Chippokes State Park Events – February

Chippokes State Park Events for February

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…

Virginia Master Naturalists: Winter Tree Hike

February 8 from 1 – 3 p.m. – Put on your hiking boots, grab a water bottle, and get ready for a winter tree trek at Chippokes State Park! Join the Virginia Master Naturalists as they observe park woodlands; and share how trees adapt to a constantly changing environment.

Brick Kitchen/Hearth Cooking Demonstrations

February 15 from 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. – Join our costumed interpreters for a demonstration of historical cooking methods in the Jones-Stewart Mansion’s original brick kitchen.

Jones-Stewart Mansion Tours

February 15 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. – This historical building tour is designed to highlight the architecture of the time, designs, furnishings, special touches, ornate decor, and stories within the walls of the Jones-Stewart Mansion.

Brick Kitchen Histories/Interpretation

February 16 from 12 – 4 p.m. – Learn about the culinary history of Chippokes as costumed interpreters share stories from the Jones-Stewart Mansion’s brick kitchen.

Help Birds Weather Winter

February 22 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – This special craft program involves making fun edible ornaments that will serve winter birds as a dependable food source during the cold winter months.  Participants will make a natural bird feeder using pine cones, peanut butter, string, and birdseed.  While creating your bird feeder, learn about some of our common Virginia backyard winter birds.

Messages from Fossils

February 22 from 1 – 3 p.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

February 22 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. – Come along on a guided trek down College Run Trail to the James River, where we’ll find and identify prehistoric fossils!

Virginia Master Naturalist Event:Invasive Species of Virginia

February 23 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Curious about Invasive Species? Or how they spread? Stop by the Virginia Master Naturalists’ table in our Visitor Center to learn more about Virginia’s ecosystem to kick off National Invasive Species Awareness week.