Visit “Haunted Henricus” Event for Modern and Historic Ghost Stories

At Henricus this weekend, storytellers will relive English and Virginia Indian ghost stories. In addition, experts from Transcend Paranormal (aka R.I.P. Ghost Hunters) will share findings of recent paranormal activity at Henricus. Specialists have visited Henricus several times and captured a misty figure on video, experienced objects moving and discovered Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVPs) in virtually every building onsite. EVPs have been recorded of people speaking, furniture dropping and cannons firing. Experts from Transcend Paranormal utilize electromagnetic field detectors, cameras, camcorders and voice recorders when conducting research. See proof of ghost activity at "Haunted Henricus: Things That Go Bump in the Night" this weekend (reservation required: (804) 748-1613). For more information, visit http://www.ripvirginia.com/.

Thomas Dale Students Get Behind-the-Scenes Movie Tour at Henricus

On Friday, October 14, nine drama students at Thomas Dale High School (TDHS) got a behind-the-scenes tour of the "To Have and To Hold" movie set at Henricus. Students were given the opportunity to learn how a large-scale move is made including meet-and-greets with the film's director, producer and stars and a glimpse into the wardrobe, make-up and catering facilities for the movie. TDHS is home to Chesterfield County's Visual and Performing Arts Specialty Center for students highly interested or talented in music, theater, dance or visual arts. "To Have and To Hold" is a colonial-era movie based on a best-selling American novel written in 1900. Filming at Henricus will conclude this week.

Set Design Underway at Henricus for "To Have and To Hold" Movie Filming

Crews have begun designing the set for the "To Have and To Hold" movie filming at Henricus. So far, an enormous gate and palisade have been created behind the Court de Guard and in front of the forge. Mount Malady has been transformed from a hospital into a church with pews, new landscaping and a steeple to be added shortly. A huge haystack has been built near the carpentry shop and period props have been placed around the Historic Citie for various scenes. The crew set up a base camp for the film production including tents and trailers in the unpaved parking lot. Henricus Historical Park will be closed to the general public from October 3-19 for the filming. Previously scheduled school field trips will take place as planned along with "School of the Musketeer" on October 7-9. People are encouraged to visit Henricus.org for further updates and additional details.

Virginia Society Children of the American Revolution Donates to Virginia Indian Site

On September 16, Henricus Historical Park received a donation from the Virginia Society Children of the American Revolution (VSCAR) for $3,000. The funds will be used to maintain the “Yehakins,” or longhouses, in the Virginia Indian site. The undertaking was led by Laura Shelton, past president of VSCAR (2010-2011), as her state project. As a resident of Chesterfield with a strong interest in American Indian culture, Shelton felt compelled to help a local organization dedicated to the preservation of the pre-revolutionary period. To raise funds, Shelton traveled around the state to local chapters informing them about the educational mission of Henricus Historical Park. She sold t-shirts, conducted raffles and accepted donations. Local societies supported her project with fundraisers they conducted as well. Shelton presented the check to the Henricus Foundation during a reception to welcome Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement for Publick Days and the site’s 400th anniversary. She is a member of the William Byrd Society, a local chapter of VSCAR.

Henricus Historical Park Temporarily Closed for Filming

Henricus Historical Park will be closed from October 3-18 for the filming of "To Have and To Hold." During this time the Dutch Gap trails will be open; however, the James River Bluff and floating dock will be closed. All parking will be in the overflow parking lot adjacent to the paved lot. School of the Musketeer will take place as scheduled on October 7-9. All previously scheduled school field trips will take place as planned. For more information, please visit www.henricus.org.

Henricus Historical Park Celebrates Successful 400th Commemoration

Henricus Historical Park would like to thank the event participants and visitors for making Publick Days and the site’s 400th commemoration a success. The weekend kicked-off with the arrival of Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement with remarks by representatives of the Virginia House of Delegates; Chesterfield and Henrico Counties; the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation; Daughters of the American Revolution and the Chickahominy Indian Tribe. Despite rainy conditions, nearly 4,000 people enjoyed the weekend’s family-friendly activities ranging from musket and cannon firing demonstrations to Virginia Indian songs and dance. Through today, school groups will participate in guided tours of the Godspeed and colonial and Virginia Indian settlements. Henricus would like to thank the more than 100 living history interpreters, dozens of volunteers, sponsors and donors, Board of Trustees and dedicated staff for creating a memorable, educational and entertaining event.

Preparations at Henricus Kept Site Safe From Hurricane Irene

Staff at Henricus Historical Park worked furiously last week to protect the site from Hurricane Irene. With Publick Days and the site’s 400th anniversary only weeks away, protecting the grounds, structures and artifacts were of high concern. In preparation, artifacts were removed from all buildings and stored in the education center. Tarps were placed over three Yehakins (or longhouses) in the Virginia Indian site and secured to the ground with stakes. The site’s cannon was moved to a protected location. Hard work by the staff paid off with the Yehakins unharmed and only minor damage from a fallen tree incurred to the tobacco barn. Chesterfield County removed the tree on Monday. Many thanks to the Henricus staff for their hard work preparing for Hurricane Irene!

Governor's Cabinet Visits Henricus

On Tuesday, August 23rd several members of Governor McDonnell’s cabinet visited Henricus Historical Park for a tour and briefing about the historic site. Members of the cabinet included James Cheng, secretary of commerce and trade; Todd Patterson Haymore, secretary of agriculture and forestry; and Robert Sledd, senior policy advisor for economic development to Governor McDonnell. The discussion was lead by George Drumwright, Jr., Henricus Board of Trustees member and deputy manager for community services at Henrico County; John Siddall, chairman of the Henricus board; and Charles Grant, acting executive director at Henricus. Cabinet members received a briefing on the historic firsts which took place at the Citie of Henricus followed by a discussion about the missions of the Henricus Foundation and museum itself. The group also covered how Henricus is partnering with the Virginia Film Office on the upcoming movie, “To Have and To Hold,” which will be filmed at the Park this fall. As always, Henricus welcomes the opportunity to introduce the site to leaders of our community.

For Educators and Historical Interpreters: Roundtable Discussion with Stuart Peachey

Stuart Peachey, director of Historical Management Associates, Ltd., will host a roundtable discussion for educators and historical interpreters of the 17th-century on Sunday, March 27 and Monday, March 28 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Henricus Historical Park.

Historical Management Associates based in Bristol, England serves as a living history consultancy, farming and historical landscape restoration organization and publisher of historical material for museums and educators. The company has restored historic landscapes at Grayhill Farm, Clayacre Orchard and Coney Orchard in Europe. The publishing arm of the organization currently distributes approximately 250 volumes of historical material. After publishing “Textiles and Materials of the Common Man 1580-1660” in 2001 the company began reproducing and supplying a variety of historical fabrics.

Peachey will also be conducting a lecture, “The Farming English People of 1622 Virginia,” during the “Henricus Colledge – First University Chartered in North America” event on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m. at Henricus Historical Park. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children 3-12. Visit www.henricus.org for more information about 400th commemoration events.

Cost for each roundtable discussion with Peachey is $15 per person. Pizza and soda will be provided in addition to childcare if needed. If you would like to attend a roundtable discussion, please RSVP to Terry Marr of Henricus Historical Park by March 18: marrt@chesterfield.gov or (804) 748-1613. Henricus Historical Park is located at 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester, Virginia 23836.

Meet Margaret E. Carlini, education supervisor at Henricus Historical Park

Q: Why is education an important part of the mission at Henricus Historical Park?

A: As a living history museum, Henricus Historical Park operates as an educational institution serving the community at large, including children and adults. Everything we do, from our SOL-aligned education programs to camps and general visitation emphasize age-appropriate, hands-on, team-building activities. Period-dressed interpreters make history come alive through demonstrations in the re-created 17th-century settlement.

Q: What types of groups typically participate in the education programs?

A: More than 18,000 children visit Henricus Historical Park each year. From more than 10 school districts, students in pre-kindergarten through high school, book programs at Henricus. Public, private and home schools, including day care centers and student and adult clubs and organizations visit the Park. Henricus is currently partnering with school districts and other museums to provide history training for educators statewide.

Q: How are you incorporating the site’s 400th anniversary into programming?

A: We’ve taken into account the diverse cultures living in the area and how they traded not only goods but ideas with each other. History programs feature the interactions and individual personalities of Pocahontas, Powhatan, Sir Thomas Dale and the Reverend Alexander Whitaker. The expanded Virginia Indian site and newly constructed Rocke Hall will be integral to new and existing programs. Henricus is partnering with the Virginia Indian community, other museums, colleges and organizations, to provide a rich depth of understanding about our programs.

Q: What are your favorite aspects about working at Henricus?

A: I really enjoy meeting a wide variety of people and participating in many different projects. Mornings may be spent teaching programs to second graders in the Virginia Indian site, while teacher institutes, grant writing sessions and lesson planning may occupy the afternoon. In all aspects, it is a fulfilling career. You are not only a part of the revisualization of the past, but making the past relevant to the future.

Q: What do you envision for the future of the Park?

A: I envision growing interest from the local community, state and nation in Virginia’s historical past and its important role in shaping our country. To meet this demand, we look forward to providing a wider range of services – historical research, videos, exhibits, archaeological surveys, environmental programs and more general public and school programs. We hope to encourage a broader interest in Henricus Historical Park for many years to come.