Discover Stafford cordially invites you to join us on June 3, 2023 from 5 PM to 9 PM at scenic Hartwood Manor for Cheers to Stafford. We’ll crack open the cold and refreshing taste of local history with our first annual history-themed dinner party! Come enjoy an evening of food, music, raffles and live auction set among the Hartwood Manor’s numerous rose gardens.

Stafford is literally the county that build the nation, but our story is largely unknown. Our Society’s primary focus since its inception has been to support the creation and operation of a Stafford Museum and Cultural Center that highlights the county’s rich local and national history, showcases the county’s current role in shaping society, and cultivates a vibrant future for the county through programs of critical acclaim. Your attendance is an important step forward to our being able to achieve that goal.

Prior to Adventure Brewing Co., the only previous brewery in Stafford County was the Marlborough Brewery opened in 1766 by John Mercer. John was a prominent entrepreneur, attorney, and landowner and almost single-handedly rebuilt the failed town of Marlborough. Ever the optimistic entrepreneur, Mercer seized upon the idea of establishing a brewery at Marlborough. He built a brewhouse and a malthouse together with cellars, cooper’s house and all the buildings needed to run his brewery. Unfortunately, the brewery lumbered and stumbled and the beer that Mercer’s brewers made was of such “bad character” that only two casks were sold. The brewery lasted only one year and was closed by 1767. Cheers to Stafford is partnering with Adventure Brewing to release a new beer, Mercer’s Second Chance Shandy, made in honor of John Mercer. We’re happy to report it has “good character”!

This year’s theme is the Revolutionary period and will include colonial-period music by Colonial Faire.

This is an exclusive FREE event — tickets are limited to the first 200. Please reserve your tickets promptly at https://stfhistsoc.wpengine.com/store/cheers/ to secure your place.