Waterford Foundation Inc.

11/07/2023

Did you know that President Lincoln's first appointment to the United States Supreme Court had a Waterford connection?

Read more on our website: https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/noah-haynes-swayne-lincolns-first-supreme-court-appointee/

11/03/2023

11/03/2023

Who is interested in taking a perfume making class? Make one for yourself and one to give! Rebecca came to the Waterford Fair last year and is a wonderful historian and teacher. Check it out!
Nov. 18th, 10 am - noon.

She's also teaching a holiday tablescaping class with centerpeice making in the evening on Nov. 17th. This will also be an amazing workshop. Info & registration: https://waterfordcraftschool.coursestorm.com/

11/02/2023

Join us tomorrow!

An in-person screening will take place in the lower-level meeting room at Thomas Balch Library at the time of the event.

Please call 703-737-7195, email [email protected], or register online >> https://tinyurl.com/22yuxb8b

10/31/2023

Wishing you a safe and happy Halloween!

10/30/2023

This past month, a fight raged against mile-a-minute vine on the Phillips Farm trail. Mile-a-minute vine is an invasive plant and labeled as a noxious w**d in Virginia. It’s a rapidly growing vine, hence the name mile-a-minute, that grows over native plants and blocks them from the sun. Volunteers from the Waterford Foundation Open Lands Subcommittee, Waterford Citizens Association, Tuscarora High School Key Club, and Loudoun Mutual Insurance Company (and a frog) cleaned up the Schooley Mill side trail and clearings around it. In total, fifty four giant bags of mile-a-minute vines were removed from the trail. Thank you to all of our volunteers for coming out and helping get rid of this invasive plant for the season!

10/29/2023

Waterford Foundation Property Profile:
The Second Street School was built in 1867 as a school for the Black children of Waterford with financial help from local Quakers. The building was also used as a church by the local African American community until the John Wesley Church was built. It closed in 1957 when Loudoun County Public Schools consolidated its schools for Black children and bussed Waterford's students to Frederick Douglas school in Leesburg. In 1977, the Waterford Foundation bought the property from Robert Milan. The Foundation introduced the Second Street School Living History Program in 1984, which allows elementary students to learn about former attendees of the school in a field trip experience. The program still runs to this day and has served over 50,000 students. In 1980, the National Trust for Historic Preservation acquired an easement for both the interior and exterior of the building, preventing inappropriate changes from being made.

10/28/2023

Thank you to our new and renewing members from September!

10/27/2023

The scent of apples and cinnamon evokes memories of the Waterford Fair for many visitors. For decades, Catoctin Presbyterian Church has been selling apple butter at the Fair and demonstrating the traditional method of making it in a copper kettle over a wood fire. As a special treat as we approach the holiday season, learn about the making of apple butter in this excerpt from Hearth and Heritage: Faith, Farming, Food and Fellowship, Rural Loudoun County, Virginia, a cookbook produced by the Presbyterian Women of Catoctin Presbyterian Church (2000):

From Virginia Peacock

Usually in October you can find families and friends gathering to make batches of apple butter.

The Peacock family has been making apple butter for years. In 1990 we began making it with church friends for sale at the Waterford Fair and also demonstrating the making of it on the three days of the fair.

10/26/2023

The Mayhem, Madness & Murder Lyceum is THIS SUNDAY at 3pm!

Please note this content may be unsuitable for children or persons with diversions to topics such as this.

10/25/2023

This two-story stone and log house is the only structure still standing on Water Street. It exemplifies housing for less affluent individuals in the early 19th century; many builders continued to use log and stone as a cheaper alternative to brick or frame construction. Its earliest known owner was Elizabeth Gore (c 1772 - c 1848), who in 1818 bought what was probably a vacant lot. She sold the property in 1849 to a weaver from Germany, for whom the building is named. In the mid-1850s William Robinson (born c 1821), a free Black man, purchased the house; it remained in his family for close to a century. Two additional dwellings owned by Black families stood to the right of the Weaver's Cottage until the late 1800s.

10/24/2023

Waterford Foundation Property Profile:

The Old School was built in 1910 as an elementary and high school for white children in the Waterford area. In 1966, the Waterford Foundation purchased the property from the Loudoun County School Board for $20,000 at auction. In 2007, the original 1928 auditorium and kitchen were lost in a fire. The new auditorium was built in 2012. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has held an easement on the property since 1975. Currently, the second floor of the building is used by the Foundation as office space. The building is zoned as a community center and is used in a variety of ways including for Waterford Fair exhibit space, Waterford Craft School classes, community meetings, concerts, recitals and private events.

10/24/2023

10/19/2023

There are only a few spaces left! Register today! http://tinyurl.com/TBLEvents

Loudoun VA250
Loudoun County Department of Economic Development

10/18/2023

Join us for a Historic Waterford Walking Tour on October 28th focused on the mysteries of Waterford's history! Our walking tours last about 90 minutes and take place rain or shine. This tour is offered at $25.00 / guest.

Book now: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/WuN_ZcxnbN7MiUjcLHVu5w

10/17/2023

Join us on Sunday, October 29th for another Lyceum chat presented by our Education committee! Local historian and author John Souders will be presenting Mayhem Madness & Murder - Waterford's Darker Days at 3pm in the Waterford Old School.

'The village's long history of toil and achievement has been jolted on occasion by episodes of social and political friction—and of shocking personal tragedy.'

This Halloween talk takes an unsettling look at old Waterford's wilder side.

As the title suggests, children—and those of a more squeamish nature—would not find this a suitable use of their time.

10/16/2023

Our very own Phillips Farm trail has made the list!

Have you been longing to take your toddler or preschooler on a hike, but aren’t sure how to get started? Fortunately, Loudoun County has you covered! Here are five mostly flat trails that vary in length from approximately 0.4 miles to 1.6 miles, but don’t be fooled by their brevity. Each one off...

10/14/2023

is coming up on November 28th. Save the date, and help us raise critical funds for our preservation and education mission!

10/13/2023

Thank you to all who joined us for the 2023 season of Feast With Friends dinners! We enjoyed getting to know you and sharing the Waterford National Historic Landmark with you! We hope to see you back next year for another season of unforgettable outdoor dinners supporting the Waterford Foundation!

Thanks to our local producers and chef Nick Wiseman for the wonderful food! Our local producers, and all of our hosts!

We'll see you in 2024!

10/12/2023

Thanks for coming out and covering the Waterford Fair Karen Graham!!

The 79th Waterford Fair took place Oct. 6 to 9 in the small village in western Loudoun that was settled by Quakers in 1773. The event is organized by the

10/12/2023

Lucian Imwalle, a local 8th grader approached the Waterford Foundation to test his invention on our Phillips Farm property! Lucian's invention is designed to clean up creeks, and he hopes to be able to test it at multiple locations in Loudoun.

In this video, you can see Lucian with his installed trash collector and you can see it in action! Lucian was excited to share his findings with us:

'The booms (oil absorption and containment devices) I used were the perfect length and were able to soak up lots of sludge from the water, while not soaking up the water itself. I originally thought the basket I used would be too heavy, but I found that the booms were able to support the basket along with pool noodles.

My invention stayed in place and functioned properly for the duration of the one-week test period. It collected plastic bottles, a fishing lure, and some paper/cardboard trash. At the end of the test period, I was able to remove the trap without leaving a trace. '

Thanks, Lucian for caring about the preservation of our open spaces and watershed, we hope you get to test and eventually install your invention everywhere!

10/12/2023

Jumpstart your holidays with some making!

10/09/2023

Who better to recognize on this than the director (Public Programming Director), Tracy Kirkman!! Tracy joined the Foundation in 2016, the year after the Fair had been canceled due to a hurricane. Tracy brought over 20 years of membership management and event planning to the Foundation. She received her BS in Business Management with a minor in Hospitality Marketing from the University of Maryland. A Virginia resident since 2006, Tracy resides just outside the village, on a small farm and vineyard with her husband, son, and many, many animals. When not working, she can usually be found outside — tending sheep, working around the farm, hiking or enjoying the beautiful Loudoun County vistas at local wineries and breweries.

10/08/2023

That's a wrap on the 79th ! See you next year for the big 8-0! October 4, 5 & 6, 2024!

Thank you to all who joined in on the fun!

10/06/2023

The 79th is in full swing! See you out there!

10/04/2023

What is your favorite part of the Waterford Fair ???

Be sure to check out the schedule of entertainment and tours so you can plan your perfect Fair day! (in shared post)

10/03/2023

Congratulations, Andrea!

Join us in congratulating Andrea Durnell, our 2022 Demonstrating Artisan of the Year and read more about her work at https://www.waterfordfairva.org/andrea-durnell/

#

10/01/2023

Did you know that proceeds from the Fair go to support programming such as the Second Street School field trips for county 4th graders?

The school will be open to viewing all three day, and on Friday morning two 5th grade classes from the Waterford Elementary School will demonstrate the program with one of our volunteer Miss Nickens.



The school is located at Second & Janney Streets and is listed as #10 on the Fair map, in the green area.

09/29/2023

We are looking for a few helpers to set out safety fencing Tuesday, 10/3, starting at 9 am. Please PM me or call the office at 540-882-3018 x 117 if you can help out for a couple hours! Thanks!

09/28/2023

The ADA accessible shuttle has six stops, throughout the village & at each parking area. It runs from 10 am - 5:30 pm daily. Visit the Fair map for shuttle stop locations. All parking areas are in fields and designated accessible ADA parking is available at each lot. If you need ADA parking and the parking flaggers direct you to follow the cars into the main parking area, please stop one of them and ask to be directed to the accessible parking area. Map: https://www.eventeny.com/events/map/?id=4489&mid=5300
Fair dates: October 6, 7 & 8, 2023

09/26/2023

Another favorite at the Fair! Check out this fun activity to get your kids involved at the Fair!

Kids Unplugged The Waterford Fair is a great place to bring kids for a day of unplugged fun. Children 12 and under are FREE with an adult ticket purchase! Get your Explorer’s Passport Download the Waterford Explorer Passport (will be posted by October 6th) and bring it to the Fair for a good old f...

09/25/2023

Historic Homes Tour 2023 Homes on tour during the 2023 Waterford Fair will be marked with signs in the Village. Locations can be found on the Fair booklet, which will be available on-site. Friday Walker-Phillips House ( #5 on map)Read MoreTalbott’s Tavern ( #2 on map)Read MoreTalbott House ( #3 on ma...

09/25/2023

Laura Askins Page was enslaved at her birth around 1845 on a farm near Waterford. She married Andrew Page about 1870 and together they had 12 children. Here she is pictured in a photo of the congregation of the John Wesley Methodist-Episcopal Church, circa 1910, approximately 20 years after the church was built.

Learn more about Laura and other members of the congregation on our website using the African American Experience Interactive: https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/African-American-Experience/jwc.html

09/24/2023

Waterford Foundation Property Profile:

The Old School was built in 1910 as an elementary and high school for white children in the Waterford area. In 1966, the Waterford Foundation purchased the property from the Loudoun County School Board for $20,000 at auction. In 2007, the original 1928 auditorium and kitchen were lost in a fire. The new auditorium was built in 2012. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has held an easement on the property since 1975. Currently, the second floor of the building is used by the Foundation as office space. The building is zoned as a community center and is used in a variety of ways including for Waterford Fair exhibit space, Waterford Craft School classes, community meetings, concerts, recitals and private events.

09/23/2023

09/22/2023

The Waterford Fair is just 2 weeks away! Planning your trip? Need to grab tickets? Want to check out the schedule? Head over to the link below to check out the 79th Waterford Fair booklet, purchase tickets and learn more about the Fair! See you on October 6th, 7th &/or 8th!!

https://www.waterfordfairva.org/

09/20/2023

Join us for the 79th Waterford Fair's Welcome Dinner! All are welcome to dine with us on Friday, October 6th beginning at 5:30pm! Catering will be provided by Between the Hills Events and Catering and local libations will be available from Carriage House Wineworks and Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery

To purchase your tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/fairwelcome23

09/19/2023

Can't join us for the Waterford Fair this year? Our next walking tour is on September 30th! Join us as we stroll the gorgeously colorful streets this time of year learning about the National Historic Landmark! Grab your tickets for this or another future tour --> https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/events/

09/18/2023

Our team of property volunteers work tirelessly year-round to keep up with our 13 buildings and open spaces we own and work so hard to preserve. Some of our August projects consisted of re-painting the Old School front porch and replacing rotted wood on the Old School and the Red Barn! Thanks to these volunteers, important projects like these keep our properties preserved for the future by preventing 'big fixes'!

Interested in volunteering with the properties committee? Email us at [email protected]!