Tea Talk: Susanna's Midnight Ride

Tickets for this event will go on sale Monday, July 27, 2026.

Experience the drama and danger of the American Revolution during the first Tea Talk of our Fall series. Join us in the beautiful garden of the Mary Washington House as we welcome Libby Carty McNamee—award-winning historical fiction author, speaker, lawyer, and historian—for a captivating presentation on Susanna Bolling, the courageous Virginia teenager whose daring midnight ride helped warn General Lafayette of a British plot.

Almost five years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution hung in the balance. In late May 1781, General Cornwallis invaded City Point, VA, and quartered his army there. As 16-year-old Susanna Bolling served the British general and his officers dinner, she overheard their plans to capture General Lafayette and crush the American rebellion once and for all. Under the cover of darkness, she snuck out of her house through a secret underground tunnel and canoed downriver. Then she grabbed a neighbor's horse and rode ten miles to warn Lafayette. But would she make it back home by sunrise without detection?

Libby will bring Susanna’s remarkable story to life and share how her research and advocacy helped inspire statewide recognition for this young heroine. Thanks in part to Libby’s efforts, the Virginia General Assembly unanimously designated December 5 as “Susanna Bolling Day,” and a historical marker honoring Susanna was sponsored by the Richmond SAR at the Halfway House in Chester in October 2024. Susanna’s story has also inspired the musical Racing the Night in Virginia Beach.

Meet the Speaker: Libby Carty McNamee

Libby Carty McNamee is a speaker, lawyer, veteran, and award-winning author whose work shines a spotlight on overlooked women of American history. Her books include Susanna’s Midnight Ride, Dolley Madison and the War of 1812, and The Union Spymistress: The Story of Elizabeth Van Lew, along with companion study guides. She is also co-editor of The Epic Story of 1776 and The Epic Story of 1777–1779. A graduate of Georgetown University and Catholic University School of Law, Libby practiced law in firms and corporations and served as a Major in the U.S. Army JAG Corps in South Korea, Washington State, Bosnia, and Germany. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband; their son is in college.

Special thanks to the historic Ironclad Inn for supporting our Tea Talk series. Traveling from outside Fredericksburg—or planning a special local getaway? The Ironclad Inn offers beautiful overnight accommodations just one block from the Mary Washington House.

Advance copies of Libby’s book, Susanna’s Midnight Ride are available for purchase at the Mary Washington House Museum Store and at the event on September 16th.

Tickets are $60 per person and include a selection of savories and sweets, hot tea, and presentation by our guest speaker. Due to the popularity of this event, purchases are limited to six tickets per order. Tickets are non-refundable after four days of purchase. Please note that photography is taken at all WHM events and may be used for promotional, social media, and marketing purposes.

Event will be held rain or shine!

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For more information, please call 540-373-5630 or email info@WashingtonHeritageMuseums.org