Thursday, November 29, 2012

TICKET DEADLINES for Sotterley Holiday Candlelight



The deadlines to purchase tickets for this weekend's Sotterley Holiday Candlelight - "From This Day Forward" are coming up fast! Advance reservations to attend this spectacular holiday event are required, as we are unable to accommodate walk-ins. The tours begin at 6:30 p.m. and run every 10 minutes. Each performance takes you from room to room of the main floor of the 1703 Plantation House, lasting approximately 40 minutes. You may choose the tour time which works best for you. We look forward to welcoming you to Sotterley!


Friday, November 30th - Opening Night
Deadline: Friday at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 1st - Final Night
Deadline: Saturday at 3:00 p.m.


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Five Sotterley Christmas Celebrations


This Friday and Saturday, Sotterley is pleased to present the 2012 Holiday Candlelight performances ~ "From This Day Forward." This year's script welcomes visitors to five Sotterley Christmas celebrations:

The Gatehouse ~ December 25, 1826
Eavesdrop on an intimate moment between young newlywed Emeline Dallam Briscoe and her sister Lydia as they discuss Emeline’s recent marriage, and their anticipation of a bright future.

The New Room ~ December 25, 1839
Join the Briscoe’s growing family in their private sitting room, a respite from the outside world of sickness and strife, as they discuss family concerns and plans for their children.

The Drawing Room ~ December 25, 1862
As the Civil War rages, Walter and Emeline host Lydia and Chapman Billingsley to their family celebration. Their son, Henry, and his fiancĂ© also join them. The family’s faith and resolve are tested as three Briscoe sons plan to join the Confederacy in Richmond, just days after the Battle of Fredericksburg where the Army of Virginia has been victorious, but at a very high cost.

The Red Room ~ December 25, 1864
During the last days of the Confederacy, Maryland has just emancipated their slaves on November 1, 1864. With the Briscoes away for the evening, Hilry Cane, his wife Alice, and Hilry’s son, George, gather to discuss their past and their new found freedom. Will freedom now threaten to tear their family apart?

The Dining Room ~ December 25, 1885
As the Briscoe children, James, Margaret, and Walter, wait for their parents to arrive downstairs, they share memories with granddaughter Elizabeth and celebrate the nearly sixty year marriage of Emeline Dallam Briscoe and Dr. Walter Hanson Stone Briscoe. They discuss changing circumstances, events, and the future of Sotterley.

Introducing the tremendously talented,
all-volunteer
Cast & Crew:

Director ~ James LePore
Assistant Director & Playwright ~ Jeanne Pirtle
Production Manager ~ Linda Tucker Jones
Production Assistant ~ Dawn Lopez
Technical Director ~ Wesley Thomas
Frank Greenwell
Pat Greenwell
Sarah Dudley
Alyssa Fox
Tia LePore
Helena Fondeur
Sarah Georgiou
Amanda LePore
Shannon Ivanchev
Paul Rose
Emily Fox
Phoenix Ivanchev
Kim Bessler
Ming Diaz
Dawn Weber
J.D. Hogg
Timothy Joyce
Emily Funderburk
Shemika Berry
Jay Hunter
Kenny Waters
Jivon Jackson
Kirk Kugel
Ashley Maucher
Chris Burch
Dawna Diaz


Advance reservations required.
$15 per person.





Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Into the House We Go!

 
 


For two nights - this Friday and Saturday - the 1703 Plantation House is decked out for Sotterley's Holiday Candlelight performances of "From This Day Forward."

For many years, Sotterley has opened up the house for this unique holiday theatrical performance. The Sotterley Players (all volunteers) transport audiences to different time periods of Sotterley's history, bringing to life a new script each year. Based upon historical fact, with a fair amount of artistic license, the performances have delighted crowds each holiday season. The 2012 script welcomes visitors to five Christmas celebrations: 1826, 1839, 1862, 1864, and 1885. In each room of the main floor of the house, the drama unfolds!

We hope you will join us during this busy holiday season to applaud the talent, hard work and dedication of so many people. Because of them - all of them - this high quality performance event has become an important fundraiser for Sotterley.

Advance reservations required.
$15 per person.

Monday, November 19, 2012

2012 Holiday Candlelight Script SKEAK PEEK!




This year’s Sotterley Holiday Candlelight entitled, “From This Day Forward” will take place on November 30 & December 1st with performances beginning at 6:30 p.m. and running every 10 minutes. In this living history production set within the 1703 Plantation House, visitors will encounter Sotterley’s past Christmas seasons and the families who lived and worked here. Share love, laughter and sometimes bittersweet memories at home on the plantation.


Take a glimpse of this year's wonderful new script:

1826 ~ The Gatehouse
Eavesdrop on an intimate moment between young newlywed Emeline Briscoe and her sister Lydia as they discuss Emeline’s recent marriage, and their anticipation of a bright future.

1839 ~ The New Room
Join the Briscoe’s growing family in their private sitting room, a respite from the outside world of sickness and strife, as they discuss family concerns and plans for their children.

1862 ~ The Drawing Room
As the Civil War rages, Walter and Emeline host their family celebration. The family’s faith and resolve are tested as three Briscoe sons plan to join the Confederate Army in Richmond, just days after the Battle of Fredericksburg where the Army of Virginia has been victorious, but at a very high cost.

1864 ~ The Red Room
During the last days of the Confederacy, Maryland has just emancipated their slaves on November 1, 1864. With the Briscoe’s away for the evening, Hilry Cane, his wife Alice, and Hilry’s son, George, gather to discuss their past and their new found freedom. Will freedom now threaten to tear their family apart?

1885 ~ The Dining Room
As the Briscoe’s grown children wait for their aged parents to arrive downstairs, they share memories with granddaughter Elizabeth of Walter and Emeline’s 60 year marriage. They discuss fond memories, changing circumstances, and the future of Sotterley.


Live musical performances from local premiere high school choral groups and complimentary cookies and punch will be available in the historic Barn, prior to the reserved performance time.



ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! No walk-ins.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!
The cost is $15 per person.



Friday, November 9, 2012

The Next Phase of Growth for Sotterley


The Next Phase of Growth
Adopt - A - Tree Program

Restoration efforts have been ongoing for over a year since Hurricane Irene, and Sotterley Plantation is ready to begin the next phase of growth through the Adopt - A - Tree Program. Initially, donations are being accepted to cover the costs of 16 trees that will be located within the historic core, but additional plantings are planned for all over the site. Individuals or organizations may choose to either adopt an entire tree, or they can simply make a donation of any size to the tree fund. With the support of the generous community, the hope of Historic Sotterley, Inc. is to rejuvenate the landscape with new plantings to be enjoyed by all for generations to come.

“Donations can be made for a variety of reasons - in memorial for a loved one, to celebrate a special occasion or event such as a wedding, anniversary or birthday, or simply because you would love to see Sotterley’s landscape restored,” stated Nancy Easterling, Sotterley Executive Director.

During last year’s hurricane over 170 tress were downed, some dangerously close to the 1703 Plantation House, the original 1830’s Slave Cabin, and other outbuilding. A number of historic buildings sustained damage due to falling trees. As a precautionary measure, the Sotterley Landscape Committee opted for the removal of the remaining two trees which loomed over the rooftop of the Plantation House.

All donations will be entered into a special journal which will become a permanent part of Sotterley’s Archives. Donations can be made out to Historic Sotterley, Inc., and please note “Adopt a Tree Fund” in the check’s memo line. To donate by credit card or to learn more about the planting plan details, we welcome calls to 301-373-2280 during regular business hours.


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