Summer Learning: Augusta County Historical Places

Shhh! Don't tell the kids, but learning can be fun. Our real estate agents love to combine culture and entertainment at these impressive historical attractions near Augusta County homes for sale.

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• Frontier Culture Museum - 1290 Richmond Rd., Staunton, VA 24401
  How did the early immigrants blend their histories to create a new culture in the colonies? Learn about their fascinating stories at the Frontier Culture Museum. Permanent exhibits include replicas of West African, Irish, English, German, and Native American farms from the 1700s along with an 1820s American farmhouse and early American schoolhouse. The museum also hosts lectures, concerts, and special holiday events. Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for high school and college students, and $7 for ages 6-12. Hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily through December 1.
  
  
• Bare House and Mill - 157 Wilda Rd., Stuarts Draft, VA 24477
  Bare House and Mill, situated on scenic fields not far from Stuarts Draft homes for sale, are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While the original home was destroyed by fire in the mid-1850s, it was soon replaced by a Greek Revival/Italianate two-story brick home that still stands. The mill, which was shut down after the 1870 floods, has been ravaged by time, although the limestone ruins hold evidence of a rare undershot wheel.
  
  
• Valley Railroad Stone Bridge - Jolivue, VA 24401
  As air travel has taken over as the preferred method of transportation, structures such as the Valley Railroad Stone Bridge have become a rare sight. The four-arch bridge, which spans Folly Mills Creek, was constructed in 1884 as part of the Valley Railroad line connecting Staunton and Lexington. While the line was discontinued in 1942 and the tracks were subsequently removed, the stunning bridge has been maintained as a charming landmark for area travelers. The remarkable masonry engineering displayed by the bridge landed it on the National Register of Historic Places. 
  
  

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• The Stonewall Brigade Band - Gypsy Hill Park, 600 Churchville Ave., Staunton, VA 24401
  Art meets history with the Stonewall Brigade Band, the oldest continuous community band in the country. In 1855, the band started with all brass instruments as the Mountain Saxhorn Band. Since then, it's grown into a full band, adding woodwind and percussion instruments. The Stonewall Brigade Band performs free summer concerts at 8 p.m. each Monday night from June through August. Their Gypsy Hill Park bandstand, built expressly for the band, dates back to 1889.
  
  
• R.R. Smith Center for History and Art - 20 S. New St., Staunton, VA 24401
  Local culture is showcased at the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art, housed in an 1894 hotel in Staunton's Beverley Historic District. The building is home to the Staunton Augusta Art Center, with exhibits that change every six weeks, and the Augusta County Historical Society, which holds archives that can be used for ancestral research. Be sure to stroll the adjacent Mevluda Tahirovic Memorial Garden, a lovely tribute to the donor's late fiancée. Gallery hours are 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
  
  
• Harnsberger Octagonal Barn - Weyers Cave, VA 24486
  Built around 1867, the Harnsberger Octagonal Barn is a significant departure from the classic red-sided rectangular barns. The unusual design was influenced by architectural theories that were in fashion after the Civil War. Local carpenter William Evers supervised construction, and the barn is still in use, not far from Weyers Cave homes for sale.

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• Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum - 20 N. Coalter St., Staunton, VA 24401
  As the 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson helped lead our country during the early years of the 20th century. Today, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum is located in the city of his birth, right down the street from Staunton homes for sale. Tour his family home, and explore seven galleries featuring artifacts from Wilson's life and times. Admission is $15 for adults and $8 for ages 6-17. Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily except Sunday when doors open at noon.

Summer is a perfect time to buy or sell your Augusta County home. Contact us at Old Dominion Realty to get started.