Staunton, Virginia

Discover Staunton

In 1922 the Richmond Times-Dispatch called it the Shenandoah Valley's "Queen City" and in the decades since, Staunton (pronounced Stan-ten) has shown plenty of reasons to justify such a title. It's a place where the past has been preserved yet the future planned for — a small city that has gotten international attention as a center for business, education and the arts.

In 1747 a town was established and the name "Staunton" was chosen in honor of Lady Rebecca Staunton. It became the seat of Augusta County, which in the mid-18th century stretched all the way to the Mississippi River. Staunton played a pivotal role in the American Revolution — in June 1781 the town temporarily became the capital of Virginia when British forces forced the Virginia Assembly to flee across the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The railroad came to Staunton in 1854 and business boomed. The downtown filled with factories turning out products from carriages to organs. Unlike many communities caught up in urban renewal in the 1960s, Staunton's residents realized the value of their history and worked to preserve it. Walking through downtown you'll find stunning 19th century Greek Revival and Gothic Revival architecture, much of it the work of T.J. Collins, who designed over 200 buildings including the courthouse.

Staunton's most famous resident was the 28th President, Woodrow Wilson, born here in 1858. His birthplace has become the Presidential Library and Museum. Education has always defined Staunton — home to Mary Baldwin University (founded 1842), Stuart Hall School (founded 1844), and the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (established 1846).

The cultural scene thrives here. The American Shakespeare Center opened their recreation of the Blackfriars Theatre in 2001, becoming an internationally recognized center for Elizabethan theater. The Frontier Culture Museum showcases early American settler life. From music festivals to farmers' markets, there's always something happening in Staunton.

Situated in the central Shenandoah Valley, Staunton sits between Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington National Forest. Local streams attract anglers from around the world, and nearby mountains hold top East Coast ski resorts. Staunton's blend of culture, history, and natural beauty continues to earn its title as the Valley's premiere city.