Lectures & Webinars

The Museum is excited for the return of our lecture series! Throughout the year historians will present engaging lectures at the museum pertaining to a variety of local history topics.

These programs are made possible in 2021 through funding from Virginia Humanities and the M. Meade Palmer Memorial Fund of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation.

Culeper’s Christmas Past
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 @ 6:30 PM

Today, for many Christmas is a commercialized frenzy. The holiday sales have turned into an event all their own with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. In 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression, Culpeper celebrated Christmas in a more subdued fashion but still filled with familiar traditions. Join us as Karen Quaintance and Christine Wuebker talk about how the Great Depression impacted Christmas in Culpeper and what local merchants did to try and keep the season full of hope and joy.

This program will be held at the museum. Space is limited so save your seat today and pay at the door! Admission is $5 per person but Museum members get in FREE.

Civil War Photography
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 @ 6:30 PM

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 @ 7:00 PM

Join us in October as we explore the Baptist community’s role in Culpeper’s history. We will delve into how Baptists contributed from the era of religious freedom, through the Civil War, and up until 1955.  Culpeper Baptist Church is celebrating its 250th Anniversary this year and Pastor Dan Carlton and Church Historian Roger L. Clatterbuck will share the story.

George Washington in Culpeper

Join us for a presentation by Jim Bish about George Washington’s Culpeper. Before George Washington gained American Independence and led America as our first President, he had many connections to Culpeper County beginning with being chosen as our county’s first surveyor at the age of seventeen in 1749. Learn about the many connections Washington had with Culpeper County including those who he was related to and others who served alongside him in the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. Also, learn about Washington’s close Culpeper family members who are also buried here. Washington’s connections to Culpeper likely started before becoming our county surveyor and lasted throughout his life. In addition, copies of his book, I Can’t Tell A Lie: Parson Weems and The Truth About George Washington’s Cherry Tree, Prayer at Valley Forge, and Other Anecdotes will be available for signing.

“We will at all times, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, oppose any Act imposing such taxes or duties” – The importance and uniqueness of the 1774 Culpeper Resolves.

Culpeper County was among the earliest Virginia counties to produce Resolves in 1774. Join us as local historian Jim Bish explores the importance and uniqueness of these resolves. Virginia was the wealthiest and most populated of all of the colonies. Their commitment against the actions of England became paramount in the success of the Revolution. The results of the British disenfranchisement and anger manifested itself in what came to number over fifty local Virginia Resolves. Culpeper’s Resolves served to voice our grievances, but in a larger sense, they served to unite Culpeper and other Virginia localities for the long-term upcoming struggle against England. Culpeper was ready for war.

Fire When Ready! Historical Strategy Gaming

People have engaged in warfare simulations for centuries, from rules for playing with toy soldiers to exacting map exercises with rigid rules for military training. Game designer Peter Schweighofer presents an introduction to historical simulation gaming and discusses how wargames serve as a useful tool for exploring historic events, including a simple Civil War game demonstration.