Born in 1743, he was a lawyer, member of the House of Burgesses, member of Continental Congress, one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia, Commissioner and Minister to France, first United States Secretary of the State, President of the United States, owner of over 135 slaves, Father, Husband, and he […]

No matter where you live in the United States, autumn is a time when people trek into the countryside to bask in the burst of color as the trees prepare to lose their foliage for the coming winter. Those who live near mountainous regions are the most blessed. New England’s White Mountains, Green Mountains, and […]

Today, with our country more culturally united, and as a nation more integrated as a people with common aspirations and goals, it’s difficult to visualize the clash of armies in our communities and around our homes. Imagine then, for a moment, that you and your spouse were Alfred and Mary Plumb, and that your home […]

Woodrow Wilson, a two-term president from 1913 to 1921, was born adjacent to the chateau-styled mansion that today highlights the extraordinary legacy of the 28th president of the United States. Born in 1856 in Staunton, at the age of one-year old, Wilson’s family moved to Augusta, Georgia where his father worked as a chaplain in […]

Eight to ten million bushels of apples are harvested each year in Virginia. Many of those apples come from Carter Mountain Orchard. This rolling picturesque orchard is located right next to the historic Michie Tavern and is only a short distance from the grand historic home Monticello. It is open from mid April until November, […]

Sherando Lake Recreation Area, located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains off Route 664 approximately 11 miles south from I-64, is the perfect place for spending a relaxing day with family. Known by locals as “The Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” the area is comprised of two lakes: the lower lake, which […]

Starting in May and appropriately ending its season the last weekend in October are the nighttime Ghostly Newtown Tours offered by the Ghosts of Staunton and presented by the Shenandoah Valley Paranormal Society. Two separate 90-minute tours commence at the Coffee on the Corner or the Jolly Roger Haggle Antique Shop. The former takes paranormal […]

Fortune’s Cove Preserve is nestled in the midst of 29,000 acres of Nelson County. The actual preserve is 755 acres. The land was donated to the people by Jane Heyward, who wanted it preserved and enjoyed by everyone. In 2002, a 5.5 mile hiking trail was completed and is part of the Conservancy’s Piedmont Program. […]

Touring the Blue Ridge Mountains is a most enjoyable family adventure. Each family member, including the children, carries home his or her own special interpretation of the beautiful panoramic vistas. Oftentimes, however, children require a more hands-on activity to expend their seemingly inexhaustible energy. The Virginia Safari Park offers that activity and an experience that […]

Keswick Vineyards takes the vision of Thomas Jefferson and makes it a reality. Thomas Jefferson knew the lush and bountiful countryside of Virginia was capable of producing incredible wines that could easily rival any wines around the world. Al and Cindy Schornberg own the vineyard. It is one of 20 wineries in the Monticello Viticulture […]