Who was Mary Katharine Goddard?

Born in 1738, she was homeschooled by her mother in reading and math. She took over her brother’s printing shop a few years later and became an expert in printing newspapers, essays, and posters. When the American Revolution started, she published important news that helped the fight against the British – even if it meant she might get caught.

In 1776, Mary was asked to print the Declaration of Independence – she is the only woman whose name is on the Declaration. That was Mary.

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Stories On The Steps is a FREE family program perfect for children aged 4-10. Join us on Wilton's front lawn on Saturday, April 5th at 10am for a read aloud of Revolutionary Mary, a new picture book by Karen Blumenthal and Jen McCartney, then try your hand at stamping your own revolutionary message!

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Join Dr. Leo G. Mazow, the Louise B. and J. Harwood Cochrane Curator of American Art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, as he explores an iconic suite of history paintings featuring George Washington, produced by the American artist Junius Brutus Stearns and dating to circa 1850. Conceived as the basis for five lithographs, the paintings aim to humanize Washington and reveal his accessibility and everyday quality. In so doing, however, they perpetuate some long-held myths. More recently, the contemporary artist Titus Kaphar has created a group of works that probe, critique, help us understand the histories and ideals celebrated in the earlier paintings. This lecture, in turn, discusses both acts of humanizing Washington.

Lecture with Christopher Pasch, Archaeology Department Field Director at James Madison's Montpelier.

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More details to come!

June 14th | July 12th | August 9th

Pack a picnic and your favorite lawn chair for live music on our scenic terrace overlooking the James River. Enjoy self-guided tours of Wilton's historic manor house before the concert, along with family-friendly activities like face painting, lawn games, and ice cream!

Concert lineup and tickets available in May!