Exploring the Frontier Culture Museum - One of Virginia's Hidden Gems

Julie and I had the opportunity to share one of our favorite places with our Granddaughters, Annalise and Audrey, in mid-July during their visit with us. The Frontier Culture Museum, located on the outskirts of Staunton Virginia is a living History Museum depicting the origins of the people who settled the Shenandoah Valley.

The Museum has moved several period homes from the regions of Europe where the original settlers came from. The period preserved is the period of the great early migrations of the mid 1700's. In the past several years they have created a more authentic history by including a typical African Village where many of the enslaved peoples came from who were brought against their will to the Valley.

The Ulster County Scots-Irish Homestead

The English Homestead

The German Homestead from the Rhine Valley or Palatinate.

The English Homestead of course held particular interest to my wife and the German homestead came from the area my mother's family came from in the Rhine Valley.

The Museum in addition has moved dwellings from the Shenandoah Valley that represent the homes that the settlers built. As time progressed buildings reflected a merging of cultures that is represented in the building techniques and features.

Here is a replica of a frontier cabin that would have been the first crude structures built by settlers.

This is a picture of the 1840's homestead moved from the Finecastle Virginia area. This dwelling holds special interest to my family as one line of my mothers family migrated south from Franklin county in Pennsylvania to Finecaslte. This house which has been moved and preserved actually belonged to the Riddlesbergers, a distant Great grandparents brother. I am proudly in possession of the Family Bible which lists the name of the daughter of these descendants.

German Stoneware - Saltglazed

This stoneware appears to be replicas of the type of pottery that was made in the Palatinate region. Dutch potters moved to the area of Germany in the 1600's to avoid religious persecution during the reformation period. The area of the Rhine became known as Kannenbacker land or Jug Makers Land. 

Young Re-enactors fishing in the pond

The Museum holds a summer Day Camp where children can enroll and experience what it was like to live in the eighteenth century. These children are bringing in the harvested flax which will later be spun into linen thread to make clothing. 

The Museum is a wonderful spot for photography. It is worthy of your time to visit the center to explore the history of the peoples who came to this area and formed part of our national character. We were delighted to share it with Stephen, Allison and the girls.