Chippokes State Park Events – October

Chippokes State Park Events for October

Chippokes is one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the country. A working farm since 1619, the park offers modern recreational activities and a glimpse of life in a bygone era. Visitors tour the historic area with its antebellum mansion and outbuildings, stroll through formal gardens, and view antique equipment at the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum. They have a campground and four overnight cabins allow visitors to stay on the historic grounds. The park has a visitor center with a gift shop. It also provides opportunities to bike, hike, ride horseback and picnic.

If you are coming from the Williamsburg side of the James River just hop on the free Jamestown Ferry. The ferry ride is part of the fun! Keep reading for the programming this month…

Messages from Fossils

October 11 from 10 – 10:30 a.m. – Learn more about the prehistoric history of Chippokes through fossils that can be found right on the beach!

Excursion: Fossils of the James

October 11 from 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m. – Come along on a guided trek down College Run Trail to the James River, where we’ll find and identify prehistoric fossils!

Nature Trail Detectives

October 12 from 10 a.m. 11 a.m. – Adventure into the outdoors and discover wildlife along the Trail with a ranger. All tiny participants will be given helpful hands-on bug finding tools for investigating nature signs.   Let’s try to use all of our senses to see, smell, touch, track and observe.

River House Tour

October 13 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Chippokes State Park welcomes visitors to accompany an interpretive guide on a very unique historical building tour experience to explore the oldest dwelling on the grounds.

11th Annual Harvest Festival

October 19 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Chippokes’ Harvest Festival features music and family activities such an antique tractor pull, pumpkin painting, corn cob dolls, corn hole, and tractor-drawn hay rides. There will be various local food and craft vendors with a wide array of selections. See antique harvest equipment in operation and watch costumed interpreters cook on the hearth in the 1850s Brick Kitchen. Guided tours of the antebellum Jones-Stewart Mansion and self-guided tours of the Farm and Forestry Museum are included. This event will kick off and the show will go on – Rain or shine!

Brick Kitchen Histories/Interpretation

October 20 from 12 – 4:30 p.m. – Learn about the culinary history of Chippokes as costumed interpreters share stories from the Jones-Stewart Mansion’s brick kitchen.

Messages from Fossils

October 25 from 10 – 10:30 a.m. – Join us as we learn more about the prehistoric history of Chippokes through fossils that can be found right on our beaches!

Excursion: Fossils of the James

October 25 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Come along on a guided trek down College Run Trail to the James River, where we’ll find and identify prehistoric fossils!