Virginia Beach History Museums Announces Holiday Events at Lynnhaven House and Thoroughgood House

​To celebrate the spirit and history of the holidays, Virginia Beach History Museums (VBHM) is hosting a series of seasonal events in November and early December at the Lynnhaven Colonial Education Center, located on the grounds of the historic Lynnhaven House, 4409 Wishart Road, and Thoroughgood House, 1636 Parish Road.

Nov. 17 | Harvest Holiday CrafTea (3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Lynnhaven Colonial Education Center)

The fall and winter holidays have everyone gathered around hearth and table. While the crowning element may be the food and the company, often a beautiful table arrangement sets the festive mood. Enjoy a hands-on floral centerpiece workshop inspired by fall colors, natural elements, and colonial spirit, take a tour of the Lynnhaven House, then warm up with some specially curated tea and sweet treats while you create your own one-of-a-kind fall arrangement. Materials will be provided, but guests may also bring in their own centerpiece dishes, so long as they are approximately 5-6 inches in diameter, and relatively shallow. Sessions are 90 minutes each, and guests may wish to bring an apron/smock, or dress casually, to avoid stains or mess from the materials being used. Tickets are $35 per person.

Dec. 1-4 | Candlelight Yule Tours (tours every 30 minutes from 6-9 p.m. at the Thoroughgood House)

Yule love this new holiday tradition! Come celebrate the season by stepping back in time to experience some favorite colonial Christmas traditions. Costumed guides will escort you by candlelight through the home of Argall II and Susannah Thoroughgood and share stories of the decorations, traditions, foods, and festivities of 18^th century coastal Virginia. With live instrumental music provided in the house by members of the Itinerant Band, the interior will come alive with holiday charm. Hear how various members of the household would have experienced the holidays based on their role on the property and status in the community.

Join your neighbors for sing-along fun with historic and timeless favorites under the tents and by the yule fire with costumed vocalists from the Doorway Singers. Don't forget to stop by the food demonstration and cinnamon ornament tables and grab a hot drink and some sweets while you write your wishes to burn on the Yule logs before you head home. Tickets are $15 for adults and children over 10, $7 for children ages 2-10 and free for children younger than 2.

Dec. 7 | Winter Holiday CrafTea (3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Lynnhaven Colonial Education Center)

Winter wonderlands require wonderful wreaths, so why not make one of your own? Join us for some inspiration from colonial Virginia through Victorian Virginia, with a dash of modern-day versatility, to design floral wreath inserts that can be hung on their own, placed on tables or added to a fuller pine wreath. It wouldn't be the holidays without some spiced sweets and specially curated teas, so we'll sip and learn about holiday tea traditions alongside the sights and smells of the holidays. Sessions are 90 minutes each, and guests may wish to bring an apron/smock, or dress casually, to avoid stains or mess from the materials being used. Tickets are $40 per person.

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for these events. Ticket registration is through the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation ActiveNet system. If you do not already have an ActiveNet account, you will need to create your free account prior to purchasing tickets.

For the latest information about Virginia Beach History Museums events and tours, please visit museumsvb.org. If you have any questions about tours, please call 757-385-5100 or email vbhistory@vbgov.com.

ABOUT THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT:

The Cultural Affairs Department engages residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage, and cultural experiences to connect and strengthen communities. The Department assists and directs the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission, coordinates the City's Public Art Program, oversees Virginia Beach History Museums, provides contract management for the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, serves as the liaison with Virginia MOCA and the ViBe Creative District, and is a resource to local arts and humanities organizations.

ABOUT THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH HISTORY MUSEUMS:

The City of Virginia Beach History Museums include the Thoroughgood House, the Francis Land House, the Lynnhaven House, and Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum and are part of the City's Cultural Affairs Department. As part of the municipal government of the City of Virginia Beach, the Cultural Affairs Department engages residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage, and cultural experiences to connect and strengthen communities. Visit www.museumsvb.org for more information, and follow @VBHistoryMuseums on Facebook and Instagram, and @VBHistMuseums on Twitter, to stay up to date on all the events and news from Virginia Beach History Museums.

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