Last updated: August 11, 2025
Place
Stratford Hall Historic Preserve
Jason Buttram Photography
Quick Facts
Location:
483 Great House Road, Stratford, Virginia 22558
Significance:
Stratford Hall, a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserves natural and cultural heritage through Miocene-era cliffs, Chesapeake Bay connections, and early American history.
Designation:
National Historic Landmark; Chesapeake Gateways Network Site
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
5 listed
Beach/Water Access, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Internet/WiFi Available, Pets Allowed
Stratford Hall Historic Preserve, located on Virginia’s Northern Neck along the Potomac River, offers visitors a rich blend of cultural history, natural discovery, and immersive interpretation across 1,800+ acres. As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, Stratford Hall highlights the site’s layered stories, from ancient Miocene-era cliffs to the legacy of the Lee family and the lives of Indigenous peoples and enslaved individuals.
Guests begin at the Visitor Center and its exhibit Stratford at the Crossroads, which explores the Atlantic world through the objects and stories of those who lived on this land. Audio tours and interpretive trails guide visitors through the historic Great House, reconstructed gristmill, waterfront tobacco landing, and surrounding outbuildings. Interpretive signs throughout the site help bring the stories to life.
Recreational opportunities include birding along the Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail, fossil hunting with trained guides, and hiking on eight scenic trails. Events like preservation tours, cooking demonstrations, and the annual Wine & Oyster Festival connect Stratford Hall’s historic narrative to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Stratford Hall welcomes guests for day trips and overnight stays, offering a variety of experiences that span millions of years of history. To plan your visit or learn more, explore their website.