Once described as "one of the most ancient families in the country," the roots of the Randolph family of Virginia run deep...as do their secrets! Venture through Wilton, a c. 1753 Randolph plantation manor house, under cover of night to hear tantalizing tales of murder, heartbreak, scandals, spirits, and more!

Tours begin on the hour and last approximately 45 minutes. Standing is required. Materials may not be suitable for children under 12. Tickets are non-refundable.

Please join us to hear scholar and interior designer Ralph Harvard speak about Virginia plantation homes along the James River. A die-hard Virginian, Ralph has an unparalleled knowledge of 18th-century material culture and architecture, and there are few, if any, who know more about the early architecture of the coastal South. His best skill, however, may be his knowledge of how to live well and comfortably in a large house. Most importantly, he is supported by a convivial and dedicated staff of six with more than 60 years’ experience amongst them, many of those in related fields giving them expertise in paint, hardware, and the decorative arts. Ralph has been lucky enough to have worked on some of the foremost 18th-century dwellings in the South, including the Dulany House in Alexandria, Carter’s Grove and Evelynton on the James River, the Miles Brewton House in Charleston, and Cottage Gardens in Natchez.

Step into the spirit of the season at Wilton House Museum’s 18th-Century Christmas Open House!Celebrate the holidays with festive music, lively dancing, guided house tours, and seasonal treats for the whole family. Experience the sights and sounds of an 18th-century Virginia Christmas and make new memories in one of Richmond’s most beautiful historic settings.

Registration strongly encouraged!

Brooke Welborn, a journeywoman mantua-maker and instructor for Burnley and Trowbridge Company, holds a B.A.in Theatre with a focus on Costume Design & Construction and a History minor from The College of William & Mary. She worked in the Historic Trades Department at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, becoming a journeywoman in 2007 after completing her apprenticeship in millinery and mantua-making. Her expertise lies in the construction of 18th-century women's gowns and jackets, particularly the Polonaise, on which she has published research.

National Park Service curator Ethan P. Bullard will deliver an illustrated presentation highlighting unique artifacts and documents from the museum collections of the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site. Maggie L. Walker (1864-1934) was a pioneering entrepreneur, educator, and fraternal leader. She is renowned as the nation's first African American female bank president and Richmond's preeminent civil rights crusader during the early 20th century. Walker's home in Jackson Ward is a public house museum, fully furnished with an unparalleled collection of original artifacts donated from Mrs. Walker's descendants directly to the National Park Service. The museum is the National Park Service's first site dedicated to preserving the legacy of an African American woman and is a must-see for visitors of all stripes.

Ethan is the Museum Curator for Richmond's two national parks, managing the archives, artifacts, and exhibits of the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site and Richmond National Battlefield Park. A native of Decatur, GA and a graduate of Bowdoin College and VCU, Ethan has called Virginia his home since 2007. When not in the museum, you can find him canoeing and birdwatching with his wife, Kelly, and dog, Smokey.

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In eighteenth-century America, genealogy was more than a simple record of family ties--it was a powerful force that shaped society. Karin Wulf's exciting new book, Lineage: Genealogy and the Power of Connection in Early America delves into an era where individuals, families, and institutions meticulously documented their connections. Whether driven by personal passion or mandated by churches, local governments, and courts, these records appeared in diverse forms-from handwritten notes and account books to intricate silk threads and enduring stone carvings.

Family connections wielded significant influence across governmental, legal, religious, cultural, and social spheres. In the American context, these ties also defined the boundaries of slavery and freedom, with a child's status often determined by their mother, despite the prevailing patriarchy. This book reveals the profound importance of genealogy that was chronicled by family records, cultural artifacts, and court documents. These materials, created by both enslaved individuals seeking freedom and founding fathers seeking status, demonstrate the culturally and historically specific nature of genealogical interest.

Even as the American Revolution transformed society, the significance of genealogy endured. The legacy of lineage from the colonial period continued to shape the early United States, underscoring the enduring importance of family connections. Lineage offers a deep understanding of genealogy as a foundational element of American history, illuminating its vital role from the colonial era through the birth of the nation.

A historian of early America, Karin Wulf is the Beatrice and Julio Mario Santo Domingo Director and Librarian at the John Carter Brown Library and Professor of History at Brown University.  From 2013 to 2021 she was the Executive Director of the Omohundro Institute of Early American History & Culture and Professor of History at William & Mary.  She writes for public and academic audiences about early American history, the worlds of scholarship and scholarly publishing, and why footnotes can save democracy.  Wulf's newest book is Lineage: Genealogy and the Power of Connection in 18th Century British America (2025). She serves on a variety of non-profit boards, including the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. and the National Humanities Alliance, and is a co-founder of Women Also Know History.

Christy S. Coleman began working as a living-history interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg and recognized how museums can help people appreciate the complexity of history beyond heritage and memory. She has held leadership roles at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, in Detroit, and the American Civil War Museum, in Richmond, where she oversaw development of its inclusive and complex interpretation of the Civil War. As co-chair of Richmond's Monument Avenue Commission, she guided often-contentious conversations about how to understand the monuments that memorialized the Lost Cause.

Since 2019 Coleman has served as executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, a state agency that operates two museums that explore the 17th-century confluence of American Indian, European, and African cultures and the American Revolution. Throughout a career spanning more than 35 years, she has been a tireless advocate for the power of museums, narrative correction, diversity, and inclusiveness.

The author of numerous articles, Coleman is also an accomplished screenwriter and public speaker, and has appeared on several national news and history programs. She served as the historical consultant for the award-winning film Harriett and Showtime's The Good Lord Bird. She has also appeared in the award-winning documentaries Abraham Lincoln, Grant, The Neutral Ground and How the Monuments Came Down.

Coleman has received numerous accolades, including three honorary doctorates, for her leadership in encouraging museums to disrupt comfortable history constructively. In 2018 Time magazine named her one of the "31 People Changing the South," and in 2019 Worth magazine named her one of "29 Women Changing the World." Coleman is currently serving on the curatorial team for The Shockoe Project in Richmond. To learn more, please visit: https://theshockoeproject.com/

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