Executive Director Timothy Manley, after many months of work, was recently notified that the Museum has been approved for a Chesapeake Gateways Event Grant provided by the National Park Service! This grant will be used to fund a new literary and cultural festival, the Rise & Fall Festival, which will be centered in downtown Tappahannock. The festival was originally planned for September of this year, however due to unforeseen delays due to issues at the federal level, the event was pushed back to September of 2026. Taken from the name ‘Tappahannock’, which means ‘town on the rise and fall of the water,’ this event will highlight the rich history of Essex County and celebrate the stories of the Virginia Tidewater. Led by the Essex County Museum and Historical Society, the festival aims to become a self-sustaining annual event that boosts tourism and supports the local economy. Activities will include live music, author talks, a book fair, historic walking tours, workshops, and performances, all centered in Tappahannock’s historic district. The festival will highlight the area’s past, present, and future through storytelling and exhibits.