The Life and Times of SIT: Do You Suppose Winchester Rifles are Made in Winchester Virginia?

June 8 – 11, 2014

Our Virginia journey continued with SIT landing in Winchester for a few days. We found a nice RV park close to town. Our view was of green fields and mountains. We also managed to find a nice golf course near-by.

The View From Our Camp

We At Least Can Putt

Winchester had a notable role as a frontier city in the early years and a young George Washington came to town. He served to help coordinate maneuvers against the French and their Native American allies during the French and Indian wars. We also learned he was a surveyor and left his mark in the area.

A Cannon Sits Near George's Office

Young George Washington, the Surveyor

Winchester was once called Frederick Town but changed to Winchester in 1752. The name was chosen after the birthplace of Colonel James Wood which was Winchester England. Colonel Wood was the first court clerk. The area is beautiful and doesn’t manufacture Winchester rifles!

Winchester and the surrounding area was the site of numerous battles during the American Civil War. There is a nice park near Winchester that provides you with an opportunity to hike and learn about the Third Battle of Winchester. Steve, Izzy, and I set out to learn more about this battle.

Where the Third Battle of Winchester Took Place

We happened to be in Winchester at the same time a Civil War re-enactment group was there to share the history of some of the battles in the Court House. Steve and I wandered around the Old Town Winchester and dropped in on the battle talk.

Hill's Keep Early 19th Century

An Oldie but Goodie

Godfrey-Miller Home Built in 1785

Wisteria House 1822

We were quite impressed with the account as told by the characters of the time. General Lee and Grant were there along with Stonewall Jackson and others. Even the President of the Confederate States happened by.

The Court House

Civil War Era

General Lee

Reliving the Battle

Telling the Tale

Wives of the Officers

The Widow of the South, Carrie McGavok’s character was excellent in telling the story of their home and the transition to a hospital and cemetery. The Camton Plantation is located in Franklin Tennessee and is rich in history of the time during the Civil War. Carrie and her husband ended up opening their house to the fallen confederates as a hospital and unfortunately a morgue. She became the Widow of the South from her helping all the soldiers and in the end burying them and writing to their families if she knew their names.

The Widow of the South

The other thing we learned about this area is it is where Patsy Cline became Patsy. See she was born Virginia (Ginny) Hensley. Her mother was Hilda Patterson Hensley and was only 16 years old when she gave birth. The Shenandoah Valley Museum offers you a trip down memory lane not only about Patsy Cline but of the valley itself.

The museum is well done and holds some great art work as well as what life was like in the area back in the 1700’s and 1800’s. Well worth a wander through if you are in the area.