** The Morven Park Mansion and Winmill Carriage Museum will be CLOSED from Jan. 9 - Feb. 29 for enhancement of our exhibit spaces and rearrangement of collection items. The grounds will remain open to the public.**
Feb. 29 Member-Only Preview of the Mansion For Morven Park members only - see the mansion's new set up and preview the new QR code add on before it opens to the public March 1. RSVP to hbartlow@morvenpark.org.
MARCH
March 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Discover Morven Park
At 11 a.m., Civil War Sesquicentennial events resume with the designation of Morven Park as the county’s “Rallying Point” for Civil War tours and a 2 p.m. commemoration of the departure of the Confederate regiment camped at Morven Park. The Mansion re-opens for tours at noon with new displays of the Gov. Davis collection. Free admission to outdoor events.
March 3-4 National Capital Equitation League/Final Meet
Contact: Kathy Nappi; (540) 882-3149; smbegfarm@hotmail.com
March 9, 7-9 p.m. A Sip of History
Take a tour of the Gov. Davis Mansion, then join Lew Parker, founder of Loudoun’s first winery, Willowcroft, to taste some wines and learn about the history of viniculture in Virginia. $20/person; $15/member. Register in advance: 703-777-2414, ext. 6625 or:
March 14, 7-9 p.m. Hog Wild: Small Farm Swine Production
County Extension Agent Corey Childs will familiarize participants with the opportunities, facility, and management requirements, and the challenges of adding swine to a small farm. Free. Register in advance: 703-777-2414, ext. 6625.
Mar. 17 Commonwealth Dressage & Combined Training Assn. – Dressage Show/Combined Test
Contact: Elaine Hobby; (703) 779-0472; ehobby@comcast.net
March 18, 1-3:30 p.m. Square-Foot Gardening 101 & Seed Swap
Grow more in less space! Learn how to grow small but intensively planted gardens using the concept popularized by Mel Bartholomew. Taught by Linna the Locavore, a certified Square-Foot Garden instructor, you will leave knowing how to build a raised bed, create healthy soil, and plant seeds. Bring seeds from home to swap with others following the workshop. $15/person; $10/member.
Mar. 24 VADA/NoVA Schooling Show
Contact: Michelle King; (540) 338-7362; amking@verizon.net
March 31-April 1, all day Morven Park Spring Horse Trials
Spectators get a full day of equine athleticism as they watch teams of riders compete in dressage, show jumping, and cross country riding. Free admission for spectators. Participants contact: Laura Doyle, Mgr. Equestrian & Events ldoyle@morvenpark.org ; (703) 777-2890 x 0
APRIL
Apr. 3 Morven Park XC Open Schooling Day
$50 per horse/rider
Contact: Laura Doyle, Mgr. Equestrian & Events ldoyle@morvenpark.org; (703) 777-2890 x 0
April 7, 10 a.m.-noon Eco Easter
Join us for our second annual Eco Easter! Kids can hunt for eggs and participate in the egg roll on the grounds of “Leesburg’s White House.” Take photos with the Easter Bunny, meet live rabbits from 4-H’s Leaps & Squeaks Club, and make crafts to take home. Kids should bring a mixing spoon and hard-boiled egg for the egg roll. $10/child; $8/member child. $3/adult; adult members free.
Apr. 7-8 VADA/NoVA Spring Dressage Show
Contact: Michelle King; (540) 338-7362; amking@verizon.net
April 11, & Saturday, April 14, 1-4 p.m. Spring Teas
Take part in a traditional American afternoon tea in the Winmill Carriage Museum. Seasonal foods and teas. Following, guests may tour the historic Governor’s Mansion in its spring splendor. $25/person; $20/member.
Apr. 22 Fairfax Hunt /Point to Point
Contact: Tom Hulfish; (703) 585-6581; tomhulfish@aol.com
April 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Loudoun County Arbor Day Celebration
Branch out and join us for Loudoun County’s Annual Arbor Day event. Enjoy demonstrations, crafts, kids’ activities, food, and much more as we celebrate together the many wonders and benefits of trees. Free admission.
May 1 Morven Park XC Open Schooling Day
$50 per horse/rider
Contact: Laura Doyle, Mgr. Equestrian & Events ldoyle@morvenpark.org; (703) 777-2890 x 0
May 4-5 Commonwealth Dressage & Combined Training Assn/Licensed Dressage Show
Contact: Elaine Hobby; (703) 779-0472; ehobby@comcast.net
May 12 United States Trail Ride/ Charity Trail Ride
Contact: Joanne Hart, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding; jhart@ltrf.org; (703) 771-2689
May 13, 1-3 p.m. Mother’s Day Picnic
Celebrate this special day with a picnic at Morven Park. Small lunches will be provided in the Winmill Carriage Museum. Create a craft for mom, tour the Museum, and enjoy the grounds of Morven Park during the garden’s peak bloom. $15/person; $10/member.
May 16, 7-9 p.m. Harvesting Poultry at Home or on the Farm
This class provides background for individuals interested in processing poultry. Regulations, equipment required, basic processing, and more will be covered by County Extension Agent Corey Childs. Free admission.
May 18-20 Potomac Valley Dressage Assn. Show
Contact: Betty Thorpe; (301) 562-0798; bsthorpe@aol.com
May 19-20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spring Farm Tour Open House
Morven Park will be a stop on this year’s spring farm tour, and the Governor’s Mansion will be open for free tours. The mansion was once the anchor of a large working farm. Learn about Gov. Davis’s innovative farming techniques and his efforts to improve the lives of Virginia’s farmers.
May 26-27 Virginia Region Pony Club/Dressage Rally
Contact: Maggie Compton; (703) 533-1522; maggiecompton@aol.com
JUNE
June 2, Noon-2:30 p.m. Princess Parade
Bring your princes and princesses to Morven Park for an afternoon of carriages and fun. Children are royalty for the day as they create crowns and crafts, take a carriage ride, learn about carriages, and parade to the Governor’s Mansion. A professional photographer will be waiting to take a family portrait. $12/child; $10/member child; $3/adult. Photos extra.
June 10, Noon-5 p.m. The Governor’s Country Fair at Morven Park
Music, free ice cream, contests, food, and a day-in-the-country atmosphere! Activities will center around horses, farming, and the healthful benefits of country life. $20/carload; $15 in advance; walk-ins $5. Members at the “Family/Dual” level and above enter free.
Jun. 11-15 Loudoun Hunt Pony Club/Camp
Contact: Margaret Good; westerlyva@aol.com
June 23-24 Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest
www.novabrewfest.com
June 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Far From Home: Living History With the 17th Mississippi
Take part in a recreation of the 17th Mississippi Regiment’s 1862 encampment at Morven Park. Join soldiers at the reproduction Civil War huts to experience camp life and watch drill and firing demonstrations in front of the Davis Mansion. Free admission.
JULY
July 4 Fireworks & Romance
Watch “sparks fly” from the romantic viewpoint of Morven Park Mansion. Stake out a vantage point for Ida Lee and numerous other local fireworks displays. We’ll serve you and your partner local wines and foods associated with love. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. $75/person. Reservations required.
July 9-13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Summer Fun Camp
For ages 6-12; hike a trail, kick a soccer ball, explore an old mansion, and make friends with a horse! Campers will explore the many exciting adventures that Morven Park has to offer. Price includes one trip to the Ida Lee pool. $225/child; $200/member child.
Jul. 21-22 United States Dressage Federation Show
Contact: Michelle King; (540) 338-7362; amking@verizon.net
Jul. 28-29 Region I Youth Team Dressage Show
Contact: Michelle King; (540) 338-7362; amking@verizon.net
AUGUST
Monday-Friday, August 6-10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Outdoor Adventures Camp
For ages 6-12, get ready to take on the great outdoors as campers split their time between games and clinics on the soccer fields and eco-adventures on the nature trails. Price includes one trip to the Ida Lee pool. $225/child; $200/member child.
Aug. 11-12 VADA/NoVA- Summer Breed Show
Contact: Michelle King; (540) 338-7362; amking@verizon.net
SEPTEMBER
Sep. 15-16 VADA/NoVA – Fall Dressage Show
Contact: Michelle King; (540) 338-7362; amking@verizon.net
Dec. 28 Virginia Region Pony Club - Prep
Contact: Margaret Compton; (703) 533-1522; maggiecompton@aol.com
DID YOU KNOW ?
The estate, 1,000 acres just west of Leesburg, Virginia off Rt. 7 on Old Waterford Road, was home to two governors: Thomas Swann, a governor of Maryland in the 19th century, and Virginia's reform Governor Westmoreland Davis
