& Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
t Quad Lif w e N ’s t sor t esor r yce Re B itage t Br yce R a s itie reat Her iv G t c e A n r O e , W int eums eat Mus e r G e e r Th yed Hom ty a t S n a zm Beau Bill Holt Natural : e g a P Blossom Luray & le p p A ’s ter W inches Festival
Winter Edition
Interstate 81 in st 11 miles west of ju is . rt so Re e yc Br f I-81 (Mt. Jackson) . Take exit 273 of Shenandoah County
The Mid-Atlantic’s Premier Learn to Ski/Board Resort Four Exciting Seasons
800-821-1444 www.bryceresort.com
Volume 4, Issue 2, Winter 2012-2013
On the cover: A composite photo of the new Bryce Resort quad lift and terminal, combined with a photo from years past. See coverage beginning on page 6.
Bryce Resort Bryce Resort’s New Quad Lift and Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Bryce Resort - A Primer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A Conversation with Vicki Bellerose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Luray & Page County Luray and Page County Put Forth Natural Beauty Year Round . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Feature Bill Holtzman Stayed Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Frederick County-Winchester Winchester Sets 86th Annual Apple Blossom Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Shenandoah County Shenandoah Caverns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Three Great Museums, One Great Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Summer 2013
Coming in the Summer edition of the Bryce Resort & Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide: Summer activities at Bryce Resort, including the Zipline, Mountain Tubing, Lake Laura and Bryce Dining Delights. Also, Northern Shenandoah Valley attractions, history, dining and vacation fun for the entire family.
Bryce Resort & Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide is published twice each year, Winter and Summer. It is available at Bryce Resort and locations throughout Shenandoah County, the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia. An exact electronic version is available at www.bryceresort.com and is available to anyone with internet access. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. All advertising and article content is believed to be accurate and reliable, but is not guaranteed. All rights reserved. ©2012 Bryce Guide. Editor & Publisher Stephen M. Kirchner brycepub@shentel.net http://bryceguide.wordpress.com Bryce Resort & Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide 42 Cabin Hill Lane Mount Jackson, VA 22842
Advertising information 540-477-3202 Email brycepub@shentel.net Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 5
ad u Q w e t’s N r o s e R e nal i m r Bryc e T and t f i l r i a Ch
Photo courtesy Vicki Bellerose 6 • Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
F
or nearly 50 years, Bryce Resort, located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, has provided its patrons with a skiing experience that cannot be matched. Originally developed in the early 1960s, Bryce has been at the forefront of ski innovations, from being one of the few resorts in the country to incorporate snowmaking capabilities – pro forma in Europe but nearly unheard of in the U.S. at that time, to creating the Horst Locher Ski School, one of the most prestigious ski schools in the country. With an emphasis on creating a great experience for all levels of skiers, Bryce Resort looked to Skytrac, Inc. to make its slopes more accessible, and provide the ability to move more people up the mountain in a safe, effective, and faster fashion. Skytrac is a lift design, manufacture, and installation company that utilizes North American designs and components – a feature that was most important to Bryce Resort General Manager Rob Schwartz. “Our attrac-
tion to Skytrac was that everything is American made. The simplicity of design, outstanding craftsmanship, and the fact that customer service and support was an intrinsic part of their corporate culture made Skytrac the obvious choice for the design of the new fixed-grip quad chairlift which is nearing completion at Bryce in time for our 2013 ski season.” Schwartz continued, “What makes this installation exciting is that it is not a retro-fit, it is a completely new quad lift with a ChairKiD loading conveyor. The lift is completely aligned towards newer skiers, a key focus for us at Bryce. The loading system allows for an easy transition for a guest going from one of our beginner surface lifts to an aerial chair lift. The new lift will have 90 chairs enabling us to efficiently move twice as many skiers (approximately 1,600 people per hour) up the resort’s 500-foot vertical rise.” At a cost of $1.5 million, the return on investment will be realized over the next few years. “We are one of the
A winter scene at Bryce Resort. Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 7
biggest contributors to the economy of the Shenandoah Valley, not to mention one the biggest tax contributors, so it is in our best interest to continue to be at the forefront of innovation and technical achievement, and to make the Bryce ‘experience’ pleasurable, safe, and fun for everyone.” Construction of the new Skytrac quad lift and terminals began just after the close of the 2012 ski season with the dismantling of the old ski shack and motor house. Excavation, pouring of the foundation and construction of the structures that house the new terminals, motor tower and bull wheel assembly took much of the summer, as did the construction of the new ski patrol and first-aid cabin. The gigantic motor and bull wheel were installed the last week of September. The nine lift towers were trucked in from Utah and installed late August and early September. Load tests will be run by mid-October with completion at the end of October in plenty of time for the beginning of the 2013 ski season. General Manager Rob Schwartz sums up the culture of
Bryce Resort, “We may be small, but we can compete with the big guys as far as our ski facilities, instructors, staff, and activities go. What really sets us apart is that Bryce is a family oriented resort and we want to provide the best experience for the people who come here. We are committed to providing the most upto-date equipment, and instruction to enhance the experience of all our skiers from beginners to the more advanced. Our goal is to keep you coming back year after year and making Bryce not only a family destination, but a lifestyle as well.”
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Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
The Main Lodge and The Restaurant @ Bryce Resort
Bryce Resort – A Primer “Thank you for calling Bryce Resort, this is…” t happens from 7:00am to all hours of the evening – calls late in the evening going to various voice mails. What is the common denominator? Ninety-nine percent of the calls are people wanting to know about Bryce Resort; where we are located, what we do, what activities are available, do we have skiing, how many slopes, what are our snow-making capabilities (some ask if the snow is fake), is there a place to eat, and do we have a hotel? As fall gives way to winter, the calls come in with increasing frequency – just when you finish one, another comes in. This is what
I
Bryce Resort
separates ski season from all the others. It is frenetic, frustrating and most of all, really, really FUN! Let’s start. Bryce Resort is located in western Virginia (not West Virginia) in the Central Shenandoah Valley. Interstate 81 cuts a swath approximately through the middle of the Valley – the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Appalachians to the west. The Resort lies 12.5 miles west of I-81 off exit 273 (Mount Jackson, VA). To get to Bryce you get on to Route 263-west. It is a winding two-lane highway, full of “twistys and turnys” as we said when we were kids, and some steep hills. The drive is beautiful and easy if you DON’T use your GPS. It is best to call for directions. Bryce is a four season resort – open 365 days a year (366 in leap years).
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 9
That says a lot! As a four season resort there is something going on all year – one can play golf all year long if there is no natural snow (vis-a-vis, winter of 2012). Just check for frost delays. The unique thing about the resort is that you can ski in the “back yard” and golf in the “front yard” on the same day – weather permitting. Where else can you do that? The winter offers other activities if you are not a skier (did I mention our ski school? More on that later…). There is snow tubing which anyone can perfect – sit in the tube and fly down our 800’ tubing lanes. There are eight beautifully groomed slopes – one-third rated beginner, one-third intermediate, and onethird advanced. There is full snow coverage on the slopes because of the state-of-the-art snow guns. Snow-making is a science – yes, it is real snow. The only difference is that it blows from huge guns that loom over the 10 • Bryce Resort
slopes, rather than soundlessly falling from the sky. It is beautiful to watch – snow is made during the late night/early morning hours. The slopes are lit and the snow blows at an incredible rate for hours and hours. It is most beautiful at dawn. After all the skiing and tubing no doubt you are hungry. Bryce has several options – from the most casual to the more formal. The Fireside Grille is the most casual. Snow bunnies of any age and gender can get myriad dining selections from breakfast sandwiches to burgers and dogs to pizza. It is fun to grab a hot chocolate and sit by the indoor circular fire pit or snag
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
a picnic table at the base of the slopes to watch the skiers and boarders. The Copper Kettle Bar & Lounge offers a more comprehensive menu, plus it has a fully-stocked bar. The atmosphere is warm and cozy; there is a huge fireplace, and the décor is eclectic – lots of antique posters, skis, snowshoes, game boards, skates – just look up toward the ceiling and at the walls. Both the Fireside Grille and Copper Kettle are open seven days a week. No reservations taken – you may have to wait for a table for a few minutes. The main dining room – The Restaurant @ Bryce is casually elegant – linens and votives on the tables, gorgeous fireplace and a view that will stop traffic. Ask for a table at the windows and watch night skiing. The Restaurant is open Friday and Saturday evenings – reservations are a must during ski season. Do we have a hotel? No. That does not mean that there aren’t accommo-
Bryce Resort
dations. There are several real estate companies that have private homes, chalets, townhouses, and condos in a rental pool. Several timeshare companies work with local management companies that oversee their accommodations – what weeks are available, etc. We have a partnership with Hampton Inn in Woodstock, Virginia that offers “stay-and-play” packages in the spring-fall seasons and ski packages with accommodations during the winter. “I hope I have answered all your questions. If you need more information please look at our website, www.bryceresort.com. We look forward to seeing you here at Bryce very soon.”
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 11
Vicki Bellerose and two students at Bryce Resort.
A Conversation with Vicki Bellerose Bryce Resort Kinder Ski & Snowboard School Coordinator
V
icki Bellerose is a dynamo on the slopes. She has a deep and abiding love for skiing – qualities she readily shares with all who work with her and benefit from her instruction. She is also an extremely talented photographer and very funny in a self-deprecating way as exhibited in answering the first question she was asked... Q. Please give a short bio of you. A. I am 5’2”. Short enough? Okay – now you know this is going 12 • Bryce Resort
to an interesting conversation! She did expand on her answer. A. (continued) I always wanted to learn to ski, but living in Sarasota, Florida didn’t provide me with much opportunity. After college I married and worked as a news photographer. When we moved to Virginia I finally was able to learn to ski. I was hooked the first time I put my foot in the ski boot. That was 1988, 24 years ago, ouch! I knew I wanted to work in the ski industry, but thought that would have to remain a dream. Q. When did you start at Bryce Resort and in what capacity? A. We moved to the Valley in 2005. That first winter I bought Bryce season passes for our family. While skiing with my son I would give him some pointers to help him with his technique. I was approached by a Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
Bryce employee who said I would make a good instructor (it was Manfred Locher but he doesn’t remember), and should apply at the ski school. I knew right then he must be talking to the guy behind me. No, it was me. It took Debbie Locher two weeks to convince me to apply she never told me Horst and Ryan Locher was her husband and son! I found my courage and here I am eight seasons later. I am here for the long haul if they’ll have me! Q. What is it about children that keeps teaching fun for you? A. Kids are so much fun to teach. You can get into their imaginations and just play your way through a les-
Bryce Resort
son. I manage to get the terminology into their vocabulary in a fun way… and so they can communicate it to their parents! Building a child’s confidence and expanding their horizon is also a gift. They usually leave Kinder School excited and smiling. The high fives and hugs are great too!
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 13
Q. When did you start running the Kinder School programs? A. 2010/11 ski season. This is my third year as the “Kinder Ski and Snowboard School” coordinator. The best part about being the coordinator is getting to work with a dynamic group of young, energetic instructors. Q. How is ski school changing – what is different about the operation as compared with the past? A. Well, this is actually a 3-part answer. First, the biggest change for Kinder School was the addition of a children’s learning area. The gentle terrain is designed for small skiers and features two carpet lifts that exit onto a flat deck. This deck area is ideal for teaching children new movements without gliding, and a perfect spot for games and snack time. The children’s slopes keep the kids within easy reach of an instructor and are not overwhelming to the beginning child. Next, for advanced children’s lessons we offer private instruction. Private instruction guarantees one on one attention geared to the child’s 14 • Bryce Resort
individual needs. In our experience, the child shows greater improvement with skills and confidence. Often a bond is made between the instructor and the student, enhancing the child’s whole ski experience. Many of these students return weekly to continue their skill building through private lessons. Finally, construction of the new quad chair lift has allowed for our novice area to have more open terrain enhancing the teaching area. Q. Bryce Resort prides itself as being a “family”. How many of “your kids” started in ski school and how many are now teaching there? A. Many of our instructors grew up on our hill having learned to ski themselves in our Kinder School (formerly “SkiWee”). These instructors have been trained through clinics and past experiences as Bryce Race Team or Ski Club members. Now it is their turn to share their passion of skiing and boarding to a new generation of Kinder School students. The children are drawn to Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
these young instructors who teach with a positive, nurturing style, using their imaginations and games. We believe in making the lessons fun! For more information about Kinder School and ski lessons go to www.bryceresort.com.
Kinder School Program Kinder School is for children ages 4 to 7 years of age. Classes may include 2 – 8 children per instructor. Private lessons for children are based upon instructor availability during the day. Please check with Ski School upon arrival.
Hampton Inn & Suites Woodstock, Virginia
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Proud Award Recipient of: 2011 Circle of Excellence
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Shenandoah Valley!
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Indoor Pool and Whirlpool
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Come and relax in the Beautiful Free on the house full hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, fitness & business centers, and meeting rooms! Visit our beautiful art gallery of the Valley’s historic, artistic, and natural points of interest in our main corridor! Enjoy Woodstock and its many attractions: Golf, Skiing, Wineries, caverns, and much more. Take advantage of our special packages.
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1150 Motel Dr. Woodstock, VA 22664 www.hamptoninnwoodstock.com Bryce Resort
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Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 15
16 • Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 17
Luray and Page County put forth natural beauty year round Look for locally-produced food on s autumn splendor gives way the menus of several restaurants, from to the stark beauty of a Shenandoah winter, Luray and Page County offer a profusion of color and a bounty of activity throughout the seasons. See a complete guide to events and attractions at www.LurayPage.com. The local communities offer refreshment and relaxation - in addition to unique shopping and a variety of dining options. Area attractions include the legendary Luray Caverns, the Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park and the Shenandoah River. See the changing seasons from horseback or bicycle, hike miles of trails, play a round of golf or sip wine at the beautiful Wisteria Farm & Vineyard.
A
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Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
fine dining to downhome cookin’. Settings include a renovated hardware store, Prohibitionera hotel and a Victorian home. Performances during the past two weeks in October by Performing Arts Luray offered Tom Stoppard’s production of “The Real Inspector Hound” Dinner/Dessert Theater. Other productions included the “Latin in Luray” in early November and “A Toast to Christmas with the Brass 5” on December 1. Blue Ridge Youth Theater presents “Harry’s Hotter by Twilight” November 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16, both at Trackside Theater. The holiday season officially begins with the Shenandoah Crafters Annual Show and Sale, November 3 in the town of Shenandoah, where the Lamplight Dinners at historic Stevens Cottage are planned for December 1. The Community Choir of Page County presents its annual concert, December 7 and 9. Stanley and Luray hold their annual Christmas parades December 1 and 8 respectively. Page County makes a beautiful destination for New Year’s Eve as well as Bryce Resort
the January and February federal holidays. Spend a romantic Valentine’s Day in TLC’s Number Two Destination Wedding Locale. Home to numerous hotels, B&Bs, the area was designated “Virginia’s Cabin Capital,” boasting hundreds of cabins and country homes. These accommodations range from luxurious to rustic, in an array of settings from riverside to mountain top. Start your journey by visiting the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center website at www.LurayPage.com or call 888-743-3915.
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 19
Bill Holtzman Stayed Home
W
hen Bill Holtzman graduated from Virginia Tech in 1959, he had options. He could have joined the family business, Valley Fertilizer in Mount Jackson. But instead, he chose to go back to graduate school to learn the apple business, and obtained a graduate degree from Cornell University. It was a good choice, because he had an offer from the famous Byrd family of Virginia to work for HF&TByrd, at the time the largest apple operation in the country. And that fulfilled another wish, to remain in Mount Jackson, and the Shenandoah Valley. At a time when most of his friends could not wait to leave home to go to the city, Bill wanted to remain in the Valley he loved. Bill spent 11 productive years in the apple business, but eventually realized he wanted to own his own company. But the options in Mount Jackson were limited at the time, and he would have to move fast if he saw an
20 • Bryce Resort
opportunity. That break came in 1972 when the Nelson Oil Company of Mount Jackson was put up for sale following the death of its owner. It was a small company at the time, which worked out of a single gas station located on Main Street in Mount Jackson. The company had five employees, and sold gasoline and delivered fuel oil to the local community. At the time he had $5,000 in his pocket, far short of the $37,000 selling price. But he was able to borrow the money, and the Holtzman Oil Company was born. “We could not have picked a worse time to enter the oil business," Bill says, "because 1973 was the start of the oil embargo. But we were naive and lucky, because we knew so little about the business we just kept going like nothing had changed. “Many others in the industry just threw up their hands, and didn't know how to deal with the crisis. We not only dealt with it, we grew our business during those difficult times.” When he first started, he realized he needed help, Bill says. So he interNorthern Shenandoah Travel Guide
viewed several students at a local tech school, and picked one to join the business. He was 14 years old at the time! That person, Rick Koontz, is still with the company, and is the Vice President in charge of the Holtzman Oil division. Today Holtzman Oil and related companies is one of the largest employers in the Shenandoah Valley, with combined annual sales estimated to top $300 million. Some 180 employees are housed at the company's headquarters in Mount Jackson, and total employment of all the related companies is between 450 and 500. Bill Holtzman is also one of the three founders/owners of the Liberty brand, which has become one of the most successful non-major gasoline brands in the country. Holtzman Oil and Propane trucks are a frequent sight in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia. Each one serves as an advertisement for the company. With stations expanding from Christiansburg into West Virginia and northeast into Loudoun County,
Bill Holtzman in his office.
they are on the road everyday. The company owns 82 gas stations which it leases to independent operators, and provides services to another 40 stations under long term leases. All are computerized so that the Mount Jackson headquarters office knows to the gallon how much fuel is in each station's tanks. Trucks are dispatched when gasoline falls below minimum levels. Each Holtzman Oil tractor-trailer is compartmentalized to carry regular, plus and supreme, and a single truck will fill a single station. The company has expanded into propane sales, restaurants and convenience stores, and has even built one
The original Nelson Oil Gas Station on Main Street in Mount Jackson is on the right. It’s now part of Holtzman Oil headquarters.
Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 21
of the largest ice producing companies in the valley, Valley Ice in Mount Jackson, capable of producing 140 tons of ice per day. Why build an ice company? "When you have fuel sales in winter, we need 20 or more drivers," Bill says. "But we need those drivers working during the summer as well, so we came up with the idea of ice." The company just hoped to break even at first, but now sees a profitable future ahead. Bill’s son Todd heads the Propane and Ice Divisions. “We sent Todd to Srasburg with one truck to learn the propane business, and today you see the results,” Bill says. Holtzman even has its own inhouse construction company which builds all its own restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores. The Mount Jackson office is still
22 • Bryce Resort
home to the company, and the original gas station where it all started is still part of the complex. It has seen many expansions, and there are plans on the drawing board for a new headquarters building next door. Bill Holtzman never lost his love for Virginia Tech, and his success impacts all Virginia Tech alumni. Bill was one of the major benefactors of the beautiful Virginia Tech Holtzman Alumni Center on campus in Blacksburg. It’s but one of many significant contributions he has made to the Shenandoah Valley community. Holtzman Oil remains a family owned business. Along with Todd, Bill has one daughter, Virginia State Senator Jill Vogel, who has an active political career. They still meet once a month for lunch to discuss the family business.
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
Shenandoah Caverns
A
n underground world of wonders along a one-mile tour circuit where a comfortable 56-degree temperature is maintained year-round. It offers the only cavern system with elevator service as well as the added convenience of level walkways and no stairs.
will see spectacular parade floats from famous national celebrations such as the Rose Parade, Presidential Inaugurals, the Miss America Parade, the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and many more!
The Yellow Barn
Experience everything from a firsthand look at farm life to live musical performances on a rotating stage. American Celebration Take a step back in time with historic on Parade displays and a collection of restored Come see the nation's premier carriages and farm vehicles from past parade float exhibition. Your family years.
Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 23
Winchester Sets 86th Annual Apple Blossom Festival
F
or the 86th year, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival ® welcomes spring – the birds, the blooms and the swarm of people ready to celebrate the season. Springtime in the Shenandoah Valley is a breath of fresh air, both figuratively and literally. The warm breezes carry with them the sweet perfume of flowers crowded in boxwood gardens in the colonial town. The lush green of the rolling countryside provides the perfect back drop for orchards resplendent with the delicate pink and white of apple blossoms. We invite you and your family to share in our celebration of springtime by attending the 86th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival ® in Winchester, Virginia. During the Festival, Winchester residents open their doors to tens of thou24 • Bryce Resort
sands of new guests and old friends who gather in this All American Community for the traditional celebration of a promising apple crop. From the pomp and pageantry of the Queen’s Coronation to the mechanized wonder of the Firefighters’ Parade; from the glitter and glow of our tremendous Fireworks Show to the serene beauty of the floats in our Grand Feature Parade, the Festival has something for the entire family. Carnival, midway, dinners, dances,
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
Celebrity Mario Lopez
displays, shows – make plans for your family to be part of the fun at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®. A Wine Fest weekend kicks off the festivities and will be held April 26th and 27th, 2013, with local wineries, artisans, live music entertainment and vendors located in two food courts.
The Festival continues April 29th through May 4th, 2013. Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® 135 North Cameron Street Winchester, Virginia 22601 540-662-3863 www.thebloom.com
The Firemen’s Parade
Live Theatre | Charming Small Towns | Museums & Shopping
Contact us for a Free Travel Guide!
Named “Friendliest Town” by Leisure Publishing Co.
(877) 871-1326 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Rd. Winchester, VA 22601
www.visitwinchesterva.com Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 25
View from the Virginia Museum of the Civil War in New Market, looking northeast from the Hall of Valor to the Bushong Farm and Massanutten Mountain. 26 • Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
Three Great Museums, One Great Heritage
Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 27
The VMI Museum is located on the campus in Lexington.
tonewall Jackson and Emmy-winning film “Field of Lost Shenandoah Valley are forever Shoes” bring the period to life. The linked by the Civil War events impact of the war years on Valley reswhich took place here. Three muse- idents is dramatically captured at the Bushong Farm where three generaums share Jackson’s incredible story. A visit to all three is a must for tions of the family endured the batanyone truly seeking to understand tle. The museum store has a wide the man and the events that made variety of regional products and an him a legend. But much, much more excellent book selection. If you just need information to awaits you at the Virginia Museum of assist with your exploration of the the Civil War, The VMI Museum famed Shenandoah Valley, visit the and the Stonewall Jackson House. official state-certified Shenandoah Valley The Virginia Museum of the Civil War (VMCW): The museum interprets the Civil War The Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington. in the Commonwealth where 60% of the war’s battles took place. The state museum is located on the famed New Market Battlefield where the Virginia Military Institute Cadets helped achieve victory. Uniforms and weapons of the North and South, along with personal stories, dioramas and the
S
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Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
firearms from the world-famous Henry Stewart Antique Firearms Collection illustrate the evolution of 19th century weapons. Pick up a “VMI” sweatshirt at the museum store. Catch a VMI Cadet Parade on Friday afternoons at 4:30pm during the academic year. Planning your
Tourist Information Center, located in the VMCW. Planning your visit: Open 9:00am-5:00pm daily. Directions: Take Exit 264 off I-81 onto Rt. 211 West. Take the immediate right onto Rt. 305 (George Collins Memorial Parkway) and follow to the end of the road (about 1 mile). The distinctive brown metal rotunda of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War is visible on your left. (GPS: 38° 39’ 42.64” N and 78 ° 40’ 14.45”W). The VMI Museum: Located on the campus of Virginia Military Institute, the VMI Museum tells the history of the nation’s first state sponsored military college. The museum is home to many personal artifacts of famous alumni and faculty including General George Patton, Admiral Richard Byrd, and Stonewall Jackson. Over 400 Bryce Resort
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Virginia Museum of the Civil War in New Market.
visit: Open daily, 9:00am-5:00pm. 415 Letcher Ave., Lexington VA (GPS: 37° 47” 24.50” N 79° 26” 08.61” W). Free Admission. The Stonewall Jackson House: Thomas Jackson arrived in Lexington in 1851 to teach Natural Philosophy and Artillery Tactics at VMI. Built around 1800, Thomas and his wife Anna purchased the house in 1858. In April 1861, Professor Jackson left Lexington. Within four short months he was known around the world as “Stonewall.” Today, his house reveals the lifestyle of a middle class family on the eve of Civil War. Enjoy the Victorian charm of Tom and Anna’s home while experienced guides reveal the inner man who became a legend. Explore the gardens he loved at the only home he ever owned. The museum store is known for its line of 30 • Bryce Resort
Jackson related items. Planning your visit: Open 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Saturday, 1:00pm-5:00pm on Sunday. 8 East Washington St., Lexington, VA. (GPS: 37° 74” 04.93” N 79° 26” 29.03” W). Advertisers Index Bryce Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3 Craig Construction, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Hampton Inn & Suites Woodstock . . . . .15 Harrisonburg Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Holtzman Oil & Propane . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Luray-Page County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-17 McEnearney Associates/Bryce Getaway .15 Route 11 Potato Chips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Shenandoah Caverns Family of Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Shenandoah County Tourism . . . . . . . . .31 The VMI Museum System . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Winchester-Frederick County Tourism . .25 Woodstock Cafe & Shoppes . . . . . . . . . .29
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide
Bryce Resort
Northern Shenandoah Travel Guide • 31
Experience the Life Explore the only home he ever owned. Meet the professor. Follow the warrior. Experience the man before the legend.
Virginia Museum of the Civil War New Market Battlefield State Historical Park New Market, Virginia vmi.edu/newmarket 866.515.1864
The Stonewall Jackson House Lexington, Virginia www.stonewalljackson.org 540.463.2552
STONEWALL
JACKSON
The VMI Museum Lexington, Virginia www.vmi.edu/museum 540.464.7334
The VMI Museum System