Shenandoah museum brings valley lore to life

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Before the nation's capital was even a gleam in some civic-minded 18th-century gentleman's eye, people had come to the Shenandoah Valley. They were attracted by its rich soil, the availability of game, and the allure of the great river that rolled its way through.

Now, a new undertaking, the $20 million Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, seeks to provide a glimpse of the history and experiences of those who came to the area.

A collection of artifacts and implements, high-tech computer "interactive" opportunities and re-creations of centuries-old spaces allows visitors to move back and forth in time to understand the scope and significance of the valley's story.

Rich in Civil War history, the valley is home to a diverse group of peoples who have added their own stories to the mix. Over the years, the efforts of Indians, Europeans, Africans and now new immigrants from far-flung sections of the world have helped to shape the land and mold the character of the valley itself.

Thanks to a bequest by Julian Wood Glass Jr., who died in 1992 and whose ancestors helped to settle the area, the story of the people and the places they built is told within the soaring space of the museum's Shenandoah Valley Gallery, whose natural wood beams and recorded sounds of bird song help keep visitors tied to the land.

Other galleries showcase decorative and fine arts, and there's also a gallery whose exhibits will change every few months. Well-informed docents, strategically placed, add their own takes on the materials.

Sprinkled throughout the gallery are state-of-the art touch-screen monitors that give visitors access to historic photographs and films, music, and oral histories collected from valley residents. An exhibit in one corner of the gallery features implements from the valley's agricultural life, which included the production of wheat, hemp (used in making rope) and other goods.

"The thing I love about this building is that there's something for everyone," says museum Director Jennifer Esler. "You've got history, architecture and crafts all in one place. Then you can go out and see the valley with a different pair of eyes."

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Much of the museum's allure is dependent on the setting. The design, by Michael Graves and Associates, complements Glen Burnie, a historic house on the property, and gives a nod as well to the many old barns that still dot the countryside. Black Angus cattle still roam regularly on a neighboring field.