Staunton: Culture, History and Theatre

Staunton is especially rewarding to explore through its cultural and architectural history. Several eras come together in the historic cityscape, alongside themes ranging from regional history and Shakespeare to a nature-inspired playground and railway experiences. When choosing what to explore during your stay, first consider which of these aspects interests you most: architecture, historical stories, theatre or activities for children.

Historic Architecture in Staunton

The Beverley Historic District encompasses about 150 buildings across roughly eleven blocks in downtown Staunton. Its narrow streets feature almost every phase of the region’s architectural development in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The range extends from Federal-period shops to the Beaux-Arts architecture of the National Valley Bank. If you find architectural history fascinating, you’ll encounter not just one style here, but a development spanning several eras.

Beverley Street is a classic Victorian main street. Alongside the Historic District’s broad historical span, it offers a clearly defined street character as a distinct architectural point of reference. This makes a difference when deciding what interests you: you can focus on the development of many architectural styles or on a striking example of Victorian main street architecture.

Museums and Different Perspectives on History

At the Frontier Culture Museum, costumed historical interpreters present the lives and customs of Indigenous peoples in Virginia. The museum also covers the arrival of German, English and Irish settlers along the Great Wagon Road, as well as the painful journey of enslaved Africans to the first permanent British colony in North America. Its subject matter therefore encompasses Indigenous ways of life, European migration and the forced journey of enslaved people. This offers a different way to explore history than looking at architecture or theatre.

Another historical perspective is offered by the “Slavery In Wilson’s Birthplace” tour. It focuses on the lives of enslaved people who lived and worked at the Presbyterian Manse, the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson. The tour thus turns attention to these people’s lives and work at a specific, named location. It is offered regularly; check the schedule for your visit date if you’d like to plan a tour.

Shakespeare, Play and Railways

The Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton is the world’s only reconstruction of Shakespeare’s legendary indoor theatre. Educational tours explore the world’s first reconstruction of a Shakespearean indoor theatre and share anecdotes from past and present. It’s about more than an extraordinary theatre reconstruction: the tours also bring stories from different eras to life.

NatureRidge is a nature-inspired playground designed to encourage creativity and imaginative play among children aged 2 to 12. Its focus differs from the historical attractions: here, play and imagination take center stage. If you’re travelling with children, this adds a playful perspective to your exploration of Staunton.

Ales & Rails is a craft beer tasting experience aboard the Virginia Scenic Railway. Each trip features a different local brewery, along with curated beer samples and complementary snacks. The Blue Ridge Flyer travels east through the historic Blue Ridge Tunnel. The two experiences have different focuses: Ales & Rails centers on tastings and a local brewery, while the Blue Ridge Flyer offers an eastbound journey through the tunnel.

For an overview of the wider trip: Staunton.