Women of Widewater

Come join us to learn about two of the historical figures who helped shape the Widewater Peninsula. 

Margaret Brent - English colonist, Catholic landowner, attorney - An unmarried woman who moved to the colonies, and stayed unwed, was strange enough. But a woman who also became the first documented female landowner in Maryland, the first woman to formally ask for the right to vote, and the first female attorney in the colonies? Now that was truly unexpected. 

Dr. Katherine Waller Barrett - Social reformer, women's suffragist, medical doctor - Upon witnessing an unwed young woman bring an infant into her home on a cold winter's night, Mrs. Kate Barrett knew her lifelong calling: to aid the outcast classes of young girls, unwed women, and children. This journey would take her 1,000s of miles, from Virginia to Georgia, and across the pond to England on a U.S. Battleship, helping hundreds along the way.

This kid-friendly program will take place in the Visitor Center between 11am and 12pm noon. 

About Virginia State Parks History and Culture Day

On June 15, 1936, Virginia became the first state to open an entire park system of six parks on the same day. To celebrate this significant anniversary, Virginia State Parks hosts History and Culture Day every year on June 15, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the stories that make our parks special while enjoying the scenic beauty of its natural landscapes. From living history demonstrations  to ranger-led kayaking tours and guided nature walks, History and Culture Day offers special programs for visitors of all ages. 

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