Gone Farming

We visited the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, VA, to find it much expanded since our last trip when we were dating in the early 2000s.  At that time, there were four farms--a great lesson in Shenandoah Valley cultural geography.  Now, there are even more farmsites, and the site has additional potential for learning American history for those with and without relevant academic background. 

One of the things that most impresses us about the site is the attention to strong interpretation.  It's in a different class than many other living history sites we've seen, as the interpreters are conversant in history itself as well as in the history of their institution, in authentic demonstration techniques as well as in audience engagement.  In a time of museum "shrinking," this site has made it and expanded, most recently to additional early American farmsites and to an African farmsite.   As home to many animals (roaming free or roaming within a fence), it's also a great living history site for children.   We loved the "wobbly lambs."

And did we mention they have cats?

If you go, dress for outdoor weather and walking.  Consider lunch at Rowe's afterwards.  The Factory Antique Mall, Green Valley Book Fair, and the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory are nearby treats.  One of our prior trips is blogged here.  Our friends have a gourmet grocery store in town, the Staunton Abbey.  Look them up on Facebook. 

Relevant Websites:
Frontier Culture Museum
Visit Staunton

Relevant Twitter Handles:
@FrontierCulture
@Staunton