Colonial Games Olympics: February 18th
Help us commemorate George Washington’s 291st birthday at his childhood home by playing with the toys and games children would have known in the Colonial Era. George Washington Birthplace National Monument will be hosting a Colonial Games Olympic tournament on Saturday, February 18th! Throughout the day, stop by and practice your hand-eye coordination with hoop and stick, ball and cup, and spinning tops. Each game will have a scheduled tournament time (see below), and champions will be crowned in both children and adult categories. Join in on the fun!
Register to compete in Colonial Games Olympics in person at the Visitor Center desk.
Games:
- Hoop and Stick (11:00 am); Longest sustained hoop roll along the designated path.
- Ball and Cup (1:00 pm); number of catches in one minute.
- Tops (3:00 pm); longest spin
Commemorative Portrait Drawing Class: February 19th
When we imagine George Washington’s face, we are actually thinking of art! George Washington’s appearance in our collective memory comes not from photographs, but from artists who attempted to capture his likeness. In partnership with the Arts Center of Montross, we invite you to register for our first ever Commemorative Portrait Drawing Class at George Washington Birthplace National Monument. Learn to draw from life like the old masters with guidance from fine arts instructor Celeste Johnston. Bring a friend or family member and take turns drawing and posing for each other’s portraits throughout the day. We encourage you to bring props that can convey your character with a single image. Drawing materials and easels are provided and finished artworks are yours to keep!
Reserve a space by emailing [email protected] with subject line Portrait Drawing Class Reservation. Reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Each reservation holds space for a maximum of two participants. The Commemorative Portrait Drawing Class begins at 10:00 AM. on Sunday, February 19th at the historic Log House. There are a limited number of spaces, so be sure to register early.
Selfies of the 1700s Portrait Photo Booth: February 22nd
To celebrate the 291st birthday of George Washington, we invite you to take a step back in time and pose for an 18th century style portrait. Bring your camera (or cellphone) and choose your favorite colonial jacket and hat combo from our wardrobe! Park staff will be available with tripods and advice to ensure you capture a new profile picture for the ages.
The Commemorative Portrait Photo Station will be available from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on February 22nd at the visitor center.
