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Staunton, City of History and Culture in the Shenandoah Valley

Program Number: 17692RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/18/2012 - 6/22/2012; 6/16/2013 - 6/20/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Staunton, Virginia
Price starting at: $586.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Music Appreciation; Theater
Meals: 10; 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt    

Founded in 1747 at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley, historic Staunton has been recognized as a “distinctive destination” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Discover the peoples who settled this area and the cultures they brought with them. Explore the city’s historic downtown and experience its urban character yet small-town ambiance. Discuss Elizabethan theater before a performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse — a re-creation of Shakespeare’s legendary indoor theater.




Highlights

• Delve into the life of Woodrow Wilson during a field trip to his birthplace and library.
• Go on a behind-the-scenes exploration of the Blackfriars Playhouse with a theater expert.
• Explore the Frontier Culture Museum and learn about the early history of the Shenandoah Valley.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles per day; some hilly terrain and steep inclines.




Date Specific Information

6-16-2013

The performance at Blackfriars Playhouse will be Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Virginia Commonwealth University.




Staunton

Tucked in the heart of the Shenandoah, Staunton is blessed with natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage and 270 years of history. Five National Historic Districts display outstanding architecture, while the American Shakespeare Center and its re-creation of Shakespeare's original Blackfriars Playhouse showcase the best of the Bard.
Accommodations
Historic hotel in downtown Staunton with heated indoor pool.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Katharine Brown
Katharine Brown grew up in a Victorian mansion with a great-grandmother who told tales of family in the Mexican and Civil Wars. Katharine earned a Ph.D. in history at The Johns Hopkins University in 1969, has taught at several universities, and has written 12 books on American social history. She has been the director of the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Presidential Library, and recently taught art and history at Mary Baldwin College.
 
Sarah Enloe
Sarah Enloe, director of education at the American Shakespeare Center, has an MFA in dramaturgy and a master of letters in teaching from Mary Baldwin's Masters in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature, and a BFA in theatre studies from the University of Texas. She has directed “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” “Love's Labour's Lost” and “Much Ado About Nothing.” Sarah teaches at Mary Baldwin College and James Madison.
 
Nancy Sorrells
Nancy Sorrells attended Bridgewater College and received her master’s in history at James Madison University. She is a primary contributor to local dailies, newsletters of various historical societies, and co-author of “A Cyclist’s Guide to the Shenandoah Valley.” Nancy has been published in numerous publications, encompassing everything from history and government to conservation. Nancy is also an active member of several historical sites and museums as well as her local county government.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Stonewall Jackson Hotel
  Staunton, VA 4 nights
 Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The Stonewall Jackson is a fully remodeled, full-service luxury hotel in the Colonial Revival style hotel, with custom interiors and warm finishes, recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a winner of the Great American Main Street Award. A one-of-a-kind 1924 Wurlitzer organ/piano graces the ballroom. Hotel is located next to the Blackfriars Playhouse and one-half block from Beverley Street, Staunton's main downtown street with restaurants, boutiques and bookstores.
  Contact info: 24 South Market Street
Staunton, VA 24401 USA
phone: 540-885-4848
web: www.stonewalljacksonhotel.com
  Room amenities: High speed internet access, telephones with data port and voice mail, cable TV, coffeepots, hair dryers, iron and ironing boards in all rooms.
  Facility amenities: Hotel has a business center, guest laundry, fitness facility, and indoor pool with a whirlpool, restaurant, lounge and lobby bar. Parking is available in the adjacent New Street Parking Garage, with elevators to the hotel, for $4 per day.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Based on season & availability Based on season and availability
  Check in time: 3:30 PM
  Additional nights after: Based on season & availability Based on season and availability
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:30-5:00 pm in lobby for Road Scholar registration. Note: Your room may not be available until 3:30. You will be staying at Stonewall Jackson Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after breakfast. Room check-out is 11:00 am. You will be staying at Stonewall Jackson Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Required innoculations:
Yes: Those allergic to bees should carry their own bee sting kit as immediate medical attention may not be available.
  Parking availability:
Parking available in the city parking deck underneath the hotel. Parking is $4-$5 per day. Entry to parking deck from Route 250 and from New Street. Elevators available from the parking deck into hotel.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Staunton, VA
  Nearest city or town:  Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft
  Nearest highway: I-81(north-south) and I-64 (east-west), US Rt 11
  Nearest airport:  Weyers Cave
  From End of Program
  Location: Staunton, VA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) to Staunton

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Shuttle to Staunton
phone: 540-234-8304
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$15 at last report
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1/2 hour 
 

Distance:

 

20-25 miles
   

Email at shdshuttle@flyshd.com. Cost at last report was $15 per trip to Staunton, no matter how many passengers. Cost may increase with gasoline increases. Shenandoah Regional Airport contact is 540-234-8304 or www.slyshd.com
 

AMTRAK to Staunton

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Town trolley

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free trolley, operates May to December
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20-25 minutes depending on trolley route & number of passengers 
 

Distance:

 

3 blocks
   

Train arrives at Staunton Depot. Trolley routes to outskirts of town, then returns to center of town. The 3 blocks from the train depot to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel is easily walked.
 
Driving Directions
  From the East, from Richmond, Williamsburg, Norfolk, etc. to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel Take I-64 west to I-81 north (64 joins 81 below Staunton). Take the next Exit 222, follow signs for Rt 250 west - Richmond Road - which ends at Business Rt 11. Bear right onto Rt 11 and go under the train tracks, straight ahead at the light (follow the Historical Signs) to Coalter Street. Proceed up Coalter Street and turn left onto Frederick Street (the next street after crossing Beverley). Frederick Street is one-way; at the first traffic light, turn left onto Market Street. Go 1.5 blocks on Market, and the Stonewall Jackson will be on your right-hand side. After you unload luggage, drive to the parking garage which is under the hotel: turn right onto Kalorama, then go down the hill to the entrance of the City Parking Garage, on your right at New Street. The Hotel elevator -- which will take you directly to the Hotel lobby -- is available from all decks of the parking garage.
  From the North or South on I-81, to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel Take I-81 to Exit 222, follow signs for Rt 250 west - Richmond Road - which ends at Business Rt 11. Bear right onto Rt 11 and go under the train tracks, straight ahead at the light (follow the Historical Signs) to Coalter Street. Proceed up Coalter Street and turn left onto Frederick Street (the next street after crossing Beverley). Frederick Street is one-way; at the first traffic light, turn left onto Market Street. Go 1.5 blocks on Market, and the Stonewall Jackson will be on your right-hand side. After you unload luggage, drive to the parking garage which is under the hotel: turn right onto Kalorama, then go down the hill to the entrance of the City Parking Garage, on your right at New Street. The Hotel elevator -- which will take you directly to the Hotel lobby -- is available from all decks of the parking garage.


Required innoculations:

Yes: Those allergic to bees should carry their own bee sting kit as immediate medical attention may not be available.
Equipment Requirements: Comfortable walking shoes, umbrellas & outerwear for inclement weather. Field trips take place rain or shine.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival, Registration, Orientation, Introductions
(Monday, June 18)
   
 Afternoon: Welcome to Staunton and your delightful accommodations at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. Register for your room any time between 3:30 and 5:00 pm at the hotel lobby desk. You can also register for your program between 3:30 and 5:00 pm at our Road Scholar table in the lobby. Please let us know if you'll be arriving after 5:30 pm.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel includes low fat, low salt entrees with options for vegetarians.
 Evening: Enjoy an orientation to the program and introductions to your fellow participants in our classroom.
   
Accommodations: Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Classes, field trip to Frontier Culture Museum, entertainment
(Tuesday, June 19)
   
 Breakfast: In the hotel
 Morning: This program description includes a sample schedule. The order of classes and activities may be rearranged to accommodate instructors' availability. The city of Staunton, located in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, has experienced a cultural and architectural renaissance, especially over the last decade. With five Historic Districts, Staunton was designated one of a "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" and called the "poster child" for the Main Street program of the National Trust. In this program, we sample some of the highlights of the city's culture. We'll celebrate the "timeless power" of Shakespeare's language and stagecraft at Blackfriars Playhouse. the world's only re-creation of his indoor theatre. We'll be guided through the Frontier Culture Museum, which preserves actual examples of the farmhouses of the different culture that seteled the Shenandoah. And we will visit Woodrow Wilson's Staunton, the town as it was 150 years ago, including his brithplace and museum, with a little free time to visit some of the many galleries, boutiques and artisans in Staunton's downtown National Historic District. Classes this morning include "How Londoners and the Scots-Irish came to Staunton," and "How the Wilderness Road was paved 200 years later."
 Lunch: At the hotel
 Afternoon: Field trip to the Frontier Culture Museum
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
 Evening: Entertainment, perhaps "Selections from the Best of Augusta," a musical about Augusta County (which surrounds Staunton)
   
Accommodations: Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Class and a walking field trip in the morning, field trip to the Woodrow Wilson birthplace, free evening
(Wednesday, June 20)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: A class about Woodrow Wilson's Staunton, and then a short walking field trip to the nearby Smith Center, home to galleries and historical societies.
 Lunch: At the hotel
 Afternoon: Walking field trip to the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Library
 Dinner: Dinner on your own--an outline of the variety of choices will be provided
 Evening: Free evening--an outline of the variety of choices will be provided
   
Accommodations: Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Shakespeare! Class, backstage at Blackfriars Playhouse, Class, Evening performance of a play at Blackfriars
(Thursday, June 21)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Class, Introduction to Shakespeare at the Blackfriars, Tour backstage at Blackfriars
 Lunch: At the hotel
 Afternoon: Class, Shakespeare & Swordplay
 Dinner: At the hotel
 Evening: Play performance at Blackfriars (the title will be posted when it becomes available)
   
Accommodations: Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Departure after breakfast
(Friday, June 22)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: The program concludes after breakfast so that particiaptns can get an early start out of the mountains.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.



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