Chatham Chatter, 4th Quarter, October-December 2025
- Friends of Chatham
- 17 minutes ago
- 4 min read
President's Message
Dear Friends,
As the leaves along the Rappahannock turn russet and gold, Chatham Manor enters one of its most evocative seasons. The gardens breathe more slowly now, yet their quiet colors and textures hold a beauty all their own. In Stafford County and Fredericksburg alike, autumn gives way to the rich pageantry of the holiday season—candlelight tours, wreaths on old brick doorways, and a shared sense of history that deepens with every passing year.
This quarter’s newsletter highlights the joyful camaraderie of recent member mingles; as well as upcoming concerts, our January “Funraiser” at Ristorante Renato, and other gatherings extending well into 2026. Each event is an opportunity to come together in friendship, celebrate Chatham’s gorgeous grounds and living history, and sustain the mission of Friends of Chatham.
As always, I extend my deepest gratitude to our volunteers—especially our Wednesday morning crew guided by our gardener Scott Blake—whose hands work tirelessly at weeding, planting, removing brush, and beautifying the grounds. Thanks to you, hundreds of people each month, and thousands every year, can enjoy the serenity and beauty of Chatham’s gardens.
During these autumn and winter months, I hope you’ll find time to visit Chatham and experience its seasonal charms. Pause at the overlook and imagine the December of 1862, when Union forces camped on these very lawns preparing for the Battle of Fredericksburg. Today, instead of war-torn encampments, we have wreaths, guided walks, and music—a testament to healing and preservation.
On behalf of the Friends of Chatham, I wish you a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, gratitude, and wonder. May the spirit of community and history we share at Chatham inspire you through the closing months of 2025 and into the new year.
With warmest regards and a gardener’s love,
All the Best, Carol Hyland, President
Recent Events
Friends of Chatham members met and mingled at a favorite local restaurant for delicious food and drink, accompanied by pleasant fellowship and conversation.
Member Mingle at Canal Quarter Arts on 21 September 2025
Art lovers and Artists gathered at local gallery, Canal Quarter Arts, to socialize and admire a bounty of beautiful photography, paintings, mixed media artwork, and much more, while enjoying tasty refreshments in a gorgeous atmosphere.
Upcoming Events
17 December 2025, 14 February 2026, 14 May 2026:
Fredericksburg Symphony Concerts at the James Monroe High School (7:30 PM)
Please join us in our special-reserved Friends of Chatham seating section at next season’s Fredericksburg Symphony Concerts. More details with specific reservation due dates will be sent out by email prior to the concerts.
26 January 2026: Ristorante Renato Annual “Funraiser” (422 William St)
We will be returning to this fabulous local restaurant for this important annual “funraising” event. Members and guests will enjoy fine dining in a festive atmosphere with the opportunity to win donated baskets full of wonderfully decorated gifts and treats.
Photo by Carol Fry.
16 March 2026: St. Patrick’s Day Member MinglePark Lane Tavern
Continuing a longstanding tradition, Friends of Chatham members will join together for a special luncheon to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
19 April 2026: Photographer’s Meet and Greet at Chatham
A Meet and Greet for local photography (camera and cell phone) enthusiasts will be held at Chatham. More detailed information will be sent via email closer to the event. Photo by Raymie Chapman.
From the Garden
Photo credit: Carol Fry
The hot summer months are now behind us, and all of the annual flowers have been planted — and they look absolutely beautiful. Thanks to the dedication of our wonderful volunteers, we’ve been focused on keeping the flower beds well-weeded and freshly mulched. Among the many positive developments in the garden this year, we’re especially pleased with the success of a new perennial we introduced — hyssop — which has thrived wonderfully.
Before long, it will be time to pull up the annuals and replace them with pansies for the cooler season. The asters are already up and beginning to bloom along the long beds, adding their own splash of color. While cold weather is on its way, the work in the garden never truly stops — it’s a four-season endeavor, with something to do in every season to keep the gardens beautiful year-round.
Membership
THANK YOU to all who have joined or renewed their membership for fiscal year 2025-2026. If you have not yet renewed your membership, please visit the Friends of Chatham website to renew online, or send a check to Friends of Chatham, PO Box 36, Fredericksburg, VA 22404. Membership levels are as follows: Individual—$25.00; Family—$50.00; Sustaining—$100.00; and Contributing —$250.00. All contributions exceeding $25.00 are tax deductible.
Website and Social Media Update
We encourage everyone to visit our Friends of Chatham website at www.friendsofchatham.org and see the terrific design and content improvements that have been made with the help of our website manager, Deborah Newman at arts@petitetaway.com. For membership and donations, payment can be made by check or by credit/debit cards via PayPal,
Our Facebook page, Friends of Chatham, Inc., is very active with beautiful photos and news related to Chatham being posted and shared on a daily basis. We encourage you to follow our Facebook page, if you are on social media, so you can automatically view our content.
