Having been here thrice over a the previous 2 decades, there is always something interesting to…read moresee, yet I must admit that my favorite is always Jackson's stuffed horse, Little Sorrel, Jackson's raincoat when shot, and his uniform and other belongings. There is a small bookstore with a decent selection of Civil War books, VMI merchandise, etc. I'd purchased the ticket at the Jackson House which I'd visted earlier. Overall, it was a memorable experience and I'll probably return on a future visit

Omg this is such a gem! Please keep this museum open and alive! Between little Sorrel and Stonewall…read moreJackson's raincoat, I was in absolute awe! Here's a lil history lesson: "Little Sorrel" A Morgan horse, 15 hands tall, captured in Harper's Ferry by Stonewall Jackson's army in 1861. Originally intending to give the horse to his wife, Jackson paid the quartermaster $150 for the gelding, naming him "Fancy." But after riding the horse, Jackson found the animal's gait so pleasing he remarked, "A seat on him was like being rocked in a cradle." Deciding to keep the horse for himself, it quickly became known as "Little Sorrel" once Jackson began using it as his regular mount. Jackson was riding Little Sorrel when wounded on May 2, 1863 at the battle of Chancellorsville. The horse remained on the battlefield after Jackson was removed and was later found by 2 artillery soldiers, neither of whom recognized it as Jackson's horse. One of the soldiers rode the horse for several days until it was discovered to be Little Sorrel, at which point the horse was turned over the Gen. J.E.B Stuart. He in turn gave the animal to Anna Jackson, who took Little Sorrel with her to North Carolina to live at her father's farm. In 1883, Anna donated Little Sorrel to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), where the animal was permitted to leisurely graze the parade grounds for the next two years. The horse was then relocated to the Confederate Soldiers' Home in Richmond, Virginia, where he died at the age of 36 in 1886. As s Little Sorrel advanced in age, he couldn't stand. Soldiers fabricated a sling to support the gelding when he had visitors; however, this sling broke which sent Little Sorrel tumbling to the ground where he broke his neck. Following the animal's death, the Soldiers' Home contracted a taxidermist named Frederic Webster to preserve Little Sorrel's remains. Webster mounted the hide on a framework of plaster, keeping the animal's skeleton for himself "as part payment for my service," and donated to the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, in 1903. In 1949, the hide was returned to VMI where it remains on display to this day. That same year, the horse's skeletal remains were also donated to VMI, but stayed in storage until 1997. On July 20, 1997, 111 years later, Little Sorrel's bones were cremated and ceremoniously buried in a grave in front of Stonewall Jackson's statue. Dirt had been gathered from every battlefield where master and mount had fought, and spectators were allowed to throw a handful of it into the faithful horse's grave, which was surrounded by wreaths of apples and carrots. He is one of only two horses ever to be preserved from the Civil War. The other is Sheridan's Winchester.

I've been attending Endstation summer productions (both at Poplar Forest and at Old City Cemetery)…read morefor two summers now, and I recommend their productions. For one thing, I just love community theater. There's something fresh about it that you just don't get at an overpriced Broadway production (and believe me, I know - as a former NYC-er, I've been to my share of shows on and off Broadway). Plus, the venues for summer productions have included outdoor spots like Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest estate, for Shakespeare-inspired productions two years running, and Old City Cemetery for 'Our Town' (the grounds of which lent the production an unparalleled poignancy). I stop short of 5 stars, because it's not always been clear whether there will be refreshments available, and at the most recent Poplar Forest production, there was only a booth with hard cider -- no nonalcoholic options at all. But all in all? A great time. Bring a lawn chair, your own snacks and beverage, and slather on some bug repellent (it's summertime in central Virginia, after all....can we say no-see-ums and skeeters? We sure can), and bring something with which to fan yourself, if southern humidity makes you sweat. And then settle in and enjoy the show. And wait for the unexpected magic of fireflies coming out in the deepening twilight in the second half of the show. Better than footlights at any other venue you've been to, I'm willing to bet.

Endstation Theatre Company has become a summer community tradition in Lynchburg. The quality of the…read moreacting and production is superb! You won't want to miss the 2018 season...it is sure to be one of the best!

This university has a unique historical niche. The name really is what it sounds like, and the…read moreuniversity has a several exhibitions memorializing George Washington and Robert E. Lee. Most notable is the university's chapel and Lee memorial, which had a volunteer out to explain the history (and the fact that the museum was being renovated so there wasn't a ton to see). Several other buildings were within walking distance, including one which housed exhibitions of porcelain, and some interesting pictures of mines with brightly colored chemicals. The individual museums were not large, but the combined experience is worth stopping to take a look at. There is no charge to enter and there is a small circle dedicated to museum parking.

Absolutely jaw dropping experience. I am a hugeeee civil war buff and seeing this in person was…read moreamazing. You enter the chapel doors and see Lee's bodice. You are able to walk around it and take pictures. Downstairs is his crypt and office. And outside the door downstairs is all the information about Traveller! Here's some history! It was 1861, Lee was in the mountains of West Virginia commanding a small Confederate force that would suffer defeat in the Battle of Cheat Mountain; this earned him the nickname "Granny Lee" because people thought he was afraid to shed blood. Here he met Captain Joseph M. Broun, quartermaster of the 3rd Infantry of Wise's Legion, mounted on a steed that would eventually become Lee's famous warhorse Traveller. The original owner named the horse Jeff Davis after the Mississippi senator who would become President of the Confederacy; but when Broun bought the horse for military service he renamed him Greenbriar. Before Lee had an opportunity to acquire the horse, he was sent on orders to the Palmetto State. Captain Broun's company was also later transferred to the Lowcountry. As fate would have it, he met Lee again at Pocotaligo. Immediately recognizing "his colt," the general still showed such a fancy for the horse that the junior officer realized he had little choice but to offer it up as a gift. Lee declined, saying he would gladly purchase the animal. Broun let Greenbriar go for the same price at which he purchased him: $175, or approximately $4,500 in today's currency, but the General added a tip of $15 to compensate for the depreciation of Confederate money. Lee named him Traveller. At the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, Traveller spooked and threw his master down against a stump. Lee broke both hands and finished out the campaign in an ambulance, or with a courier leading his horse. But, more generally, Traveller was noted for bravery and, at times, soldiers had to literally surround him and grab the reigns to keep him from plunging ahead with their commander onto the front lines of battle. In his final years, Lee served as President of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia. Traveller was allowed to graze about the campus, but so many star-struck students stole hairs from his mane and tail that Lee complained in a letter to his daughter, "He is presenting the appearance of a plucked chicken." In the fall of 1870, Lee suffered a stroke and died two weeks later. For the funeral procession, Traveller was saddled up and decked out with black crepe. He led along behind the ammunition cart bearing Lee's casket. Within a year, Traveller stepped on a rusty nail and contracted tetanus. He was shot to end his misery. Traveller was initially buried behind the main buildings of the college, but was unearthed by persons unknown and his bones were bleached for exhibition in Rochester, New York, in 1875/1876. In 1907, Richmond journalist Joseph Bryan paid to have the bones mounted and returned to what was now Washington AND Lee University. The skeleton was periodically vandalized there by students who carved their initials in it for good luck. In 1929, the bones were moved to the museum in the basement of the University Chapel, where they stood for 30 years, deteriorating with exposure. Finally in 1971, Traveller's remains were buried in a wooden box encased in concrete next to the chapel a few feet away from the Lee family crypt inside, where his master's body rests. The stable where he lived his last days, directly connected to the Lee House on campus, traditionally stands with its doors left open; this is said to allow his spirit to wander freely. When the 24th president of the university violated this tradition, he caught so much flack from the community that he had to have the doors repainted in a color he called "Traveller's Green," just so he could redeem himself.

I've gotta admit even though I was a Poly Sci major in college I didn't know much about Marshall…read moreother than the Marshall Plan. He had a really interesting life and this museum does a great job of showing it all. He was the Army Chief of Staff during WWII, Secretary of Defense, President of the Red Cross, and Secretary of State among other titles. This place shows it all without being boring or long winded, you can also see an Oscar and a Nobel Peace Prize here so that alone is worth a look.

A great museum on a historic school campus. The museum provides insights to Marshall's life and…read moresome World War II history. A phenomenal leader in both the military and senior government with a lasting legacy.

My first visit to the LockN music fest was guaranteed to be a great experience with Tedeschi Trucks…read moreheadlining. They really broke it out and delivered with the 12 epic musicians onstage collaborating. I will say that the new 'COVID friendly' format with the musicians spread over 3 weekends detracted from the festival vibe. With such a late start each day, camping onsite doesn't give you better access. Fewer bands, fewer vendors, and fewer food options as well... altho the food was great! Hoping for a return to the full day of music!

I went to LockN the first year they held it. I don't think ANYONE expected the kind of turnout it…read morereceived! I heard reports that the count was at 60,000 people that year! It has certainly calmed down a bit, and I hear that it's much more family friendly. But that first year was absolutely amazing. Don't get me wrong, there were tons of kids there, but as a parent, please be aware that if you're going with kids, you absolutely have to keep your eyes on them 100% of the time, they could easily get lost with that kind of turnout. I stood at a high point that first night, and I watched everyone milling around like ants on a lawn, it was like watching ants (except people were wearing glow stick necklaces, which made it even cooler). Truly amazing. I think the music was the best that first year too. Food vendors everywhere! The variety was unreal. The porta potty system was as expected, rough! But I gotta say they certainly tried!! Never seen so many porta potties in my life One of these days I will certainly go back when the music lineuo changes a bit. Hasn't been my music taste for a few years. But everyone reading, you should certainly go for the experience. Just be safe!

These paint parties are SO MUCH FUN! Heather (the awesome artist) is amazing and makes you feel…read morelike an artist by the time party is over! Plus she is hilarious and definitely makes sure that everyone is having a great time! If you haven't been to one yet you must go soon, like very soon! Seriously! Get some of your friends together, get your tickets to an Artly Paint Party, grab you some wine when you arrive, and enjoy a stress relieving night of painting and partying with some amazing people! 5 Stars all the way!

American Civil War Museum @ Appomattox, VA…read more This place is a gem for people that love history! Cleburne's coat that he was killed in at the battle of Franklin had me in absolute aweeee! Thank y'all for preserving these artifacts for the people to enjoy. I would highly recommend this place! On April 8, 1865, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia paused its march a mile from the small village of Appomattox Court House. Lee intended to resupply there before heading to Lynchburg, Virginia, and then south to Danville, Virginia. Unanticipated was the arrival of Union cavalry coming from the south under Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's command. That evening Union Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer successfully led some of the cavalry against the Confederate supply trains at the nearby Appomattox Station. Although shaken, Lee hoped to break through to Lynchburg the next day. On the morning of April 9, Lee ordered his cavalry, under the command of Gen. John B. Gordon, to attack Sheridan's cavalry, which had blocked the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road. Lee commanded an army of nearly 27,000 soldiers, which paled in comparison to Grant's force of some 63,000 troops, but he still intended to force his way through Union lines. The Confederate cavalry initially held their own and even succeeded in driving the Union horsemen from their position atop a nearby ridge. However, Gordon saw thousands of Union troops quickly approaching and sent word to Lee that his position was hopeless unless the infantry supported them. Lee's infantry, however, was engaged with Grant's Army of the James, which had approached the Confederates from the west under cover of night. Faced with no route of escape to Lynchburg, Lee agreed to negotiate terms of surrender. In a statement about her husband, Mary Custis Lee remarked that "General Lee is not the Confederacy." Her assessment was spot on, for the Confederacy still lived. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army--the next largest after Lee's still at war--was operating in North Carolina. Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor controlled forces in Alabama, Mississippi, and part of Louisiana. Lt. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith's men were west of the Mississippi, and Brig. Gen. Stand Watie was in command of an Indian unit in the Far West. Nathan Bedford Forrest had men in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.

This was an amazing museum with many beautiful pieces. Do y'all a favor and take a look. It gives a…read morebeautiful perspective and shows how far we have come since as a nation

We attended Wolfbane's production of A Christmas Carol tonight. Their new Wolf Den on Jefferson…read morestreet is easy to get to and the new seating is super comfortable. They have a nice concessions that isn't pricey. The staff is always great and tonight was no exception. We were checked in quickly and with a smile. They offer coat check so you can be free to wonder without bulky items. The production is top quality as usual and really is a must see for the Christmas season! We laughed, were drawn in emotionally, and rejoiced when Scrooge found his way!

We drove 4 hours to see A Christmas Carol a few night ago, and It was the most amazing play I have…read moreever seen. This production company really did an amazing job. I've been to broadway, and the actors here are honesty better. Every one of these actors played their parts with such feeling, they really dragged you into the play. I was moved beyond words. What an incredible cast!! By the end of the play, you felt like you knew every actor there. Their voices were incredible too! My only criticism is at the very end of the play, they should get together so the audience can take one picture of everyone. I highly recommend seeing any play this company performs. I wish we didn't live so far away, we would be regulars! We will be back every year now!