Magnolia Grange House Museum Programs
Magnolia Grange House Musems
Please note: To maintain the historical integrity of the site, Magnolia Grange is not handicapped accessible. Programs are Free or unless otherwise stipulated. . Reservations required for all programs. For more details, please contact Martha Atkinson or telephone at 804-748-1498 or Email
Events and Programs
Magnolia Grange House Museum offers events, programs and tours that will satisfy any age group. Home Schools and Public Schools are encourage to arrange a trip to the County Museum. The last tour at Magnolia Grange ends on Tuesdays-Fridays at 3:00 PM and the last tour on Saturdays is at 1:00 PM. For more details, please contact Martha Atkinson or telephone at 804-748-1498. Select the picture above for a larger view of Magnolia Grange. Unless otherwise noted, all Magnolia Grange programs are free, but reservations are required at least one week in advance. Our space is limited. <MORE>
September
Saturday, Sept. 7, 12:00 p.m. – Historic Women of Central Virginia
Do you know the captivating stories of Jane Minor, Mary Marshall Tabb Bolling or Elizabeth Keckley? These intelligent and brave women were able to garner their freedom, break social norms and be successful at a time when women were deemed to be second class citizens. This power-point presentation by Martha Atkinson will celebrate the accomplishments of six Central Virginia women. Find out how these women overcame their circumstances to become respected historic personages. (20 people max)
Saturday, Sept. 21, 12:00 p.m. – War Letters (WWI and II)
Andrew Carroll has edited and compiled letters written by American soldiers dating from the Civil War to the conflict in Bosnia in his book War Letters. These very poignant and sometimes humorous letters are meant to be shared. Martha Atkinson will present this program and will share letters from the World War I and II era featured in Carroll’s book. (20 people max)
October
Saturday, Oct. 12, 12:00 p.m. – Victorian Spiritualism
Due to Queen Victoria’s loss of her beloved husband Prince Albert, Victorians had a very unique relationship with death and the departed. This power-point presentation by Louisa Michie will explore ways late 19th century people tried to communicate with their departed loved ones. (20 people max)
Saturday, Oct. 26 – Lantern tour program
November
Saturday, Nov. 2, 12:00 p.m. – The Early History of Tobacco in Petersburg
Petersburg, Virginia was a central hub of the tobacco industry for over 200 hundred years. Tobacco weigh stations, warehouses, manufacturing and shipping were centered in the city while surrounding counties, such as Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, and Prince George provided the actual tobacco product. Join local citizen Jack Crocker as he tells of the labor-intensive process from plantings to packaging. (20 people max)
Saturday, Nov. 16, 12:00 p.m. – Gourds: A Native American Staple
November is National Native American Heritage Month. To celebrate this culture and history, Yvonne Goad of “Gourds 4 All” will present a program centered around Native American cultivation and use of the humble gourd. (20 people max)
December
Saturday, December 7, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Christmas Open House: Celebrating 275 Years
Get an early start to the holiday season and join the crowd for fun, refreshments, crafts, music by the Door Way Singers and of course, Santa Claus. In celebration of the 275th anniversary of the founding of Chesterfield, families may test their local history knowledge by participating in the “County Fun Facts Treasure Hunt” which will take place throughout the house. Complete the treasure hunt and win a prize.
Wednesday, December 11, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Holiday Tea with Lord Chesterfield
In celebration of the county’s 275th anniversary, the Holiday Tea will have a very special guest. The Right Honourable Phillip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield will join guests for the afternoon. As a British statesman, and diplomat of the 18th century, he also was known for his wit. Sweet and savory treats provided by the Baking and Pastry Arts students at the Career and Technical Center will be served with English tea.
Check back often with us for new programs to be offered at the Magnolia Grange House Museum.
Scheduled Programs
For the calendar year 2024, Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation will introduce you to a new way of registering for their programs. This link will pull up results for all available history programs on the Chesterfield County website. Please “Visit the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation registration site to register for Parks and Registration programs" See the Link below - available to connect with all P&R programs.
Magnolia Grange House Museum History
Magnolia Grange House Museum History...
10020 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832
"Magnolia Grange House Museum" is an elegant Federal period home built in 1822, named for the circle of magnolia trees that once graced its front lawns. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Magnolia Grange’s distinctive architectural features include elaborate ceiling motifs, a half-turn open carved stairway and hand-painted scenic wallpaper produced by Zuber, a French manufacturer. The formal ground floor rooms exhibit intricately carved mantels, doorways and window frames. Upstairs, the rooms have been furnished according to the era of each of the families who lived in the home: Winfree (1822-1845), DuVal (1858-1876) and Perdue/Cogbill/Daffron (1880-1970). Almost demolished to make room for a shopping mall, Magnolia Grange was preserved in 1984 when the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors authorized its purchase for $180,000. The Chesterfield Historical Society pledged to raise $100,000 to furnish the home with appropriate antiques.