Events

Author Sarah Kay Bierle speaks to the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable about the Confederate artillerist John Pelham. The roundtable meets at the Education Center at Pamplin Historical Park.

Visitors may drop in to tour the river education center, meet the association's educators, and see the aquariums. Families can also explore the outdoor nature area, and a short talk begins at 11 AM.

A one-hour guided tour on Edgar Allan Poe's fondness for cats, with a look at his life and writing and a visit with the museum's two resident cats. Registration is required and the group is limited to 20.

An outdoor composting workshop from the Piedmont Master Gardeners at the compost demonstration site in the Bread & Roses Gardens. It is free, and the host asks people to register; registration closes at 5 p.m. on November 7 or when the workshop is full.

A guided tour of the farm and home of Mary Carr Greer, held near her birthday. It covers her work in civic engagement, African American education and gardening. The farm is listed on several historic registers, including the National Register of Historic Places.

Historian Scott Patchan speaks to the Rappahannock Valley Civil War Round Table about Jubal Early's 1864 campaign in western Virginia. Guests may come after dinner and attend the meeting.

Author Annie Tobey talks about her book Secret Richmond, a guide to the city's lesser-known sights and stories. Copies of the book are for sale and signing afterward. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Henrico County Public Library.

A one-hour talk from the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards on beech leaf disease and what is known about it. Registration is through Eventbrite.

Columnist and author Bill Lohmann talks about the third edition of his book Backroads and Byways of Virginia and his travels in search of good places, people and pie. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Henrico County Public Library.

A short talk on upcoming sky events in the education building, followed by stargazing in the field next to the parking lot with members of the Charlottesville Astronomical Society. Visitors may use the society's telescopes or bring their own. The evening is canceled if the skies are cloudy, and the society asks guests to email ahead.

Author Phillip Andrew Gibbs signs copies of his new book on early 1900s murder investigations by the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency in the Richmond and Chesterfield area. The signing is free; books are sold separately in hardcover and paperback.

The Fluvanna County Historical Society opens the Old Stone Jail Museum for tours of the county's history from its formation in 1777 through the twentieth century. There are activities for children, light refreshments and gifts for sale. Admission is free and donations are welcome.

A dinner meeting of the Civil War Round Table of Fredericksburg with director and producer Ron Maxwell. He speaks about making Gettysburg, Gods and Generals and Copperhead.

Author Diana Peterfreund talks about her young adult Ellen Poe series, including the sequel Ellen Poe: For Evermore. The Poe Museum presents it at Fountain Bookstore, and in-person admission includes a glass of wine.

Author Frank O'Reilly speaks on the Battle of Malvern Hill, the last of the Seven Days' Battles near Richmond. It is the final talk of the Tavern's 2026 speaker series, and the restaurant is open beforehand.

A hands-on workshop in which participants make a traditional boxwood wreath. All supplies are provided, including a 14-inch straw form, pins and fresh boxwood; guests bring gloves and pruners. Preregistration and payment are required, there are no same-day sign-ups, and attendance is limited to 25.

A free class from the Piedmont Master Gardeners on telling helpful insects from harmful ones on vegetable plants. The host asks people to register; registration closes at 5 p.m. on November 20 or when the class is full.

A hands-on workshop in which participants make a traditional boxwood wreath. All supplies are provided, including a 14-inch straw form, pins and fresh boxwood; guests bring gloves and pruners. Preregistration and payment are required, there are no same-day sign-ups, and attendance is limited to 25.

The December meeting of the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable features speaker Jerry Desmond. The group also holds its officer elections for 2027 at this meeting.

A day of Christmas displays at Castlewood showing how the holiday was kept in different eras, from the 1480s through the Revolutionary War, Civil War and both World Wars. Some displays are outdoors and some are inside the historic buildings.

During the Art in the Park Holiday Market, visitors can step into the Farm Heritage Museum to learn about Fluvanna's farming history from 1865 to 1965. The Historical Society has an information table, activities for children and gifts for sale. Museum entry is free and donations are welcome.

Peter Maugle speaks to the Rappahannock Valley Civil War Round Table on Myths of Fredericksburg. Dinner is at 6:45 and the meeting begins at 7:30; guests may come for the meeting alone.

The January meeting of the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable features speaker Madeleine Feirsteine. Her listed topics are Christmas during the Civil War and occupied Alexandria.