Staunton’s Frontier Culture Museum does not Disappoint
The Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia, offers locals the chance to slip back in time and explore 17th and 18th century life through exhibits and demonstrations. Seemingly unaffected by the events of this past year, the museum has been open year round and is gearing up for another busy summer season.
Being almost an entirely outdoor exhibition, COVID-19 guidelines at the museum are few, and the pandemic has had little to no effect on the museum as a business. Masks are required indoors, but the sheer space the museum occupies means visitors can go mask-less and not worry too much about social distancing.
The visitors center hides a massive compound of different exhibits. Covered in greenery and pastures with livestock, the exhibits and animals sit along a loop of trail that visitors navigate with a museum map. Shuttles run from designated stops within the exhibit loop for convenience, and $25 golf cart rentals are even available for a speedier trip between the different sights.
Employees man the authentically recreated homesteads, demonstrating common practices of the time and answering questions from the public. Despite the American “frontier” connotation, the museum is home to six different renditions of early life from cultures all over the world, from a Nigerian village to an Irish iron forge. Nature trails also split off from the main loop, allowing the public a chance to explore the rest of the grounds or find a quiet bench for a rest.
This week, starting on April 24 was wool week at the museum and offered a glimpse into the process of shearing sheep and using raw materials; it also meant the debut of this season’s lambs. Cows, pigs and goats populate the pastures around the grounds and play a large role in the recreation of life pre-industrialization. The German homestead featured a 18th century cottage made with natural materials and exposed beams. It was also home to one massive pig that had previously been napping in the sun.
A trip to the Frontier Culture Museum can easily fill an entire day, so visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and snacks, as the grounds have plenty of space for picnicking out front and between exhibits. Snacks and drinks are available in the visitors center among gift shop items, and food trucks often occupy the parking lot for special events and occasions.
Museum tickets are $12 for adults, $11.50 for seniors, $11 for students, and free for children, with guided tours on the hour every hour. Check out Staunton’s hidden gem of a museum any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
Frontier Culture Museum – 1290 Richmond Ave, Staunton, VA 24401
