Latest news with #ShenandoahValley
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Staunton's Frontier Culture Museum is expanding with the addition of an indoor space
A major expansion is underway at Staunton's Frontier Culture Museum. The largest open-air living history museum in the Shenandoah Valley will soon include a new indoor gallery space. The American Journey Gallery is expected to be open fall 2027. "We're an outdoor museum so when wintertime comes or we have inclement weather, visitors just drop off," said Butch Smiley, the museum's chief executive officer. In January the museum had 690 visitors. A month later 800 people came through the gates. In March, when the weather was starting to become warmer, 8,500 people visited the museum. "So it's a vast difference," Smiley said. "We've always had the goal as a museum to have an indoor facility so when the weather is bad, people will still be inclined to come." The 40,000-square-foot facility will include a permanent exhibit gallery, rotating exhibit areas, a research library, flexible education rooms and an indoor/outdoor pavilion. The facility will cost $70 million and state funding has been secured to support the project. The Frontier Culture Museum is a state agency under the guidance of the Virginia Department of Education. Cliff Edwards, the museum's deputy director, said the idea for the facility began in earnest in 2018 and is now coming to life before the eyes of the staff who see it every day. "We stopped counting at 400 hours of Zoom meetings on design through COVID," Edwards said. Excavation work is currently taking place at the site. The new gallery will be just to the left of the current visitors center and museum entrance. The work that passersby can see from Frontier Drive will be additional parking, an increase of 300 spots for both buses and cars. The Frontier Culture Museum attracted 66,000 visitors in 2024. Smiley is optimistic that once the new facility is open the museum can double that number. Just over a third of those visitors are students. Forty school divisions in Virginia — including Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County — and two in West Virginia have received funding through The Trailblazers Grant Program to attend the museum. Operated under the nonprofit arm of the museum, the grant program has awarded nearly $136,000 to date. The current outdoor space features costumed historical interpreters demonstrating the life and customs of the indigenous Native American tribes in Virginia, the arrival of the German, English and Irish settlers along the Great Wagon Road, and the painful journey of the enslaved Africans to the first permanent British colony in North America. The gallery will be very interactive, Smiley said, as the museum works to continue its mission of telling the story of the blending of European, African, and indigenous peoples into the United States. "What we're really cognizant of is making sure we've got source material to be able to tell the story about folks that came over," Smiley said. "We have engaged 16 scholars throughout the nation as well as in Europe to help us tell that story." Dorette Sobolewski, the museum's director of research, called the permanent exhibit the crown jewel of the indoor facility. Staff has been working on that for about 18 months. It will take up about 7,000 square feet of the facility. The exhibit will cover the story that the Virginia frontier played in the creation of the United States. Visitors will follow the timeline from the earliest days until present time. "We've recruited the scholars to make sure we get the content right," Sobolewski said. "It's a large story. It's a complicated story. The scholars don't always agree on some of this. We need to base our final edits, our final content on the most recent scholarship that is available." Sobolewski worries about getting the stories accurate. She met with the Virginia Indian advisor recently, saying the advisor is intimately knowledgeable on interpreting the story of the Indigenous people of what would become Virginia. "That's their story to tell," Sobolewski said. "It's not our story to tell. We have to make sure their perspective is represented respectfully and accurately." The permanent exhibit will change very little, perhaps occasionally as they learn more information. The rotating exhibits will change every 18 months to two years. "All the people that came before me, the ones who got this started, dreamed of having an indoor facility," Smiley said. "We're able to enjoy the benefits and see the finished product of what their goal was." More: Edgecomb reflects on two decades as Fort tennis coach as Indians advance to state tourney More: A large structure is being built near I-81 in Staunton. What exactly is it? — Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton's Frontier Culture Museum undergoing major expansion
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Glen Gordon Manor Unveils Historic Mural Honoring British Royal Roots
Huntly, VA May 13, 2025 --( )-- Glen Gordon Manor, a luxury country inn in Virginia's scenic Shenandoah Valley, celebrates its royal heritage with the completion of a vibrant mural honoring its British aristocratic roots. Originally a 19th-century Wells Fargo stagecoach stop, the property later became a private hunting retreat for British aristocracy, famously hosting King Edward VIII. Today, Glen Gordon seamlessly blends refined hospitality with thoughtful nods to its storied past. Commissioned local artists created the striking panoramic mural that wraps elegantly around the upper perimeter of the inn's grand hall, known as the Hunt Room, visually framing the space with scenes of a classic fox hunt. This artwork beautifully captures the property's historic ties to British sporting traditions. 'Bringing this piece of history to life through local artistry has been an incredibly special project,' said Dayn Smith, owner and chef of Glen Gordon Manor. 'We want our guests to not only experience luxury but to feel immersed in the story of this place.' Much of the manor's timeless aesthetic can be credited to Nancy Moon, wife of Dayn Smith. With a keen eye for design, Nancy oversaw the interior styling of the inn, thoughtfully blending European elegance with the warmth and charm of a countryside retreat. At the heart of the Manor's immersive experience is Houndstooth Restaurant, where Chef Smith, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and Culinary Olympics competitor, crafts seasonally inspired tasting menus that have garnered national attention. In 2025, Houndstooth received the DiRōNA Award of Excellence, awarded to fewer than 1,100 restaurants over the past 35 years, and has earned Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence for multiple consecutive years. Dining at Houndstooth is an intimate and essential part of the experience, with a limited number of tables open nightly to the public. Guests staying at the inn enjoy 11 designer-curated rooms, unwind with onsite massage services, or soak in mountain views by the seasonal outdoor pool. Glen Gordon Manor is the perfect home base for exploring the surrounding wine country and nearby hiking trails, with close proximity to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park. To learn more or make a reservation, visit Contact Information: White Stone Marketing Sarah Baker (919) 353 3917 Contact via Email Read the full story here: Glen Gordon Manor Unveils Historic Mural Honoring British Royal Roots Press Release Distributed by
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Massanutten Resort Announces Construction Of Indoor WaterPark Hotel
The new hotel will be connected to the existing Massanutten Indoor WaterPark. Guests to Massanutten Resort, Virginia, will soon be able to choose accommodations next to the Indoor WaterPark. The popular four-season resort recently announced construction of a new-build five-story, 140-room hotel, along with upgrades to the WaterPark. Conveniently located on 6,000 acres in the center of the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, just minutes from the Shenandoah National Park & Skyline Drive and only two hours from Washington, D.C., Massanutten Resort offers an authentic mountain experience and endless outdoor adventures for all ages, including zip-lining, skiing, hiking, tubing, mountain biking and more. The accommodations will be suited for all types of travelers. The new five-story hotel will feature rooms ranging from king rooms and double queen rooms to themed-king bunk rooms along with two and three-bedroom suites. The hotel will boast a 6,500-square-foot atrium connected to the existing Massanutten Indoor WaterPark complex for convenient guest access. The atrium and hotel public areas will serve as vibrant activity hubs, with an atrium bar and breakfast area overlooking a spacious patio, a board room and a 2,600-square-foot flexible event space that can be divided and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Guestrooms and suites will be thoughtfully themed to cater to the diverse needs of families and business travelers alike. Expansions are planned for the resort's indoor WaterPark. The resort has also introduced two expansions to its Indoor WaterPark, the 6,000 square foot addition attached to the new hotel and a sprawling 22,000 square foot expansion which will introduce an array of new attractions, including an adult pool, mat racer slide, bar, cabanas, kiddie pool and slides, wave pool and family raft ride. Construction is slated to begin in Spring 2025 with an expected completion date of late 2025 or early 2026. "We are excited to embark on a transformative journey that will truly redefine the guest experience at Massanutten Resort," says Steve Krohn, president and chief executive officer of the Resorts Companies. "Our commitment to providing unparalleled hospitality experiences remains unwavering, and this expansion underscores our dedication to innovation and guest satisfaction." Dana Staniunas, director of recreation at Massanutten Resort, adds, 'Massanutten Resort is always looking to enhance guest experiences. As one of the few indoor waterparks without lodging directly connected to the park, it made sense to create a more accessible experience for our guests. With the completion of the expansion and new hotel, we'll offer onsite lodging connected to the indoor waterpark, combining lodging, waterpark excitement, arcade family fun and dining. Our mission is to provide remarkable experiences in a safe and enjoyable environment. This is the next step Massanutten Resort is taking to exceed expectations and give families the opportunity to create lasting memories.' Massanutten Resort is located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Massanutten Resort's WaterPark expansion is a long-range goal aimed at continuing to provide new experiences while exceeding guest expectations. It is one of several projects currently in development. Over the past several years, the resort has experienced significant growth through a three-year ski expansion project, which added new slopes, lifts and advanced snowmaking technology, driving an increase in winter guest visits. Building on that momentum, and in addition to the new hotel and expanded WaterPark, the resort is now developing Bluestone Peak, a 55-plus active adult lifestyle community. These new offerings are designed to further expand and enrich the surrounding community. Staniunas says, 'The resort's vision of being the premier destination in the mid-Atlantic fuels its innovation in offering unique experiences for families. This expansion is among the projects that will help keep Massanutten Resort at the forefront of vacation experiences.' Ziplining offers an adrenaline rush for adventurous guests. Kameron Tucker, Mountain Sports Director, says, 'We are known for our year-round mountain adventures. During the winter months, skiing and snowboarding are major attractions, with slopes catering to various skill levels. In the warmer seasons, the resort transforms into a hub for hiking, golfing and mountain biking enthusiasts. The Family Adventure Park offers activities like ziplining and tubing, ensuring fun for the entire family.' Massanutten Bike Park features a lift-served trail system suitable for all riders. Beginners can start with trails like "Peanut," while intermediate and advanced riders can tackle more challenging trails like 'Macadamia' and 'Crunchy' further up the mountain. The Western Slope has over 30 miles of trails, maintained by the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, offering a mix of flowy singletracks and technical sections. For those new to mountain biking, a ride school provides lesson packages that include trail use, bike rental and mountain bike skills. Tucker adds, 'We have a variety of hiking trails suitable for everyone, from beginners to seasoned trekkers. The Ridge Trail, a 4.5-mile out-and-back path, has views of the ski slopes and surrounding mountains. The Rockingham Springs Arboretum provides a nice alternative. In addition, the Western Slope trails are considered multi-use and are open to hikers, runners, and mountain bikers alike. The wide gravel paths are perfect for families or casual hikers, while the more technical, forested routes are great for those seeking a challenge. The Western Slope is a year-round destination and provides access to some of the most scenic and peaceful parts of the mountain.' No matter the season, Massanutten Resort provides a full array of non-stop activities designed for the adventurous traveler. The new five-story hotel will surely add an extra dimension to what is already one of the east's most popular family resorts.
