Twilight Hike

While Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park was specifically established in 2002 to preserve and interpret the area’s cultural history, the Shenandoah Valley is rich in natural features, wildlife, and vegetation, including wildflowers.These twilight hikes, offered on May 25th (6:30 p.m.) and September 28th (5:00 p.m.) will not only explore the natural side of the park, but also discuss and practice the basics of hiking and backpacking, along with the equipment usage techniques of these hobbies.

Both programs will be led by Ranger Rick Ashbacker and begin at the Claven Lane parking area (2262 Claven Lane, Middletown, Virginia), the back entrance to the park’s “Morning Attack Trails” trails system, which includes the 8th Vermont monument. Each walk will last approximately 90 minutes, over moderate terrain. Proper walking shoes and water are recommended.

Morning Garden Walk

Get a behind-the-scenes look at spring in the formal gardens on this guided tour led by Perry Mathewes, MSV deputy director, museum operations and director of gardens.

MSV members: $5; all others: $10. Register by April 6. Register online or call 540-662-1473, ext. 240. Meet at the garden entrance. Walk-ins welcome as space permits. Mask required.

Winchester Beer & Cider Tour

You’ll experience Old Town Winchester with a new eye on this tour. Explore the significance of buildings you’ve walked by before, hear about the men and women that made Winchester come to life, and sample beer and cider from the newest breweries along the way.

We’ll make sure you have fun with interesting historical facts, pointing out the best architecture, and telling you the stories behind the brewers and the beer/cider. All of the food and beer/cider is included in the tour price!

Explore 4-5 Unique Stops

Winchester’s eclectic collection of restaurants has been accented recently by locally owned breweries popping up in town. This tour will take you on a taste sensation through samples and stories about how they got started and what you can expect as they grow. Here are a few we might pop into on your tour:

Winchester Brew Works
Escutcheon Brewing Co.
Alesatian Brewing Company
Broken Window Brewing Company
Kindred Pointe
Piccadilly Public House
The German Table

Every Sunday 2pm-5pm.

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.

Tours will be held Saturday, September 10, and October 8 at 11 AM.

This tour is FREE and open to the public.

Meet in the Rotunda to start your tour at 11 AM.

Spirits of the Valley

Frederick County Parks and Recreation and the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley invite you to experience Spirits of the Valley, an evening of food, wine, and history.

The evening will feature a walking tour of the historic and haunted Rose Hill Park trail, a complimentary glass of wine, and a Southern-inspired meal provided at Valerie Hill Vineyard and Winery by Village Square Restaurant.

The evening’s battlefield walk will feature encounters with living history interpreters who will share events from the 1860s. This is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss!

Cost:$50 per person (21+ only)
Price includes trail tour, a glass of wine, and dinner. Any additional food/beverage purchases must be made on your own at the winery. Vegetarian meal available upon request. Alcohol is not permitted at Rose Hill Park.

Please arrive at the Winery at 5:30 p.m. for check in–Tour time is 6 p.m; Dinner time is 7:30 p.m.. Winery will close at 10 p.m. sharp.

Abram’s Delight Candlelight Tour

Kick off the holiday season with the Annual Candlelight Tour at Abram’s Delight, the oldest house in Winchester, built in 1754. Guests are invited to walk the museum grounds and view the beautiful holiday decorations that will be created by local garden clubs. Free Admission.

Admission is Free!

Friday, December 1, 6-9pm
Saturday, December 2, 3-7pm

Who’s Buried in Mt. Hebron Cemetery? Walking Tour

Mt. Hebron has been Winchester’s burying ground since inception of the town in the 1700s. On this walking tour, you will be introduced to men and women who contributed to the development of Winchester, as well as our great nation. Meet your guide outside the gatehouse on East Lane. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Note that no restroom facilities will be available.

Fee: $5, payable to the guide.

Additional tours are available: https://visitwinchesterva.com/guided-tours/

Second Battle of Winchester 160th Anniversary Tour

The Kernstown Battlefield Association will commemorate the 160th anniversary of the Second Battle of Winchester, which occurred during June 13-15, 1863.

This battle was launched across the Pritchard Farm, extended into Winchester, and eventually to Stephenson where 4000 Union troops were taken prisoner. The success of this battle allowed Lee to bring the Army of Northern Virginia up from Fredericksburg, through Winchester, and into Maryland and Pennsylvania, culminating in the Battle at Gettysburg.

Join us on Sunday June 11th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for a tour of both our main campus property and on our newly acquired Sandy Ridge property. Led by KBA docents Mike Cannane, Chuck Maurer, and Larry Turner, the tour will begin with an overview, followed by five stops on the battlefield, where you’ll hear detailed descriptions and be able to view and walk on the terrain on which the initial engagements of this three-day battle occurred.

After the walking tour on our main campus property concludes, we will convoy in cars to Sandy Ridge to enable you to see our recent improvements in interpreting this historical property.

Please bring water bottles to hydrate and wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes. Golf cart rides will be available for those with mobility issues.

To register go to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfT458IaNogtPPo0ZQgH6rbp1KhZy-JFULpjo1TC9i0_l-kA/viewform

1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign in a Box

Join a national park ranger at Kernstown Battlefield in Winchester for a 30 minute talk on the 1862 Civil War campaigns in the strategic Shenandoah Valley. Kernstown Battlefield Association, a nonprofit group, operates the historic battlefield. The battlefield is part of Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District.

www.nps.gov/cebe

Apple Blossom Festival: Cider Tasting and Orchard Tours

New experience in 2024!

The Cider Tasting and Orchard Tours event offers a new experience this year. Enjoy hard cider tastings from the regions top cider makers on the beautiful campus of Our Health in Old Town Winchester then take a shuttle trip to the Glaize Apple facilities where guests will learn about four generations of growing apples in the Shenandoah Valley. Established in 1937, Glaize Apple has added to the history of premium fruit harvests between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Glaize Apples of Winchester is optimally located to distribute fresh fruit on routes local, regional, and beyond. Shuttle tours of the orchards and facilities will follow an hour of hard cider tastings for each session beginning at at 11 am with the last session beginning at 3:30 pm. A limit of 48 tickets are available per session.

During the orchard tour, guides will dispense a wealth of information on the planting, growing, and year-round caring of fruit trees (primarily apple). The seasons of a tree are weather dependent and vary year to year, but there is a good chance the orchard will be covered with blossoms and the pollinator bees will be humming! On the tour, you will learn what it takes to go from blossom to apple to hard cider, all while sipping a hard cider yourself!

Delicious food options will be available for purchase from various vendors on site.

The Cider Tasting & Orchard Tours is an outdoor event, please wear appropriate footwear.

No refunds. Don’t Drink and Drive. Rain or shine event.

TICKET PRICE
$25 Tasting and Tour Ticket
WHEN
Saturday, April 20
Tasting times followed by bus tour:
11:00 am
12:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:30 pm