Registration

As the nation celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Williamsburg is the place to be in 2026.  The 42nd Annual Meeting of the Southern Garden History Society (SGHS) is set in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg on 301 acres, the world’s largest living history museum where the nation’s origin story begins. 

The cost to attend the conference on Friday and Saturday is $500 per person, which includes one breakfast, one lunch, and two dinners, as well as access to eight speakers and two afternoons of guided tours of the College of William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Historic District and Gardens.

Additionally, attendees can participate in Sunday tours for $125 per tour, providing a deeper exploration of the area’s historical significance and beauty. Tours are of the Surry County Plantations or Charles City County Plantations, both of which include bus transportation.  Guests should expect to arrive back to the hotel by 3:30pm.

Please remember that registration is open to members only and those members at the Benefactor, Patron, and Sustainer Level will have priority registration, which begins mid-December.  Registration will be open to all members in mid-January. 

Our meeting will have a maximum capacity of 200. Should we reach desired capacity, a waiting list will be available online.  Event details, address and accommodation information can be found on the Annual Meeting page.  Registration is available online and by mail.

View the Event Brochure

The Meeting will be headquartered at the Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection Hotel. On Friday, attendees will check in at the Williamsburg Lodge in the morning and are encouraged to explore local museums and historic sites. The SGHS Business Meeting will start at noon, featuring talks on Colonial Williamsburg architecture, archaeological discoveries, and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (CWF) master plan. Guided tours of Custis Square and the Governor’s Palace Gardens will follow, culminating in a walk to Shield’s Tavern for dinner and drinks.

On Saturday, the day will begin with a Continental Breakfast and a lineup of speakers discussing topics like the College of W&M landscape and garden archaeology. After lunch, participants will enjoy guided tours of the W&M campus and the CWF Historic District. The evening will feature cocktails and a dinner celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the society.

Registration is also available by mail.  Download and print your registration form by clicking here.

Accommodations & Travel

The host hotel for all guests, programs, tour departures:

Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection Hotel
310 South England Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185

Hotel Phone: (855)231-7240

Booking website: https://book.passkey.com/e/51073595