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Where is Winchester located?
- Winchester is a small city set in the beautiful hills of the Shenandoah Valley.
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What historical attractions can visitors explore in Winchester?
- The city has a long history, which can be explored by visiting Old Winchester, the Glen Burnie House, and the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.
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What Civil War landmarks are in Winchester?
- Winchester is home to Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum, the Cedar Creek Battlefield, and other antebellum and Civil War-related structures and landmarks.
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What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in Winchester?
- With hills and countryside all around, Winchester offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. Visitors can hike, swim in area lakes, visit a farm or orchard, and explore the area on horseback on a trail ride.
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What special events take place in Winchester?
- Check out the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in the spring.
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1. Visit the historic Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is a museum that preserves and interprets the history, art, and culture of the Shenandoah Valley region. The complex contains a main museum building, which was designed by renowned architect Michael Graves, 7 acres of gardens, and a historic home from the 18th century. The museum has several galleries with a large number of artifacts, pieces of art, documents, maps, and more from the region in the permanent collection. There is also temporary exhibition space where changing exhibits are displayed. The historic Glen Burnie Home is available for touring and is surrounded by 7 acres of beautiful gardens, which also welcome visitors.
901 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA 22601, Phone: 888-556-5799
2. View memorabilia at Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters
Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters occupies a Hudson River Gothic revival style home that was formerly used as the headquarters of General “Stonewall” Thomas Jackson for winter in the early 1860s. It is now operated as a museum to honor the general’s memory and his military skill. Jackson’s office is preserved in virtually the same state it was in when he used it. The home has the largest existing collection of Stonewall Jackson memorabilia and also features many personal objects from his various staff members. Some of the museum’s most significant items include his personal prayer table and a collection of family artifacts.
415 North Braddock Street, Winchester, VA 22601, Phone: 540-667-5505
3. Step back in time at Abram's Delight
Abram's Delight is a historic home that was built in 1754, making it the oldest home in the city of Winchester. For nearly 200 years, the home was owned by five generations of the Hollingsworth family. The home is representative of the type of homes built by Scotch-Irish settlers in the Shenandoah Valley and today is operated as a historic house museum. The exterior of the home is made from rubble limestone set on a stone foundation and covered with a slate roof. There is a reconstructed log cabin on the west lawn, which dates to 1780. Entrance to the cabin is included with the tour price.
1340 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Winchester, VA 22601, Phone: 540-662-6519
4. Explore Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park was created in order to protect and preserve several historically and culturally significant locations throughout the Shenandoah Valley region and it is the perfect stop to put on your list for any history buffs in your family. The most significant site in the historical park is the location of the American Civil War Battle of Cedar Creek. The Belle Grove Plantation is also a significant site and is open to the public for touring. The park rangers offer a number of programs for visitors, which include historical and cultural programming related to the Shenandoah Valley as well as interesting looks at the Battle of Cedar Creek and the deep impact that the Civil War had on the region.
Middletown, VA, Phone: 540-869-3051
5. Enjoy a live performance at Bright Box Theater
Since its inception in May 2013, Bright Box Theater has brought the joys of live entertainment to theatre-lovers in the greater Winchester area. Located directly on the Pedestrian Mall in the heart of Winchester, Bright Box Theater is a dynamic entertainment hub, where a wide variety of musical and comedy shows are presented to the public. The facility boasts state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment which makes it ideal for a variety of shows and concerts including Murder Mystery Dinner Shows and some adult comedy offerings. There is always something interesting on at the Bright Box and visitors are advised to book their tickets online to avoid disappointment.
Bright Box Theatre, 15 N. Loudoun Street, Winchester, VA 22601, 540 665 2878
6. Tour the George Washington's Office Museum
George Washington’s Office is a museum housed within a log cabin and holds many of President George Washington’s personal items as well as period artifacts and other historical features. The president used the log cabin as his military office from 1755 to 1756. There are a number of artifacts displayed in the office, including a cannon that was left behind in Alexandria by General Edward Braddock. There are also several personal items from George Washington, exhibited alongside a model of Winchester from 1755, which includes Fort Loudoun. The museum is open seasonally for touring and features a gift shop and occasionally hosts special events and exhibitions.
George Washington's Office Museum, 32 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601, Phone: 540-662-4412
7. Step inside the Patsy Cline Historic House
The Patsy Cline Historic House is the historic home of Virginia Patterson Hensley, who lived in the home from 1948 to 1953. She later became known as Patsy Cline and had a successful career as a country music star, and the Greek revival home is open as a museum home dedicated to Cline’s life and career. The home was her residence during many of the years she was pursuing her dream to be a musician. The home is only open seasonally for touring, and the tour includes the garden. There is an on-site gift shop where visitors can purchase items related to the home, Patsy Cline, and country music in general.
608 S. Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601, Phone: 540-662-5555
8. Buy fresh produce at Marker Miller Orchards and Farm Market
Marker Miller Orchards and Farm Market is a family-friendly orchard and market that provides a great way for visitors to experience a day out in the country. The mountain scenery offers the perfect backdrop for a relaxing visit. You can also purchase containers and go out into the orchard to pick your own produce, including both farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. There are picnic tables located throughout the property. You are welcome to bring your own meal but can certainly purchase food from their food building, if it is open. The market offers a number of products to choose from, including their ever-popular apple cider donuts, fresh-made fudge, and more.
3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester, VA 22602, Phone: 540-662-1391
9. Sample craft beers at Sunflower Cottage & Backroom Brewery
Sunflower Cottage & Backroom Brewery is a boutique farm brewery located at the Sunflower Cottage Herb Farm near the town of Front Royal. The brewery specializes in fresh-brewed beer made in small batches from local, farm-grown hops and other herbs. The brewery offers a tasting room, which serves their own craft beer on tap as well as appetizers, sandwiches, and a variety of comfort food dishes. The herb farm, called Sunflower Cottage, grows more than 120,000 herb plants each spring as well as acres of hops used in the brewery’s 20 varieties of beer. The farm is especially busy in the fall, when families flock to the farm to enjoy seasonal attractions.
150 Ridgemont Road, Middletown, VA 22645, Phone: 540-869-8482
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Visit the historic Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
- 2. View memorabilia at Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters
- 3. Step back in time at Abram's Delight
- 4. Explore Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
- 5. Enjoy a live performance at Bright Box Theater
- 6. Tour the George Washington's Office Museum
- 7. Step inside the Patsy Cline Historic House
- 8. Buy fresh produce at Marker Miller Orchards and Farm Market
- 9. Sample craft beers at Sunflower Cottage & Backroom Brewery