Winchester and Frederick County, situated in the arms of the Shenandoah Valley was once Shawnee Indian camping grounds. In the early 1700′s Pennsylvania Quakers came to settle in the area.
Today the population of the city is approximately 21,000 and the county is 35,000.
The town was named Frederick Town after Frederick, father of George III of England. In 1752 the name was changed to Winchester in honor of the ancient English capital.
In the mid-1700′s, Frederick County became the military and political training ground for George Washington, who came here at the age of sixteen to survey the lands of Thomas, the Sixth lord Fairfax.
Washington built Fort Loudoun during the French and Indian War and, at twenty-six, was elected to his first public office as the county’s representative to the House of Burgesses.
During the Revolutionary War, Daniel Morgan’s Rifleman from Frederick County were among the first who came to Washington’s aid against the British. War prisoners were housed in Winchester and the neighboring countryside.
Winchester was of great importance during the era before and during the Civil War.
The area, Virginia, Pennsylvania are known for Civil War Reenactments
In Confederate hands,and having excellent roads to the north and east, it was a serious threat to the supply lines of the Union armies trying to reach Richmond , which was at the time the heart of the Confederacy.
In the hands of the Union army, Winchester made Confederate raids and invasion of the north risky and opened a protected avenue for Union troop movements south through a valley from which they could attack on the flanks and rear of Lee’s main armies.
Thus, Winchester and Frederick County became the scene of six very severe battles during the Civil War, and the city itself changed flags from Union to Confederate and back again about seventy times during the four year civil war. There is legend, and many say fact that it did change flags thirteen times in just one day of fierce battling during the Civil War.
General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson demonstrated his military leadership in the Valley Campaign. Winchester was familiar to him not only as a military objective, but also as his home during the winter of 1861-1862. Here he enjoyed the companionship of his wife for the last winter. His headquarters is located on North Braddock Street and is open in the spring and summer months.
Tall ships are part of the view in Jamestown Harbor
In Winchester and Frederick County the visitor will see many relics of the area’s history:
*the tomb of Lord Fairfax in the yard of Christ Episcopal Church; the home and grave of General Daniel Morgan, hero of the Revolutionary War;
**George Washington’s headquarters:
**the headquarters of “Stonewall” Jackson:
**the headquarters of the Union General Philip Sheridan,from which he started his 12 mile ride on October 19, 1864, to rally his retreating army at Cedar Creek- the ride made famous by Thomas Buchanon Read’s poem, “Sheridan’s Ride”;
**Abram’s Delight, built in 1754 and now completely furnished with relics of the 18th century;
houses of the Revolutionary era;
**the National Cemetery and the Confederate Cemetery with thousands of heroes graves;
**the ruins of an old church used as barracks during the Revolutionary War;
**the Hopewell Meeting House, established in 1734:
**Belle Grove Plantation, 1794
Abrams Delight, the oldest house in Winchester Virginia, built in mid 1700's
The Wayside Theatre at Middletown, Virginia, presents a wonderful repertoire of plays during a long summer and early fall season, while Colonial Williamsburg with its old and full history on display is close enough to be another source of entertainment for your Virginia visit.
Modern Winchesters historic
Each spring Winchester plays host for four days to over 250,000 visitors who converge upon the town to witness the famous Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, usually held the first few days in May.
Winchester also hosts the world’s largest Fireman’s parade the Friday before the main event.
Winchester has long been known as the “Apple Capital” surrounded as it is by vast orchards and constituting one of the largest apple export markets of the nation and the largest producing area in Virginia.
The Jamestown Harbor has some superb opportunities to view tall ships in port, while Shenandoah University offers summer and winter theatre seasons.
Colonial Williamsburg offers glimpses of everyday colonial life
Winchester, with its long history of Civil War and Apple production, has so much more to offer, being but a stones throw from the nations capital, in Washington D. C., as well as from many types of outdoor activities, including lighthouses, trail walks, beaches and incredible deep sea fishing opportunities.
The Shenendoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains offer photographic opportunities, as well as hiking, fishing and many wonderful outdoor adventures to combine with the superb southern cuisine and night life of Winchester.
The Blue Ridge Mountains Scenic Viewpoint
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