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

Join us for this FREE family friendly Latin Night Party. It’s time to celebrate July birthdays, especially DJ Elle Jay’s in tropical style. Cha Cha Dance class at 6:30pm and open dancing to all of DJ Elle Jay’s favorite Latin hits until 9:30pm. Let’s see that Hawaiian style…..sarongs, Hawaiian shirts, palm trees, flowers, and flipflops welcome. Food and drinks for purchase by Highmark and your local friendly food truck.

Join us for a series for visual artists, covering all kinds of topics pertinent to career paths and goals, finding inspiration, building portfolios, approaching galleries and so much more.

Topic: Social Media for Artists- Do we need it AND how to best approach it!

A social media presence can be important for artists because it allows your work to be discovered, your story to be told, and relationships to be built with people who value what you create. While it’s possible to have a successful art career without social media, it has become one of the most accessible and cost-effective ways to connect with collectors, students, galleries, and fellow artists. Bring your questions and let our speakers chat with you about best practices, some do’s, some don’ts, and if it’s what you really need to succeed.

We welcome the following speakers/artists this evening:

Jaime Garza- Owner of Ignite Cinemas, a video production company helping nonprofits & entrepreneurs IGNITE visibility, funding & growth. Jaime specializes in strategic story-driven video that Gets You Seen. And honestly he is the most positive person we have ever met. It’s worth just adding him to your network!

Abbey Howarth – Before Abbey became a mother, she was a social media specialist for brands including Health Warrior Superfoods, the Richmond SPCA, and numerous small businesses including her own – Abbey Howarth Ceramics. From content strategy and photography to best practices and analytics to gage growth, Abbey has grown brands’ followings with organic and viral digital growth and little/no ad spend. She specializes in keeping humanity in social media and using the right platforms and messaging to cultivate your truest audience while keeping your own mental health top priority.

Age Limitations: Ages 16 through adult.  This is a great event to attend as a high school senior interested in a visual arts degree or a college student coming out with a BA or BFA in the arts, or anyone interested in the arts or artists speaking about their work!

Seating Limit: 20 – though this is a free event, reservations to attend are requested so we can prepare seating ahead of time. 

Join us on Thursday, July 30th at 7 PM as the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note take the stage. Based at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., the Airmen of Note is one of six premier ensembles of the U.S. Air Force Band. Established in 1950 to carry on the legacy of Major Glenn Miller’s Army Air Forces dance band, the 18-member group—including one vocalist—performs a dynamic mix of big band and contemporary jazz.

Concerts are held outdoors on the Museum’s entry plaza, weather permitting. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. The Museum, Tun Tavern and Museum Store will remain open until 6:45 PM. Outdoor concessions will be available. No alcoholic beverages permitted on Museum grounds.

In the event of inclement weather, schedule or location changes may occur. Select performances may be moved indoors with seating provided.

Uncover the past and explore the science of history during Family Archaeology Day at George Washington’s Ferry Farm! This interactive educational program is perfect for kids in grades K-5 and their caregivers. Together, you’ll discover what it means to be an archaeologist while learning about the people who lived at Ferry Farm.

During each session, your junior archaeologists will see real artifacts found at Ferry Farm and learn more about what archaeology can teach us. They will then put their new knowledge to the test as they dig for artifacts at our simulated dig site, learning excavation techniques and the importance of careful observation. After the dig, you and your family can step back in time with a family-friendly tour of the Washington House. Following the program, participants are welcome to visit our active dig site and talk to real archaeologists about their findings!

Times:
Session 1: 10:00am – 11:30am
Session 2: 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Admission:
$10 per child participant
$5 per adult attendee
All children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Advanced registration for all attendees is required, as space is limited.  

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

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 540-370-0732.

Join us for a Luau to celebrate the Summer! We will be hosting this event with Fat Boi Grindz who is bringing Hawaiian Dancers and delicious, authentic Hawaiian cuisine! We will also have live music and specialty drinks available! This event is fun for all ages!

Class Length: One day, 7pm – 9pm on Friday, August 14th

Tuition: $75 (this is per person)

Class Description: Join us at the Corgi Clay Art Center and get a little dirty on date night! I don’t know what you were thinking, but we meant with clay in our pottery studio.

In this one-night class your instructor will guide you through a basic wheel demonstration and then it’s your turn to give it a spin! Don’t worry, It’s not a class about the finished product but more about the experience, so it’s perfect for beginners. If you’ve always wanted to give throwing pots on the wheel a try and enjoy the taste of wine, then book your seat now! It’s the only time it’s legal to drink behind a wheel!

All students must be 21 or above. Please don’t wear dangling jewelry or flowy sleeves, long hair should be pulled back and please, no flip flops! The floors can get slippery. If you have very long nails, you may find wheel throwing difficult. Be prepared to get dirty, but the good news is, the clay washes right out of your clothes!

Age Limitations: Ages 21+

Supplies Included: Tuition covers everything but students should bring their own hand towel, apron if you have one, and don’t bother dressing up- you will get muddy! Each student is allotted two glasses of wine during the event.

Teachers: Rebekah Gold

Seating Limit: 12

Take Flight with Us!

Celebrate Aviation Week with a special aviation-themed Family Day at the National Museum of the Marine Corps!

As part of the Museum’s Family Day, Disney’s Planes will be shown in the Medal of Honor Theater. Follow Dusty Crophopper, a small-town crop duster with big dreams, as he takes to the skies to compete against the world’s fastest aircraft in this heartwarming, high-flying adventure. (Rated PG | Runtime: 92 min.)

📅 Saturday, August 15, 2026 – 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM

🎟️ Purchase Tickets: https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/sessions/?siteToken=2h8dz5g8x9ywxhcmdktrmm0zb8

✈️ Family Day Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

🎨 Enjoy aviation-themed crafts, interactive activities, gallery guides, and hands-on fun as we celebrate the history and innovation of Marine Corps aviation. Fun for the whole family!

Keep the aviation fun going! Return to the Museum later that evening for Bites & Flights at 6:00pm, an after-hours event featuring chef-curated bites, craft beer pairings, and an up-close look at historic Marine Corps aircraft. Purchase tickets here

Presented by Anita Dodd and Jerrilynn Eby MacGregor, Stafford County Historical Society. An overview of Stafford cemeteries, including iconography and their importance to local history and culture. Learn about the individuals buried across Stafford County who participated in the Revolutionary War.

Anita Dodd is a retired archaeologist and architectural historian. She served as an archaeologist for Ferry Farm, George Washington’s Boyhood Home, and is the Chairman of the Stafford County Cemetery Committee. 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.

Experience an unforgettable evening of craft beer, chef-curated cuisine, and Marine Corps aviation history at Bites & Flights. Enjoy six expertly paired beers from 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company alongside chef-crafted food pairings while exploring the iconic aircraft of the Leatherneck Gallery on a self-guided tour. Cast your vote for your favorite brew and enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening of great flavors, history, and friendly competition.

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM

Your Ticket Includes

• Unlimited samples of six craft beer varieties
• Six chef-curated food pairings
• Self-guided exploration of the Leatherneck Gallery aircraft exhibits
• Voting token for your favorite beer
• Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers

Additional beer, including full pints and canned beer to-go, will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

For tickets and additional information, visit: https://www.marineheritage.org/bites-and-flights

Raise a glass, discover Marine Corps aviation history, and enjoy an evening of exceptional craft beer, cuisine, and camaraderie at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Presented by Shannon Combs-Bennett. DNA testing in genealogy can be a confusing and complicated process, but, when understood, can provide insight into your genetic origins and help you find new family connections. Moreover, it may showcase which region of the world your ancestors came from and help determine if you are descended from a specific group of people. Shannon will explain what autosomal DNA is, what it means for your research, how to understand your results if you have taken a DNA test, and how to get in touch with family members that may be new to you.

Shannon Combs-Bennett is an author and lecturer on genealogical topics to local and international audiences. She holds a BS in Biology with an emphasis in genetics from Indiana University and a MSc in Genealogical, Heraldic, and Paleographic Studies from the University of Strathclyde, where she is currently in the final stages of acquiring her PhD. Shannon is also a member of the Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.