Help welcome visitors to the Waterford National Historic Landmark and dive into Loudoun's history at the Waterford Foundation Open House! On Sunday, May 4th from 12-5pm, iconic pieces of Waterford's history will be open to the public to explore with walking tours and activities for all ages- including a village wide puzzle hunt for kids with a prize for those who complete it. There will be docents at each of the Foundation properties that are open to direct visitors, and help with exhibits and children's activities. There are also three guided walking tours that will be led throughout the day by a docent.
Below are the buildings and activities that docents will be able to volunteer in and with:
- The Waterford Old School: The Old School (built in 1910) was the public school for white students in Waterford until the construction of Waterford Elementary School in 1966. At the Old School, there will be a check-in and general information table for visitors; as well as exhibits on introducing people to Waterford's history, Waterford in Quilts exhibit looking at some of the quilts in the Waterford Foundation collection and the importance of quilts in Quaker life, and agriculture in Loudoun County. There are three children's actives at this spot: a stop on the puzzle hunt, Waterford in Quilts arts and crafts project, and egg carton planting.
- The Second Street School: the Second Street School, built in 1867, is one room schoolhouse built by and for the African American Community of Waterford. Prior to the construction of the John Wesley Community Church, church services happened here on Sunday as well as being a school. The Second Street School served as the schoolhouse for the African American students of Waterford until 1957, when students were bused into Douglas in Leesburg. The Second Street School will be open for people to come and explore with an exhibit about the building and the African American Experience of Waterford as well. There are two children's activities: a stop on the puzzle hunt, and colonial toys and games in the backyard.
- The John Wesley Community Church: Built in 1891 by and for the African American Methodist-Episcopal congregation of Waterford, the John Wesley Community Church is one of the more recognizable buildings in Waterford. The stories go that the men of the congregation- many of which were tradesmen- built the church at night while the women of the congregation held up lanterns for light and sang gospel music. The church had an active congregation until the 1960s. In 1990, descendants and former congregation members entered into an agreement with the Waterford Foundation to ensure the long-term preservation of the church. There will be an exhibit in the church on the restoration work slated to begin in 2025, as well as being a stop on the puzzle hunt.
- The Waterford Mill: The Waterford Mill is the second or third mill built on the site, depending on who you ask. Milling was an essential business in Waterford, supporting the growth of the region, until the 1930s. In the Mill, there will be two exhibits on the milling industry in Waterford and the Waterford Mill Stabilization project. Three children's activities will be in the mill: a touch station on how wheat gets to flour, rock painting for trail rocks on the Phillips Farm, and being a stop on the puzzle hunt.
You can learn more about the Waterford Foundation Open House at this link: https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/event/waterford-open-house/
Sign up to volunteer for a shift on the sign up genius here: https://www.waterfordfoundation.org/event/waterford-open-house/
