Mount Vernon Candlelight Tour
Alexandria, Virginia
For more than 20 years now, Mount Vernon has treated guests to a holiday candlelight tour, which generally takes place during the three weekends after Thanksgiving. Visitors can experience George and Martha Washington’s beloved country estate as if the Washingtons themselves had invited them over for a Christmas evening celebration, with live music, glittering decor and costumed actors.
“You can put your hand on the banister that George Washingon touched,” said Melissa Wood, director of media relations at Mount Vernon. “I get chills every time.”
One thing that surprises many guests is the lack of Christmas trees, but the estate holds true to history; Christmas trees are a Germanic tradition that did not transfer to American culture until the 1900s.
The tour begins in the kitchen, where the Washingtons’ cook busily prepares dinner. Later, visitors might run into Martha and the valet in the hallway discussing plans for upcoming holiday gatherings. The characters act as walking biographies of 18th-century people and culture, so guests are free to engage them with any questions or comments.
“So many people walk away thrilled to have had that face-to-face experience with Martha,” said Wood.
Some highlights of the tour include the parlor where Washington frequently met with colleagues such as Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson, as well as his private office, which was strictly closed off to outsiders during his lifetime.
“Just imagine George in his study as he looked at the globe on his desk, thinking about the United States and its future in the world,” said Wood.
All Heaven Star Party
New River Gorge, West Virginia
Every year at the end of summer, amateur astronomers from all walks of life gather at West Virginia’s Spruce Knob Mountain Center for the All Heaven Star Party, a weekendlong stargazing event hosted by the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club. Thanks to its elevation of 4,000 feet and low light pollution, the 400-acre nature preserve lends itself to some of the highest-quality stargazing in the country.
“We’re in one of the darkest places left on the East Coast,” said David Martin, program officer at the Spruce Knob Mountain Center for the Arts.
The event consistently sells out, with an average of 250 participants. Once they arrive, stargazers can either find a campsite at a nearby campground or take up residence in one of the center’s dormitories. During the day, there are a variety of available activities to pass the time, such as caving, bird walks or guided hikes to the Spruce Knob Summit, which is the highest point in West Virginia. There are also astronomy-focused seminars in the center for those interested in stargazing tips or developing technologies in the field.
When dusk finally sets in, center employees close the surrounding roads to prevent headlights from impairing the view, and groups begin setting up their telescopes. With so many different angles of the sky to appreciate, people often walk around and share alternative perspectives with each other, making it a true community experience.
