Blog

Each year we remember and celebrate the birth of American independence with patriotic activities, festive decorations, parades, sparklers and fireworks, music, picnics, and lots of red, white, and blue. Summer is also a great time to visit historical sites, explore our American heritage, and learn about the leaders and everyday…

This guest blog was written by Robin von Seldeneck ahead of the opening of the “Remember the Ladies” special exhibit. Robin has served as President and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, Virginia, where she led the organization since 2015. A historian, educator, and public…

Each June, we celebrate Great Outdoors Month, a nationwide invitation to swap screens for sunshine and couch cushions for cloudbanks. Staunton offers many ways to embrace nature and take advantage of the restorative qualities of the great outdoors. One of the best ways to do this is to take to…

Your Guide to Staunton’s Craft Beer Scene Virginia’s brewing legacy spans over 400 years, stretching back to Jamestown where fermentation provided a safer alternative to local water. Today, the brewing tradition has evolved into a sophisticated industry of over 300 independent breweries prioritizing quality ingredients and artisanal craftsmanship over mass…

One great thing about Staunton is that your summer music playlist can include an eclectic mix of genres. We have massive roots festivals, quiet background jazz, and even chances to catch your neighbors strumming their guitars. Here is your guide to Staunton’s live summer music.

Whether you are traveling to Staunton specifically to catch a high-caliber production or you are a local parent looking for a way to wear out the kids with stage combat, we have plenty of ways to engage with the performing arts. Here is your summer theater playbook for navigating the…

The Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week (HGW) returns to Staunton at the peak of spring on Saturday, April 18. We spoke with Laura Nordstrom, chair of Staunton’s garden tour, who answered our questions, provided lots of insider information, and even gave us some gardening tips. Here’s how to enjoy…

“Bookshops are dreams built of wood and paper. They are time travel and escape and knowledge and power. They are, simply put, the best of places.”  Evan Friss, The Bookshop There’s no better time to celebrate Staunton’s thriving indie bookstore scene than spring in the Shenandoah Valley, especially with both…

Let’s welcome spring by getting outside and joining the community for some fun. Here’s a roundup of Staunton-area spring events.

Are you that person who gets bored on the beach and can’t relax at the spa? Do you like your vacations to have purpose and engage your hands and your mind? If all this sounds like you, try a skillcation in Staunton. You’ll be able to do all the vacation-y…

Born and raised in Staunton, Chris Lassiter is an unofficial ambassador of Visit Staunton. He’s constantly telling everyone in his network to visit his hometown at every opportunity. A storyteller with Staunton Black Business Collective, Chris can be found wherever conversations around helping the community flourish are happening.  Since I’m guest blogging…

The Virginia Central Railroad arrived in Staunton in 1854 and transformed it from a quiet town into a thriving commercial center. The Wharf Historic District exploded with warehouses, hotels, restaurants, liveries, saloons, and other businesses. And while alternative forms of shipping and transportation have since claimed some of the local…