If history is your passion, you will find plenty to see and do in the Virginia Valley. We cannot tell a lie, George Washington slept here. As did Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. Woodrow Wilson was born here and so was Dwight Eisenhower's mother. Stop by the Frontier Culture Museum to discover the lives of the Valley's earliest residents or spend an afternoon at Cyrus McCormick's wayside where the invention of the grain reaper revolutionized agriculture. If the tragedy of the Civil War has captured your attention, explore the interpretive trail on Shenandoah Mountain's Confederate breastworks or visit the Plumb House in Waynesboro. For more intimate glimpses of the area's rich history, stop at the Waynesboro Heritage Museum, the Augusta Military Academy Museum, the Smith Center history gallery, or Trinity Episcopal Church. If you want to experience everything, walk the streets of our cities or drive the backroads where more than 40 historical markers note sites of significance from the earliest frontier days to the Revolution, Civil War and beyond.
“Jumbo” is a 1911 Robinson Chemical Fire Engine completely restored by the City of Staunton Volunteer Fire Department. It is the only surviving fire truck of its kind in existence. This truck was the first motorized fire truck of its kind to be used in the State of Virginia. The fire department itself is one of the oldest in the State, organized in 1790. Hours: 8:00 am-9:00 pm Fees: Free
540-332-3886 500 N. Augusta St.,Staunton
The depiction of a cadet’s life at Virginia’s oldest military prep school. Extensive historic collections as well as alumni achievements on display. Hours: 10:00 am-4:00 pm Tu-Su Fees: Free. Credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible, public restrooms, gift shop.
540-248-3007 1640 Lee Hwy., Fort Defiance
www.amaalumni.org/museum/
Civil War Era in Staunton
Staunton played a pivotal role during the Civil War years when the Shenandoah Valley served as the “Breadbasket of the Confederacy.” While most of the battles were being fought north or west of the town, it was the presence of the Virginia Central Railroad that provided a vital link between the Valley and eastern Virginia, making Staunton an important supply depot for the Confederacy. Staunton has one architectural advantage over most of other small towns in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia: it escaped the Civil War unscathed. Many of its 18th and early 19th century homes and buildings still stand and are wonderfully preserved.
Fort Edward Johnson, now also known as Confederate Breastworks, was instrumental in defending the town of Staunton during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862. Enjoy this winding ½ mile interpretive trail along the top of the Shenandoah Mountain. Learn how the soldiers built the breastworks. Help protect this historic landmark by staying on the trail and out of trenches.
U.S. Rt. 250, approx 20 miles from Staunton
Staunton Downtown Development Association
Downtown Staunton is an award winning Virginia Main Street community that boasts over 270 businesses including 30 restaurants and eateries, 80 specialty retail stores, antiques, service businesses and salons, all cloistered in a historically preserved community that features Victorian architecture.
540-332-3867 110 W. Johnson St., Staunton
www.stauntondowntown.org
Downtown Waynesboro is a Virginia Mainstreet community and Virginia historic district. Our pedestrian-friendly environment is home to businesses like specialty and service providers, museums, arts and cultural centers, unique restaurants and lodging opportunities. The South River runs through our downtown, one of only two urban fisheries in the State. Downtown Waynesboro is the place to be for festivals - with the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival in April, one of the largest Soap Box Derbys in the nation, the Virginia Fall Foliage Festival and many others in between
540.942.6705
www.waynesborodowntown.org
Founded in 1879 by Professor James Abbott Fishburne, Fishburne Military School is the oldest continuously operating military secondary school in Virginia. An all-male, college preparatory boarding and day program for grades 8-12, FMS is recognized as an Army JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction, a Virginia Historic Landmark, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Notable Alumni of Fishburne Military School include a former Virginia Governor, two Pulitzer Prize winners, business leaders, physicians, educators, entrepreneurs, attorneys and statesmen.
Location: 225 S. Wayne Avenue
Hours: Campus tours are available by appointment
Call: 800.946.7773
URL: www.Fishburne.org
An outdoor, living history museum with exhibits and programs that explore the diverse old world origins of the earliest immigrants to America and the culture they created together. Hours: 9:00 am-5:00 pm M-Su. Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day Fees: Adults $10, children 6-12 $6, under 6 free, seniors 60+ $9.50. Credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible, public restrooms, gift shop.
540-332-7850 1290 Richmond Rd., Staunton
www.frontiermuseum.org
Historic, residential college for women with co-ed adult and graduate programs, offering public music, art, theater and dance events. PEG (Program for the Exceptionally Gifted), VWIL (Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership).
540-887-7009 101 E. Frederick St., Staunton
www.mbc.edu
Museum of Bank History at Suntrust Bank
The Museum of Bank History at SunTrust Bank, adjoining the handsome 1930 Beaux-Arts style banking hall of SunTrust Bank, is a display of objects that were once used by the Valley National Bank, and memorabilia associated with the banking industry. Hours: Open during banking hours M-Th 9:00 am-5:00 pm, F 9:00 pm-6:00 pm Fees: Free
540-887-0174 2-14 W. Beverley St., Staunton
The Plumb House was built between 1802 and 1804, during the time of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. This historic house, the oldest frame dwelling in Waynesboro, was home to five generations of the Plumb Family before it was acquired by the WHF. The house was caught in the midst of the Civil War Battle of Waynesboro on March 2, 1865 and hosts the annual reenactment of the Battle of Waynesboro. Collections of Civil War and Native American artifacts are on display. The grounds feature a slave-built brick patio, a historic garden, summer kitchen, and other outbuildings. This museum is located one block from the old Presbyterian Cemetery where 25 Confederate soldiers are buried.
1012 West Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980
Open Thursday - Saturday, 10AM - 4PM
The Staunton Military Academy (SMA) Alumni Association - Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership (VWIL) Museum is a joint endeavor between the two organizations, with a mission of to preserving the past while challenging the future. Hours: W, Sa, Su 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. Fees: Free
540-885-1309 227 Kable St., Staunton
www.sma-alumni.org
The Stonewall Brigade Band is the nation’s oldest continuous community band sponsored by local government and funded by tax monies. Initially formed as a brass band, they have grown and changed into a community concert band averaging about 70 playing members, performing free summer concerts. Hours: performances M 8:00 pm June-August. Fees: Free
540-213-3880 600 Churchville Ave., Staunton
www.stonewallbrigadeband.com
Historic Stuart Hall School is a college preparatory Episcopal school with campuses in Staunton and Verona, Virginia, offering a co-ed day program for grades K-12 and a boarding program for girls in grades 8-12 from across the United States and around the world.
888-306-8926; 540-885-0356 235 W. Frederick St., Staunton
www.stuart-hall.org
This beautiful cemetery hosting the designs of T.J. Collins was established in 1849. At the highest elevation of Thornrose Cemetery is a large Confederate section that is marked by a monument of a soldier, impressive limestone retention walls and cast iron urns. Some 1,777 Confederate soldiers are buried in this section, the remains of many of them moved to this site following the war.
540-886-8241 1041 W. Beverley St., Staunton
www.thornrose.org
Historic church and grave yard with over 25 majestic stained glass windows, including 12 by Tiffany Studios. Hours: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm M-F (Sept-May) 1:00 pm-4:00pm M-Th (June-Aug) Fees: Free. Wheelchair accessible, public restrooms.
540-886-9132 214 W. Beverley St.,Staunton
www.trinitystaunton.org
Historic VSDB provides quality academic and residential services to students who are deaf, hearing impaired, blind, visually impaired and those with multiple disabilities.
800-522-8732; 540-332-9000 100 New Hope Rd.,Staunton
www.vsdbs.virginia.gov
420 South Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9AM - 5PM
The Waynesboro Heritage Museum is in the heart of downtown Waynesboro, at the corner of Wayne and Main. The permanent exhibit galleries relate the City’s history using wall panels and artifacts from the WHF Collection. The fascinating story begins with the settlement of Waynesboro and encompasses the rich history of the City’s many industries, educational institutions, and much more. The permanent exhibits wind up with our popular Postcard Gallery, featuring over 75 historical postcards. In our revolving exhibit gallery, we mount 3-4 different shows annually; each one relating to local heritage. The NTELOS Media Room features continuous screenings and there is something for everyone in our gift shop. 420 South Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9AM - 5PM
The nation’s 28th president comes to life as you tour Woodrow Wilson’s birthplace and museum. Learn about his life as professor, president and peacemaker. See Wilson’s restored Pierce-Arrow limousine. Hours: 9:00 am-5:00 pm M-Sa, 12:00 pm-5:00 pm Su (Mar-Oct) 10:00 am-4:00 pm M-Sa, 12:00 pm-4:00 pm Su (Nov-Feb) Fees: Adults $12, children 6-12 $3, seniors 60+ $10.00, AAA discount $10.00. Credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible, public restrooms, gift shop.
888-496-6376; 540-885-0897 18 N. Coalter St., Staunton
www.woodrowwilson.org
