Host Janet Michael chats with Kristen Laise about an action-packed spring and summer season at Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown, Virginia. From a moving community quilt project honoring the enslaved to a traveling American Revolution exhibit, there's something for history lovers, nature enthusiasts, and families alike.

Topics Covered

Memorial Quilts

Two quilts honoring 270 enslaved individuals at Belle Grove, each name hand-stitched on individual quilt blocks
Quilt blocks arranged into family trees to symbolically reunite families separated by slavery
A three-year project involving 113 volunteers from the Winchester chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America
Quilted by Ohio-based African American artist Carole Gary Staples using African boutique fabrics
Over 300 community members contributed at least one stitch
Now permanently installed on the lower level of the manor house
Descendants of enslaved families are being connected — one, Athea Bell-Burton, has joined Belle Grove's board

Free Monthly Programs on Enslaved History

Docent Scott Terndrup leads monthly storytelling programs (usually the last Sunday of each month at 2:30 PM)
Two alternating stories: Judah (an enslaved cook) and Abba
Upcoming dates: Sunday, April 26th and Sunday, May 24th at 2:30 PM — free admission
Research newsletters and online exhibits available at: virtual.bellegrove.org

Upcoming Events & Workshops

Date

Event

Details

Sat, April 25

Apples in the American Landscape

2–4:30 PM, $15, hard cider tasting, apple desserts

Sun, April 26

Gourd Birdhouse Class

Make & decorate a gourd birdhouse; supplies included

Mon, April 28

Give Me Liberty Exhibit Opens

Free, runs through June 7th

Sat, May 9

Special Reduced Admission Day

$5 (ages 12+), kids free; talk by Ranger Christopher Mattingly at 1 PM

Sat, June 6

Garden Fest

8 AM–2 PM, NSVMGA plant sale, demos, food trucks, free admission

Sat, June 13

Descendants Day (Juneteenth)

Memorial walk, genealogy resources, music, food trucks

Nature's Expressions Workshop Series

Ongoing throughout the year; supplies included in class fees
Upcoming topics: basket making (May), goat soap, patriotic wreath (June)
Details at bellegrove.org

Give Me Liberty Traveling Exhibit

Highlights Virginia's role in the American Revolution
Originated at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond
Includes two custom panels on local Revolutionary War figures: Isaac Hite and the Bowman Brothers (John, Joseph, and Isaac)
Free to view; open during regular Belle Grove hours
April 28 – June 7

Descendants Day – June 13

Honoring Juneteenth weekend
Begins with a memorial service at Walnut Springs Christian Church in Oranda, VA
Commemorates Benjamin Tanny, an enslaved man at Belle Grove who was baptized at that congregation
Includes a walk, genealogy tables, storytelling, music, and food trucks
Genealogist Lisa Johnson will be on hand (specializes in Warren, Clarke, and Frederick Counties)

Visit Belle Grove

- Hours: Mon–Sat 10 AM–4 PM | Sun 1–5 PM

Manor house tours: Guided, paid admission
Grounds & hiking trails: Free; ~3 miles connecting to Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation trails
Dogs welcome on the trails
Website: bellegrove.org
Virtual exhibits & research: virtual.bellegrove.org
Social media: Facebook & Instagram
Membership: https://bellegrove.org/membership
Volunteers: Always welcome — visit the volunteer tab on the website: https://bellegrove.org/volunteer