Guided Civil War Walking Tours are now available on a regular basis, June through October, in Historic Old Town Winchester and the Historic Frederick County communities of Stephens City and Middletown. New this year is a guided walking tour of Kernstown Battlefield and a guided driving tour of Cedar Creek Battlefield.
The tours are a project of the Winchester-Frederick County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, and are coordinated by the Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“This is a great way for individuals, families, and groups to explore the culture and history of our area,” said Sally Coates, Executive Director of the Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“Also to be considered is the fact that walking is a wonderful low-impact form of exercise,” she added. “The walking tours are fun, informative, and healthy.”
Most of the tours are designed to last about one hour.
Each experienced tour guide helps participants understand the Civil War from the civilian’s prospective. Featured are stirring stories of the townspeople, their homes and businesses.
Walking tours of Old Town Winchester are conducted at 6:00 p.m. on First Fridays, in partnership with the Old Town Development Board and the Shenandoah Arts Council, and at 6:00 p.m. on the third Fridays of the month. Reservations are required by calling the Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center at 540-542-1326. The tours begin and end in front of the Kurtz Building, 2 N. Cameron Street. Cost of these tours is $5.00 per person.
Guided walking tours of Historic Stephens City are conducted at 10:30 a.m. on the 4th Saturday of the month. For reservations, call the Newtown History Center at 540-869-1700, and then meet your guide in front of the Newtown History Center, 5408 Main Street. The cost is $5.00 per person.
Guided walking tours of Historic Middletown are conducted at 11:00 a.m. on the 3rd Saturdays of the month. For reservations, call the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park at 540-868-9176. Meet the park ranger at the Farmer’s Market, 2325 First Street. There is no charge for the Middletown tour.
The guided driving tour of Cedar Creek Battlefield is two-hours in length, and is conducted by a National Park Service ranger at 1:00 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month, June through October. Call 540-868-9176 to schedule the free tour, or to learn about other tours. Participants meet at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Building, 8437 Valley Pike, Middletown.
The Kernstown Battlefield guided walking tour is offered on the second Saturday of each month, June through October, at 11:00 a.m. Call 540-869-2896 to schedule the free tour, and meet at the battlefield, 610 Battle Park Drive.
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing, including walking shoes, is recommended. All tours are canceled in the event of rain or inclement weather. For more information, or to schedule a special tour, call the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center at 540-542-1326.
Dates that each tour is offered:
Cedar Creek Battlefield Guided Driving Tours– June 4, July 2, August 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1
Kernstown Battlefield Guided Walking Tours–June 11, July 9, August 13, Sept. 10, Oct.8
Old Town Winchester Guided Walking Tours – June 3, June 17, July 1, July 15, August 5, August 19, Sept. 2, Sept. 16, Oct. 7, Oct. 21
Stephens City Guided Walking Tours – June 25, July 23, August 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 22
Middletown Guided Walking Tours – June 18, July 16, August 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15
For additional information, contact Sally Coates, 540-542-1326, or coates@visitwinchesterva.com