Waterford Foundation Inc.

03/24/2023

Join Us! Meet at the Phillips Farm pull-off on Sunday, March 26th at 2pm for a guided walk lead by Carl Scheider of the NEW Western Phillips Farm Trail!!

03/23/2023

Mark your calendars! The Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18th at the Waterford Old School!

Join us for an update on the Mill project, election of new Board members, and a review of all the Foundation's work over the past year.
Stay tuned for details!

03/22/2023

We are searching for course volunteeres for the 7th Annual Historic Waterford Trail Run!! To sign-up, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4ca4ab2babf9c07-2023#/

03/21/2023

We are hiring! The Education Associate is responsible for overseeing the Waterford Craft School program and camps. This position offers wonderful flexibility and the opportunity to work with a great team while working hard to achieve the Foundation's mission!

To learn more or Apply today: https://www.indeed.com/job/education-associate-5a0fb10d9edd14b3?_ga=2.157316082.991853179.1679408932-805654131.1678996364

We are saddened to say goodbye to Lisa Kovatch - but are thankful for all her hardwork and dedication - we wish her all the best and hope to see her at Waterford events in the future. Best wishes, Lisa!

03/20/2023

Artisal Call!

We are now accepting applications for juried Demonstrating Artisans for the Waterford Fair in the following mediums: clay, fiber/textiles, furniture, glass, heritage food, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, and wood.

Deadline: 4/30/23. Details and the application are available at: https://tinyurl.com/WaterfordFair23

CALL FOR ARTISANS
We are now accepting applications for juried Demonstrating Artisans in the following mediums: clay, fiber/textiles, furniture, glass, heritage food, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, and wood.

Deadline: 4/30/23. Details and the application are available at: https://tinyurl.com/WaterfordFair23

03/19/2023

Meet Antonia Waler, Oil Painter and tenant of the first floor of the Chair Factory! Antonia Walker has become known for her evocative paintings of landscapes of Virginia, France and Italy. She was a visiting artist at the American Academy in Rome, both in 1998 and again in 2011. Antonia received a BFA at the University of Georgia and studied in France. Later, while living in South America, she studied drawing with Spanish Sculptor, Benjamin Saul. Antonia's work has been exhibited internationally, and is represented in many private and public collections; including the Arts-in-Embassy program, Project Hope and the NASA art collection. Her work is represented by the Susan Calloway Gallery in Washington, DC. Antonia has long been a part of the Waterford community - thanks for making Waterford your home, Antonia!

03/18/2023

Did you know that the Waterford Old School auditorium offers a stage? Whether you need the space for additional seating, a band or to show off your first dance to the crowd - the stage offers a great multifunctional space so your guests can spread out or enjoy the show!

03/17/2023

Waterford was founded by Quakers who came down from Bucks County, Pennsylvania in the 1730s. While members of other religious groups eventually followed, the beliefs of the Quakers strongly influenced the community that became Waterford, including their aversion to slavery and conscientious objection to war. Read more about Waterford's early Quaker founders here: https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/history/quakers/

pic: Quaker women of Fairfax Meeting, August 1891. Rachel Steer (1814-1912) lower right. Others are Ann T. Gover (1820-1896), Sarah G. Janney White (1815-1905), Hannah Mendenhall Worley (c.1820-?), and Rachel Louisa (Lucy) Steer Schooley (1825-1896). Photo courtesy of Taylor Chamberlin.

03/16/2023

Payment plans are now available for Waterford Craft School classes! Check out more information below!

We recognize that it may be difficult to pay for tuition in full. Now you can make interest-free payments towards the class or camp of your choice! You'll make a deposit when you register, then our registration system will determine your payment schedule. The earlier you register, the more time you have to pay it off so don't delay! To learn more about our adult classes and children's summer camps, visit us online https://waterfordcraftschool.coursestorm.com/

03/15/2023

The logs for the replacement pieces needed for hurst frame in the mill have been selected! The hurst frame is the internal framework that supports the gears and millstones in a mill. Kevin Smith of Timbersmith Logging of Hamilton, VA is pictured with the logs selected!

Photo 1: Rendering of Mill with Hurst Frame exposed
Photo 2: Collage of logs selected for Hurst Frame, Kevin Smith pictured

03/14/2023

We attended the John G. Lewis memorial bridge reopening on Featherbed Lane on March 10th, where the Waterford Foundation was recognized in the Loudoun Board of Supervisors resolution commemorating the community preservation effort.

03/14/2023

Happening NOW!

Early giving has begun! Click the link in the post below to help us reach our goal and continue our mission! ❣️

Give Choose early giving starts tomorrow! Give Choose is a 24-hour day of giving organized by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties to benefit local nonprofits serving our community. Help us meet our 2023 goal of $8,000 that will go directly toward helping us continue our mission!

Visit https://www.givechoose.org/nonprofits/WaterfordFoundationInc?cid=0&kw=water&pg=1 to contribute!

03/13/2023

Give Choose early giving starts tomorrow! Give Choose is a 24-hour day of giving organized by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties to benefit local nonprofits serving our community. Help us meet our 2023 goal of $8,000 that will go directly toward helping us continue our mission!

Visit https://www.givechoose.org/nonprofits/WaterfordFoundationInc?cid=0&kw=water&pg=1 to contribute!

03/12/2023

Today is ! We are so lucky to have some wonderful local troops and individual scouts that contribute to the community and the Foundation each year! Did you know that Girl Scout troop #70180 built and donated the located in the Bond Street Tanyard? Check it out next time you are out for a walk - donate a book or 2 or look for a new Spring read!

03/11/2023

Help us reach the finish line! We are looking to complete our sponsorship needs for our 7th Annual Historic Waterford Trail Run by March 14th!

To sponsor the run, please visit https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/PqGRJF_jYv25YNIi_Z566w

03/10/2023

Melanie Herman was selected as Waterford Craft School Volunteer of the Year for 2022. She provided 6 homestays last summer, two of which included hosting 2 summer camp instructors at the same time for a whole week, when another host cancelled on short notice!

Melanie shared with us what made her become a Craft School Host:

"I've been an ambassador for Waterford since I moved to the outskirts of the village in 1996, telling everyone who is willing to listen about our history and unique qualities. While serving on the Foundation board I came to appreciate the incredible amount of work and army of volunteers that bring the Foundation’s mission to life. Upon being asked to volunteer—for any Foundation task!—I’ve always said, “Yes.” It’s a small way to give back. When I was asked, “Would you be willing to host visiting artisans?” I said, “Yes!” without any hesitation. My hunch is that many would-be volunteers are out there...waiting to be asked."

Thanks, Melanie!

To learn more about volunteering for the Waterford Foundation, visit our website: https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/volunteer/

03/09/2023

The has a great program taking place this Saturday! Check out the information below!

On 12 March 1773 the Virginia House of Burgesses met at Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg. A young man and close friend of Thomas Jefferson , Dabney Carr, gave a passionate speech recommending Virginia establish a Committee of Correspondence and send letters to the other Colonies requesting they communicate with Virginia on British activities and policies. This was a major step in uniting the Colonies against the Mother Country.

The Virginia 250 Committee has designated this act as the first event of the multi-year celebration of the formation of the United States. The VA Committee and the various County 250 committees are gathering in Williamsburg 10-12 March to plan an agenda for the remainder of 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The Sgt Maj John Champter of Loudoun County is sponsoring the only known commemoration of this event outside Williamsburg. The Loudoun VA 250 Committee Chairman, Tracy Gillespie,has approved us holding the event.

Please join the celebration on 11 March at the Loudoun Museum. Mrs. Nancy Spannaus, local historian, will give a short presentation on background and impact of this action in pre-Revolution Virginia. I will follow with a short biographical sketch of the two Loudoun County Burgesses responsible for linking Loudoun County to activity of the Committee of Correspondence.

03/08/2023

For , one of our volunteers, Debbie Robison interpereted one of the 1875 maps of Waterford and wrote us this great article on Women's bussinesses here in Waterford from the time period!

For , we want to share these amazing women and their trades!

'Hanging on a wall in the Waterford Foundation offices is an artist’s interpretation of an old map of Waterford. The original map, upon which this is based, has been around for 148 years. The map offers a fascinating snapshot in time. Each lot, carefully laid out along Waterford’s streets, is identified with its size and owner’s name. Yet the most interesting information can be found on the sides of the map. Here you will see hand-drawn business cards advertising a variety of businesses where Victorian-era men and women could purchase goods and services. Many of the cards publicize businesses operated by women, which gives a rare opportunity to explore where in town the female proprietors conducted their trade.'

Continue reading at https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/1875waterfordmapwomensbusinesses/

Photo 1: A selection of some of the business cards represented in the article (From top down and left to right; Sallie Radcliffe, Fancy Store, Main St. | Sallie Divine, Dressmaker, High St | Sallie Graham, Tailoress | Private School, Ella Mount, Principal, Second St. | Sallie Orrison, Milliner, Dressmaker, Main St. | and Amelia Rinker, Tailoress.
Photo 2: 1875 Map

03/08/2023

Waterford Foundation's Craft School is looking for Summer Camp counselors! Learn more below!

Parents, do you have a high school- or college-aged child interested in art, baking, childhood education, fiber art, and/or the great outdoors? We are looking for some amazing Volunteer Summer Camp Counselors to assist in our day camps! For details, check out our application. Submission deadline: April 28th https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/lny4ZSoVokT2oVE_dzPyfQ

03/06/2023

Thanks to all that donated to make the Landmark Suite so beautiful!

The Landmark Suite is located on the first floor of the Waterford Old School! We have been able to curate a gorgeous space thanks to generous donations made by local residents! The Acton family donated the gorgeous dropleaf table (made in VA), chairs and secretary (made in VA)! The Hinkle family donated the perfect antique sofa to bring the entire space together!

Renters may enjoy this space as an 'add-on' to their Old School rental or the suite can be rented out by itself for small meetings or other needs!

Contact [email protected] or learn more about renting the Landmark Suite or if you are interested in donating artwork, small furniture or other items to the space!

03/05/2023

Check out the pointing progress in the basement of the mill (photo 1) and the sample reproduction wood window sashes installed for approval (photo 2)! All window sashes will either be restored or replaced with custom built sashes to match the existing. \

It is so fun to see the progress - we cannot wait to share more exciting updates on the Mill stabilization project!

03/04/2023

Vote daily!!!

Community Events/Festival > Waterford Fair!!

Please VOTE for the Fair each day to help us get into the top 5!
Click here: https://www.loudountimes.com/best/#// & then click --> Destinations --> Community Event/Festival --> VOTE Waterford Fair

You will register with LTM but you can opt out of receiving anything from them by NOT clicking the two boxes under your name.

Remember VOTE DAILY, ASK friends, coworkers & family to VOTE DAILY. Thank You!

03/04/2023

Early giving for begins March 14! Mark your calendar to support the Waterford Foundation and other area nonprofits during this online campaign for local giving! Your gifts to the Waterford Foundation during will support our work to preserve the Waterford National Historic Landmark and share it with the public.

Please help us spread the word and reach more supporters by sharing this post!

Beginning on 3/14/23,
visit https://www.givechoose.org/nonprofits/WaterfordFoundationInc to make your gift.

03/02/2023

Love staying up to date with happenings in Waterford and with the Waterford Foundation? Be sure to sign up to receive our monthly newsletters!

You can sign up here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/lQKnwPl/newsletter

03/01/2023

Today is the first day of ! Who better to talk about than one of the Dutton sisters, so important to Waterford history! Lida Dutton was one of three editors of Waterford News, a pro-Union newspaper being writen in the South!

One of our favorite stories from 'To Talk is Treason' (availble to purchase on our website) is 'Lida's Little Rifle' where she recounts coming into posession of a rifle and passed it onto her daughter, Emma.

'. . .I found a little Union Soldier at James Steer's blacksmith shop going toward the road where I had seen the Rebels as I went out. So I took him back through the alley to our house.
. . . he had lain in a cornfield and heard the groaning of a soldier, whom he had found dead on the side of the road. He had spiked his gun and left it in the cornfield and gave it to me if I could get it.'

03/01/2023

Waterford was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the on April 15, 1970. Check out the nomination and some of the listing photos that were submitted to designate Waterford as such.

You can learn more details and explore the rest of the photos here: http://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=4f2ba524-1a6a-47e8-8dfa-34ee60d99041

Photo 1: National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
Photo 2: Waterford Mill, 1969, photo by NPS
Photo 3: Pink House, Main Street, 1969, photo by NPS

02/27/2023

Since erected between 1875 and 1885, the Tin Shop has served a few different purposes, but the most memorable event was when a portion of the building was being used by the Post Office. A severe thunderstorm in the late 1880s washed out and collapsed the first floor taking the safe and the Assistant Postmaster with it! Clara, the Assistant Postmaster escaped the rushing water about 100 ft downstream. Today, the Tin Shop is a private residence.

02/26/2023

Always been one of our favorites!! Tables by Waterford Reservations

One of the best things about our budget-friendly rental prices is that it allows our renters to spend in other places! Check out these gorgeous farm tables rented from .reservations. Let our space bring your 'big day' dreams to reality!

02/25/2023

Sign up NOW for Spoon Carving on May 6th!

02/25/2023

We need your help! Please vote and share! Thank you!

Please VOTE for the Fair each day to help us get into the top 5!
Click here: https://www.loudountimes.com/best/#// & then click --> Destinations --> Community Event/Festival --> VOTE Waterford Fair

You will register with LTM but you can opt out of receiving anything from them by NOT clicking the two boxes under your name.

Remember VOTE DAILY, ASK friends, coworkers & family to VOTE DAILY. Thank You!

02/25/2023

Are you interested in learning more about Waterford's Black history? We have an amazing interactive map that allows you to click on one of these five sites to learn more: the Second Street School, the John Wesley Church, Union Cemetery, the Claggett House and the Old Mill. Three of the sites feature a short video and interactive content, while all five sites feature a gallery of historic and modern photographs. Watch videos featuring former students and Waterford descendants discuss their experiences in Waterford in the 20th century, and learn about the Mill and its connection to Waterford’s African-American community. See historic photographs and meet members of the John Wesley church congregation of 1910. Take a short quiz at the Second Street School to see if you know what students in 1880 were expected to know.

Visit https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/african-american-experience-interactive/ to check it out!