Leesburg's Oatlands Opens for the 2013 Season

Saturday, Oatlands opens for 2013 season and the historic Leesburg site has planned a free Tunes and Tours day filled with a variety of family friendly activities. 

Again this year, local folk rock musician Kerry McCool will perform from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Oatlands Carriage House. Doug Batson will provide a first-person interpretation of Confederate General D. H. Hill, who led the withdrawal from Leesburg in March of 1862.

Representatives from Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Comfort Suites of Leesburg, Leesburg Garden Club and author T. Elizabeth Renich also plan to attend.

“Oatlands is looking forward to a year filled with events for all ages, from educational and fun summer camps to an elegant party on the front lawn of the mansion,” said executive director Andrea McGimsey. “We are introducing a new tour that focuses on our African American heritage, and we will also be giving regular tours of the spectacular, terraced garden.”

Some of the new and exciting events taking place this year include:

• Tea in the Mansion with Elizabeth Carter, mistress of Oatlands in the 1800s, March 22
•  book signing and talk with author of the American Girl series, Valerie Tripp, April 6
• Tea in the Garden with Edith Eustis, mistress of Oatlands in the 1900s, May 19
• Doggie Day, May 18
• Oatlands’ third annual Vintage Base Ball Day, June 2.

Please visit www.oatlands.org for a full schedule of events.

Oatlands is open to the public daily. Mansion tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday. Admission costs $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for students 6 to 16, and free for children 5 and younger. Mansion tours begin on the hour.

The Oatlands Carriage House Museum Shop is open for business from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The 360-acre, self-supporting National Trust Historic site is south of Leesburg on Route 15.