Archive for the 'History' Category
May. 9th 2012
We here at the Iris Inn are fortunate enough to be surrounded by a wealth of Virginia history, and one nearby city is proud to offer a celebration of its heritage. Charlottesville, Virginia, having been founded in 1762, is remembering its 250 years of history, and part of this commemoration includes the Virginia Festival of History, May 26-June 3, 2012: “The Virginia Festival of History teaches and celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of the Commonwealth. The culmination living history weekend allows people of all ages to step back in time and meet people from the past through reenactments and period crafts, music, dancing, games, and food. Most events are free and open to the public.”
This signature festival will begin by honoring all who have served and died in war, and it will end with a two-day costumed reenactment at Court Square and Lee Park. (Even if you’re not a hardcore fan of history, the reenactment will bring life to what is usually only observed in the written word.)
Day-by-day Schedule:
May 26- Remembering Those Who Died in the Civil War
May 27- Remembering the 200th Anniversary in 1962
May 28- 250 Years of Sacrifice in Our Nation’s Wars
May 29- 250 Years of African-American Community Life
May 30- 250 Years of Growing Neighborhoods
May 31- 250 Years of Religion, Education and Culture
June 1- 250 Years of Architecture, Development and Design
June 2- Living History Festival of Our First 200 Years
June 3- Reenactment of the British invasion of 1781
 © http://www.visitcharlottesville.org/about/history/
Mar. 19th 2012
“But each spring…a gardening instinct, sure as the sap rising in the trees, stirs within us. We look about and decide to tame another little bit of ground.” — Lewis Gantt
Nothing proclaims the arrival of spring quite like the sight of budding flowers and the gradual shades of green that seep in the landscape. The Shenandoah Valley is a lovely place to watch spring emerge, and as a result of such an ideal location, there are specific places that commemorate this coming season.
Historic Garden Week in Virginia takes place April 21-28, 2012, and it includes around 250 gardens, historical landmarks, and homes all over the Commonwealth. We at the Iris Inn are lucky enough to be located near several of the Garden Week participants:
Morven Farm, Charlottesville, VA- This beautiful property was open during the first Historic Garden Week in 1929, and “it has been open for every Garden Week since” (Virginia.edu). When you tour Morven Farm, know that you will be experience a piece of history laden with the flora of spring.
Monticello, Charlottesville, VA- Garden Week at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello includes a Revolutionary Garden Tour on April 21 and April 23 as well as a National Book Launch on April 23.
 © James Maxwell Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, Staunton, VA- On April 21, 2012, take a tour of the historic boxwood garden next to the birthplace of former U.S. president Woodrow Wilson. Sponsored by the Augusta Garden Club, the tour also includes both the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and the Woodrow Wilson Museum.
 © Rolfmueller
Nov. 7th 2011
“The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” –Abraham Lincoln
Veterans Day will be here shortly, and you may be looking to join in the celebration which honors the lives of all men and women who have served in the various branches of the military. During your stay here at the Iris Inn, there are several different options of showing your patriotic thankfulness. You can, of course, adorn yourselves in red, white and blue attire while waving your own star-spangled banner. However, if you’re looking for a more subtle option of celebration, have no fear.
There will be a Veterans Day program at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, Virginia. The program begins at 10:30 am (the 93rd anniversary of President Wilson’s original Armistice Day address), and it is free to the public.
Shenandoah National Park will be offering free admission to everyone Veterans Day. What better way to thank the men and women of the armed forces than by getting out and delighting in the land they help to protect?
Another Veterans Day commemoration will be found at Ash-Lawn Highland, the home of President James Monroe, who was a Revolutionary War veteran. The event begins at 11 am and is free to the public. Ash-Lawn Highland will be free the entire day to all military personnel, active, former, and retired.
Feb. 21st 2011
Presidents’ Day provides us with yet another reason to smile proudly and describe why the Iris Inn is so fantastic. Today’s reason? The Iris Inn is within reasonable driving distance of the homes of four previous U.S. Presidents. Not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR presidents’ homes. (I know you’re impressed. Try to contain that excitement before someone starts thinking you’re weird.)
And now, I present to you a list of random facts about these former presidents and their homes. This is fun stuff, so sit back and enjoy:
Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson’s personal library at Monticello contained 2,700 books that later became a big part of the Library of Congress. Aristotle’s Politico, read by Jefferson just before his death July 4, 1826, was lost to scholars for over 130 years, until discovered last week at Washington University in St. Louis.
Ash Lawn-Highland, home of James Monroe
Ash Lawn-Highland occupies 535 acres and is currently a farm, a museum, and a performance site for the College of William and Mary. It is located only two and a half miles from Monticello. James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson were close friends, and Jefferson helped with some of the architectural design of Ash-Lawn Highland.
The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum
For the first ten years of his life, Woodrow Wilson couldn’t read (ironic considering so many people now visit his library). Many people now suspect that he had an undiagnosed learning disability. However, this did not hinder his achievements, because so far, he is the only U.S. president to hold a doctorate.
Montpelier, home of James Madison (and his wife Dolley)
After James Madison died, his wife Dolley had to sell Montpelier to pay off her son’s gambling debts. Also, the Marquis de Lafayette gave the Madisons a Cedar of Lebanon tree as a gift, and to this day, that tree still stands out in front of the house.
Now that you’ve become experts (sort of) on these four places, you should book a room at the Iris Inn, then head out for some presidential adventures.
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