Chippokes State Park Events for September & October 2023

Chippokes is one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the country. A working farm since 1619, the park offers modern recreational activities and a glimpse of life in a bygone era. Visitors tour the historic area with its antebellum mansion and outbuildings, stroll through formal gardens, and view antique equipment at the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum. They have a campground and four overnight cabins allow visitors to stay on the historic grounds. The park has a visitor center with a gift shop. It also provides opportunities to bike, hike, ride horseback and picnic.

If you are coming from the Williamsburg side of the James River just hop on the free Jamestown Ferry. The ferry ride is part of the fun! Keep reading for the programming this month…

Historical Tram Tour

Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Oct. 19, 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Chippokes welcomes you to immerse yourself in the history, culture, and stories of our park. Enjoy a relaxing tram ride as we explore the vast timeline and dive into the history of Chippokes. The historical tram ride will focus on the park’s historic buildings along Quarter Lane.

Space is limited to 16 participants/spaces and reservations are required, call the Visitor Center at 757-294-3625 to reserve a space.

Messages from Fossils

Sept. 30, 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Oct. 7, 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Oct. 28, 2023. 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Are you interested in learning about the most common and rare fossils that can be found along the James River? Why is it that we are able to find so many fossils here?

This program is a special introduction to the variety of fossils that adorn the Chippokes shoreline and allows guests a chance to familiarize themselves with the possibilities before hunting for shark teeth. Meet at the Quayle Classroom.

Chippokes Plantation State Park

Excursion: Fossils of the James

Sept. 30, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 7, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 28, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Did you know that Chippokes was once at the bottom of the ocean? During that period abundant shells, teeth, and bones were covered in sediments to create the fossils we find today. Join an interpreter for an adventure through the fossil beds at Chippokes. Meet in the Farm and Forestry Museum parking lot. Walk to beach is approximately 0.3 miles.

Pasture Pals

Oct. 1, 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Oct. 8, 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Oct. 15,10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Did you know in the past of our Nation, historically, animals have been bred over time to develop certain traits? What is a heritage breed?

Come on out to the park and meet the ambassador farm animals (Tazewell the pot belly pig, Gabbi the donkey, Ruby the Milking Devon Cow, Curly the goat, Victor the Silver Rabbit, and our tiny community of ducks and chickens), during our Pasture Pals program.

Chipoax Trace Trail Trek

Oct. 6, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 26, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Come on out to Chippokes State Park and discover what is left of a forgotten historic roadway on this ranger-led hike. Learn about historic transportation routes, the area’s first inhabitants, speculation and myths of the road, and natural history.

This trace trail takes visitors from rolling farm fields, into canopied woodlands, up and down inclines, and to a worthwhile scenic view of the beautiful salt marshes of Chippokes.

Seining on the James

Oct. 1, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Oct. 14, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Take a closer look at what swims in the James River. Seine with a Ranger to catch, identify and release different animal species.

Appropriate footwear for walking in the water and on shells recommended.
Park at the Farm and Forestry Museum to access the College Run Trail.

Corn Husk Dolls

Oct. 8, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Oct. 15, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The history of the corn husk doll dates back to Native American craftsmanship, belief systems, and of course the art of storytelling. Children have always been masters of making use of idle hands, free time, and using their imagination in an effort to keep entertained or have fun such as with games, sports, arts, crafts, and activities. Entertainment is always evolving.

Craft: Canoes, Past, and Present

Oct. 13, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Oct. 22, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Oct. 26, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This ranger-led activity involves the creation of a special clay craft and some good ole’ fun and friendly competition. Learn more about the history, purpose, popularity, and design of dugout canoes.

The indigenous people that are native to this land of Virginia were masters of the canoe. From the 1600s to the 1800s canoes continued to evolve in their variety, length, use, and construction.

This program is limited to 8 spots. Each participant is limited to one dugout canoe clay creation. Please sign up for this special program and pay in-advance at the Visitor Center.

Craft: Create an abator

Oct. 14, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Oct. 27, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Did you know that there are 17 known species of bat that live in the state of Virginia and that 3 of those are Federally recognized as endangered? Let’s learn about the magnificence of these three endangered species while we make a Halloween themed avatar, better known in the Fall season as an abator, that can fly just like a kite.

10th Annual Harvest Festival

Oct. 21, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Celebrate this year’s fall harvest at one of the oldest continuously farmed land in the nation.

Chippokes’ Harvest Festival features music and family activities such an antique tractor pull, painting a pumpkin, creating a corn cob doll, playing corn hole, and going on a tractor drawn hay ride. There will be various local food and craft vendors with a wide array of selections.

See antique harvest equipment in operation and watch costumed interpreters cook on the hearth in the 1850s Brick Kitchen. Guided tours of the antebellum Jones-Stewart Mansion and self-guided tours of the Farm and Forestry Museum are included.

This event will kick off and the show will go on – Rain or shine!

If you or someone you know is interested in being a craft vendor, contact the park office at 757-294-3625 or email kathryn.lane@dcr.virginia.gov.

The only park fee is the $7 vehicle entry/parking fee.

Dugout Canoe Crafting

Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

This ranger-led activity involves the creation of a special clay craft. Learn more about the history, purpose, popularity, and design of dugout canoes.

Skulls, Jaws, and Furs

Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Time to polish your beginner or advanced identification skills for the local fauna of Virginia.

Can you identify the differences between a predator or prey animals’ skull? How have animal skulls adapted to help with survival? What else can we find out from closely investigating fur pelts, jaw bones, and skulls?

We will work together to uncover skull adaptations and identify their species. But the fun doesn’t end there! Meet us at the Visitor Center.

Chippokes Plantation State Park

Jones-Stewart Mansion Tours

Chippokes State Park welcomes visitors to accompany an interpretive guide on a unique historical tour experience to explore one of the oldest dwelling on the grounds.

What do the remnants of the River House tell us of a time much different than today? What can we determine from the architectural design? Does this historic home represent a Tidewater Vernacular Tradition?

The River House today has permanently exposed structural parts and bones which help to showcase how the historic home has served as a direct witness to the history of Chippokes since 1837. We hope it helps give our visitors a sense of place and connection to the past.

$7 per car park entry fee. For more information visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2021-11-17-15-28-29-407155-i5p

Chippokes State Park
695 Chippokes Park Rd., Surry, VA 23883
Phone: 757-294-3728 Email Address: Chippokes@dcr.virginia.gov
Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/chippokes-plantation

Check out our article on the best place to find sharks teeth near Williamsburg!