Office Hours

The staff at the Waterford Foundation are happy to finally be back in the office!  Please stop by and say hello anytime during office hours, Tuesday-Friday, 10am-2pm.  We’d love to see you!

Our staff has updated all of our policies and procedures to make sure the Old School is clean, sanitized and ready to welcome guests.  Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Stephanie Thompson
Stephanie ThompsonExecutive Director
Stephanie joined the staff of the Foundation as Interim Executive Director in 2018 after serving several years on the Board of Directors. While on the Board Stephanie served as chair of the Education Committee and later as President of the Board. Originally from Georgia, Stephanie moved to Waterford after completing degrees in Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She has always had a love for local history and enjoys learning and sharing stories of Waterford’s past. Stephanie lives in Waterford in the William O. Russell House with her husband and three children.
Cerrena Baird
Cerrena BairdOffice Manager
Cerrena joined the Waterford Foundation in August 2021. A lucky child to be born and raised in Loudoun, she had the pleasure to call it home for the first 27 years of her life. While she now resides in Harper’s Ferry with her husband, son and pets, she will always consider Loudoun home. Cerrena completed her Bachelor’s at Shepherd University in Business Management and Hospitality. Upon completion, she entered into the world of weddings in Northern Virginia at venues like Rust Manor House in Leesburg and The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. She has most enjoyed contributing to the success of Loudoun venues and Northern Virginia weddings as a whole for almost 10 years. In her spare time, you can find Cerrena on her paddle board or kayak on the Potomac River, crafting, checking out a new brewery or winery, or camping.
Tracy Kirkman
Tracy KirkmanPublic Programming Director
Tracy Kirkman joined the Foundation in 2016, the year after the Fair had been canceled due to a hurricane. Tracy brought over 20 years of membership management and event planning to the Foundation. She received her BS in Business Management with a minor in Hospitality Marketing from the University of Maryland. A Virginia resident since 2006, Tracy resides just outside the village, on a small farm and vineyard with her husband, son, and many, many animals. When not working, she can usually be found outside — tending sheep, working around the farm, hiking or enjoying the beautiful Loudoun County vistas at local wineries and breweries.
Shelagh Jessop
Shelagh JessopPublic Programming Assistant
Shelagh (sounds like Shay-la) joined the Waterford Foundation in May 2023. After receiving her degree in Textile Design, she put her skills to work in the world of theater and museum education before becoming a professional textile artist almost a decade ago. Shelagh currently runs a natural dye company (Stuart Moores Textiles) out of her Maryland-based studio. When not working, you can find Shelagh in the garden, on the towpath, in the river, or at a brewery on top of a hill overlooking the river.