For media inquiries, please contact Melissa Abernathy, Communications Manager: mabernathy@maymont.org, 804-358-7166, ext. 315.
2024
Meet Lorna, The New Horse At Maymont Farm
November 7, 2024
Maymont welcomed a new horse this week to Maymont Farm. Lorna, a retired thoroughbred mare from Maryland, comes to Maymont through the Equine Welfare Society (EWS), a horse rescue organization based in Keswick, Virginia. She joins Artie and Dani, retired carriage horses and longtime Maymont residents, in the pasture at Maymont Farm, which also houses cows, goats, sheep, pigs, alpacas, chickens, ducks and a Sicilian donkey. Read more.
Maymont Brings a Personal Touch to the Holidays with Wreath Workshops and Merry Market
October 28, 2024
Maymont invites the community to add a personal touch to the holidays this year with make-your-own Wreath Workshops, December 3 – 7, and a larger and more-fun-than-ever Merry Market, December 7 and 8. Read more.
Maymont Expands Garden Glow presented by Kroger to 22 Nights, Including 3 Free Nights for Members
September 3, 2024
Maymont is expanding its most anticipated event of the year, Garden Glow presented by Kroger, to 22 fun-filled nights this fall, from October 16 – November 10. Giant light sculptures will sprout up around the grounds, and the Japanese Garden presented by Colesville Nursery will once again be transformed by artful lighting into a mesmerizing, immersive experience. Everyone will have a chance to see nature in a different light and to connect in the great outdoors with friends and family. Read more.
Bier-Garden Brings Together Beer, Brats and Family Fun at Maymont, Sept. 21–22
August 15, 2024
Maymont invites everyone to Bier-Garden, September 21-22, for a weekend of beer, bratwurst, pretzels and family fun in a beautiful outdoor setting on the Carriage House Lawn. It’s a great way to welcome the arrival of fall and celebrate the first weekend of the world’s largest Volksfest — without traveling to Munich! Read more.
Community Input Inspires New Look For Maymont Brand
July 9, 2024
Maymont is rolling out a fresh new look for its website, signage and branded materials for the first time in over 13 years. Working with local research consultancy SIR, Maymont gathered input through in-depth surveys with the community and Maymont members over the past year and compared it with nearly a decade of similar findings. Read more.
Maymont's Vintage on the Green Gala & Auction Returns on May 11, Raising Funds to Care for All the Wild Things
May 2, 2024
The annual black-tie gala and auction, Vintage on the Green presented by Capital Square, returns to Maymont’s Carriage House Lawn on Saturday, May 11, from 6pm – 10pm. The gala is the largest single-night fundraising event during the most important month in Maymont’s fiscal calendar: May is for Maymont. In addition to the gala, Maymont will also be presenting a month-long fundraising challenge prompted by a generous matching gift of $20,000 from donors, Mr. and Mrs. E. Claiborne Robins Jr., which doubles the impact of all individual donations, new memberships and Adopt an Animal gifts. Read more.
Local Music Talent Takes Center Stage at Maymont's Summer Kickoff Festival, Friday–Saturday, June 7–8
April 30, 2024
Maymont will kick off the outdoor concert season with a weekend of performances by seven talented hometown musical groups at the Summer Kickoff Festival, June 7-8. With the addition of local cultural and performing groups in the “Richmond Represents” Tent and Stage, this year’s summer kickoff weekend is perfect for rounding up family and friends, grabbing some portable chairs or picnic blankets, and checking out the breadth of Richmond’s eclectic local talent. Read more.
Quincy, One of Maymont's Bald Eagles, Dies of Heart Disease
April 23, 2024
Maymont is sad to share the news of the death of Quincy, one of two rescued bald eagles who live at Maymont. He was taken to the veterinary clinic on Sunday, April 21, after his caretakers noticed he was showing symptoms possibly related to his heart condition. He passed away the same day. A heart arrhythmia had been detected during a routine veterinary check-up two years ago and his condition was monitored closely by the Maymont animal care staff and local veterinarians. Read more.
Step into Maymont's Story with a New Architecture Audio Tour
April 16, 2024
Maymont is offering a new way to explore the origin story of this 100-year-old estate that has been open to the public since 1926. A narrated audio guide takes guests on a self-paced walking tour of the historic buildings along the main corridor from the gatehouse to the Maymont Mansion lawn. Developed by Maymont’s curator, the narration delves into the design inspirations, the cultural context and the stories of the people who made it all possible. Read more.
Herbs Galore at Maymont Grows to 90 Vendors Across 5 Acres on Saturday, April 27
March 27, 2024
The Herbs Galore plant sale returns to Maymont with a bumper crop of vendors on Saturday, April 27, from 8am–3pm. Bigger than ever, this year’s event features 90 plant and gardening-related vendors spread out across five acres on the Carriage House Lawn, along with live music, crafts and fun activities for all ages at the Education Station presented by Genworth. A variety of food vendors will have tempting treats for a picnic or a quick refreshment. Herbs Galore takes place when much of Maymont is in prime bloom, offering gardeners plenty of inspiration if they choose to roam the 100-acre grounds. Read more.
A Sure Sign of Spring: Baby Goats Arrive at Maymont Farm
March 20, 2024
To celebrate spring, Maymont welcomes three baby goats to Maymont Farm this week, just in time for Dominion Energy Family Easter on March 30. The new kids on the block are visiting Maymont for a few weeks from their home on a farm in Hanover County and will be on view daily at the Maymont Farm from 10 am to 5 pm during March and April, including Spring Break Week, April 1-5. Read more.
Maymont Fans Choose “Nola” As the Name for New Female Otter Joining Louis at The Robins Nature Center
March 15, 2024
The voters have spoken: Maymont fans have chosen Nola as the name for the new female otter at The Robins Nature Center. Three-year-old Nola joins nine-year-old Louis, who arrived at Maymont in 2017; both are rescued wild river otters from Louisiana, where they had been deemed nuisance crawfish predators by wildlife agencies. Read more.
Maymont Doubles the Fun at This Year's Dominion Energy Family Easter, Saturday, March 30
February 29, 2024
Maymont invites local families to celebrate spring at Dominion Energy Family Easter on Saturday, March 30, from 9am–3pm. This year’s event will more than double in size, with dozens of different activities and games stretching from the Carriage House Lawn to The Robins Nature Center and Maymont Farm, plus three stages of live entertainment, two Golden Egg Hunts, and a chance to pose for photos with the Easter Bunny presented by Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods. All three entrances and parking areas will be open for the “eggs-travaganza” this year, with popular local food vendors offering tempting options for family picnics. Read more.
A New Otter Is Joining Louis in The Robins Nature Center – Help Maymont Select Her Name
February 15, 2024
Move over, Louis the otter, it’s time to share the spotlight at The Robins Nature Center at Maymont. A new otter is preparing to make a debut in March, and Maymont is asking for the public’s help in selecting her name. Read more.
Maymont Issues RFPs for Construction and Collections Packing/Storage Services for Improvements to Mansion & Wildlife Habitats
February 9, 2024
Maymont issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for construction services and collections packing/storage services for the Maymont 2025 project, a major infrastructure project that will expand the accessibility, guest engagement, safety and long-term preservation of the historic Maymont Mansion and wildlife habitats. Read more.
Maymont Expands Summer Camp Line-Up with Fun New Activities to Help Kids Connect with Nature and History
January 18, 2024
Maymont opens registration to the public on January 22 for its expanded line-up of summer camps for preschoolers through eighth graders who enjoy outdoor exploration, animal encounters and historical discovery through games, crafts and engaging activities. Each camp is led by experienced staff and includes new adventures every day, taking full advantage of Maymont’s 100-acre grounds. Read more.
2023
Double Dose of Holiday Cheer at Maymont: Merry Market Returns for 2 Weekends, Plus 7 Wreath Workshops
October 26, 2023
Maymont is making the holidays cheerier this year with two weekends of Merry Market, where hundreds of hand-crafted gifts will be offered for sale by local artisans in an open-air setting accented by twinkling lights, cozy fire pits, fresh evergreen garlands and a holiday train for kiddie rides! Merry Market opens from 5 – 8pm on Fridays, December 1 & 8, and 12 – 8pm on Saturdays, December 2 & 9. In another holiday tradition, Maymont is offering seven sessions of its signature Wreath Workshops from Tuesday, November 28, through Saturday, December 2 (times vary), where participants create their own fresh evergreen wreaths under the expert guidance of Maymont staff. Read more.
Maymont Issues Request for Proposals (RFP) for Construction Services for Improvements to Mansion & Wildlife Habitats
October 20, 2023
Today, Maymont issued a Request for Proposals for construction and construction management services for major improvement projects that will expand the accessibility, guest engagement, safety and long-term preservation of the historic Maymont Mansion and wildlife habitats. The successful bidder will execute the construction phase for the Maymont 2025 project, which is primarily funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Maymont is raising $3.75 million in private and public funds to complete the estimated $11.75 million project. Read more.
6th Annual Garden Glow presented by Kroger Returns to Maymont, October 19 – November 12, With Expanded Hours
September 19, 2023
The community is invited to experience Maymont with a new glow during the 6th annual Garden Glow presented by Kroger, October 19 to November 12. After dark, dramatic lighting effects will transform the familiar gardens and architecture into an unforgettable sensory adventure. Wednesday through Sunday evenings, the Glow Village springs to life on the Carriage House Lawn, featuring cozy fire pits, a rotating selection of local food trucks, a Glow Bar, and fun activities like the life-size Big Bright Mega Light and the Shadow Wall presented by Juno Financial Services. Read more.
Bier-Garden is Back, Sept. 22-23, with Beer, Brats, Music and Fun for the Whole Family on Maymont's Carriage House Lawn
August 17, 2023
Maymont invites everyone to toast the arrival of fall at Bier-Garden, a two-night Bavarian-style festival, September 22-23. All ages are welcome on the spacious Carriage House Lawn to enjoy live music, specialty brews, authentic German food, and festive fun, like the Stein-Hoisting Contest presented by Capital Ale House or a traditional Chicken Dance. Lederhosen and dirndls encouraged! Read more.
No School? No Problem: Maymont Offers Adventure-Filled Day Camps on Selected Out-of-School Days
July 27, 2023
Adventures don’t have to end when the school year starts. Maymont is introducing a new option for families seeking stimulating programs for their students on selected dates when school is out of session: Out-of-School Day Camps! Read more.
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.