| Back to Elderhostel |

VCU Elderhostel in Staunton

Beverley Street. Photo Credit Staunton CVB (Convention Visitors Bureau).

Program # 17692 The Best of Staunton: National Historic District, Architecture, Theatre, Music, and More

Program Dates: August 24-28

Founded in 1747 at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley, historic Staunton has been recognized as a "distinctive destination" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Enjoy a diverse array of cultural and historical delights in this lovely city. Discover its character and preservation secrets on a walk amid galleries, bookstores and outstanding architecture in the downtown National Historic District. Discuss Elizabethan theater before a performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse (a re-creation of Shakespeare's legendary indoor theater) and attend concerts and classes at Staunton's internationally renowned classical and baroque music festival between samplings of local cuisine at selected restaurants.

Walking 2-3 blocks between hotel, class locations and restaurants. Slightly hilly terrain for short half-block segments; stairs at some locations. A free town trolley is available to all program sites, making approximately 25-minute rounds.

Photo Credit: American Shakespeare Center

Program #14828 American Shakespeare Center: The Thrill of Renaissance Theatre

Program Dates 2009: May 12-15 ~ June 2-5 ~ June 9-12 ~ September 22-25 ~ October 6-9 ~ October 27-30

Revive the thrill of the Renaissance stage and recover the joy of language at the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare's original indoor theatre. Study two plays and attend two full performances. Engage in wordplay and swordplay, learn about staging and make-believe, and go behind the scenes with actors and scholars. Delve deeper into the Bard's life and work to examine enduring themes of love, hate, jealousy and madness in his classic plots of misadventure, treachery, secret trysts, satire, comedy and tragedy. Enrich your understanding of the original meanings of words and phrases that are now part of everyday vocabulary as you discover the delights of "speaking Shakespeare."

Tucked in the heart of the Shenandoah, Staunton, Virginia, is blessed with natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, and 270 years of history. Five National Historic Districts in this walkable city display outstanding architecture. VCU Elderhostel participants in Staunton stay at the Frederick House, a compilation of five beautiful resotred 19th century residences decorated with original antiques and period furniture. This "small hotel" is located on a hillside in Staunton's historic downtown district.

For more information about Elderhostel and to register for these programs, please call Elderhostel toll free at (877) 426-8056 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) or at www.elderhostel.org

Site Coordinator: Barbara Wright

To register or to learn more about these programs, including registration information and transfer/withdrawal schedules, please call Elderhostel toll free at (877) 426-8056 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET) or at www.elderhostel.org