Area History |
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Front Royal, Virginia |
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Scenic Front Royal is where the famed 105 miles Skyline Drive
begins, offering visitors an incredible, birds-eye view of the entire Valley as
it winds it's way through the 159,000 acre Shenandoah National Park. This
growing town is also where the two forks of the Shenandoah River converge, so
canoeing and fishing are plentiful. There are two campgrounds here for those
who love the outdoors. The Civil War battle is commemorated in the Confederate
Museum. The museum details how Stonewall Jackson fought the decisive battle
during his Valley campaign of 1862. Also from the Civil War is Belle Boyd's
cottage which has been preserved, along with genealogy records and an historical
library, by the Warren Heritage Society. The Skyline Caverns are yet another
point of interest for visitors to the area. Open all year, this is the only
place in the world with Anthodites. Unique formations which seem to defy
gravity, they are called "orchids of the mineral kingdom." In addition to these
attractions, there are golf courses, antique shops, and great dining and
accommodations. |
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Winchester, Virginia |
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The oldest city west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Winchester is saturated with
historic ambiance. The top of the Shenandoah Valley, and of Virginia,
Winchester was a prize of immense value during the Civil War. As a result of
being such a strategic point in warfare, Winchester has much to offer in the way
of battlegrounds, museums and fascinating historic sites. George Washington's
office museum is an old log cabin which served as his survey office, and later
as his military headquarters. Abram's Delight Museum is the oldest house in
the city. It was built in 1754 by Isaac Hollingsworth, the first white settler,
and has been wonderfully restored. Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters was the
base of operation for his famous Valley Campaign. One of the most famous allures
to Winchester is the Apple Blossom Festival. Each spring, the city is host to
over 250,000 visitors who come to participate in and witness the parades,
circus, band competitions, and all of the many activities planned for the
celebration. Winchester is known as the "Apple Capital" of America. With it's
vast orchards, the city is one of the largest apple export markets in the
country, and the largest production area in Virginia. |
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Middletown & Strasburg, Virginia |
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Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park will work in partnership to
commemorate a nationally significant Civil War landscape and antebellum
plantation by sharing the story of Shenandoah Valley history from early
settlement through the Civil War and beyond. Throughout the area there are
historic, natural, cultural, military, and scenic resources. In addition, the
park will serve as a focal point to recognize and interpret important events and
geographic locations within the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic
District. Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park was created on
December 19, 2002. The park encompasses approximately 3,500 acres across 3
counties and includes the key partner sites of Belle Grove Plantation, Cedar
Creek Battlefield Foundation Visitor Center, and a developing Shenandoah County
Park. The partner sites will continue to be owned and operated independently
allowing such activities as the annual Battle of Cedar Creek Reenactment to
continue within the park boundary. The park*s enabling legislation stresses the
importance of working in partnership as families, businesses and others will
continue to live, work, and play within the park boundary. Overtime, the park
may work with willing sellers and interested families to protect the remaining
historic and natural landscape for future generations. Strong community
involvement will be critical to plan the new park over the next several years |