Head to Agecroft Hall & Gardens for a royally fun afternoon brimming with Tudor flair.

The Queen's birthday marks a moment of celebration for Agecroft as well, as we kick off the countdown to the centennial of Agecroft Hall in America in 2026. And what better way to celebrate than with a party highlighting both our Tudor past AND the reveal of our museum's new logo and website!

On the day's agenda:

From the candlelit stage of the Blackfriars Playhouse to the lush gardens of Agecroft Hall, the American Shakespeare Center brings its signature style into the open air. Join us for lively pop-up scenes from Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and King Henry VIII filled with laughter and delight. In true ASC fashion, these scenes capture the joy of Shared Light—the unique connection between actor and audience that transforms a summer afternoon in the garden into an unforgettable celebration of play, laughter, and community.

Performances of Renaissance music by Sarah and Kelsey Schilling, members of RVA Baroque in the inner courtyard

Stage combat demonstrations out back on the bowling green

Audiences with Queen Elizabeth I, expertly portrayed by Linda Macdonald, and photo opportunities, too!

Free garden admission all day -- the perfect opportunity for pack a picnic!

From 12-3pm, purchase a coffee or treat from Daily Coffee Company and Good Vices Ices.

From 12-5pm, browse the Agecroft Gift Shop for souvenirs, gifts, and some brand-new merchandise featuring our new logo designed by the fantastically creative duo at Raven & Crow.

Please note: Garden admission is free on September 7th. Admission to the house museum is available at the regular rates and may be reserved in advance online or in person.

Have you ever wanted to make you own cheese? Now you can! See the entire process from start to finish using readily-available grocery-store ingredients. Witness one of the oldest dairy processes in the world while sampling different flavor combinations. This soft, versatile cheese can be flavored in a variety of ways for a multitude of delicious recipes, both sweet and savory. Discover how to make this cheese lactose-free and vegetarian approved! Sign up today and learn how to make one of the most popular foods in the world. It’s easier than you think!

Fee: $50 per person, plus a $10 cash materials fee paid to the instructor on the night of the workshop; 20% discount for members

Join us for two days of fun in the sun at this weekend market organized by Petty Markets! Browse the talented work of over 20 local artisans. Plus, enjoy food, drinks, sweets, and treats available for purchase from a variety of vendors throughout the day.

On Saturday, the first day of this two-day market event, head to the back lawn to enjoy two free performances by Host of Sparrows Aerial Circus in celebration of their fifteenth anniversary.

Presentation times for Host of Sparrows' original piece, "MetaMORPHOsis," are scheduled for 1pm and 4pm on Saturday and are weather-dependent. In case of rain, the performances will move to Sunday, the 14th.

Garden admission is free all weekend. Admission to the house museum is available at the regular rates and may be reserved in advance online or in person.

Confirmed food vendors for the weekend include: Eat My Eggroll

Join us for two days of fun in the sun at this weekend market organized by Petty Markets! Browse the talented work of over 20 local artisans. Plus, enjoy food, drinks, sweets, and treats available for purchase from a variety of vendors throughout the day.

On Saturday, the first day of this two-day market event, head to the back lawn to enjoy two free performances by Host of Sparrows Aerial Circus in celebration of their fifteenth anniversary.

Presentation times for Host of Sparrows' original piece, "MetaMORPHOsis," are scheduled for 1pm and 4pm on Saturday and are weather-dependent. In case of rain, the performances will move to Sunday, the 14th.

Garden admission is free all weekend. Admission to the house museum is available at the regular rates and may be reserved in advance online or in person.

Confirmed food vendors for the weekend include: Eat My Eggroll & Cheesesteak Factory

Purchase tickets below — Please first scroll down for more information on ticket prices.

Join Dr. Catherine Loomis, as she presents "The Queen's Knees: An Open and Shut Case" at Agecroft Hall. A reception with light refreshments will follow.

This event is presented by the Richmond branch of the English-Speaking Union (ESU) and is part of ESU National's prestigious Evelyn Wrench Lecture series.

Tickets:

$15/person for the general public

Free for ESU Richmond Branch members (please contact ESU Richmond Branch to reserve your free ticket)

About Catherine Loomis

Dr. Catherine Loomis has taught at the University of New Orleans and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and currently teaches at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She is the author of The Death of Elizabeth I: Remembering and Reconstructing the Virgin Queen (2010) and the editor of William Shakespeare: A Documentary Volume (2005) and Shaping Shakespeare for Performance: The Bear Stage (2015) as well as essays on Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth, and theater history. She has lectured on Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth at the Folger Institute in Washington, DC, and at several universities. She is currently working on a collection of early modern poems and prose works in which male authors adopt a female narrative voice.

Cover image is taken from a photograph of the "The Pelican Portrait" oil painting, generally attributed to artist Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619).

Calling all artists! Our gardens and grounds are open early on selected Thursdays this summer and fall. Come take a stroll, find a shady spot, and release your creativity through painting, drawing, or the art form of your choosing OR bring a blanket and a book, a knitting project, a picnic, etc. The sky's the limit, but one thing's for certain: a morning spent in nature is a beautiful thing!

Art supplies are not provided. In the event of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled. No pets, please.

$6.00 per person; 20% discount for museum members. Not a member yet? Find out more HERE.

Harvests and Haunts, scarecrows, pumpkins and ghosts... oh my!

Fall is a season filled with pumpkins, scarecrows, and apple picking, offering plenty of fun activities to enjoy. However, 500 years ago in England, autumn was more about hard work than play, as farmers toiled in the fields without the help of modern machinery like tractors or trucks.

Our educators invite you to discover how harvest time was experienced in the past. We'll delve into the roles of young children, learn about scarecrows, and compare Tudor and today's harvest practices. And we will share some of the eerie traditions associated with fall centuries ago.

Get ready for a hands-on craft, a glimpse into our manor house, and a spooky season story!

Tickets: $15 per child (recommended for children ages 6-11)

Photo credit: Stratton McCrady Photography

The Richmond Concert Band is back at Agecroft with another FREE concert!

Grab a picnic and those closest for a beautiful evening of outdoor music. Be ready to go on a magical musical journey with the band as they present an all-ages concert with the theme "It's a Jungle Out There." 

Don't forget your blankets and chairs for this fun, relaxing event!

For more information on the concert, callers can contact the Richmond Concert Band at (804) 737-3767. 

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be postponed to September 28th.

Visit Agecroft Hall & Gardens for a relaxing evening of music and brews set against the backdrop of Tudor courtyards, lush gardens, and rolling hills located near the banks of the James River.

Listen to the cool rhythms of Philadelphia's Dirk Quinn Duo as they present their unique blend of high-energy funk and jazz. Remember to bring along a picnic blanket or lawn chair and make yourself comfortable!

Thirsty? Check out our selection of Virginia cider and beer, all available for purchase via drink ticket. (Each 21+ Apples & Ales event ticket includes one drink ticket redeemable for the alcoholic beverage of your choice. Additional drink tickets may be purchased for $8 each, including tax.)

Hungry? Purchase street tacos, quesadillas, and more from El Guapo, one of Richmond's tastiest food trucks.

IDs will be checked at the door for adult ticket holders.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will be postponed to Friday, September 26th.

Ticket Prices:

Adult admission (21+ and includes one drink ticket): $20

Under 21: $8.00

Child 6 and under: FREE

Fall foliage garden tour

Take this 45-minute guided outdoor tour to learn about the legacy of our formal gardens. Learn about Tudor monarch Henry VIII’s gardening passion, Renaissance gardens, historic harvest festivals, and 20th century “Virginia Garden” design. What do they all have in common? Each is part of the heritage of the gardens at Agecroft Hall.

Stay after the guided tour to explore the grounds on your own. Don’t forget comfortable shoes. This tour requires walking on grass, gravel paths, and stone walkways. The route has several stair steps.

$10.00 per person; 20% discount for museum members

Museum house tours begin at 12pm. A separate ticket is required.

Take this 45-minute guided outdoor tour to learn about the legacy of our formal gardens. Learn about Tudor monarch Henry VIII’s gardening passion, Renaissance gardens, historic harvest festivals, and 20th century “Virginia Garden” design. What do they all have in common? Each is part of the heritage of the gardens at Agecroft Hall.

Stay after the guided tour to explore the grounds on your own. Don’t forget comfortable shoes. This tour requires walking on grass, gravel paths, and stone walkways. The route has several stair steps.

$10.00 per person; 20% discount for museum members

Museum house tours begin at 12pm. A separate ticket is required.

Join us for a talk about the instruments lost on the Mary Rose.

King Henry VIII's navy ship, the Mary Rose, sank in 1545. After 400 years, the ship was finally brought to the surface. Along with weapons and supplies, several musical instruments were found amongst the wreckage. We'll explore this dramatic shipwreck story and the unique musical instruments that were on board. 

Lecturer Sarah Schilling, DM, is in demand as a period woodwind player (oboes, recorders, Renaissance winds) and performance practice specialist. Ensembles this season include Three Notch’d Road, Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, Forgotten Clefs, Mallarmé Music, Music of the Regiment, Raleigh Camerata, RVA Baroque, Spire Chamber Orchestra, and Washington Bach Consort. Sarah works in public media as Music Operations Coordinator for VPM (Virginia’s Home for Public Media) and has authored over 80 scripts for Harmonia Early Music, a nationally syndicated radio program out of WFIU-Bloomington.

Tickets: $15 per person

Enjoy "Pay What You Will" early access to our gardens in October as part of the Cultureworks "artober" celebration!

Calling all artists! Our gardens and grounds are open early every Thursday in October! Come take a stroll, find a shady spot, and release your creativity through painting, drawing, or the art form of your choosing OR bring a blanket and a book, a knitting project, a picnic, etc. The sky's the limit, but one thing's for certain: a morning spent in nature is a beautiful thing!

As part of the Cultureworks "artober" celebration, we are offering "Pay What You Will" plein air painting mornings every Thursday during the month of October. Register for your free ticket to the October 2nd morning HERE.

Should you wish to make an optional tax-deductible donation in support of Agecroft Hall & Gardens, we invite you to do so HERE.

Art supplies are not provided. In the event of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled. No pets, please.

A tour about otherworldly beings!

Longstanding beliefs in fearsome dragons, meddling witches, mischievous fairies, supernatural cats, and magic were part of daily life in Tudor England. To protect themselves from these dangers, people used ritual marks and other devices. Come to Agecroft Hall and examine evidence of 16th and 17th century efforts to turn away evil and ensure good fortune.

This tour includes the second floor and requires climbing stairs.

$12.00 per person; 20% discount for museum members

Calling all artists! Our gardens and grounds are open early every Thursday in October! Come take a stroll, find a shady spot, and release your creativity through painting, drawing, or the art form of your choosing OR bring a blanket and a book, a knitting project, a picnic, etc. The sky's the limit, but one thing's for certain: a morning spent in nature is a beautiful thing!

As part of the Cultureworks "artober" celebration, we are offering "Pay What You Will" plein air painting mornings every Thursday during the month of October. Register for your free ticket to the October 9th morning HERE.

Should you wish to make an optional tax-deductible donation in support of Agecroft Hall & Gardens, we invite you to do so HERE.

Art supplies are not provided. In the event of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled. No pets, please.

Join us for a stroll to learn about Agecroft Hall's neighborhood!

Explore the Windsor Farms neighborhood with architectural historian Chris Novelli on this tour highlighting the history and architecture of Richmond’s first comprehensively-planned community.

Windsor Farms was formed during the mid-1920s under the vision of T.C. Williams, Jr., Agecroft’s owner, as a community inspired by English country villages with the amenities of modern city living. Borrowing details from the Tudor and Colonial eras, some residents worked with well-known 20th-century architects like William Lawrence Bottomley to build their homes.

Learn about the architects, building styles, and stories that shaped this community while walking along the neighborhood's tree-lined streets.

In the event of inclement weather, the tour will be cancelled. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Tickets: $10 per person

Calling all artists! Our gardens and grounds are open early every Thursday in October! Come take a stroll, find a shady spot, and release your creativity through painting, drawing, or the art form of your choosing OR bring a blanket and a book, a knitting project, a picnic, etc. The sky's the limit, but one thing's for certain: a morning spent in nature is a beautiful thing!

As part of the Cultureworks "artober" celebration, we are offering "Pay What You Will" plein air painting mornings every Thursday during the month of October. Register for your free ticket to the October 16th morning HERE.

Should you wish to make an optional tax-deductible donation in support of Agecroft Hall & Gardens, we invite you to do so HERE.

Art supplies are not provided. In the event of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled. No pets, please.

Purchase tickets HERE. (To reserve tickets that include live audio description for the vision-impaired, please contact Virginia Voice directly at 804-266-2477.)

In partnership with Virginia Voice, enjoy a guided garden tour that includes a live audio description for the visually impaired. This tactile tour highlights Agecroft Hall's formal gardens and seasonal blooms. Discover the characteristics of a 20th-century Virginia Garden while being transported by both experience and sound.

Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes. This accessible tour is on multiple surfaces: grass, gravel paths following the shaded Linden Allée, and stone courtyards framed with flowers surrounding the museum. Stay after the guided tour to explore other garden areas on your own or stop in our museum gift shop.

Questions about Agecroft Hall or the tour? Contact Agecroft's Manager of Tour Services at kreynolds@agecrofthall.com. 

Purchase tickets to the 12:30pm event HERE.

Do you love a good mystery? How about a scrumptious English tea? Well, then our next Tea Time Tales event is for you! 

Discover what Japanese gangsters, bear spray, and daring boat getaways have in common with noteworthy art thefts. In this lecture, you will travel the globe learning why museums from Amsterdam to Zimbabwe have been targets for thieves and what tools they used to elude detection. Find out who got caught…and who did not.

Hear from Agecroft Hall's executive director, Anne Kenny-Urban, who'll present a lively illustrated lecture.

Afterward, enjoy tea and good conversation. Help yourself to scones, tea sandwiches, and a variety of delicious bite-sized sweets from Missy Mauck Catering!

Tickets: $45 per person; 20% discount for museum members.

Purchase tickets to the 3:30pm event HERE.

Do you love a good mystery? How about a scrumptious English tea? Well, then our next Tea Time Tales event is for you! 

Discover what Japanese gangsters, bear spray, and daring boat getaways have in common with noteworthy art thefts. In this lecture, you will travel the globe learning why museums from Amsterdam to Zimbabwe have been targets for thieves and what tools they used to elude detection. Find out who got caught…and who did not.

Hear from Agecroft Hall's executive director, Anne Kenny-Urban, who'll present a lively illustrated lecture.

Afterward, enjoy tea and good conversation. Help yourself to scones, tea sandwiches, and a variety of delicious bite-sized sweets from Missy Mauck Catering!

Tickets: $45 per person; 20% discount for museum members.

Calling all artists! Our gardens and grounds are open early every Thursday in October! Come take a stroll, find a shady spot, and release your creativity through painting, drawing, or the art form of your choosing OR bring a blanket and a book, a knitting project, a picnic, etc. The sky's the limit, but one thing's for certain: a morning spent in nature is a beautiful thing!

As part of the Cultureworks "artober" celebration, we are offering "Pay What You Will" plein air painting mornings every Thursday during the month of October. Register for your free ticket to the October 23rd morning HERE.

Should you wish to make an optional tax-deductible donation in support of Agecroft Hall & Gardens, we invite you to do so HERE.

Art supplies are not provided. In the event of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled. No pets, please.

Purchase tickets for the 10AM walk HERE.

Take this 45-minute guided outdoor tour to learn about the legacy of our formal gardens. Learn about Tudor monarch Henry VIII’s gardening passion, Renaissance gardens, historic harvest festivals, and 20th century “Virginia Garden” design. What do they all have in common? Each is part of the heritage of the gardens at Agecroft Hall.

Stay after the guided tour to explore the grounds on your own. Don’t forget comfortable shoes. This tour requires walking on grass, gravel paths, and stone walkways. The route has several stair steps.

$10.00 per person; 20% discount for museum members

Museum house tours begin at 12pm. A separate ticket is required.

Purchase tickets for the 11AM walk HERE.

Take this 45-minute guided outdoor tour to learn about the legacy of our formal gardens. Learn about Tudor monarch Henry VIII’s gardening passion, Renaissance gardens, historic harvest festivals, and 20th century “Virginia Garden” design. What do they all have in common? Each is part of the heritage of the gardens at Agecroft Hall.

Stay after the guided tour to explore the grounds on your own. Don’t forget comfortable shoes. This tour requires walking on grass, gravel paths, and stone walkways. The route has several stair steps.

$10.00 per person; 20% discount for museum members

Museum house tours begin at 12pm. A separate ticket is required.

Our autumn Agatha Christie-themed event!

Join us for our book club featuring an Agatha Christie classic, "Hallowe'en Party." This event is part book club and part game night! Activities include a book discussion, a brief guided museum tour, and an Agatha Christie-themed trivia and bingo games. Win bingo and take home fun prizes!

Light refreshments and Agatha Christie-inspired mocktails are included.

Reading the selected book is not required.

$15.00 per person; 20% off for current museum members. Space is limited.

Not a member yet? Find out more about memberships HERE.

Enjoy "Pay What You Will" early access to our gardens in October as part of the Cultureworks "artober" celebration!

Calling all artists! Our gardens and grounds are open early every Thursday in October! Come take a stroll, find a shady spot, and release your creativity through painting, drawing, or the art form of your choosing OR bring a blanket and a book, a knitting project, a picnic, etc. The sky's the limit, but one thing's for certain: a morning spent in nature is a beautiful thing!

As part of the Cultureworks "artober" celebration, we are offering "Pay What You Will" plein air painting mornings every Thursday during the month of October. Register for your free ticket to the October 30th morning HERE.

Should you wish to make an optional tax-deductible donation in support of Agecroft Hall & Gardens, we invite you to do so HERE.

Art supplies are not provided. In the event of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled. No pets, please.

The Richmond Renaissance Dancers present an evening of elegant court dance!

The Richmond Renaissance Dancers will present this multimedia program showcasing the majesty and elegance of court dancing from the perspective of Queen Elizabeth I and her courtiers. English almans and country dances, French branles, and Italian balli and cascarde were all part of the Elizabethan court repertoire. The Queen’s court will come alive once more through demonstrations of these late 16th century dances. Linda Macdonald, portraying Queen Elizabeth, will provide informative narrative and historical background, all within the beautiful surroundings of Agecroft Hall.

Tickets: $15 per person

Our annual Bellycheer! tour is back.

Bellycheer! Feasting in England 1580-1640 is a guided tour celebrating food and dining during the holiday season.

Listen to a lively telling of uses of everyday foods, food preparation, historic recipes, rare spices, table etiquette, and customs on England’s annual feast days. Is food medicine? In a 17th century country house, food and medicine were often the same thing. Join tour guide Tracy Weldon to learn about these topics and more on a guided tour focusing on the dining parlor and Tudor Kitchen.

Take home historic recipes to try on your own.

$12.00 per person. 20% discount for museum members.

This tour is also offered on Thursday, December 11th at 6:00pm and on Saturday, December 20th at 10:00am. 

Join our educators as we compare winter pastimes and celebrations from 500 years ago and today!

What did people do in wintertime 500 years ago in England? Join our educators as we compare winter pastimes and celebrations from 500 years ago and today. Kids will play wintertime minute-to-win-it games, tour our manor house, and create two make-and-take crafts.

Fee: $15 per child. Recommended for children ages 6-11.

Our annual Bellycheer! tour is back.

Bellycheer! Feasting in England 1580-1640 is a guided tour celebrating food and dining during the twelve days of Christmas.

Listen to a lively telling of uses of everyday foods, food preparation, historic recipes, rare spices, table etiquette, and customs on England’s annual feast days. Is food medicine? In a 17th century country house, food and medicine were often the same thing. Join tour guide Tracy Weldon to learn about these topics and more on a guided tour focusing on the dining parlor and Tudor Kitchen.

Take home historic recipes to try on your own.

$12.00 per person. 20% discount for museum members.

This tour is also offered on Saturday, December 20th at 10:00am. 

Our annual Bellycheer! tour is back.

Bellycheer! Feasting in England 1580-1640 is a guided tour celebrating food and dining during the twelve days of Christmas.

Listen to a lively telling of uses of everyday foods, food preparation, historic recipes, rare spices, table etiquette, and customs on England’s annual feast days. Is food medicine? In a 17th century country house, food and medicine were often the same thing. Join tour guide Tracy Weldon to learn about these topics and more on a guided tour focusing on the dining parlor and Tudor Kitchen.

Take home historic recipes to try on your own.

$12.00 per person. 20% discount for museum members.