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

Free Admission Sundays in January

January 4, 11, 18, 25

Be our guest! Step back in time to experience life at Belmont when American artist Gari Melchers and his wife Corinne lived here.

The studio will be open from 10am – 4pm, with house tours available hourly, starting at 10:30am. House tours are first come, first serve.

Presented by Jerrilynn Eby MacGregor of the Stafford County Historical Society. Stafford County has played a vital role in the founding of this nation, from the original settlements of the families of our Founding Fathers to the construction of a number of privately owned architectural buildings still standing to this day to the early industries of commercial fishing, quarrying, and iron manufacturing. The locations discussed feature the people associated with them, their stories, and how they relate to our history, along with an overview of the communities who lived in Stafford across the years, with particular interest to the once bustling seaport of Falmouth.

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.

Get ready to shake off the winter chill at the annual Polar Pals Fun Run, a free, family-friendly event for all ages! Whether you’re a serious runner or just looking for a fun walk, join us as we promote health and wellness in the Stafford community.
This event is a key part of the Health and Wellness Fair hosted by Stafford Schools and Stafford Parks and Recreation.
🏁 Races & Times:
– 1/2 Mile Fun Run (Ages 12 and under) — Starts at 12:00 PM
– 1 Mile Fun Run (Ages 4–12) — Starts at 12:10 PM
– 5K Race (Kids & Adults) — Starts at 12:30 PM
🏆 Why Join Polar Pals?
– Stay Active: Encourage a healthy, fun outdoor activity during the winter months!
– Prizes & Swag: 1/2 and 1-mile runners receive a swag bag of goodies. 5K runners compete for prizes in various age groups.
– Win the Bear! The school with the most registered runners will win the coveted giant Polar Pal stuffed bear to display all year!
– Post-Race Fun: Enjoy hot chocolate and head inside for indoor activities and access to resources offered by school division departments and community partners.
➡️ Registration & More Information: www.staffordschools.net/polarpals
Pre-registration is highly encouraged to guarantee your spot!

Potomac Point Winery transforms into the notorious Dunn Speakeasy for a killer Saturday night, featuring a thrilling performance by The Murder Mystery Co. (as seen on Shark Tank).

The Plot: Married to the Mob! It’s the mafia wedding of the year, but when two powerful families merge, someone’s losing power… and someone’s losing their life! Mingle with suspects, uncover secrets, and solve this high-stakes, Adult-rated mystery.

Dress Code: The Cat’s Meow! Embrace the Roaring Twenties! Flapper gowns, sharp suits, zoot suits, and fedoras are highly encouraged for this interactive experience.

What’s Included: Doors open at 5:30PM. Tickets include a Three-Course Italian Dinner: Caprese Salad, choice of Osso Bucco or Seared Sea Bass, and Tiramisu. Tables are communal (8-10 guests).

Grab your tickets for a night of jazz, jealousy, and justice!

Presented by Lisa Brighteyes Richardson Deresz, Rappahannock Language Ambassador for the Omisun Project. The language of this land has been sleeping since the 1800s. Many businesses, organizations, and area services bear the name of Rappahannock, a Powhatan Algonquian word that is also the name of one of Virginia’s 11 state and federally recognized tribes. Through the process of Language Revitalization, the descendants of the original speakers are beginning to speak their ancestral language again. Understand how a sleeping language can be brought to life again using historical sources and closely related Indigenous languages. Learn how the process of language revitalization differs from preservation, and hear stories of personal experiences while learning the meanings of words you see everyday.

Lisa Brighteyes Richardson Deresz, MS, OTR/L is a Rappahannock Citizen born and raised on Patawomeck and Manahoac land in Fredericksburg, VA. She earned her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Virginia Tech, and a Masters in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Lisa has been an occupational therapist for 16 years, and is a wife and mother. Lisa works as a Curriculum Development Assistant and teacher for the Powhatan Algonquian Intertribal Roundtable, and as a liaison for the Native Youth Community Project managed by the Virginia Tribal Education Consortium. Lisa manages a library of books for Rappahannock youth, a summer culture camp, and recently spoke at a special VCU graduation ceremony.

Presented by Barbara VornDick and the Stafford County Historical Society. Eliza Monroe, the granddaughter of James Monroe, whose devotion to family and country has been obscured and forgotten over time, has now been illuminated through historical research which enabled her true story to be told. Eliza’s story offers a powerful lens into the role of women in shaping the new nation and its international presence. Discover Eliza’s journey, both her vivid life and her death as a penniless pauper, a situation that befell many women in the 1800s who found themselves at the mercy of men who controlled their access to property and prosperity. In addition to detailing Eliza’s story, Barbara will offer a glimpse into the realm of historical research and discuss how the discovery of documents from archives on both sides of the Atlantic, some hidden for two centuries, shed light on the facts about Eliza’s life and enabled her life to be viewed in a way it never had been before.

Barbara’s research on Eliza Monroe began during her time as an Interpreter of History at James Monroe’s Highland, the Monroe family plantation in Albemarle County, Virginia. Her groundbreaking research has turned up newly discovered documents that changed the standard historical narrative of this American daughter, and led to a campaign to repatriate Eliza’s remains from Paris to Virginia. As the coordinator of the Bringing Eliza Home Project, Barbara is honored to represent the living descendants of Eliza Monroe and has been actively planning and facilitating the repatriation process since August 2023.

Barbara VornDick holds a Master’s Degree in Education and has worked in private and public schools in Virginia for three decades, as well as five years as an adjunct professor at Germanna Community College. She is the author of Eliza’s True Story: The First Biography of President Monroe’s Eldest Daughter.

Join us for a unique opportunity to truly go behind the scenes at Potomac Point Winery! Our exclusive Cellar Tour & Tasting invites you to explore the art of winemaking with a member of our talented winemaking team. This intimate and educational experience is the perfect winter escape for any wine lover. This fun, limited-time experience will only be offered on select Saturdays this winter.

What to Expect:
A Guided Tour: An insider’s look at our winery as a PPW team member walks you through the cellar, sharing their passion and expertise. Learn about our meticulous winemaking process, from grape to glass, and uncover the secrets behind your favorite Potomac Point wines.

Unique Tasting Experience: You’ll savor four 2-ounce tastes of our exquisite wines. The highlight? A special, educational tasting of one raw wine straight from the barrel or tank! This is your chance to experience the nuances of our handcrafted selections before they hit the bottles.

Limited Availability: To ensure an intimate and engaging experience, we cap the attendance at 20 guests per tour. Book your spot early to secure your chance to expand your knowledge and palate!

Don’t Forget: Enhance your visit! We highly recommend making a bistro reservation before or after your tour. Enjoy delicious, perfectly paired bites to complement your tasting experience and make an afternoon of it!

Lastly, if this date doesn’t work for you and you have your own group of 8+ guests that would like to partake in a Cellar Tour & Tasting, please contact us directly!

Some of the dishes we eat today were also enjoyed by our colonial ancestors, but often with variations. Come join us in our Makerlab as we discuss the history of making cakes and quick-breads in colonial America, share the similarities and differences from modern baking in techniques and ingredients, and walk through the steps of baking a pan of gingerbread, using Mary Ball Washington’s recipe. According to tradition, Mary Ball Washington, George Washington’s mother, served this dish to General Lafayette when he visited her in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Long Family Markets Winter Market offers a cozy, community-focused shopping experience featuring local farmers, makers, and small businesses. Shoppers can enjoy seasonal produce, local meats, baked goods, handcrafted items, and specialty foods while supporting micro-businesses and local entrepreneurs throughout the winter season.

Our February market date features Valentine’s-inspired treats and gift-worthy finds!

Whether you’re single, taken, or just in a long-term relationship with running, the Love the Run You’re With 4-Miler is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend! Join us for a heart-pumping race filled with love, laughter, and a little friendly competition.

Lace up your running shoes and hit the course solo, as a dynamic duo, or with your running squad—because love (and running) is better when shared! Expect a lively atmosphere with Cupid-approved race swag, sweet treats at the finish line, and a post-race celebration that will have your heart racing for more.

Race Highlights:

• A scenic 4-mile course to get your heart pounding
• Sweet surprises at the finish line (because love = chocolate)
• Plenty of photo ops to capture the love
• Awards for top finishers and best Valentine’s-themed outfits

Whether you’re running for love, running from love, or just running because you love it, Love the Run You’re With is the ultimate way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Indulge in the ultimate romantic experience. Our Chef and Winemaker have joined forces to curate an exquisite three-course, wine-paired meal designed to delight the senses. Each course is meticulously crafted to complement our award-winning wines, taking you on a guided tasting journey through every bite. $108 plus tax & service.

Seats for this premier evening fill up fast—be sure to secure your table early!

Who says Valentine’s is just for couples? Grab your best friends for our Galentine’s Brunch! We’re thinking pink with a menu of themed brunch items and specialty mimosas that are totally “Gram-worthy.” It’s the perfect way to toast to friendship.  In addition to our typical Sunday Brunch menu, we will be offering our “Mi Amor” Mimosa and the following brunch items:

❤️ The “Sweetheart” French Toast

Indulge in the ultimate brunch glow-up. We’re serving up thick-cut French Toast stuffed with creamy cheesecake and topped with a shower of Champagne-macerated strawberries. It’s rich, elegant, and perfectly sparkly—just like your squad.

The “Shore-Thing” Benedict

For the savory lovers who appreciate a little seafood flair! Our Crab Benedict features succulent lump crab meat and perfectly poached eggs, all finished with a velvety Old Bay Hollandaise. It’s a coastal twist on a brunch classic that hits all the right notes.

The “Bestie” Brunch Toast

Everything is better when you’re together—especially when there’s Everything Bagel Seasoning involved. Our elevated Avocado Toast is piled high with creamy Boursin cheese, fresh tomato salsa, and two eggs cooked exactly how you like them.