Belle Grove Plantation

05/31/2026

GARDENFEST is Saturday, June 6, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Belle Grove (336 Belle Grove Road, Town of Middletown VA)

🙂Free admission and free parking.

🏡The Belle Grove Manor House will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for with reduced admission of $5 for those 12 and older.

🪴Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners Plant Sale
(no wagons provided; please bring your own wagon, box, or tote for plants) ➡️🌱see comments for plant list🌱⬅️
🌹 Second Hand Rose Sale of Gently Used Items
👨‍🌾Gardening Advice
🌼Belle Grove Garden Tours
👩‍👧‍👦Children's Activities
✂️Garden Tool Sharpening
🍔Food Trucks
🛍️Specialty Vendors

📝There will also be six mini-workshops including:

“Preserving your Harvest” by Amanda Johnson, Food, Nutrition and Health Associate Extension Agent, Frederick County
“Garden Tool Sharpening and Care” by Jenn Barron, Extension Master Gardener
“Best Pruning Practices” by Ron Perlik, Front Royal Tree Steward
“Arranging your Flowers” – by Tammi Loving, Extension Master Gardener
“Boxwood moths” – Cindy Stauff, Extension Master Gardener
“Planting Vegetables” – Dave Rushton, Extension Master Gardener

GardenFest is hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension and Belle Grove Historic Plantation with support from the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners.

National Trust for Historic Preservation Virginia Cooperative Extension - Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

05/21/2026

Two great (and free of charge!) programs this weekend.

In spring of 1862, Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson fought and defeated several Federal commanders up and down the Shenandoah Valley. This campaign greatly impacted other military operations in Virginia, including a massive advance against the Confederate capital at Richmond.

Want to learn more about these battles and their strategic influence? Attend a pair of ranger-led programs this weekend!

Saturday, May 23 - 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Join a park ranger at Kernstown Battlefield, site of the campaign's first battle, to hear an overview of the campaign from start to finish. Kernstown Battlefield Association, a nonprofit group, operates the historic battlefield. It is part of Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. (12 p.m., meet on the front lawn of the historic Pritchard House, 610 Battle Park Drive, Wi******er, Virginia, 22601)

Sunday, May 24 - A Twinge of Regret. War came to Middletown for the first time on May 24, 1862. How did the soldiers and civilians react? Join a park ranger to visit several key sites associated with a lesser known battle during the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. (11 a.m., meet at the NPS Visitor Center, 7712 Main Street, Middletown, Virginia, 22645)

Learn more about ranger-led tour and talks at: https://www.nps.gov/cebe/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

Photo: Ashby's Charge at Middletown illustration from "History of the Laurel Brigade."

05/19/2026

Sunday afternoon we had a wonderful Mennonite and Brethren hymn sing of historic music featured in Karl Rhodes’s book “Peggy’s War” about his ancestors’ experiences during the Civil War. It was a lovely gathering enjoying a light breeze under the shade trees. Thank you to all who shared their talents and attended!

05/16/2026

A perfect Saturday for baseball! ⚾️

05/15/2026

Garden Fest June 6 🌷🌱🪴!

Save the Date: GardenFest 2026 - June 6, 2026, 8 AM to 2 PM

Garden Fest is a very popular annual Master Gardener event and sale, held on the first Saturday of June at the Belle Grove Historic Plantation in Middletown, Virginia. In 2025, over 1,000 patrons came to the event to enjoy a day out focused on gardening fun.

Attractions at the event include numerous affordable plants for sale, vendors, a rummage sale, fun activities for children, and informative workshops for gardeners. Don’t forget to bring your wagon!

Where: Belle Grove Historic Plantation
336 Belle Grove Rd.
Middletown, VA

05/10/2026

A huge thank you to Chef Jan Van Haute & Team at The Inn At Vaucluse Spring for hosting our guests to raise funds for Belle Grove Plantation and to La Grange Family Farm for coordinating!

05/07/2026

Spring is blooming at Belle Grove! Don’t miss the peonies and save the date for GardenFest—June 6!
🌸🌷🌸

05/05/2026

Let us help you find the perfect Mother’s Day gift! The Museum Shop is open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm and 1-5 Sunday! 🌸

05/05/2026

Let us help you find the perfect Mother’s Day gift! The Museum Shop is open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm and 1-5 Sunday! 🌸