The Estate at Meander

09/25/2026

🍂 Thanksgiving Feast at The Estate at Meander

Gather around the same table as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, General Lafayette and others have on Thursday, November 26, for an indulgent three-course Thanksgiving dinner at our historic 300 year old Estate.

Begin with roasted butternut squash soup or our Autumn Estate Salad.

For the main course, choose herb-roasted turkey, herb-crusted beef tenderloin, or a duo of both.

We’ll bring whipped Yukon Gold potatoes, green bean casserole, maple-roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and honey-glazed carrots to the table family-style.

Finish with warm Virginia apple crisp or spiced pumpkin pie.

Seatings: 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm
Price: $75 per adult; $35 for children under 12. Beef tenderloin is +$15, or choose the turkey and tenderloin duo for +$25. Tax and a 20% gratuity are additional.

Reservations and full prepayment are required. Book through www.experiencemeander.com or call 540.672.4912. Please select your main course when booking.

View the full menu and event details: https://canva.link/boh0gm5id1ovulx

We look forward to sharing Thanksgiving with you.

(fyi... seating is limited and we already have a significant number of advance reservations so don't delay! Cancellation with 100% refund is permitted up to November 20th)

09/24/2026

09/23/2026

09/23/2026

Welcome, autumn, to The Estate at Meander. 🍂

Cooler mornings, golden evenings, and a season that invites us to slow down. Walk the grounds, settle in for a stay, and join us at the table—whether that means a seasonal meal at Harvest & Hearth or time to unwind on a massage table at Elim Spa Village.

There’s more than one way to savor the season at Meander.

Our new Fall dining hours are available here (and linked in the comments): https://canva.link/qw8r0r7hjje9u7c

Learn more / make reservations at: www.experiencemeander.com

09/23/2026

300 Years of History. A Story of Faith, Courage & Change.

Did you know that The Estate at Meander played a remarkable role in the early history of Methodism in Virginia?

In 1774, Methodist preacher Robert Williams visited the estate, then known as Elim, and preached at the home of Henry Fry. This encounter would profoundly change Fry's life and help establish Meander as an important gathering place for the emerging Methodist movement.

The room we now call The Reverend Room was originally intended as a ballroom. Following his religious conversion, Henry Fry transformed it into a place of worship, welcoming Methodist leaders and congregations into his home.

In April 1784, Francis Asbury, one of the founding leaders of American Methodism, held a gathering at Meander reportedly attended by approximately 700 people. The following year, Bishop Thomas Coke preached in the very room that survives today.

But Henry Fry's legacy extends beyond his contributions to the Church.

In 1785, Fry helped advance a Methodist petition calling for the emancipation of enslaved people in Virginia. Although the Virginia legislature rejected the proposal, his involvement placed him within an early religious movement challenging the institution of slavery.

Fry himself was a slaveholder, a contradiction that is an important part of understanding both his story and the complexities of Virginia's history.

Being stewards of this extraordinary Estate means more than preserving its buildings and grounds. It means honoring the people, ideas, struggles, and transformations that shaped its history.

Nearly 250 years later, guests can still gather in the Reverend Room, where an important chapter of Virginia's religious history unfolded.

We look forward to sharing more of Henry Fry's remarkable story as we continue to uncover and preserve Meander's past.

09/22/2026

🐎 MEANDER'S THOROUGHBRED LEGACY: FROM VIRGINIA PASTURES TO THE WINNER'S CIRCLE

Long before Meander welcomed guests as a historic country estate, its rolling pastures were home to champion thoroughbreds and a remarkable chapter in American horse-racing history.

During the twentieth century, sisters Julia and Judith Shearer helped establish Meander as a distinguished center for animal breeding. While their celebrated Whippets would leave a lasting mark on the American breed standard, their passion for horses was equally significant.

Among their most notable successes was Umbrella Fella, a Virginia-bred thoroughbred bred by Julia Shearer and foaled in 1962.

In 1964, Umbrella Fella captured the prestigious Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, along with the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and other major victories.

Over his racing career, he recorded eight wins from 18 starts and earned nearly $240,000—an extraordinary achievement for a horse of his era.

From the quiet countryside of Meander to some of America's most celebrated racetracks, the Shearer sisters' dedication to breeding excellence helped carry the estate's name well beyond Virginia.

A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON

Today, our historic Shearer Suite honors the sisters whose passion, vision, and stewardship shaped an important chapter in Meander's story.

And as you wander our grounds and look across our expansive stables and rolling Virginia pastures, imagine the horses that once called this remarkable Estate home.

Nearly 300 years of history. Countless stories. And a legacy worth celebrating.

Discover our story: experiencemeander.com

09/19/2026

Experience Virginia's rich history at The Estate at Meander! 🌿 From Jamestown to Monticello, our 300-year-old estate is woven into the fabric of America's story. Stay in our historic Manor House, savor dinner at Harvest & Hearth, and rejuvenate in nature. 🌳 Explore: experiencemeander.com

09/19/2026

🥂 Last Call for Our Summer $6 Mimosa Special!

Summer may be winding down, but there’s still time to enjoy one of our favorite summer traditions at The Estate at Meander!

Join us for a leisurely weekend brunch featuring fluffy pancakes, hearty farmhouse breakfasts, and refreshing Mimosas for just $6.

🍳 Weekend Brunch | Saturday & Sunday, 9 AM–1 PM
🍽️ Bistro Lunch Service | Open from 11:30am until 2:30 PM
🍷 Dinner | Reopens at 5 PM

Enjoy a leisurely brunch or lunch in our historic dining room or outside on the Patio & Porch, with plenty of time to relax and savor the afternoon. Or join us for an intimate evening of exceptional food, wine, and hospitality.

📍 Harvest & Hearth at The Estate at Meander | Locust Dale, Virginia
🌐 experiencemeander.com | 540.672.4912

$6 Mimosas available during Saturday and Sunday brunch service with a food purchase. Offer ends September 26th.

09/19/2026

On September 26, 2026, the Cedar Mountain Battlefield in Rapidan, Virginia, is hosting multiple coordinated events, including the 2026 Cedar Mountain Rally 5K & 10K and a special guided history tour.

If you are staying with us be sure to check these events out! If you are attending the events, we are just 5 minutes away with our Harvest & Hearth restaurant and patio open from 9am to 9pm.

🏃‍♂️ 2026 Cedar Mountain Rally 5K & 10K
Time: 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Details: Organized by Bishops Events and the Cedar Mountain Battlefield Foundation (CMBF), this family-friendly community race takes participants through a looped route across the battlefield's open fields and wooded trails. Proceeds directly fund the preservation and upkeep of the 160-acre nature reserve.

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2026-08-15-09-47-33-100612-ydw

🥾 Crawford's Brigade Guided History Tour
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Cost: $15 per ticket
Details: This driving and walking tour traces the tragic path of Brig. Gen. Samuel Crawford's Federal brigade, which suffered the heaviest casualties of any Union brigade during the 1862 battle.

The itinerary includes:
First Stop: Culpeper National Cemetery (305 U.S. Avenue) to look at brigade monuments.
Second Stop: Entering the historical battlefield grounds through the Cedar Run Baptist Church.
Final Stop: Walking the literal path of the brigade's assault on the park property.

https://www.facebook.com/cedarmountainbattlefield/posts/crawfords-brigade-at-cedar-mountain-battlefield-tourtickets-date-september-26-20/1496161379213831/

⛺ Frontlines at the Foothills
Orientation Time: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM & 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Details: If you are visiting outside of the main events, Ranger Webb-Watkins is hosting quick, 30-minute introductory hikes (covering a half-mile) to break down who fought, what they did, and why the battle took place.