Gunston Hall

Gunston Hall Explore the ideas and legacy of George Mason, Founding Father and author of the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights at his 18th-century home.

The votes are in and tallied! 🗳️ Thank you to everyone who helped select the menu for our 10th anniversary Cocktails by ...
08/31/2026

The votes are in and tallied! 🗳️ Thank you to everyone who helped select the menu for our 10th anniversary Cocktails by Candlelight on September 11. We hope you enjoyed this sneak peek behind the scenes!

Start the evening with a sip of Punch for Chambermaids before digging into the quiche-like Egg and Bacon Pye, served with Winter Squash Pudding. Then, enjoy a light and fluffy Coconut Tart amid the end-of-summer scenery and candlelit glow of Gunston Hall’s historic grounds. ✨

We look forward to seeing you there!

Tickets are available online now and at the door.
🎟 https://tinyurl.com/53cvbwpp

08/28/2026

🔥 Want to see what’s so cool?

Two weeks from today, step out of the everyday and into 10 years of Cocktails by Candlelight!

What started as three staff members looking for an excuse to make Flip—a rum-and-beer cocktail finished with a hot poker—has grown into one of Gunston Hall’s most popular programs.

Spend the evening exploring history by candlelight with historic food and drinks, mansion tours, and 18th-century entertainment. Try your hand at tavern games like ring toss, ball and cup, and the fan-favorite shut-the-box. You can also raise a glass with a historic toast and discover how these traditions reflected the changing politics of the American Revolution.

📅 Friday, September 11
⏰ 6–9 p.m.
🍸 Ages 21 and older

Tickets are limited—reserve yours and raise a glass to 10 years of memorable evenings at Gunston Hall!

🎟️ https://tinyurl.com/53cvbwpp

As a beloved champion of early childhood literacy, we think Dolly Parton would approve of an adventure that combines rea...
08/27/2026

As a beloved champion of early childhood literacy, we think Dolly Parton would approve of an adventure that combines reading, nature, and imagination! 📚🩷

🍂 Are you ready to FALL into our next Nature Thursdays Storytime? It’s just ONE WEEK away!

Join us on September 3 at 10:30 a.m. for our nature-based storytime for preschoolers. Next month’s theme is—you guessed it—fall!

We’ll read The Leaf Thief, written by Alice Hemming and illustrated by Nicola Slater, observe the weather, and learn how to identify the changing seasons. During a guided hike, we’ll gather leaves and sort them by size and color. Then, we’ll practice fine motor skills by turning our collected leaves into festive leaf hats! Participants will also receive a color-by-number activity to take home.

Nature Thursdays runs rain or shine, so dress for the weather and come prepared to explore!
🎟️ https://tinyurl.com/5dca5b9d

Last chance to help shape the menu for the 10th anniversary of Cocktails by Candlelight! Which sweet treat should we ser...
08/25/2026

Last chance to help shape the menu for the 10th anniversary of Cocktails by Candlelight! Which sweet treat should we serve on September 11?

🥥 Coconut Tarts
Coconut-filled, lemon-flavored tarts with a meringue-like texture.

🍐 Stewed Pears
Pears poached in red wine with sugar, cloves, and lemon peel.

🍫 Chocolate-Puffs
Light, airy, chocolate-flavored meringues.

🍒 Cherry Tart
A classic cherry-filled tart baked until bubbly and golden.

Vote below and help us choose! 🗳️

Missed our earlier polls? Check out our recent posts to vote for your Cocktails by Candlelight favorites!

Now that you've voted, don't forget to buy your tickets!
🎟️ Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/53cvbwpp

☀️ It’s been a long, hot, and celebratory summer at Gunston Hall!Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 250th anniv...
08/25/2026

☀️ It’s been a long, hot, and celebratory summer at Gunston Hall!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 250th anniversary Summer Saturdays, including the community partners and vendors who helped bring each program to life!

From 18th-century games and relays to archaeology, weaving, embroidery, and trivia, we hope you had as much fun as we did. You helped make this season one for the history books!

Have ideas or topics for next year’s Summer Saturdays? Share them in the comments! 👇

Until then, explore our upcoming programs on our website. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

📚 Happy First Day of School to our Fairfax County neighbors!Gunston Hall is proud to support student learning year-round...
08/24/2026

📚 Happy First Day of School to our Fairfax County neighbors!

Gunston Hall is proud to support student learning year-round through field trips and in-school programs led by our incredible volunteer docents.

Our docents bring history to life for students of all ages through interactive tours of the mansion and historic area, hands-on demonstrations such as hearth cooking, engaging storytelling, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

Are you a college student preparing to become a teacher? An adult with a flexible schedule who wants to inspire the next generation? Newly retired and looking to make a difference while building community? Becoming a Gunston Hall docent could be a great fit for you!

📅 Learn more at an upcoming Volunteer Information Session:

Wednesday, September 30, at 1 p.m.
Saturday, October 24, at 11 a.m.

🇺🇸 Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of…Trivia!Join us TOMORROW, Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. for Gunston Hall’...
08/21/2026

🇺🇸 Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of…Trivia!

Join us TOMORROW, Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. for Gunston Hall’s FINAL Summer Saturday of the year!

🧠 Trivia begins at:

10:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m.

Each game will feature five rounds:

250 Years Ago
Basic Founding Fathers
Famous Rights Documents
Pop Culture: History Edition
Guess the 18th-Century Object

Between games, enjoy music, snacks, activities, and more. It’s just Common Sense to end the summer at Gunston Hall!

🎟️ Summer Saturdays is free with general admission.

🍂 Strap on your explorer boots and join us for Nature Thursdays in September!Preschool-aged ecologists will enjoy a them...
08/21/2026

🍂 Strap on your explorer boots and join us for Nature Thursdays in September!

Preschool-aged ecologists will enjoy a themed storytime, guided nature hike, and hands-on activities designed to build preschool readiness, environmental awareness, motor skills, self-expression, and more.

Our September theme is fall! We’ll read The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming, illustrated by Nicola Slater, observe the weather, and look for signs of the changing seasons. During our hike, we’ll collect leaves and sort them by size and color before using them to create our own leaf hats! Participants will also take home a color-by-number activity.

📅 Thursday, September 3
⏰ 10:30 a.m.

Nature Thursdays runs rain or shine, so please dress for the weather and prepare for outdoor exploration.

🍁 Advance registration is encouraged—this program tends to sell out!
🎟️ https://tinyurl.com/5dca5b9d

🎙️ Missed today’s History Bites? Consider this your invitation to squeeze a little history into your final days of summe...
08/20/2026

🎙️ Missed today’s History Bites? Consider this your invitation to squeeze a little history into your final days of summer! ☀️

Whether you’re enjoying a last-minute vacation, relaxing at home, or settling back into a school-year routine, catch up with our newest episode—and explore past podcasts—on Gunston Hall’s YouTube channel.

Today’s episode launches our new Women and Politics miniseries with women’s historian Kathryn Gehred, host of Your Most Obedient & Humble Servant.

Watch now: tinyurl.com/y4fz3wbe

Address

10709 Gunston Road
Lorton, VA
22079

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+17035509220

Website

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