Programs for April 25 2026
Drums Along the Rappahannock, an America 250 Event
Free to the public
Join us at Ferry Farm in honoring the Semiquincentennial!
Step back in time at Ferry Farm with Revolutionary War reenactors, immersive displays, and expert presentations. You can also explore George Washington’s reconstructed boyhood home and go behind the scenes at the archaeology site and lab.
You won’t want to miss a stirring 1:00 PM performance by The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps of Arlington National Cemetery.
Programs for May 25 2026
Memorial Day Celebration
Memorial Day remembrance at Aquia Episcopal Church. Wreaths will be laid at the graves of the eight veterans buried there.
Programs for June 27 2026
Stafford Historical Society Potluck Picnic
Save the date. Time and place to be announced.
Programs for August 15 2026
Stafford County Cemeteries
Presentation on Stafford County Cemeteries by Anita Dodd
Presentation on Revolutionary War individuals buried in Stafford Cemeteries by Jerrilynn Ebby MacGregor.
Programs for September 26 2026
Aquia Episcopal Church Graveyard Tour
Presentation on iconography and stone carvers in the graveyard by Anita Dodd.
Jerrilynn Eby MacGregor will present on some of the individuals buried in the graveyard.
Programs for October 10 2026
Stafford Historical Society – Bringing Eliza Home (Rescheduled)
Author, Barbara Vorndick, will present the project to return the remains of Eliza Monroe Hay from the American section of Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France, to the Monroe family plot in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia. Elizabeth “Eliza” Kortright Monroe Hay was an American socialite who acted as unofficial First Lady during her father James Monroe’s presidency, as her mother’s health kept her away from many White House duties.
What started as a project to find out more information about Eliza turned into five years of digging through primary sources on both sides of the Atlanta to discover the truth about Eliza’s life and the tragic circumstances of her death. Barbara’s groundbreaking research 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. Her biography of Eliza Monroe was published with Barnes and Noble Press in July 2024.
Barbara was born and raised in Virginia. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, and worked for three decades in private and public schools in Virginia, as well as Germanna Community College as an adjunct professor. After she retired to the Charlottesville area, she started working part-time as an Interpreter of History at James Monroe’s Highland, the Monroe family plantation in Albemarle County, Virginia. After initial training for the position, Barbara was encouraged to continue her own independent research, and she became interested in the Monroe women, particularly Eliza.
Please note that the program will not be the entire 3 hours. The extended time period includes a book signing after her program. Barbara will have copies of her book, “Eliza’s True Story: The First Biography of President Monroe’s Eldest Daughter” available for purchase and signing.
Programs for November 7 2026
Stafford County Historical Society – Annual Membership Meeting
Annual membership meeting to elect Board officers.
Presentation topic and speaker to be announced.
Programs for December 6 2026
Stafford Historical Society Annual Christmas Party
The Christmas party will be held at the Rowser Building, Room A. The SCHS provides napkins, plates, cutlery, and beverages. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share.
Drums Along the Rappahannock, an America 250 Event
Free to the public
Join us at Ferry Farm in honoring the Semiquincentennial!
Step back in time at Ferry Farm with Revolutionary War reenactors, immersive displays, and expert presentations. You can also explore George Washington’s reconstructed boyhood home and go behind the scenes at the archaeology site and lab.
You won’t want to miss a stirring 1:00 PM performance by The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps of Arlington National Cemetery.
The Stafford County Historical Society live history programs is in its fifth decade. The dates of upcoming events are listed below along with archived recordings for the series at the bottom of the page.
Our society is proud to support the many other groups in the region with a historical focus.
We look forward to seeing you!
All Stafford County presentations are open to the public and are free of charge!
Featured Event
April 2026
Drums Along the Rappahannock, an America 250 Event
Saturday, April 25th 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Ferry Farm
268 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, USA
Free to the public
Join us at Ferry Farm in honoring the Semiquincentennial!
Step back in time at Ferry Farm with Revolutionary War reenactors, immersive displays, and expert presentations. You can also explore George Washington’s reconstructed boyhood home and go behind the scenes at the archaeology site and lab.
You won’t want to miss a stirring 1:00 PM performance by The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps of Arlington National Cemetery.
May 2026
Memorial Day Celebration
Monday, May 25th 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Aquia Episcopal Church
2938 Richmond Hwy, Stafford, VA 22554, USA
Memorial Day remembrance at Aquia Episcopal Church. Wreaths will be laid at the graves of the eight veterans buried there.
June 2026
August 2026
Stafford County Cemeteries
Saturday, August 15th 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Porter Branch
2001 Parkway Blvd, Stafford, VA 22554, USA
Presentation on Stafford County Cemeteries by Anita Dodd
Presentation on Revolutionary War individuals buried in Stafford Cemeteries by Jerrilynn Ebby MacGregor.
September 2026
Aquia Episcopal Church Graveyard Tour
Saturday, September 26th 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Aquia Episcopal Church
2938 Richmond Hwy, Stafford, VA 22554, USA
Presentation on iconography and stone carvers in the graveyard by Anita Dodd.
Jerrilynn Eby MacGregor will present on some of the individuals buried in the graveyard.
October 2026
Stafford Historical Society – Bringing Eliza Home (Rescheduled)
Saturday, October 10th 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Porter Branch
2001 Parkway Boulevard, Stafford, VA, USA
Author, Barbara Vorndick, will present the project to return the remains of Eliza Monroe Hay from the American section of Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France, to the Monroe family plot in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia. Elizabeth “Eliza” Kortright Monroe Hay was an American socialite who acted as unofficial First Lady during her father James Monroe’s presidency, as her mother’s health kept her away from many White House duties.
What started as a project to find out more information about Eliza turned into five years of digging through primary sources on both sides of the Atlanta to discover the truth about Eliza’s life and the tragic circumstances of her death. Barbara’s groundbreaking research 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. Her biography of Eliza Monroe was published with Barnes and Noble Press in July 2024.
Barbara was born and raised in Virginia. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, and worked for three decades in private and public schools in Virginia, as well as Germanna Community College as an adjunct professor. After she retired to the Charlottesville area, she started working part-time as an Interpreter of History at James Monroe’s Highland, the Monroe family plantation in Albemarle County, Virginia. After initial training for the position, Barbara was encouraged to continue her own independent research, and she became interested in the Monroe women, particularly Eliza.
Please note that the program will not be the entire 3 hours. The extended time period includes a book signing after her program. Barbara will have copies of her book, “Eliza’s True Story: The First Biography of President Monroe’s Eldest Daughter” available for purchase and signing.
November 2026
December 2026
Past Presentations
P.O. Box 1664
Stafford, VA 22555
