2026 Programs

All events are open to the public and free unless tickets or registration noted.

"The Virginia Declaration of Rights at 250: Commemorating a Cornerstone of American Founding Principles" | March 15 - 2:00 p.m. 

NNK250 Signature Speaker Series - Dr. Daniel Dreisbach

The Virginia Declaration of Rights, adopted unanimously by Virginia’s Fifth Convention on June 12, 1776, is a seminal, post-colonial state paper affirming republican principles, limited government, and humankind’s natural rights. It is arguably the most imitated of America’s founding documents. Indeed, it is one of the most influential texts in the American constitutional tradition. Often described as the first modern declaration or bill of rights in America, it is a distillation of the great principles of liberty and constitutionalism that revolutionary Americans believed were derived from English traditions and, more generally, western culture. The Virginia Declaration informed not only core principles of the US Declaration of Independence (1776) but also the language and content of numerous subsequent bills of rights in the respective states and nation. It also made profound innovations to the way Americans viewed religious liberty.

Talk two in a five-part series in the Northern Neck’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding. Learn more about the series here: NNK250 Signature Speaker Series

NNK250

Volunteer Spring Training | March 24-26 - 8:30 a.m. - Noon

Join the HCC&M volunteer team for our annual spring continuing education sessions as we get ready for the 2026 visitor season. Enjoy engaging presentations on the history of Christ Church and colonial Virginia by leading scholars. Participate in hands-on workshops with fellow volunteers. Play HCC&M Jeopardy!TM  and win a prize. Coffee and goodies served daily with lunch on 3/26 to conclude the program. Anyone from the community interested in participating or learning more about volunteer opportunities at Historic Christ Church & Museum is encouraged to attend. Contact the office at info@christchurch1735.org or visit Volunteer at HCC  for more information.

Poisoned Dwarf  | April 11 - 4:00 p.m.

Poisoned Dwarf is a Celtic music group that plays virtuosic, innovative, and passionate renditions of traditional Irish and Scottish music on acoustic instruments. Five talented musicians, including Mei-Li Garcia (Beane), create a driving sonic energy that has been captivating audiences for over a decade with whistles, flutes, violin, guitar, percussion, and uilleann pipes together with exciting and lyrical vocals. Poisoned Dwarf performs at a wide variety of musical venues from highland festivals to theaters, from churches to sophisticated listening venues throughout the East Coast, to the occasional pub, just for fun. Don’t miss this high energy concert! Tickets required.

Kirkin’ of the Tartan Service | April 12 - 1:30 p.m.

Traditional Scottish blessing & celebration. Full tartan/Scottish church service. Bagpipes, drums, and marching parade with the Kilmarnock District & Pipe Band and the St. Andrew’s Society of Williamsburg.

 

Cantori Chorale Ensemble  | April 19 - 4:00 p.m.

In keeping with choral music which would have been performed during the eighteenth century, Cantori Choral Ensemble will present a program of all a cappella music. Included in the selections will be familiar folk songs, songs of love both sacred and secular, and well-known spirituals. Under the direction of Agnes French, former Director of Music at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock, the Cantori ensemble features choral singers and professional musicians, including Mei-Li Beane, formerly of Kilmarnock. The group celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. Tickets required.

Cantori Christmas 2025

Colonial Tea | May 9 -  2:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Enjoy an afternoon tea with an array of delicious finger foods, sweets and a special appearance by a character from colonial Virginia. Tickets required.

colonial tea hat ladies 2  

68th Annual Meeting of the Foundation for Historic Christ Church, Inc | May 21 - 4:00 PM

Memorial Day Service | May 25 - 11:00 a.m. (Music); 11:30 a.m. (Service)

Sponsored by the Northern Neck Chapter, Military Officers Association of America; the Foundation for Historic Christ Church, Inc.; and Grace Episcopal Church, Kilmarnock.

Virginia in 1776 – Rappahannock Institute for Lifelong Learning | June 3, 10, 17 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon

On the eve of the 250th anniversary of American Independence, this course examines Virginia in the year 1776. Incorporating primary documents and images, the course looks at the pivotal roles Richard Henry Lee, George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and others played in Virginia and nationally as the Revolution entered its second year. Highlights include the Second Continental Congress and Jefferson’s writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Fifth Virginia Convention and Mason’s work to create the Declaration of Rights and state constitution.

Offered in partnership with Rappahannock Community College’s Rappahannock Institute for Lifelong Learning program (RILL). Instructor: Robert Teagle, HCC&M Executive Director. Registration here: rappahannock.edu/foundation/lifelong-learning

"Black Freedom Suits and the Declaration of Independence" | June 11 - 5:00 PM

The Declaration of Independence asserted that "all men are created equal" and have natural rights and the right of self-government by consent. Slavery contradicted these core principles of the Declaration of Independence as America's creedal document. Enslaved people were the first to make a claim on those principles of liberty, equality, and self-government to fulfill the unrealized promise of America. Using the Declaration of Independence as their "North Star," they launched "freedom petitions" and "freedom suits," making a claim on natural rights with unexpected and surprising outcomes. Tickets required.

Part one of the 2026 Spring Speaker Series 

January 1777 freedom suit

“Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation” | June 22 – August 3 - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Sundays 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.)

Special traveling exhibition from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture explores the unique and essential people, events and sites in Virginia that helped bring liberty and democracy to a nation.

Give Me Liberty VMHC

Hands-On History Day | June 26 - 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Step back in time with this exciting program in colonial Virginia history. Make a brick by hand, write with a quill pen, make a grave rubbing, play colonial games, create a silhouette portrait, build a brick wall and more. Enjoy a pizza party for lunch and take home a souvenir bookmark, Museum Activity Book, and knapsack. Ages 6-12. Space is limited and pre-registration required: dbyram@christchurch1735.org

Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence with Patriotic Music | July 2 - 4:00 p.m. 

Patriotic celebration and reading of the Declaration of Independence inside Historic Christ Church. With the Cobbs Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Richard Henry Lee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

 

"A Pefect Frenzy"  | July 8 - 5:00 p.m.

Author Andrew Lawler speaks on his 2025 book A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution. Wine & cheese reception with author and book signing. Tickets required.

Part two of the 2026 Spring Speaker Series 

1. Perfect Frenzy Cover

 The Holly & the Ivy | December 7 - 3:30 p.m.

Celebrate the season at Historic Christ Church with traditional songs, carols, and music. Join in this seasonal songfest in the beautifully “greened” church. Featuring members of The Chesapeake Chorale and the Christchurch School Cantorion. Dress warmly. Refreshments follow. Admission: two non-perishable items for Healthy Harvest Food Bank.