Special Events/News

Complimentary Wine Tasting Passes

The Holladay House has arranged for complimentary winery tasting passes for our guests. The following wineries are included:

Barboursville, Keswick, Prince Michel, Sweely Estate, Gray Ghost, Old House, Pearmund Cellars and the Winery at la Grange.

Historic Downtown Orange Tours

Enjoy a complimentary tour of the Historic Downtown Commercial District. Develop your sense of place - this area is steeped in history from all eras! Tours are held every 2nd Saturday at 10:30am, starting at the Train Station, just 1.5 blocks from the inn.

Farmers Market on Main Street!

Located in the park across from the inn or in the Train Station, every Saturday morning, Friday afternoon, and Wednesday afternoon food and craft vendors sell their wares! Produce and products are all locally sourced! See and taste what Orange County bounty is all about!

Sep 1-15: Senior Special

If you are over 62, stay with us anytime between September 1-15 and receive 15% off your stay, get a choice of 3 bedtime snacks, and receive a free tour of the Orange Commercial Historic District (weather permitting)! Subject to availability; you must mention this special when making your reservation. Not combinable with other offers or specials.

Sep 10-12: Steam and Gas Pasture Party

The Pasture Party displays exhibits of steam boilers and engines, gas engines, tractors, antique and classic cars, demonstrations of threshing and baling, antique tractor pulls, and other displays and demonstrations. The Pasture Party is open to the general public. A gate donation is requested to offset costs. For more information visit the Pasture Party website.

Sep 11: Orange Street Festival

Thousands of folks meander on Main Street visiting the hundreds of vendors and kids activities in this 35th annual Orange Street Festival. The crab cakes alone are worth the trip!

Sep 17: Constitution Day at Montpelier

Celebrate the birthday of the U.S. Constitution with a free visit to Montpelier, the lifelong home of James Madison: Father of the Constitution, architect of the Bill of Rights and President of the United States.

Sep 17-18: Mort Kunstler Town Celebration

On Friday Sept 17th, the Holladay House will host a VIP Reception for the noted artist and illustrator Mort Kunstler. During the event, Mr. Kunstler will discuss the historical context and artistic challenges of the scene that has been depicted. Saturday, Sept 18th, the Town of Orange will celebrate with Mr. Kunstler as he releases and signs his new Town of Orange Civil War era painting Unconquered Spirit. Period music will be performed in the courtyard by the Virginia Serenaders. The Holladay House will be open to visitors. St. Thomas' Church, with its Lee Pew will also be open to visitors. There will be walking tours from the court house to the church from 10a to 2p.

Sep 26: Taming the Wilderness at Ellwood Manor

Once a year the focus turns from Civil War heritage to the early days of Ellwood, in the late 1700s and early 1800s, as a living history program demonstrates the skills needed to survive in some of the wildest land in Virginia. Conducted at Ellwood Manor, a circa 1790 home located on the Wilderness Battlefield in Orange County. Ellwood is significant to the nation because of the role the house and grounds played during the American Civil War. Much of the Battle of the Wilderness was fought on the plantation itself. For more information visit their website.

Oct 2-3: Fall Fiber Festival & Sheep Dog Trails

From sheep to sweater, discover all there is to the Fiber Arts on the grounds of Montpelier. This annual festival showcases animals, has workshops, demonstrations, competitions and the all-popular sheep dog trials. Those dogs could put Lassie to shame! Held Saturday 10a-5p and Sunday 10a-4p; Adults $5, under 16 FREE. For more information and schedules of events visit their website.

Oct 8-11: Columbus Day Special

Stay with us two nights during Columbus Day weekend and get the third night at 50% off! Not combinable with other specials or packages. Good through Monday, October 11, 2010.

Oct 22-23: 8th Annual Civil War Museum Ghost Walk

Get into the spooky spirit with the Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel as it hosts its 8th Annual Ghost Walk. Friday October 23rd and Saturday October 24th, 7pm - 9pm; $15 (family), $6 (adults), $5 (seniors), $4 (6-15 years), under six free. To visit their website, click here.

Oct 23-24: Pick of the Piedmont Wine Festival

Sip wine the easy way - without having to drive from tasting room to tasting room! Held at the OC Sports Complex Booster Park (5 minutes from the inn), Saturday and Sunday 11a - 5p (Rain or Shine); $12 Advance Tickets (includes commemorative glass), $5 Designated Driver ticket. Visit their website for advance tickets.

Nov-Dec: Holladay House Gift Certificates + Special Gift!

Buy a Holladay House gift certificate for the holidays and receive two free Holladay House pens! Our gift certificates are hand-printed on fine linen cards depicting the Holladay House in a local artist's rendition. There are no expiration dates. There are no minimum or maximum amounts. Offer good November 1 - December 31, 2010. Order your gift of relaxation here!

Nov 4: "This Old (Holladay) House" Capstone Anniversary Event

The follow-up to last year's kickoff of the inn's 20th Anniversary! We are inviting everyone back to close out the 20th year the inn has been in business. Noted historian and author, Ann Miller, will be discussing how to date an old house through architectural details using the Holladay House as a live prop! Additionally, guests will enjoy seeing much of the historical documents gathered at the last reception displayed along the new "Holladay History Hallway". Light refreshments will be served. Call to RSVP 540-672-4893.

Nov 10: Thank You Veterans Project

The Holladay House is honored to participate in the Thank You Veterans Project. The Holladay House will providing free rooms on Wednesday, November 10, in observance of Veterans Day, November 11, to honor servicemen and women currently serving or who have previously served their country. The program was started in 2009 by the West Virginia B&B Association and this year has expanded to include over 35 states, a Canadian province and more than 200 Inns. To make a reservation, contact us directly. When you arrive, we'll need to see your applicable military ID. For more details about the program, visit www.bnbsforvets.org.

Nov 13-14: Virginia Artisans Studio Tour

You are invited to visit professional artisans in a number of different working studios in Charlottesville and surrounding counties during the Artisans Studio Tour. Each studio will feature professional artisans selling unique and high quality fine crafts in an artisan's working environment. The tour also provides an opportunity to sample food and beverages provided by some of the area's finest establishments. Each studio will have edible delights from one or more of the local culinary purveyors. For more information visit their website.

Nov 25-28: 5th Annual Thanksgiving at the Holladay House

Join our family for our 5th annual Thanksgiving dinner. At 6:30pm, begin feasting upon free-range turkey, lots of side dishes, desserts and great conversation! Dinner is $39, all inclusive.

Make a long weekend out of it and do some holiday shopping at unique shops and wineries: stay with us a second consecutive night, we will take 25% off your second night stay. If you stay with us a third consecutive night, we will take 50% off your third night stay. Both offers cannot be combined. Subject to availability.

Dec 3-5: Montpelier Candlelight Tours and Holiday Open House Events

At James Madison's Montpelier, 5 minutes from the inn, tour the mansion by candlelight for a very special introduction to the Holiday season for you and your family. Throughout the weekend, there will be a multi-denominational church choir concert, a memorial tree-lighting ceremony, an Inn Open House run by the Dolley Madison Garden Club, a Christmas Bazaar, performances of "White Christmas" by the Four-County Players, and an Open House at the Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel. A fantastic family-friendly weekend full of events to kick off the holiday seasons! Please join us in celebrating!