Bring your family to the park to search for hidden easter eggs, pet live bunnies, play games and do much more. You may even catch a glimpse of the Easter Bunny. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
It's $3.00 per child.
Visit a 19th century plantation house and see what Christmas
was like for people during the Civil War. Also, join in with
the taffy ladies, visit the Jolly Ol' Civil War Santa and
have a taste of Civil War cooking over a open fire with a
few confederate soldiers.
It's $5.00 per person. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mulberry Hill is the ancestral home of the Virginia Carrington family, which was instrumental in many aspects of our country’s history from its infancy after the Revolutionary War all the way to the strategic Battle of Staunton River Bridge during the Civil War. The estate earned the name “Mulberry Hill” from the endeavor to raise silk worms that feed on the overabundant mulberry trees located throughout the acres. The mansion dates back to the mid 1700s, and its outbuildings, law office, and grounds provide a perfect timeline of history for interpreting the life of a successful colonial family that encompasses more than two hundred years of history. Most notably, the house served as the Union headquarters during the Battle for Staunton River Bridge, at which time a desperate call to arms went out in the neighboring counties of Halifax and Mecklenburg to help defend the Bridge against Union invaders.
The descendants of the Carrington family donated the house with all of its period antique furnishings as well as forty acres of land to the Staunton River Battlefield State Park. This year, the Historic Staunton River Foundation, a private organization that is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and development of the Staunton River Battlefield State Park is hosting an Open House at Mulberry Hill with an Antebellum themed Christmas. There will be a guided tour of the mansion, grounds and Judge Paul Carrington’s law office. The admission price to view the plantation is $5/person and children under 6 are admitted free. Docents in period dress will be present in each room of the house and in the law office to inform visitors about the uniqueness and history of the treasured heirlooms and period antiques. Also, there will be refreshments available to emulate what would have been available to families during Christmas for the duration of the hardships of the Civil War. Confederate re-enactors of the 14th VA. Inf. Co. K and 23rd VA Inf. Co. I will also be on hand to provide visitors with a glimpse into the past as to how soldiers survived the harsh winters and what rustic and simple methods they used to celebrate the Christmas season. Other highlights include period Christmas music, the traditional Yule log, taffy pulling demonstrations, spinning wheel demonstrations, a history of the overseer Nathan Dickerson told by his descendants, and even a visit from a jolly ol’ Civil War Santa!
During this time of year, when we often become wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we should remember to take time out of our busy schedules to share in the joys of the season and to give thanks. Come out and share in the yuletide and cheer of the holiday season by making plans to attend the Antebellum Christmas Open House at Mulberry Hill on either Saturday, December 1 or Sunday, December 2 from 1-5p.m. The event is open to the public. Tickets are only valid for the one-day they are purchased. Parking will be available at Roanoke Depot in Randolph (we ask you not to park at Mulberry Hill). There in the Depot, you can purchase your admission ticket and a free shuttle service will be provided to usher visitors to and from the mansion. Handicap parking is available at Mulberry Hill. The money raised from this event will go towards fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of supporting the Battlefield State Park and its continued restoration efforts at Mulberry Hill. The Foundation is exclusively operated by a dedicated group of volunteers and its yearly dues-paying members; if you are interested in joining the Foundation or would like to help work with future projects such as this, visit www.stauntonriverbattlefield.org or call 434.454.4312 for more information.
