Trip to Winchester

[kevikens]

Next week I will be going to Winchester to explore the lower Shenandoah Valley. I hate to admit this but although I have explored the valley several times it had always been the region from about Harrisonburg south to Staunton, I have always passed through Winchester on I-81 without stopping there. Well that gap will be rectified next week. Since I have never stopped off before I would like some folks to recommend some good sites. I know I will be going to the Shenandoah Valley museum but other than that I am not certain where to go. I will have only two days and with the wife with me I won't be doing any battlefield tramping about. I always try to pick up an artifact or two as souvenirs. Any recommendations for a good establishment in the area to do that? Thanks for any help. Oh, PS My wife wants to hit a yarn shop in Shepardstown, WV on the way back. Anything interesting there?

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Shepherdstown is a nifty little town, well worth a visit. There are a couple of really good restaurants along the main drag, and a few interesting little shops as well.

 

[hoosier]

The Winchester - Frederick County Visitors Center is located at 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Rd. When I was there, some years back, they sold a package tour of tickets to Abram's Delight (the oldest house in Winchester, practically right next door to the Visitors Center), Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters (complete, at least when I was there, with a copy of the sheet music for the Confederate National Anthem sitting on the piano), and George Washington's Office (which is rather small, but doesn't take long to go through).

If you're into country music, Patsy Cline came from Winchester and her house is available to visit.

 

[James N.]

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/winchester-virginia.105655/

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/stonewalls-winchester-va.91319/#post-740316

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/jacksons-valley-campaign-pursuit-of-banks-through-winchester.113806/

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/win...nfederate-and-u-s-national-cemeteries.113853/

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/the-kernstown-battlefield.104732/

Here are five recent threads by William Bechmann and myself that cover pretty much everything in the immediate Winchester area, including Kernstown which is adjacent. In Shepherdstown in addition to what Eric says, I'd recommend the excellent ( but pricey ) German restaurant in the hotel by the Potomac; you can dine outside on the patio, too. Stonewall Jackson's aide Henry Kyd Douglas lived there and his house where his parents entertained Jackson and his staff after Antietam now serves as the NPS headquarters for the C&O Canal Park.

 

[ami]

There is a great ice cream place called nutters outside of Antietam - we go there all the time. Cash only though, but it is super good! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nutters-Ice-Cream/117158444986181?fref=ts

 

[southern blue]

If the weather is nice make sure you visit the downtown walking mall in Winchester. Lots of Shops and places to eat... My personal favorite is The Union Jack pub which is almost directly across the street from The Civil War Museum located in the old Courthouse. There is a new restaurant in the historic Taylor Hotel which was Stonewall Jackson's first headquarters ... Your wife might like Kimberly's gift shop which is located in General Sheridan's headquarters.

 

[Delhi Rangers]

Next week I will be going to Winchester to explore the lower Shenandoah Valley. I hate to admit this but although I have explored the valley several times it had always been the region from about Harrisonburg south to Staunton, I have always passed through Winchester on I-81 without stopping there. Well that gap will be rectified next week. Since I have never stopped off before I would like some folks to recommend some good sites. I know I will be going to the Shenandoah Valley museum but other than that I am not certain where to go. I will have only two days and with the wife with me I won't be doing any battlefield tramping about. I always try to pick up an artifact or two as souvenirs. Any recommendations for a good establishment in the area to do that? Thanks for any help. Oh, PS My wife wants to hit a yarn shop in Shepardstown, WV on the way back. Anything interesting there?

Old Town Winchester is a must IMO. The Old Courthouse museum is located there and is really worth the visit. The Moore House (Stonewall Jackson's headquarters) is also within walking distance. It is my favorite to visit. The Stonewall Cemetery is also located in Winchester and I always spend a few hours there. The Winchester battle sites are there, along with the Kernstown site that is 2-3 miles from Winchester. Winchester is really a neat town to visit. I know that I am probably leaving out some worthy sites to visit. If you drop by the visitors center you can get some good information there and as someone mentioned Abrams delight is located right next to it. Here is a link to a great site that includes detailed information and directions for tours in the valley:

http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/Visit-the-Valley/Signature-Tours

 

[Fulton 21 NC]

If you can, travel on Hwy 11, the road that runs parallel to I-81. The route often follows the old turnpike or the historic road likely used to travel N and S through the valley, passing through the historic centers of towns. With that in mind, you could also try the old routes into WV on your way to Shepherdstown. Using the wiki for Hist. Reg. WV, you could pick an interesting approach to Shepherdstown, by seeing if any of the sites there are worth going by on your way. I'm sure others have otherwise given you good advice on the Winchester area. The link is below. Enjoy your trip.

(inc. Shepherdstown)

 

[redbob]

The New Market Battlefield/Museum is not far down the interstate from Winchester.

 

[kevikens]

The Winchester - Frederick County Visitors Center is located at 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Rd. When I was there, some years back, they sold a package tour of tickets to Abram's Delight (the oldest house in Winchester, practically right next door to the Visitors Center), Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters (complete, at least when I was there, with a copy of the sheet music for the Confederate National Anthem sitting on the piano), and George Washington's Office (which is rather small, but doesn't take long to go through).

If you're into country music, Patsy Cline came from Winchester and her house is available to visit.

What is the Confederate National Anthem? Is it not Dixie?

 

[Delhi Rangers]

What is the Confederate National Anthem? Is it not Dixie?

I don't believe that the Confederate government ever officially adopted a single song as the national anthem. He was probably referring to "God Save the South". Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[southern blue]

You could also try Joe's Steakhouse in Winchester. You don't need to tell your wife that is the same building where General Patton's grandfather died.

 

[Delhi Rangers]

You could also try Jack's Steakhouse in Winchester. You don't need to tell your wife that is the same building where General Patton's grandfather died.

Don't you mean Joe's Steakhouse? Piccadilly Mansion.

 

[southern blue]

Yes. Edited the Post.

 

[JeffBrooks]

I paid a four-day visit to the Winchester area in October, to attend the 150th anniversary reenactment of Cedar Creek. It's a delightful town. I wouldn't mind settling down there if I ever choose to leave Texas.

 

[Delhi Rangers]

I have often thought the same thing about relocating to the valley after I retire. Beautiful area and is a Mecca for history buffs.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Make sure to walk the Third Battle of Winchester battlefield trail.

The trail design with markers is Garry Adelman's baby.

5 out of 5 stars!!!

Bill

 

[Buckeye Bill]

 

[southern blue]

You all should know that a lot of the trees at Third Winchester have been removed. They were trying to combat borer ash disease. The trees that were removed were not there at the time of the battle.

 

[Delhi Rangers]

You all should know that a lot of the trees at Third Winchester have been removed. They were trying to combat borer ash disease. The trees that were removed were not there at the time of the battle.

I was by there last July. Have they been removed since then? I wish that the Winchester battlefields had been preserved. Isn't just about all of 2nd Winchester under pavement?
Thanks