Shiloh Manor Farm hosts 1825-inspired barn dance and Virginia feast

On Saturday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m., Shiloh Manor Farm located at 14781 Berlin Turnpike in Purcellville, will host a one-of-a-kind evening that turns back the clock to 1825, complete with an old-fashioned barn dance and a traditional four-course Virginia dinner.

Inspired by the legendary hospitality of early Virginians, the event brings together history, music, food, and community for an immersive holiday celebration. Guests will enjoy an elegant meal based on 19th-century recipes, followed by live English country dancing accompanied by musicians playing historic instruments including the hammered dulcimer, harp guitar, and cello.

The dances—simple, joyful, and easy to learn—will be led by members of the English Country Dance Society from Glen Echo, Maryland. Couples experienced in the dances will also be on hand to help guide newcomers through classic figures like the Virginia Reel.

Holiday barn dances were once a cherished tradition across rural Virginia, when neighbors would gather to give thanks for the harvest, celebrate the coming year, and enjoy a festive meal and merriment. Shiloh Manor aims to revive that spirit with attention to historical detail—and a bit of humor.

Chef Erik’s menu for the evening draws inspiration from Housekeeping in Old Virginia, an 1879 cookbook written by Marion Cabell Tyree, granddaughter of Patrick Henry. The evening begins with baked Virginia oysters and apple brandy–glazed quail, followed by a salad of fall greens and vegetables with a walnut sherry vinaigrette. The first two courses will be paired with an unoaked French Chardonnay.

The main course features Virginia ham and Loudoun County roast beef with mashed potatoes and succotash, served alongside a robust imported Italian Chianti. For dessert, guests will enjoy Mackintosh apple pie with Shiloh Farm’s homemade vanilla ice cream. A vegetarian menu is available upon request.

While elaborate European dances like the minuet were sometimes performed among the gentry, most Virginians preferred more approachable social dancing during holiday gatherings. English line dances such as the Virginia Reel—fun, inclusive, and rooted in 17th-century folk traditions—were common across the countryside.

To preserve the intimate and festive atmosphere, seating is limited to 40 guests. The smaller group allows for attentive service and plenty of room for dancing. For tickets go to Shiloh-Manor.com.

And for those who are a bit shy on the dance floor, the hosts joke that a glass of homemade apple toddy or traditional eggnog may help loosen stiff joints and raise confidence.

The evening promises a memorable blend of fine food, historic charm, and community spirit—celebrating the close of 2025 and the promise of a new year, just as Virginians once did two centuries ago.