Second Battle of Kernstown Author’s Tour

On Saturday, July 22nd, 2023, the Kernstown Battlefield Association (KBA) will host a walking and driving tour of the Second Battle of Kernstown. The tour will include a strategic overview followed by a battlefield walking and driving tour. The battlefield tour will start and finish on the Kernstown Battlefield “main campus”, but will also include a visit to our newly acquired Sandy Ridge property along with a stop in the vicinity of the Confederate flanking attack to the southeast of the main Kernstown Battlefield property.

There will be an hour lunch break; however, lunch will not be provided so plan accordingly.

Also be advised, this tour can accommodate people with mobility issues. Please let the Kernstown Battlefield Association personnel know if you need mobility assistance when you sign-in for the tour.

Finally, this tour is free, but donations will be graciously accepted.

Civil War Tour at Fort Collier

As part of the McCormick Civil War Institute’s ongoing partnership with the Fort Collier Civil War Center, MCWI’s director Jonathan Noyalas will conduct a special tour on Saturday, Sept. 16, “‘The Scene as I Remember It’: Reflections on Experiences at Fort Collier During the Civil War,” in observance of the 159th anniversary of the Third Battle of Winchester.

The tour, which will begin at 9:30 a.m., will explore various personalities, soldiers, and civilians, connected to Fort Collier. The tour will last approximately 75 minutes. The event is free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required.

FIRST BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN 161st Anniversary Tour

FIRST BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN

161st Anniversary Tour

Local history at its best! On Saturday, March 25, 2023, the Kernstown Battlefield Association (KBA) will host a walking and driving tour of the First Battle of Kernstown. This tour will be lead by Gary L. Ecelbarger, renowned author of “We are in for it !: the first Battle of Kernstown, March 23, 1862”, and supported by KBA docents.

The morning portion of this event will consist of a walking tour of the Kernstown Battlefield property for the morning action of the battle as viewed from the Union artillery on Pritchard Hill and the initial Confederate infantry attack across our southern fields out of Barton’s Woods.

After a break for lunch, the afternoon portion of the tour will begin at 1:30 pm at the KBA Visitor Center. The tour group will then travel to Rose Hill Park and Sandy Ridge for continued detailed discussions of the afternoon and early evening climatic stages of this intense battle.

Attendees should initially meet at the KBA Artillery Building at 9:00am and dress appropriately for walking across field pastures and woods. The tour should end by 4:00pm. The KBA will have suggestions for lunch, but attendees should plan their own. It is also suggested that you bring water and any other personal needs.

There is no fee for this tour. However, your donations are graciously accepted as a way of continuing these programs. Please pre-register through our website at www.kernstownbattle.org so we have a head count. Any questions you have can be sent to our website or call 540-450-3785 to leave a message.

Iris Society Regional Gathering and Garden Tours

Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13, All day; hosted by the Shenandoah and Potomac Iris Society

$95 Registration includes 2 lunches and a dinner

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit several gardens that are closed to the public*

Guided garden tours on Friday include Museum of the Shenandoah Valley and Iris Hills Farm*

Guided garden tours on Saturday include Winterberry Gardens*, Opequon Gardens, and Meagher Garden

Saturday evening includes a banquet, presentations by Virginia and Maryland iris hybridizers, and an amazing plant auction

Contact Campbells@IrisHillsFarm.com with questions

Iris Society Regional Gathering and Garden Tours

Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13, All day; hosted by the Shenandoah and Potomac Iris Society

https://www.irisregion4.com/happenings1.htm

$95 Registration includes 2 lunches and a dinner

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit several gardens that are closed to the public*

Guided garden tours on Friday include Museum of the Shenandoah Valley and Iris Hills Farm*

Guided garden tours on Saturday include Winterberry Gardens*, Opequon Gardens, and Meagher Garden

Saturday evening includes a banquet, presentations by Virginia and Maryland iris hybridizers, and an amazing plant auction

Contact Campbells@IrisHillsFarm.com with questions

Civil War Tour

The Harpers Ferry Civil War Roundtable will hold a tour of Civil War Winchester at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 14.

The tour will meet at the pedestrian mall entrance of the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum (old Court House) at 20 N. Loudoun St. in Winchester. Note that extra time will be needed to park off site and walk to the meeting place. Guide Jerry Holsworth will lead the tour around Old Town Winchester, with a focus on sites that made the city a crucial part of the Civil War story.

After the walking tour (around 7:30 p.m.), there is an opportunity for a curator-guided tour inside the nearby Stonewall Jackson Headquarters Museum at a charge of $4 per person. This will only be offered if an ample number reserve, so those interested should note their desire for this extra experience when they reserve a space for the walking tour.

This tour will involve walking and standing on flat, paved surfaces. Masks are required, and social distancing will be encouraged. There is no charge for the walking tour, a head count is required and numbers will be limited.

To reserve your space, contact Chris Craig at ccraig@laurellodge.com or 304-433-1260.

Valentine’s Dessert Tour

Explore Old Town Winchester through our unique restaurants on this specialty food tour where we’ll be sampling desserts. We’ll be visiting 5-6 restaurants, end with a champagne toast and have roses for the ladies! The perfect Valentine’s Day for your significant other. Each tour is limited to 8 couples so book early!

$50 a ticket

Tickets available at: www.tastewinchesterhistory.com

Handley Library Behind-the-Scenes Tour

The Handley Library branch tour will take you behind the scenes to all floors of the building. Learn about the unique architecture and amazing history of this beautiful library. Walk on the famous glass floors, and see the well under the stage.

A gift to the City of Winchester by Judge John Handley, Handley Library is the Best example of Beaux-Arts architecture in Virginia. Built between 1906 and 1912, it was designed by architects Henry Chapman and Stewart Barney and is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places.

Architects Stewart Barney and Henry Otis Chapman of New York designed the building in Beaux-Arts style, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The final cost in 1913 of the building and furnishing the Handley Library was $233,230.28.

This tour is FREE and open to the public.

Meet on the lower level to start your tour at 11 AM.