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

“Uncovering America’s Oldest Black Baptist Church: The Excavation of First Baptist Church, Williamsburg, Virginia” | March 27 - 2:00 p.m. 

Join Colonial Williamsburg Director of Archaeology Jack Gary as he shares the exciting recent discoveries at First Baptist Church in Williamsburg. Founded in 1776 by free and enslaved blacks, First Baptist Church is one of the oldest black Baptist congregations in the country. In October 2021, the team announced it had uncovered the original foundations of the brick church that stood on the site in the early 1800s. Archaeologists also identified more than 21 grave shafts there. Learn more about these important excavations and the inspiring story of one of the nation’s oldest black congregations. Wine & Cheese reception follows Gary's presentation. Tickets: $25.00  

Bringing Music to Life Concert Series: Wren Masters – “Birdsongs and Music from the Scottish Baroque” | April 23 - 4:00 p.m. 

The Williamsburg, Virginia baroque quartet the Wren Masters return to Historic Christ Church. This special performance features a set of baroque pieces imitating birds: from hens and roosters to a nightingale, quail, and cuckoo, and for good measure even a frog and cat. A set of pieces “from the Highlands” follows with baroque music from Scotland whose traces can still be found in traditional music of the Appalachians. Beginning and concluding the program are two sparkling Telemann trio sonatas.

In addition to Telemann, the concert features musical works emulating the sounds of birds by Biber, Couperin, Merula, and William Williams. The 'Scottish Highlands" section will focus on the music of Nicola Matteis, Alexander Munro, John Walsh, and traditional Scottish tunes arranged by Robert Bremner. Tickets: $25.00

Funding provided by the River Counties Community Foundation, the J. Edwin Treakle Foundation, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Kirkin’ of the Tartan Service | April 24 - 12:30 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.

Memorial Day Service | May 30 - 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.

Patrick Henry: His Life and Times – Rappahannock Institute for Lifelong Learning | June 1, 8, 15 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Remembered best for his famous “Give me liberty, or give me death” speech, Patrick Henry (1736-1799) was a lawyer and statesman who helped lead Virginia during the Revolution and its early decades as an independent Commonwealth. Henry rose to fame in December 1763 with the Parsons’ Cause. Two years later his Stamp Act Resolves elevated himself and Virginia to the forefront of resistance against British authority. Elected the first governor of a free Virginia, Henry remained active in politics through the constitutional conventions. This course examines Henry’s life from his youth in Hanover County to his visionary role as “the man who gave the first impulse to the ball of the revolution.”

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

Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence with Patriotic Music | July 2 - 10:30 a.m. 

Join us for a patriotic celebration and reading of the Declaration of Independence inside Historic Christ Church with patriotic music.

Colonial Tavern Fare | Pick up July 2 Noon - 2:00 p.m.

Back by popular demand!! Colonial Tavern Fare is back with this Summer's version of an easy-to-prepare, colonial-style meal. A boxed meal is offered for sale online with pickup after the Public Reading of the Declaration on July 2. Have it for lunch after the Reading, or, because the food items will hold well, as a boat picnic that afternoon, for your tailgate at the USAF Heritage of America Band concert that evening on Irvington Commons, or for a dinner at home on the porch.

The menu includes a substantial "Salmagundi" (a colonial Cobb salad) with a platter consisting of chicken, country ham, corn salad, potato salad and other veggies, and a yeast roll with butter. Dessert will be pound cake with strawberry-balsamic shrub sauce. Cost for the meal and utensils is $25.00 per person. Click HERE to order. Pick up between noon and 2:00 p.m. on July 2 at Foundation for Historic Christ Church, Bayne Center, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems, VA.

Hands-On History Day | July 14 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Step back in time with this exciting program in colonial Virginia history. Make a brick by hand, write with a quill pen, dig for artifacts, make a grave rubbing, play colonial games, dress in 18^th-century clothing, 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. Pre-registration required: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

History Half Told Is Untold | August 24 - 4:00 p.m.

HCC&M hosts a free public viewing of History Half Told Is Untold, the inspiring film about First Baptist Church, Williamsburg, one of the nation’s oldest black churches. The film traces First Baptist’s history from its founding in 1776 by free and enslaved blacks to its 245-year anniversary in 2021. Watch the trailer here: History Half Told Is Untold

64^th Annual Meeting of the Foundation for Historic Christ Church, Inc | September 22 - 4:00 PM

Speaker: Dr. Woody Holton, Peter and Bonnie McCausland Professor of History, University of South Carolina
In Liberty is Sweet, Woody Holton’s “hidden history” of the American Revolution, nothing is quite what it seems. The painting on the cover seems conventional: a pistol-wielding Patriot foot-soldier captures two British horsemen…but the Patriot turns out to be a woman in drag. The phrase “Liberty is Sweet” sounds like the sentiments of Jefferson or Franklin but actually comes from a 1775 letter describing George Washington’s slaves’ aspirations to escape Mount Vernon. Holton entitles his preface “Invisible Enemies” in a nod to the Native Americans who were long omitted from the story of American Independence but actually played a crucial role in bringing on the Revolutionary War and shaping its course. And these are from the only surprises in Holton’s astounding reappraisal of the founding of the United States. RSVP required: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

John H. Hunt II Chesapeake History Forum: Virginia Roots Music – with a Taste of the Chesapeake | September 24 - 4:00 p.m.

Join Library of Virginia historian Gregg Kimball for this special presentation on Virginia Roots Music. Hundreds of Virginians from all walks of life recorded for folklorists and commercial companies in the early twentieth century. These traditional musicians laid the groundwork for some of the most important genres of American music including Country, Blues, and Gospel. This multi-media presentation explores these musicians and their songs through rare photographs, period recordings, and live performance. Kimball will be joined by vocalist Cluny Brown and guitarist Michael Lawrence in a tribute to Virginia’s seminal recording artists such as the legendary Carter Family, Galax’s original “Hill Billies," and Tappahannock’s William Moore. Also included will be several Chesapeake-themed songs of land and sea. Don’t miss this unique evening of history, storytelling, and music in the inaugural John H. Hunt II Chesapeake History Forum. The event includes a light supper and libations in the courtyard. Purchase tickets here: Virginia Roots Music

Fall Crawl 2022 - Colonial Williamsburg | 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This year's fall crawl takes Historic Christ Church & Museum volunteers, members and friends to Colonial Williamsburg for an in-depth and behind-the-scenes look at archaeology, enslaved and free blacks in early Virginia, and architectural history:

• Bray School - ca. 1760 building educated enslaved and free blacks from 1760-1774
• First Baptist Church - archaeological site of one of the nation's oldest black churches
• Custis Square Archaeology Project - Four-acre ornamental landscape created by John Custis (1678-1749)
• "Restoring Williamsburg" - exhibition at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum
• Architectural Collections - storage area for 90 years of architectural collections 

Tickets are $65.00 and include bus, admissions, and treats on the bus including wine/cheese on the ride back. Lunch is on your own in Merchants Square. To see a full program description click here for the flyer: Fall Crawl 2022. Purchase tickets here: Tickets Fall Crawl Williamsburg 2022

"Raise the Roof" Craft Beer Fest | October 15 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Join us as we “Raise the Roof” at Historic Christ Church & Museum's 7th-Annual Craft Beer Fest in Weems, Virginia. Enjoy an array of craft beers, delicious BBQ or vegetarian fare, homemade ice cream, and live music. Your ticket includes a souvenir cup & two craft beer (or wine) tickets, one serving of BBQ (or veggie fare) with fixings from Willaby’s, homemade ice cream from Short Lane Ice Cream and awesome music by Good Shot Judy and Bobby "Blackhat" Walters all at one of Virginia’s most historic sites. Additional beverage and meal tickets may be purchased at the event. Soft drinks & water provided. Please bring your photo ID and your own lawn chairs or blankets. No pets or coolers. Rain or Shine Event. Funds benefit preservation of Historic Christ Church (1735), a National Historic Landmark. Tickets $60.00 for adults, $20 under 21, and free for ages 5 and under. Tickets: "Raise the Roof" Craft Beer Fest

The Holly & the Ivy | December 5 - 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.