Several upcoming public programs at the University of Virginia’s Blandy Experimental Farm, located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley near Boyce, will look into the past – including the very distant past.

On July 19 at 7 p.m., National Park Service Ranger Eric Campbell will give a “History at Sunset” program examining the settlement of the Shenandoah Valley up to the eve of the Civil War. His talk will include the first settlement of the valley by Native Americans, the arrival of Euro-Americans and the influence of agriculture, industry and more. Weather permiting, this program will be held outside in view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

On Aug. 7 at 1 p.m., Northern Virginia Community College geologist Callan Bentley will take a sweeping look at the valley’s geologic history, looking as far back as a billion years. His story will include ancient seas, colliding continents, mountain uplift, massive erosion and lots more drama.

The farm’s guided full moon walks continue to be popular. The next two will be offered on the evenings of July 22 at 8 p.m. (for the whole family) and Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. (for those 14 years and older).

On Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., Shenandoah Astronomical Society members will present “Exploring the Night Sky by Telescope.” Participants will gather in the Blandy library for an introduction to what they can expect to see, then head outside to view the night sky through an array of telescopes.

Programs require preregistration, and details are available by clicking here.

The State Arboretum of Virginia is part of historic Blandy Experimental Farm, a research field station for the Department of Environmental Sciences in U.Va.’s College of Arts & Sciences. It is open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, at no charge. It is located on Route 50 in Clarke County, about 10 miles east of Winchester and 20 miles west of Middleburg. Blandy is about two hours by car from Charlottesville. Click here for directions. For information, call 540-837-1758, ext. 224.