Thanks Tidewater Winds Brass Quintet

🌿🎶 A huge thank you to the Tidewater Winds Brass Quintet for an amazing performance in the Hill House gardens! 🎺✨ The melodies of pieces composed for Lafayette during his Farewell Tour filled the air, transporting us back in time. 🎵Visit their website at the www.tidewaterwinds.org for contact information and concert events.

We also had the privilege of hearing from The Men of the House, three amazing museum interpreters who brought history to life with their theatrical storytelling of the Hill family's connection to General Lafayette’s visit! 🎭🏡

Special shoutout to Julie Dunn for not only facilitating this memorable event but also wowing us with her stunning vocal talents! 🎤🌟

It was truly an unforgettable day of history, music, and community. Thank you to all who joined us!

Concert in the Gardens

October 12th - 1 PM
Tidewater Winds Brass Quintet Concert🎶

Step back in time with us for a unique Hill House Museum garden performance featuring music actually composed for Lafayette during his Farewell Tour! 🎷 But that’s not all! Our talented interpreters, known as the "Men of the House," will bring history to life, sharing the fascinating story of the Hill family’s ties to General Lafayette’s visit. 🎭💫

The museum will be open from 12-3 PM, so come explore the museum before or after the concert.  Admission is just $5 per person (cash). Don’t miss out on this unique blend of live music, drama, and history! 🎉

Don’t miss this exciting event—it’s going to be one for the books! 📖🎉

Tidewater Winds Brass Quintet Concert

October 12th - 1 PM
Tidewater Winds Brass Quintet Concert🎶

Step back in time with us for a unique Hill House Museum garden performance featuring music actually composed for Lafayette during his Farewell Tour! 🎷 But that’s not all! Our talented interpreters, known as the "Men of the House," will bring history to life, sharing the fascinating story of the Hill family’s ties to General Lafayette’s visit. 🎭💫

The museum will be open from 12-3 PM, so come explore the museum before or after the concert.  Admission is just $5 per person (cash). Don’t miss out on this unique blend of live music, drama, and history! 🎉

Don’t miss this exciting event—it’s going to be one for the books! 📖🎉

Did you catch the exciting news segment on Channel 3, "Hometown History: The Hill House Museum Celebrates Lafayette's Visit to Portsmouth" with meteorologist, Miles Henderson, and Hill House historian, Julie Dunn? If not, you're in for a treat! This quick feature highlights the fascinating Lafayette exhibit and events at the Hill House Museum throughout October.

Here’s the link for you to watch and see what’s in store this month—definitely worth a look!

https://www.wtkr.com/news/hometown-history/hometown-history-the-hill-house-museum-celebrates-lafayettes-visit-to-portsmouth



Ready to time travel?

Join us for an afternoon of history, intrigue, and fun as Frank Womble—an expert on all things Lafayette—takes us back to 1824 and 1825 when the Marquis de Lafayette made his legendary visits to Hampton Roads?  We’re gearing up for the epic bicentennial celebrations in 2024/2025 and this is the first in a series of lectures.

Time Travel Details:

🍪 Light refreshments? Of course!
🏛 Museum Lecture: 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 5, 2024
🎟 Tickets: Just $5 (cash only) — bargain!

History has never been this entertaining— We can't wait to see you there!

Mark Your Calendars

October 5th – 2:00 PM: Step back in time as Frank Womble, esteemed member of the Board of Governors for the American Friends of Lafayette, presents a captivating lecture at 2:00 PM. He will explore the historic visits of the Marquis de Lafayette to Hampton Roads in 1824 and 1825, and share exciting details about the upcoming bicentennial celebrations planned for 2024/2025. Light refreshments will be served. The museum doors open from 12:00 to 3:00 PM, and tickets are just $5 per person (cash only). Don't miss this fascinating journey into local history!

Welcome Lafayette!!

It’s official – the Hill House Museum is all decked out for Lafayette’s visit!

A special thank you to Julie Dunn for her incredible vision in bringing the Hill House to life for the upcoming Lafayette October events! Her creativity is shaping a beautiful experience for all who attend. Also, a big thank you to Sam Gilchrist for crafting the stunning decorations for the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s visit, adding a truly memorable touch to this historic celebration.

We encourage everyone to check out the exciting events happening at the Hill House in October, and be sure to stop by to enjoy the festivities centered around the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s visit to Portsmouth.

Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this special celebration and once in a lifetime experience. 

Nancy Collins Silver Set

While the Hill House Museum boasts no shortage of china, one standout piece in our collection is this elegant sterling silver tea set once owned by Ann Lucretia Collins Nash—fondly remembered as Nancy Collins in her youth. As the younger sister of Dr. William Collins and the great-aunt of the prominent Hill siblings, Nancy played an interesting role in local history. At just 15 years old, she was selected to present a wreath and formally welcome General Lafayette at the City Arch during his memorable visit to Portsmouth on October 25, 1824. This silver set stands as a cherished memento of her distinguished family legacy and the historic occasion.   

Lafayette Garden Find

In 2012, during an archaeological dig in the Hill House Gardens, a wealth of artifacts was unearthed. Among them was a water pitcher commemorating Lafayette’s 1824-25 visit to the United States, depicting “Lafayette Visiting Franklin’s Tomb.” Most of the pieces were recovered, and the pitcher was carefully reconstructed. This find suggests the commemorative china pattern, produced between 1825-1830, was once part of the Hill House collection before 1850. Recently, the museum had the opportunity to acquire a commemorative 1820s coffee and tea set featuring the same pattern. Stop by in October to see this beautiful set in person.