The Hunter House Victorian Museum and the Historic Martin Mansion Present

Step into an enchanting evening where history, imagination, and community spirit intertwine. Inspired by the magic of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this Renaissance-themed fundraiser invites guests to wander through a world of twinkling lights, whimsical décor, and timeless charm—all in support of preserving our shared heritage.

Guests will be welcomed by costumed performers and demonstrators as they explore the historic halls of the Martin Mansion. Whether you arrive as a noble, a fairy queen, or a wandering poet, you’ll be part of a magical night where past and present meet beneath the midsummer moon. Join us in honoring history, celebrating community, and preserving the stories that shape our future.

Let the revelry begin—your presence ensures that history continues to shine for generations to come.

This event is in partnership with the Hunter House Victorian Museum and the Historic Martin Mansion. This fundraiser event is an extremely important event for both organizations, providing much needed funds for each organization.

How Your Ticket is Helping us Preserve the Past, and Celebrate the Future

For the Historic Martin Mansion, the proceeds from this event are going towards their Amanda Skie Gallon Scholarship. This scholarship honors Amanda Skie Gallon, daughter of member Samatha Peavy. Amanda tragically lost her life at a young age due to gun violence.

For the Hunter House Victorian Museum, the proceeds this year are going to go towards restoring and revitalizing our floors. The floors on our first level have carried generations of visitors, students, and community members. We’re raising funds to refinish and preserve them— ensuring the museum remains beautiful and welcoming, just as the Hunter's left it.

Each ticket provides much needed funds and support for both of these important projects. We thank you for your support of both the Historic Martin Mansion and the Hunter House Victorian Museum.

Event Details

Where: The Historic Martin Mansion, 524 Fairfax Ave, Norfolk, VA 23507

When: Saturday March 7th, 2026 from 6PM - 9PM

Dress Code: Costumes are encouraged but not required! Outfit inspiration can be drawn from a Midsummer's Night Dream, Ever After, A Knight’s Tale, and general Renaissance festival garb!

While the event will be hosted at the Historic Martin Mansion, tickets and registration will be coordinated through the Hunter House Victorian Museum. For any questions please call 757-623-9814 or email hhvmwhitney@gmail.com.

OUR TIERS

Advanced payment and reservation is required for this event.

Please click below to purchase tickets. For any questions please call 757-623-9814 or email hhvmwhitney@gmail.com

***Tickets are only valid if purchased through the Hunter House Victorian Museum. Any tickets purchased from 3rd parties will not be honored***

General Admission

Includes:

Complementary valet
Access to photography portal after the event

The Merrymaking
Merchants

Includes:

Complementary valet
Access to photography portal after the event
2 drink tickets
Single access to exclusive mead tasting
Entry into the Stolen Souls Scavenger Quest

The Gilded Gentry

Includes:

Complementary valet
Access to photography portal after the event
2 drink tickets
Single access to exclusive mead tasting
Entry into the Stolen Souls Scavenger Quest
Silhouette class at 4:00pm

Enter the halls at the sixth hour of the evening and be welcomed as an honored patron of the revels. This pass bestows valet parking befitting nobility and exclusive access to the royal photography archive following the affair.

Members of the Merrymaking Merchants will enter the halls at the sixth hour of the evening and be welcomed as an honored patron of the revels. This pass bestows valet parking fit for nobility, two drink tickets to raise your goblet in good cheer, exclusive access to the Tasting Room (one entry per person), and entry into the Stolen Souls Scavenger Quest, a noble scavenger hunt woven throughout the evening’s revels. After the night’s merriment, relive the splendor with access to the royal photography archive following the affair.

Members of the Gilded Gentry enjoy early entrance to the festivities, arriving in true aristocratic fashion with valet parking provided. This elevated pass includes a coveted place in a Silhouette Class led by master artist Ashli Marie Rose at 4:00 PM, two drink tickets for spirited toasts, exclusive access to the Tasting Room (one entry per person), and entry into the Stolen Souls Scavenger Quest, a noble scavenger hunt woven throughout the evening’s revels. After the night’s merriment, relive the splendor with access to the royal photography archive following the affair.

Buy Tickets

Tier Perks

We are excited to offer the following perks for the Merrymaking Merchants and Gilded Gentry ticket holders!

Exclusive Mead Tasting

We are excited to be working with Breezy Hill Meadworks as part of our fundraiser this year!

Located in the countryside of Smithfield, Virginia, Breezy Hill Meadworks is a Farm Meadery providing craft meads to the Tidewater Virginia.

For our Merrymaking Merchants and Gilded Gentry ticket holders, they can experience a exclusive tasting of an assortment of several different meads, along with a little history of mead and Breezy Hill Meadworks.

**This class is only available to our Merrymaking Merchants and Gilded Gentry ticket holders**

Learn More About Breezy Hill Meadery

Silhouette Class

We are excited to be working with local artist Ashli Marie Rose, who will be teaching our top Gilded Gentry ticket holders the history and practice of silhouette drawing. Guests will then try their hand at their own silhouette portrait that they will then take home with them.

**This class is only available to our Gilded Gentry ticket holders.**

Learn More About Ashi Marie Rose

Stolen Souls Scavenger Quest

Embark upon a noble scavenger hunt woven throughout the evening’s revels. Guests are invited to solve clever riddles, uncover hidden clues, and parley with performers and skilled demonstrators scattered across the realm. Each discovery brings you closer to completing the quest—and proving your cunning.

Those who earn the highest scores shall have their names entered into a drawing for a most illustrious prize: a handcrafted stained glass dagger!

**This quest is automatically available to our Merrymaking Merchants and Gilded Gentry ticket holders** General Admission ticket holders can participate for an additional add-on price on the day of the event**

Who We Are

Hunter House Victorian Museum

The Hunter House Victorian Museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 historic house museum with a mission to tell the human stories of late 19th and early 20th century life through the lens of the everyday experiences and collections of the Hunter Family, their staff, and their local community in order to foster a commitment to preserving local heritage, inspire an appreciation for the broader historical narrative, and reach diverse communities through inclusive, accessible, educational, and innovative programming.

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The Historic Martin Mansion

The Martin Mansion, home to the Woman’s Club of Norfolk since 1925, is located in beautiful historic Ghent in Norfolk, Virginia. The Alvah Martin Mansion was built circa 1909. It is a 10,000 sq. ft., 21 room, brick Georgian revival and is available for a limited number of rentals per year. It is closed to events during August. The Woman’s Club purchased the Mansion in 1925 from the Martin Family; the home was originally sold in 1920 to the Virginia Club, a gentleman’s organization now located in downtown Norfolk.

Learn More