Ever wonder who stays awake while you sleep? Meet some of Maymont's nighttime residents and learn about their nocturnal adaptations through experiments, games, and a hike of the grounds! Owls, bats, frogs and many other creatures of the dark will help shed some light onto their mysterious ways. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. The terrain includes hills and flat areas. Note: the new refund policy applies.

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Friday, Nov 20, Maymont

Sauces 1.0 not required! A well-made sauce can be an important building block or finishing touch for a great dish. But, once you can make a sauce, what do you do with it? In this class, students will learn how to create three classic sauces (Hollandaise, Espagnole, Veloute) and then pair or alter them to finish their recipes. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Offered twice; please register for only one session. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Oct 1, The Kitchen Classroom

Enjoy this 45-minute private, guided Autumn Garden Walk tour with emphasis on the history of the formal gardens and, of course, the fall blooms. You'll also have time on your own for further garden exploration. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Tuesday, Sept 29, Agecroft Hall

Join us to try eight red wines as we focus on the bigger, bolder styles produced around the world. Our wines will hail from different regions of the world and are made with different grapes, but all will focus on the heavier, fuller-bodied flavor styles many people love. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Oct 15, The Kitchen Classroom

Join us at Agecroft and enjoy this one-hour guided house museum tour with emphasis on 16th century English Christmas traditions. You'll also have time on your own for garden exploration. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Fri, Dec 4, Agecroft Hall

Pate Au Choux is delightful and easy, whether sweet or savory! Learn the ins and outs of making and baking Choux Dough from scratch! We will make classic Cream Puffs, Delicious Ecliars, and savory cheesy Gougeres! Class may run over/under the allotted time. Offered twice; please register for only one session. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Oct 29, Kitchen Classroom
Thursday, Nov 12, Kitchen Classroom

At the Valentine, we'll explore the untold stories of the American Revolution on this guided exhibit tour. We tend to forget that not everyone wanted 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,' nor have the goals of the Declaration of Independence ever been fully achieved. Tories, including John Wickham, free Black residents, enslaved workers, and those with new wealth adjusted their loyalties and sought their own form of liberty. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Friday, Sept 18, Valentine Museum

Wine comes in all price ranges, from your $6.99 grocery store specials to a rare vintage French Bordeaux for thousands of dollars a bottle (or more!). What would you pay for a wine you've never tasted? $10, $20, $100? What makes a bottle worth more? Join us to explore six wines in the $100 per bottle range. Light fare will be provided to complement the wine tasting. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Sept 24, The Kitchen Classroom

This guided walk of the exhibit is followed by a 30-minute seated discussion and Q&A in the Institute's Lab where participants will reflect on the central themes and consider how this history informs civic life. The exhibit explores how racial slavery shaped Virginia, Richmond, and the nation. Visitors will leave with a clearer understanding of Richmond's place in this national story and a stronger framework for connecting the past to the choices we face now. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Monday, Oct 5, The Shockoe Institute

Come explore Shalom Farms at its Northside location. This guided tour will include a short presentation on Shalom's mission, food justice, and how Shalom approaches distribution, programming, and community engagement. An experienced guide will then walk folks around the farm to look at what's in season, talk about Certified Naturally Grown growing practices, and taste some yummy summer vegetables.

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Tuesday, Oct 13, Shalom Farms - NORTHSIDE

Join Diane, Maggie, and the Kitchen Classroom to try six pairings perfect for your Holiday tables. The pairings will be cheese-focused but not exclusively limited to cheese. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Dec 10, The Kitchen Classroom

Have you ever tried a wine and been unsure if the wine was bad or just not to your taste? This class can help! Explore the undesirable flavors in wine, often caused by mishandling, misstorage, over-aging, or production issues. We will taste the same wine side-by-side with an altered version of the wine, to learn about common off-flavors and what causes them. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Nov 5, The Kitchen Classroom

In this era of increasing polarization, distinguishing fact from fiction has become ever more difficult, contributing to both declining trust in institutions and growing public fatigue with civic discourse. Featuring guest speakers from higher education and the local media, this session will examine how facts are established, evaluated, and communicated, and how information spreads throughout society.

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Wenesday, Nov 4, Independence Golf Club

Learn to make your favorite Korean dishes at home! Bulgogi is a signature dish of many Korean restaurants, and you can make it at home. Learn about the specialty ingredients and techniques and how to combine them into a comforting dish. Japchae, savory and slightly sweet, is a stir-fried dish of glass noodles and vegetables. Kimchi pancakes can be an appetizer or an entree as it mellows out the intense flavor of kimchi. Class may run over/under the allotted time. Offered twice; please register for only one session. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Thursday, Oct 8, The Kitchen Classroom
Thursday, Oct 22, The Kitchen Classroom

Maymont's engaging educators will lead you through the Dooley's Gilded Age home, resplendently decorated for the holiday season. Offered twice; please register for only one session. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Tues, Dec 8, Maymont Mansion
Tues, Dec 15, Maymont Mansion

During the Civil War, disease was the deadliest foe, but medical science grew as surgeons and nurses on and off the battlefield acquired knowledge. This interactive program examines the reasons behind the prevalence of disease and then explores field surgery, ending with a mock amputation. Following the program, participants will visit the collection's examination room to see artifacts associated with Civil War medicine. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Wednesday, Nov 11, American Civil War Museum: Tredegar Iron Works

Take a curator-led walking tour of Court End and Capitol Square with Christina K. Vida, the Valentine's Elise H. Wright Curator of General Collections. As we visit landmarks along the way, learn about Christina's new research into the lives of Richmonders who sought their own form of liberty in the Revolutionary period. Hear stories of Tories, free Black Richmonders, enslaved workers, and others featured in the Valentine's exhibit Dissent! Liberty & Loyalty in Early Richmond. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Monday, Nov 9, Valentine Museum

VPM's new state-of-the art headquarters is located in the heart of downtown Richmond. On this behind-the-scenes tour, explore best-in-class television, radio and podcast studios. You'll also meet the team that brings you your favorite PBS and NPR programs, as well as local news, arts and culture programming, Style Weekly, and early childhood education resources.

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Monday, Oct 19, TBD - UR Campus

Discover the newly-renovated habitats along Maymont's outdoor Virginia Wildlife Trail! Explore our 40-acre valley, home to historic and present-day native Virginia species, many of which are rescued wildlife. Join our educator to learn about the fascinating life histories of these animals and their vital roles in our ecosystem. You'll also get an inside look at how we care for them through specialized diets, enrichment activities, and training. Dress for walking (good shoes, water bottle, etc.). Fees are non-refundable unless we are able to fill your vacated slot.

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Friday, 10/09, Maymont

Take an immersive journey through Earth's diverse plant biomes, each one distinct in climate, flora, and visual impact. Wander through the stark beauty of the desert, where resilient plants thrive with little water. Step into Mediterranean climates known for food, wine, and fragrances. View the layers of the hot humid tropical rainforest filled with lush foliage, fruit trees, and orchids. Then, enter the subtropical house where nectar-rich plants and shrubs support the living butterflies. Note: The new refund policy applies.

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Wed, Oct 14, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens