Press
For media inquiries, please contact Melissa Abernathy, Communications Manager: mabernathy@maymont.org, 804-358-7166, ext. 315.
2023
Double the Fun: Maymont Kicks Off Summer with Two Nights of Music Under the Stars, Friday-Saturday, June 16-17
May 9, 2023
Music under the stars at Maymont is a special way to kick off the summer! Maymont is doubling the fun this year with two nights of music for the annual Summer Kickoff Concert on Friday, June 16, from 6–10pm, and Saturday, June 17, from 5–10pm. Read more.
Baby Goats and Chicks Are Arriving at Maymont Farm!
April 3, 2023
To celebrate spring, Maymont welcomes five baby goats and three Brahma chicks to Maymont Farm this week, just in time for Dominion Energy Family Easter on April 8. The new kids on the block are visiting Maymont for a few weeks from their home on a farm in Hanover County, while the chicks will become permanent residents in the Maymont flock. The new chicks and kids are on view daily at the Maymont Farm from 10 am to 5 pm. Read more.
Maymont Selects Commonwealth Architects to Lead Improvement Projects for Mansion, Wildlife Trail
March 29, 2023
Maymont has selected Commonwealth Architects to lead the architectural and engineering design for the proposed infrastructure improvements to enhance the accessibility, guest engagement, safety and long-term resiliency of the historic Maymont Mansion and wildlife habitats. The overall project entails replacing the roof of the Gilded Age mansion and updating its ventilation and fire safety systems, as well as redesigning the animal habitats and connecting pathways along the Virginia Wildlife Trail, which features rescued native species ranging from bears to bald eagles. Read more.
Herbs Galore at Maymont Will Spice Up Richmond Gardens with over 70 Vendors on Saturday, April 29
March 16, 2023
The Herbs Galore plant sale sprouts up on the Carriage House Lawn at Maymont on Saturday, April 29, from 8am–3pm, featuring over 70 plant and gardening-related vendors from across Central Virginia in a massive one-day-only plant sale. Herbs Galore takes place when Maymont is in full bloom, offering gardeners plenty of inspiration, plus live music entertainment and a tempting selection of food vendors to keep fueled up all day. Read more.
Meet Maymont's Own "Octopus Teacher," Arriving in March in The Robins Nature Center
March 13, 2023
What has two eyes, eight legs and a lot to teach us? Find out on Friday, March 17, when Maymont welcomes an octopus (Octopus vulgaris) to The Robins Nature Center to enhance environmental education for youth programs and local schools, as well as to delight all guests who stop by. The live octopus arrives along with a collection of preserved specimens of native species collected in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast on loan from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) at William and Mary for use in Maymont’s education programs through May 2023. Read more.
Hop on Over to Maymont for Tons of Family Fun on Saturday, April 8, at Dominion Energy Family Easter
February 24, 2023
Based on last year’s strong turnout, Maymont is expanding its annual Dominion Energy Family Easter on Saturday, April 8, from 9am–3pm. Spreading out from the Carriage House Lawn to the Maymont Mansion lawn and beyond, this year’s spring “eggs-travaganza” offers families tons of interactive games and fun crafts, three stages of live entertainment, and an expanded Community Zone where families can meet local public service heroes and helpers, team mascots, and family-friendly local businesses and nonprofit organizations. In addition, the Maymont Mansion will be open for mini-tours, the lawn will be spread with picnic blankets to enjoy food from local vendors, and, of course, the Easter Bunny will hop on by! Read more.
2022
Maymont Selects Katherine Garrett-Cox as Curator and Director of Historical Resources and Collections
December 13, 2022
The Maymont Foundation is pleased to announce that Katherine Garrett-Cox has been selected as the Curator and Director of Historical Resources and Collections, starting December 5. Reporting to the Executive Director, Garrett-Cox will manage conservation and preservation efforts for Maymont’s historic resources, which include the Mansion, carriages, and historic outbuildings and structures. Read more.
Catch the Holiday Spirit at Maymont with Christmas Tours, Wreath Workshops and a Merry Market
November 8, 2022
There’s “snow” place like Maymont for the holidays! First, starting November 18 through January 1, 2023, a special Christmas-themed audio tour will be offered at Maymont Mansion, which will be decorated for the season in Victorian style. The self-guided tour provides insights into the high pomp — and hard work — of holiday entertaining during the Gilded Age. Second, the public is invited to create their own fresh evergreen wreaths in one of seven hands-on Wreath Workshops, Tuesday, November 29 – Saturday, December 3, under the expert guidance of Maymont staff. And a new event, Merry Market, Friday December 2 & Saturday, December 3, celebrates winter with a two-day, pop-up holiday market of 50 local artisans, plus cozy fire pits, a festive holiday bar, live music, crafts for kids and a chance to take a selfie with Saint Nicholas! Read more.
Maymont Issues Request for Proposals (RFP) for Architectural and Engineering Design Services for Major Projects to Expand Accessibility, Engagement
November 8, 2022
Today, Maymont issued a Request for Proposals for architectural and engineering design services for infrastructure improvements to expand the accessibility, guest engagement features, safety and long-term resiliency of the historic Maymont Mansion and wildlife habitats. The successful bidder will design and coordinate the construction phase for a project funded by an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Read more.
Maymont Shines Brighter in 5th Annual Garden Glow Presented by Kroger for 18 Nights from Oct. 13 – Nov 6
September 12, 2022
Maymont’s fifth annual Garden Glow presented by Kroger will be bigger and more imaginative than ever! For 18 evenings from October 13 to November 6, dramatic lighting transforms the historic architecture and gardens into an unforgettable experience for the whole community. Each evening after sunset, people of all ages come together on the Carriage House Lawn, where the Glow Village will offer expanded seating and cozy fire pits, with refreshments from the Glow Bar and a selection of food trucks. The highlight of Garden Glow is the walking tour that immerses guests in a natural landscape dramatically illuminated from within. Read more.
Museums for All in Richmond
September 2022
Museums for All is a national program that encourages people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly. Through the program, individuals receiving food assistance can access reduced or free admission to museums across the country by showing their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Several Richmond-area museums participate in the program to make quality museum learning experiences available to everyone. Contact each organization to learn more about their Museums for All program. Read more.
Prost! Maymont Toasts the Fall with Beer, Brats, Music and Outdoor Fun at Bier-Garden, Sept. 23-24
August 24, 2022
Maymont toasts the arrival of autumn with Bier-Garden, a two-night Bavarian-style festival, September 23-24. Bring family and friends to the Festhaus on the Carriage House Lawn to hoist a stein filled with Paulaner's Oktoberfest bier, a local craft beer or cider. Enjoy live music, yard games and fire pits while eating authentic German fare, including bratwurst by The Mayor Meats, and schnitzel, sauerkraut, pretzels and more crafted by Capital Ale House. Lederhosen and dirndls encouraged! Read more.
Maymont Awarded $8 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Tourism Investment from U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration
July 20, 2022
Yesterday, Maymont learned it has been awarded an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to promote and expand regional tourism and outdoor recreation in Virginia. This project is funded under EDA’s competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program, designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Read more.
Maymont To Unveil New Historical Programs and Guest facilities, Fulfilling A Special Two-Year Commonwealth Grant
May 5, 2022
This year, Maymont is rolling out a series of immersive history programs and facility enhancements that will culminate in the opening of a new orientation center and active learning classroom this fall. The two-year project fulfills a special 2020 Commonwealth grant meant to enhance the public’s experience with Virginia’s diverse history by braiding together the stories of the African American staff who worked at Maymont during the Jim Crow era with the stories of the Gilded Age owners of the estate, James and Sallie Dooley. Read more.
Maymont Goes to the Dogs on Saturday, May 21 and June 18, With Mutts at Maymont, Presented by Juno Financial Group
May 3, 2022
They say every dog has its day — at Maymont this spring, they’ll have two! On May 21 and June 18, from 3–7:30pm, dogs are invited to bring their humans along for Mutts at Maymont presented by Juno Financial Group, an afternoon of tail-wagging fun on the Carriage House Lawn. Back by popular demand, these afternoons offer a rare opportunity for dog lovers and their canine companions to relax at a giant picnic on the historic grounds enjoying pup cups and frozen custard, with live music, food truck cuisine and adult beverages. Read more.
Meet the “New Kids” on the Block: Baby Goats Dolly, June and Tammy, Now on View at Maymont Farm; Plus, Lambs Arrive in May
April 29, 2022
To celebrate spring, Maymont has welcomed three baby goats and will soon add a trio of lambs to the Maymont Farm. The public is invited to come meet the new kids, named Dolly, June and Tammy, who are visiting Maymont for a few months from their home in Hanover County. The three Tennessee Fainting goats were born this spring and are now fully weaned. Read more.
Kick off the Summer with a Concert Under the Stars At Maymont On Friday, May 6
April 5, 2022
Music under the stars at Maymont is a special way to kick off the summer! Maymont is pleased to host the annual Summer Kickoff Concert on Friday, May 6, from 6–10pm, featuring “America’s #1 Yacht Rock band,” Three Sheets to the Wind, and opening act Full Moon Fever, a Tom Petty tribute band. With plenty of open space on the Carriage House Lawn for singing, dancing and social distancing, guests are welcome to bring picnic blankets or portable chairs and enjoy tasty food truck cuisine, and beer and cider. Between sets, the entertainment is a sunset over the James River. Read more.
Maymont Mourns Loss of Beloved Bison, Snoopy
April 4, 2022
Maymont is saddened to share with the community the recent loss of Snoopy, the senior matriarch of the three female American bison who live at Maymont. Read more.
Peggy Singlemann Announces Retirement from Maymont Foundation After Nearly Four Decades Leading Park Operations and Horticulture
March 31, 2022
After a distinguished 38-year career with Maymont, Peggy Singlemann, Director of Park Operations and Horticulture, will retire from Maymont Foundation on June 30, 2022. Read more.
Herbs Galore & More RETURNS TO Maymont With Over 60 Vendors on Saturday, April 30
March 28, 2022
The popular Herbs Galore & More at Maymont returns on Saturday, April 30, from 8am–3pm, bigger than ever, bringing dozens of plant and gardening vendors from across Central Virginia to the Carriage House Lawn for a one-day-only shopping experience. Plant lovers are invited to bring a wagon to fill with an array of rare and common herbs, annuals, perennials, trees, vegetables, herbal products and garden accessories — everything they need to stock their gardens or window boxes. Read more.
Maymont Will Be Hopping With Family Fun on Saturday, April 16, for Dominion Energy Family Easter
March 17, 2022
Families are invited to hop on over to Maymont on Saturday, April 16, for the annual Dominion Energy Family Easter “eggs-travaganza.” Gates will be open from 9am–3pm for a day packed with fun activities and games, along with live entertainment and food trucks, plus appearances by juggler Jonathan Austin, Maymont environmental educators with animal ambassadors, and of course, the Easter Bunny. Read more.
Maymont Announces New Senior Director of Advancement, Thomas Zydel
January 14, 2022
The Maymont Foundation is pleased to announce that Thomas Zydel has been selected as the Senior Director of Advancement. He joined Maymont on January 10. Read more.
2021
Garden Glow Returns to Maymont
October 12, 2021
Enjoy Maymont in a whole new way, October 15-November 7, with the return of Garden Glow! An enchanting experience will brighten fall nights at Maymont as the iconic Japanese Garden becomes a mesmerizing, illuminated landscape for Garden Glow, held each Wednesday through Sunday night after sunset. Read more.
Maymont Says Goodbye to Tulip Poplar
August 26, 2021
The loss of a historic Virginia native tree at Maymont, the Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), is one that can be felt throughout the Greater Richmond region. Read more.
Maymont Mourns Loss of Arnold the Cow
March 3, 2021
The Maymont family is saddened by the recent loss of Arnold, the Irish Dexter cow, who passed away on Saturday, February 27 at the age of 11 after a brief illness. Read more.
2020
Garden Glow Illuminates Historic Estate
September 30, 2020
Garden Glow at Maymont will brighten fall nights in a new location at the estate and park this year, showcasing the historic architecture and gardens around the Maymont Mansion in artistic lighting displays, Friday, October 23 through Sunday, November 8, 6 to 10pm. Read more.
The Robins Nature Center Reopens July 2
June 24, 2020
An immersive new James River experience will make a big splash with guests at The Robins Nature Center when it reopens to the public on Thursday, July 2 from 10am to 4pm. Read more.
Richmond Cultural Institutions, Including Maymont, Share Joint Reopening Statement as COVID-19 Restrictions are Lifted
June 10, 2020
Richmond area cultural institutions, including museums, attractions and other sites, have released a joint statement as Virginia continues to lift additional COVID-19 restrictions. Read more.
The Robins Nature Center Reopens April 5
March 3, 2020
An immersive new James River experience will make a big splash with guests at The Robins Nature Center when it reopens to the public on Sunday, April 5 from 10am to 5pm. The attraction has been closed since November 1 to complete renovations and enhancements, the first major improvements since it originally opened in 1999. Read more.
Maymont Foundation Announces New Senior Director of Marketing, Strategy and Advancement
February 7, 2020
The Maymont Foundation is pleased to announce that Suzy Rohler has been selected as the Senior Director of Marketing, Strategy and Advancement at Maymont. She begins her position at Maymont on February 27. Read more.