Living History on the Lawn will be a Free 2 Day event to commemorate our 250th celebration. Held on Friday October 9 and Saturday October 10, 2026. Shore History will be offering a weekend of activities, Revolutionary War reenactors with encampment, indigenous tribes with history and artifacts and demonstrations of traditional crafts.
It all begins on Friday October 9, 2026
The VA250 Mobile Museum is open from 9:00AM-5:00PM
Ker Place will be open fro docent led and self-guided tours from 10:00AM-3:00PM
Patrick Henry will deliver his speech on the front stairs of Ker Place at 5:30PM
Followed by a reception inside Ker Place for more conversation with Mr. Patrick Henry, the exhibit ‘Give Me Liberty’, colonial music by Ampersand and light refreshments. Donations appreciated
Living History on the Lawn October 10, 2026 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Ker Place’s grounds will be transformed into an outdoor classroom. Program elements include:
Historical interpretation of George Mason and the Virginia Declaration of Rights by a Williamsburg reenactor.
Presentations on Native American culture and history by historian Daniel Firehawk Abbott of Jamestown.
Naval camp of the Virginia Navy Galley Norfolk Revenge demonstrating military life during the American Revolution including cannon firing demonstrations, tools, food, uniforms, and live poultry.
Explore the foodways of 18th century Virginia during a lively, interactive open-fire cooking demonstration with award-winning foodways historian Allison Parker Hedrick of Handmade History LLC
Experience the VA250 Mobile Museum ‘Out of Many, One” Open 9am-5pm on Friday & Saturday 10am - 4pm.
* The Mobile Museum will be parked next door to Ker Place in the Market Street Methodist Church lot, with access to Ker Place
Engagement with present-day members of the Accohannock Indian Tribe, exploring local Indigenous history and cultural continuity.
Demonstrations of traditional crafts such as blacksmithing by Mark Williams Blacksmithing, quilting with the Eastern Shore Quilt Guild, and tours of Agnes Ker’s Herb & Kitchen Garden with our Eastern Shore Master Gardeners, including culinary, household and herbal remedies as used in 1805.
Give Me Liberty Traveling Exhibit will be at Ker Place October 9 – November 23, 2026
On loan from the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, this exhibit contextualizes Virginia’s role in the coming of the American Revolution, 1774–1776, highlighting the social, political, and military dimensions of the struggle for independence.
Tours of Ker Place will be ongoing from 10am-4pm by docents or self guided using the Shore History App.
There will be Food Trucks on site to purchase lunch, snacks and beverages.