Summer brings vacation and family time as well as the sunny skies and hot temperatures of beer-drinking weather. It’s also time to start thinking about how to spend summer’s biggest event, Independence Day, which is especially important this year because it is the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Why not augment your enjoyment and understanding of the holiday with some background of American history and appreciation of national attractions? Toast your new knowledge with a stop at a nearby Beerwerks brewery.
VA250
While many of our localities celebrate Independence Day annually, VA250 is Virginia’s statewide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and U.S. independence. It blends celebration, education, and civic engagement as it strives to “educate Americans about our history; engage with every community to tell a complete story; and inspire people to recommit to the values inherent in citizenship.” Check the schedule for upcoming events in the Valley and across the Commonwealth.
Natural Beauty
Shenandoah National Park
10 minutes from Elkton Brewing Co.
Stretching along the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park offers over 200,000 acres of protected wilderness, which is home to more than 300 animal and 1,300 plant species. The public can enjoy it on 500 miles of hiking trails, in camping and recreation areas, and on the Skyline Drive and its 75 scenic overlooks. Established to conserve the area’s natural beauty and ensure public access, much of the park’s infrastructure dates to the Great Depression when the Civilian Conservation Corps workers built trails and lodges as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal. Make sure to take a ranger-led tour of Rapidan Camp, constructed in 1929 as Herbert Hoover’s “summer White House” and used by US presidents until the 1970s.
Natural Bridge
9 minutes from Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery
Natural Bridge State Park’s 215-foot tall and 90-foot wide stone arch is all that remains after the erosive power of Cedar Creek collapsed an ancient cave system in the limestone. The natural wonder has fascinated generations of Virginia residents, ranging from the Native Americans to modern tourists. Legend has it that George Washington surveyed the Natural Bridge and carved his initials into the rock wall on the south side of the arch. Later, Thomas Jefferson showed his appreciation when he bought the bridge and the surrounding acres for about $200 in today’s money. Ten miles of hiking trails–including Cedar Creek Trail, which leads under the bridge to Lace Falls–offer views of surrounding mountains, forests, and meadows. Other attractions include a disc golf trail, star-gazing and nature programming, picnic shelter, visitor’s center and trail shop, and an educational Kids in Parks Track Trail.
Frontier Settlement and Cultural History
The Virginia Quilt Museum
9 minutes from Restless Moons Brewing
Quilts offer warmth and protection, but handmade ones are more than just functional textiles. They can serve as historical documents and offer insight into the cultural, social, and artistic lives of communities over time. Dayton’s Virginia Quilt Museum tells Virginia’s story through its quilting heritage with two floors of gallery space housing over 300 quilts dating back to the 18th century. The museum, located in historic 1822 Silver Lake Mill, features traditional and contemporary quilting arts. Museum programming teaches visitors about the Valley’s cultural history as well as how to appreciate the quilting arts through classes and workshops.
Rocktown History
15 minutes from White Oak Lavender Farm and Purple WOLF Vineyard
Exhibits at Dayton’s Rocktown History preserve the history of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. They include artifacts and narratives from the area’s early settlement and frontier life, folk art and crafts, Civil War, WWI, and WWII history, and African American heritage. The museum hosts lots of special events and education programming like monthly Third Thursday talks and history workshops on various topics. Visitors can also access a free research library with lots of local and genealogical resources and a self-guided walking tour of Dayton.
The Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center
9 minutes from Feel the Rain Brothers Brew Co.
The 24-acre Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center celebrates the historical and spiritual legacies of Brethren and Mennonites in the Shenandoah Valley with guided tours of historic buildings, exhibits, and wholesome hands-on farm activities like carpentry and churning butter. Look for special events like historical lectures, hymn sings, worship services, Christmas and Easter programming, and the popular Sing Me High Music Festival.
Waynesboro Heritage Museum
5 minutes from Basic City Beer Co.
The Blue Ridge Mountains created a formidable obstacle for horses and wagons and once marked the frontier for pioneers moving west. One of the reasons for Waynesboro’s early growth was because it was a safe resting place after successful crossings at Rockfish Gap. The Waynesboro Heritage Museum, located in a restored 1908 bank building, includes artifacts, photographs, maps, furniture, textiles, and more in its exhibits on the city’s history. Permanent and rotating galleries deal with a variety of historical eras and subjects like the railroad, Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, industry, and education.
Woodrow Wilson Birthplace
5 minutes from Redbeard Brewing Company
Virginia is sometimes called the Mother of Presidents because it produced a total of 8, which is more than any other state! You can learn about Staunton’s native son at Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. The museum’s exhibits chronicle his life, Staunton and American history, and the history of those who lived in the house, including enslaved persons. The museum also sheds light on World War I, the League of Nations, and important progressive reforms like suffrage and prohibition. Visitors will especially enjoy an exhibit on trench warfare, a walk through the decorative gardens, and visits to Wilson’s Pierce Arrow and the gift shop. Check the calendar for a wide variety of educational programs and events. If you’re in town on a Saturday morning, join a free walking tour of historic Staunton led by the Historic Staunton Foundation.
The Frontier Culture Museum
15 minutes from Stable Craft Brewing and Cidery
Different cultures and peoples settled in the Valley at different times. As each group brought its history and traditions and adapted to the landscape, it encountered and merged with other groups, and the overall culture evolved over time. Costumed interpreters at Staunton’s open-air Frontier Culture Museum illustrate the daily lives and traditions of the Valley’s earliest residents as they work farms representing various points in history. Visitors will tour old-world farms like those built in Europe and Africa as well as new-world farms constructed on the American frontier.
The Shenandoah Valley offers a wealth of natural beauty and important sites in American history. Make sure to schedule a visit as you travel the Beerwerks Trail.