It ’ s magnificent to behold the beauty and serenity of the vast Augusta countryside . A drive leads to wineries , country markets , breweries , historic churches and Civil War trails . There ’ s even a Frontier Culture Museum that interprets farm life on the vast American wilderness . However , there ’ s much more to this western Virginia county than farm vistas . This community ’ s dedication to preserving its architectural history shows in its two wonderfully preserved downtowns , both Waynesboro and Staunton , which highlight the legacy of Augusta County .
Waynesboro has a small , quaint city center that is just a few blocks long , but it features several historic attractions . The Waynesboro Heritage Foundation manages two small museums , The Plumb House , an early 19th century home that was host to the final battle of Sheridan ’ s Valley Campaign , and the Waynesboro Heritage Museum which illuminates the town ’ s history . Just a couple blocks away from Main Street is the Fishbourne Military School , which was founded in 1879 . Still an active campus today , it boasts a 1916 Gothic
Revival barracks designed by renowned local architect T . J . Collins , who designed most of the Staunton cityscape .
Staunton ’ s Main Street bustles by comparison to Waynesboro , but still has a captivating nostalgic appeal . The Beverly Historic District is a vibrant reminder of the late Victorian era , with stately brick Italianate buildings , many of which were designed by the aforementioned T . J . Collins . For the lovers of historical architecture , you ’ ll be pleased to know that not only is his firm , T . J . Collins and Sons , still in business , but it ’ s also home to the Collins Architectural Drawing Archive named in their honor . The climate controlled collection is located in the R . R . Smith Center and contains over a thousand project renderings from the 1890s – 1990s .
Whether you ’ re just looking for context or are an avid history buff , there ’ s a lot of history to absorb . However , for this traveler , it ’ s the combination of performing and visual arts venues that make present day Augusta County shine . In glorious disproportion to this small community of about 70,000 , Augusta boasts an arts scene worthy of a much larger cosmopolitan area . Here in this historical backdrop , old and new world arts mingle , making this a go-to destination a diverse array of tourists .
In downtown Waynesboro , you ’ ll find the newly renovated Ross Performing Arts Center at the Historic Wayne Theater . It was built originally as a vaudeville house in 1926 and still offers a variety of entertainment from movies to performing acts . Waynesboro is also home to celebrated artist P . Buckley Moss who found inspiration in the rural landscapes and people of the Shenandoah Valley and chose to relocate here from New York . Her Waynesboro gallery hosts an extensive collection of her works available for sale . The Shenandoah Valley Art Center is another great stop in Waynesboro . This non-profit visual arts center offers classes for children and adults , studios , and a fine art gallery . Don ’ t miss their gift shop which offers local and regional artisan jewelry , pottery and other artsy offerings .
PHOTOGRAPHY : CHARITY BETH LONG
20 EASTERN HOME & TRAVEL