Frontier Culture Museum ‘Pay What You Will’ on Memorial Day

On Memorial Day Monday, May 29, the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton will celebrate May Fair and, best of all, it will be a “Pay What You Will Day” so you decide how much to pay for admission: pay a little, pay a lot, or pay nothing at all.

During the 16 years that we educated our children at home, our one-income family lived on a tight budget and often could not take in all the historical sites we wanted to see so a “pay what you will” admission is helpful for families who are in the same place.

If you have never experienced the Frontier Culture Museum, or if you’ve been multiple times throughout the years, Monday will be a great time to join in the fun, enjoy hands-on history, explore the early days of 1600s England, 1700s Ireland, 1700s Germany, pioneer America, and 1700s West Africa. Interact with on-site historical interpreters dressed as the country they represent as they go about the daily tasks of the time — cooking, spinning, basket weaving, gardening, and other chores common to the time period.

Stroll the trail between the Old Country and pioneer Early America. Linger at the forge in Ireland and watch the smithy at work. Pause to talk with the animals — sheep, cattle, pigs, chickens. Explore the Indian village. Stop by the rustic 1740s log cabin, then discover how early American housing advanced with the 1820s and 1850s American farm houses. Peek inside the school house.

Bring the entire family from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm to experience the living history, enjoy lunch on the Museum’s Pavilion with live musical entertainment, and visit the Artisan Vendor Fair in the Courtyard throughout the day.

ARTISAN FAIR:  (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) 
Shop the artisan craft booths located in the Museum’s newly expanded courtyard throughout the entire day. Visit the caricaturist, face painter, and ballon twister too!

FOOD VENDORS:  (9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
Area food vendors will be on hand beginning at 9:00 am.

• Eats On The Streets
• Rick’s BBQ
• Grillizza – Grilled Pizza
• Smiley’s Ice Cream
• MJ’s Kettle Corn

LIVING HISTORY ACTIVITIES:

• Old World Exhibits: (9:00 – Noon)
  • West Africa: Drum and Dance/Gardening
  • England: Green Woodworking/Herbals in the Garden
  • Ireland: Natural Dyeing/Spinning
  • Germany: Games/Gardening
    .
• Lunch: (Noon – 2:00)
  • Pavilion:  Take a lunch break under our covered pavilion or at the picnic tables

• America Exhibits:  (2:00 – 5:00)
  • Ganatastwi: Clay cooking pot construction/ Fire Starting
  • 1740’s Settlement: Court Days and Militia Drill
  • 1820’s American Farm: Bread oven baking/Doll making
  • 1850’s American Farm: Basketmaking

Community To Enjoy Free Movies at Frontier Culture Museum

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Something new and free is coming to Staunton and it’s sure to be a hit with young and old alike. “Movies at the Museum” will show movies free of charge in the Dairy Barn Lecture Hall at the Frontier Culture Museum. Reservations are necessary because of limited seating so look over the list below. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The first movie begins this Friday, January 21. Movies that are youth-oriented have afternoon showings while those more suitable for adults will be early evening with doors opening 30 minutes prior to start time. Check each movie listing for its start time.

Outdoor movies at the Dod Amphitheater will begin in May.

Jimmy Buffet tunes will highlight 2015 Frontier Culture Museum Beach Party

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The colorful Key West-inspired invitation arrived in the mail this week for the Frontier Culture Museum’s annual August Beach Party. Kudos to the invitation designer. It was colorful and inviting and entertaining right out of the envelope.

It was an invitation to join in the fun of “Margaritas in Parrot-ise” with the sounds of the Key West Band singing Great Trop Rock and Jimmy Buffet songs at the Lee S. Cochran Pavilion on Saturday, August 15, 2015, from 5:30-10:30 p.m.  Come dressed in casual summer attire and enjoy BBQ, beer, wine for $50 per person. A cash bar will be available for margaritas and other mixed drinks.

Play, dance, laugh while helping the Frontier Culture Museum in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia!

4th of July free admission at Frontier Culture Museum

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Free admission and celebration America’s independence will be on tap at Staunton’s Frontier Culture Museum on Saturday, July 4th, for the annual waiving of the admission to invite Americans to enjoy this historical treasure. Featured will be many traditional events and activities including reading the Declaration of Independence at noon.

Bring the family and a picnic, and plan to spend the day soaking in the history of America.

Here’s the schedule of events for Saturday, July 4, 2015:

English farm … Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia

By Lynn R. Mitchell

This week at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia in Staunton … the English farm as seen across the pond.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
May 4, 2015

Chamber severs ties to Frontier Museum … why not re-partner with Daylily Festival?

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Three years ago the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce decided to sever their long-standing working relationship with Andre Viette and his annual Daylily and Wine Festival held the third weekend in July (see 15th annual Daylily and Wine Festival at Andre Viette’s Nursery), and moved to a September “Good Times” festival at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton.

Now we’re learning it was apparently only a three-year deal with the Museum, a deal that has now ended. The two organizations are parting ways.

Last week at their meeting the Augusta County Board of Supervisors voted to allow the Chamber to start a new event at Shenandoah Acres Resort in Stuarts Draft. What happened to “Good Times”?

The 12 Days of Christmas … Day 6: Lantern Tours at Staunton’s Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The quiet of a cold December night in the Shenandoah Valley offers a reminder of Christmases past for those who came before us. The Frontier Culture Museum’s Lantern Tours offer a unique holiday experience that has become an annual event for many, a guided walk by lantern light of the Irish, German, and English farms. It was a simpler time with simpler, natural decor, and many traditions from those countries became our own as we settled in America.

October 2014 … 20 things to do in and around Staunton, Va.

Historic Wharf District in downtown Staunton.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Voted as one of America’s Top 20 Main Streets by Travel and Leisure magazine, the central Shenandoah Valley city of Staunton was also recently named one of the 20 Best Small Towns in America by Smithsonian magazine as well as Virginia Living magazine’s Best of 2012. Known as the Queen City, Staunton was founded in 1747 and was named for Lady Rebecca Staunton, wife of Virginia’s Governor William Gooch.

With views east toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and west toward the Appalachians, Staunton is an historic slice of Virginia that offers restored Victorian homes, cozy downtown shops, and small-town atmosphere. Patriotic holidays find her streets lined with American flags, and the always-popular Christmas parade takes place each year on Beverley Street, the main thoroughfare that is lined with restaurants, store fronts, the Dixie Theater, the city courthouse, and old-fashioned lamp posts.

There are many things to do during the leaf season that peaks in October so here are some places and events you may find interesting. Check back often … this list will be updated throughout the month. It’s autumn in western Virginia.

1. Trolleys
A great way to get around downtown, Staunton’s two trolleys are inexpensive, and pick up and discharge passengers at stops located throughout the city. More information can be found at the Staunton Visitors Center on New Street.

Today’s Naturalization ceremony at Frontier Culture Museum

By Andrea Oakes

Governor Terry McAuliffe delivered remarks at today’s Naturalization Ceremony at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia.

(Photo by Staunton City Councilwoman Andrea Oakes)

17th Century meets 21st Century at Staunton Martin’s Food Market

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I was checking out at Martin’s Food Market in Staunton Saturday when I happened to look down one of the aisles when the 17th Century met the 21st Century. The Frontier Culture Museum ladies took a step out of history to pick up a few comfort items. Just imagine the reaction of historical characters of that day if they saw all the easily accessible luxury foods available today … and the variety! Historical interpreters Sally Landes, the lady of the English manor at the museum, and Eryn Landry didn’t even see as I pulled out my iPhone and snapped their pictures. It was a photo op too good to pass up.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
August 9, 2014

Sunday: ‘Art in Bloom’ by Children’s Art Network at Frontier Culture Museum

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Sunday, June 1, will be an exciting event at Staunton’s Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia. “Art in Bloom” will take place beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a wide variety of almost 300 art and craft items for sale, designed and created by artists of all ages. Local schools, the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School senior art students, and members of the community have contributed to this event.

For a sneak look at some of the items, check out their Facebook page. Cost for entry to the sale and auction is $10 per person or two for $15.

Children’s Art Network takes enriching, hands-on programs directly into elementary schools in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County.

 

Wool Days at Frontier Culture Museum

Spring in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley means Wool Days at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. The museum will shear sheep using traditional hand shears at 11:00 and 2:00 at either the English farm yard or at the 1850 American farm barn yard. There is a good chance we will shear a third sheep at 10:00 most days.