration of America’s semiquincentennial. The first will be held at the historic Rising Sun Tavern in Fredericksburg and will discuss From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points in the Revolutionary War, by John R. Maas. This work, published to coincide with the 250th anniversary, provides a sweeping narrative of five critical military events that changed the outcome of the Revolutionary War, including the Yorktown Campaign of 1781.

This book discussion, led by both librarians and historians, will provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss the key moments of the Revolutionary War in a home built by George Washington’s youngest brother, Charles, in 1760.

Contact the Porter Adult Services Desk at 540-372–1144 x7339 for a copy to be held for you or sent to another branch for your convenience. A library card is not required to reserve this book. Limited copies are available.

Future VA250 Book Club Dates:

September 9th, 2025 – From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points in the Revolutionary War by John R. Maas
Meets at The Rising Sun Tavern, 1304 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm

January 26th, 2025 – The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson
Meets at the Fredericksburg Branch of Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm

April 27th, 2026 – A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon
Meets at Porter Branch of Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 2001 Parkway Boulevard, Stafford, VA 22554
Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm

July 27th, 2026 – This Fierce People: The Untold Story of America’s Revolutionary War in the South by Alan Pell Crawford
Meets at The Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation will explore the unique and essential Virginia people, events, and sites that helped bring liberty and democracy to a nation. Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this exhibit will highlight the complex, diverse, and inspiring Virginia history which is, in fact, America’s story.

Give Me Liberty will provide context for the coming of the Revolution in Virginia and brings visitors into the core of the action from 1774 through 1776, highlighting how the American Revolution was a war, and more than a war.

Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation is the signature exhibition of Virginia’s 250th Commission. This exhibition is curated in partnership with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation (JYF) and presented by VA250, Virginia’s semiquincentennial planning commission. Central Rappahannock Regional Library is honored to host this exhibition with sponsorship from Tour Stafford.

Join us for an exploration into the lives of the women who called Ferry Farm and Kenmore home. Learn what life was like for the different women who lived and worked at these two sites as we delve into the worlds of Mary Washington, her daughter Betty Lewis, and the enslaved women who lived and worked at both sites.

Spaces are limited, so online advanced purchase is recommended.

Ferry Farm Tours

After the hour-long focus tour at Ferry Farm, guests can tour the archaeology lab and see artifacts that illustrate the lives of the girls and women who lived at Ferry Farm.

Admission
Adults $13
Students (Ages 6-17) $6
Children (Under Age 6) Free

Ferry Farm Tickets

Ferry Farm Tour Dates and Times
Friday, March 6 and Friday, March 20
11:45 am & 1:30 pm
Please arrive 15 minutes early for tours.

Address
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
268 George Washington Way
Fredericksburg, VA 22405

Historic Kenmore Tours

After the hour-long focus tour at Kenmore, guests can visit the gallery space for a brief presentation from the Curator and view special collection items pertinent to the women of Kenmore.

Admission
Adults $15
Students (Ages 6-17) $6
Children (Under Age 6) Free

Historic Kenmore Tickets

Historic Kenmore Tour Dates and Times
Friday, March 13 and Friday, March 27
11:45 am & 1:30 pm
Please arrive 15 minutes early for tours.

Address
Historic Kenmore
1201 Washington Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

If you have questions, please call 540-370-0732 or email [email protected].

Unlock Your Future in the Beauty Industry! Are you ready to launch a professional career as a barber or cosmetologist? Join 77 Barbershop—voted “Best Barbershop” five years in a row—and Style Easy Education for an exclusive, free workshop designed to jumpstart your journey.

Why Attend?

• Expert Guidance: Learn the craft directly from Master Barbers and seasoned professionals with years of industry experience.

• The Smart Path to Licensing: Discover how our VA-approved RTI (Related Technical Instruction) provider program allows you to earn your license through a smart, affordable apprenticeship model.

• Hands-on Insights: Get a real-world look at the trade and understand exactly what it takes to succeed in a high-demand field.

Kierner’s book, The Tory’s Wife, tells the compelling story of Jane Welborn Spurgin, a Patriot who aided Continental forces and hosted General Nathanael Greene despite her husband being a Loyalist officer. Don’t miss this event exploring how one woman navigated loyalty, marriage, and survival in Revolutionary America. Light refreshments, a book signing, and an opportunity to see a portrait of General Greene to follow after the lecture.

Join us for a fun, family-friendly evening at George Washington’s Ferry Farm for 18th Century Game Night! Discover how people from all walks of life passed the time with games during the 1700s. Walk through the replica Washington House and its grounds, where we’ll teach you how to play classic games like Shut the Box, Ye Royal Game of the Goose, Whist, Mancala, and outdoor lawn games. It’s a great way to learn about history while having a blast with your family and friends! Come play, learn, and make lasting memories together!

Families are welcome to explore the property and rooms of the Washington House at their own pace.  Visitors may stop along the way to play the historical games or just observe and learn.

ADMISSION
Adults $10
Students (Ages 6-17) $5
Children (Under Age 6) Free
Advanced ticket purchase is required as space is limited.

DATE & TIME
Friday, March 20, 2026
5:00pm to 7:00pm

LOCATION
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
268 George Washington Way
Fredericksburg, VA 22405

If you have questions, please call 540-370-0732 or email [email protected].

Spring is in the air! Join us at Widewater State Park on March 21 for the Spring Jubilee, a fun-filled day celebrating the season and the community. Explore hands-on activities, meet local organizations, enjoy tasty treats, and discover engaging programs for all ages. It’s the perfect way to welcome spring, learn something new, and spend a day outdoors with family and friends. 🌷☀️🐝

Kids of all ages are invited to meet children’s author Jacquelene D’Amico to learn more about The Adventures of Trollee and Alice. Jacquelene’s debut children’s book celebrates the power of the imagination and invites young readers to embark on their own adventures of the heart.

The author’s talk will be followed by a book signing. Books are available in the Museum Store while supplies last.

Presented by Dr. Gaila Sims of the Fredericksburg Area Museum. In 1824 and 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette visited the city of Fredericksburg as part of his multiyear Grand Tour of the United States. Lafayette was an extraordinary individual who made essential contributions to American history as a wealthy nobleman, revolutionary hero, military officer, enlightenment thinker, democratic supporter, and committed abolitionist. Lafayette’s World: Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom celebrates the Marquis as an individual and the belief in freedom and democracy shared by those he fought alongside in the American Revolution.

Dr. Gaila Sims is the Curator of African American History and Special Projects at the Fredericksburg Area Museum. She is responsible for the development of exhibitions, interpretation, and programming related to African American History.

Join us on the lawn at Historic Kenmore as we screen Raiders of the Lost Ark starring Harrison Ford. Set in 1936, this Steven Spielberg epic follows archaeologist Indiana Jones as he races against time to find the Ark of the Covenant, a legendary ancient power said to make an army invincible, before the German Nazi party can get it. Will Indy succeed? Or will a booby-trapped boulder have the last laugh? Grab your whip and tune in to find out! This action-packed film is fun for the whole family.

Free popcorn included with admission, drinks available for purchase. Bring chairs, and/or blankets for seating. Outside food and drink is also allowed.

Grounds Open: 6 p.m.
Movie Starts: 7:00 p.m.

Admission: $10 for adults; $5 for ages 6-17; free for ages 5 & under

Questions? Contact us via [email protected] or call 540-370-0732

Since 2011, Gari Melchers Home and Studio has hosted an inclusive Beeping Egg Hunt for children of all abilities and their families. Originally created for children who are blind or have low vision, the event is inspired by the Easter celebrations once hosted at Belmont by Corinne and Gari Melchers.

Chirping eggs allow children to locate them using sound and touch, while sighted siblings are invited to wear blindfolds for a shared sensory experience. The day also features a miniature petting zoo, Touch-a-Tractor, snacks, resource tables, and sensory activities—ensuring a fun and accessible experience for everyone.

Thanks to the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club for their sponsorship.

Please RSVP to Education Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby at [email protected].

Join us at Historic Kenmore for a morning discovering springtime blooms! We will have story time, explore the garden, and kids can plant their own flowers to take home! Following the program, children and their caregivers are invited to take an abbreviated tour through Historic Kenmore and explore the Visitor Center Gallery.

Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Children under 3 are welcome to attend.

The Mini Mornings program series introduces young learners (ages 3-6) to our museum spaces! Children and their caregivers participate in a story time, related craft, and activity while exploring Historic Kenmore.

Thursday, April 2, 2026
10:15 – 11:15 am

ADMISSION
Children (under 6) – $6
Adults – FREE

LOCATION
Historic Kenmore
1201 Washington Ave
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

If you have questions, please call (540) 370-0732 or email [email protected].

Huzzah! Step back in time to the Colonial Fair at Historic Kenmore, where 18th-century amusements fill the air! Be amazed by Peter Gardiner’s magical conjuring, giggle at Professor Horn’s Punch & Judy Show, see the balancing beauty of Signora Bella, and tap your feet to the lively tunes of Colonial Faire. Explore the sweet scents of Perrin Cottage Perfumery, try your hand at interactive colonial games, and chat with living historians who bring the past to life. It’s a day of fun, magic, and history for all ages!

Date and Time
Saturday, April 4, 2026
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Admission
$15 for adults
$7 for students
Free for children 5 and under

Address
Historic Kenmore
1201 Washington Ave
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

If you have questions, please call 540-370-0732 or email [email protected].

Presented by Kathi Lynn Austin of the Freedom Forge Foundation and Jerrilynn Eby MacGregor of the Stafford County Historical Society. During the American Revolutionary War, James Hunter was one of the largest producers of arms and supplies to the Continental Troops. Born into a well-established mercantile family near Glasgow, Scotland, James Hunter arrived in America in the mid-1740s where he began, over the course of the next three decades to, along the Rappahannock River near Falmouth, construct and refine what would soon be called “…the greatest Iron Works that is upon the Continent” as his business grew into arguably the largest manufacturing facility in Colonial America.

Despite his involvement in helping to build the foundations of America and ensure patriot victory during the Revolutionary War, Hunter’s Iron Works and his gun-making subsidiary, Rappahannock Forge, are almost forgotten to this day. The Freedom Forge Foundation, headed by Kathi Lynn Austin, looks to preserve and interpret the original site of the Iron Works on a local, state, and national effort by commemorating a previously overlooked Revolutionary War hero whose innovative spirit and defense of liberty and justice of all gave rise to America’s Defense Industry.

Kathi Lynn Austin is a collateral descendant of James Hunter and the current Director of the Freedom Forge Foundation. She is an internationally recognized expert on arms trafficking, peace and security, and human rights, having served with the United Nations Group of Experts on the DRC and Liberia, as well as Chief of the Joint Mission Analysis Centre for the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in Timor-Leste and Burundi.

Jerrilynn Eby MacGregor is the author of They Called Stafford Home, among other works related to the rich history of Stafford County. A life-long Staffordian, Jerrilynn continues to heavily contribute to historical and genealogical studies of the people and places of this County. She is a secretary of the historical society and a frequent lecturer on various historical topics to numerous regional historical organizations.

Participants can tour Historic Kenmore interpreted with American Sign Language. Before or after the tour, participants are welcome to explore the grounds, garden, and Visitor Center galleries.

Tour times are 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm
Historic Kenmore admission fee applies.

Please arrive to Historic Kenmore 10-15 minutes before your tour begins.  You will check-in at the Visitors Center, where staff will welcome you.
Advanced registration for one of the two tour times is strongly recommended as space is limited.

Date and Times
Sunday, April 12
1:00 pm & 2:30 pm

Address
Historic Kenmore
1201 Washington Ave
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

If you have questions, email [email protected] or call 540-370-0732 x1202.

Presented by Connie S. Schroeder. The likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin are all well-known Founding Fathers. However, outside of the main individuals taught to every student in school, there were dozens of additional figures who contributed to the establishment of this nation but have often been overlooked. One such “Son of Liberty” was Dr. Joseph Warren, a physician who was one of the most prominent figures in the Patriot movement in Boston during the early days of the American Revolution. This presentation will explore the lives of these men whose actions are rarely included in the story of America.

Connie S. Schroeder is a local Stafford County resident of twenty-five years. She attended Georgetown College and holds a BS in Vocational Home Economics and is currently in the final stages of a Professional Studies degree at BYU in Advanced Family History Research. She was the Organizing Regent and is the current Regent of the Overwharton Paris Chapter, as part of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Connie has also presided as the Honorary President of the Virginia State Society, and has served on National Society United States Daughters of 1812, along with various other lineage organizations.

In honor of National Native Plant Month, we’re hosting a special screening of The Extraordinary Caterpillar, a beautifully shot 60-minute documentary that reveals the vital—and often overlooked—role caterpillars play in our ecosystems.

From blooming meadows to city parks and backyard gardens, this inspiring film celebrates the magic of nature while showing families practical ways to make a difference.

Along the way, you’ll see the groundbreaking work of The Caterpillar Lab, entomologist David Wagner, and Doug Tallamy, co-founder of Homegrown National Park.