With a renewed focus and holistic approach to wellness, each stay is designed to enrich your life and create lasting memories. From the mineral rich Warm Springs Pools and array of outdoor activities to our fascinating storytellers and incredible culinary experiences, we have developed programming to enhance every facet of your stay.
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Discover hospitality at its best at Clay Corner Inn, located steps from Virginia Tech. Our intimate lodging combines the comforts of home with hotel luxuries. Enjoy a personalized breakfast each morning and unwind on our inviting patio and pool area. Explore Blacksburg, stroll downtown, hike, dine at local restaurants, and relax knowing you’re in safe hands. Clay Corner Inn offers more than a stay; it’s a unique experience in the heart of Virginia.
The Oaks Victorian Inn, dating back to 1893, seamlessly blends historic charm with modern luxury. This beautifully renovated gem offers spacious rooms that exude timeless elegance and provide every contemporary amenity. Set within expansive grounds, the Inn invites guests to enjoy a perfect fusion of history and luxury for an unforgettable retreat.
MARCH | APRIL 2024
17 EDITOR’S LETTER + READER MAIL
UPFRONT
19 MASTER OF DISGUISE
Jonna Mendez shows us what’s behind her mask.
23 TAKE NOTE
News and notes as winter thaws—meet the new Librarian of Virginia, sleepaway camps for summer, and more.
27 EVENTS
A blooming guide of what to do and see in Virginia.
29 ABOUT TOWN
Celebrations and swell soirees.
31 SPOTLIGHT
Tiny Livin is its own small town on the Eastern Shore.
35 VIRGINIANA
The important work of the Air Force Arlington National Cemetery Ladies.
37 MAKERS
The artistry of Hugo Kohl’s unique jewelry.
39 NATIVES
The Candy Darter only darts in Virginia streams.
41 DESTINATIONS
Take an architectural history tour of Westmoreland County.
56 PROFILE
The big news with Sabra is spicy.
59 STARTERS
Inspiring Easter brunch ideas from Virginia’s top chefs.
61 DRINK
Hop along the Virginia Beach Beer Trail—plus more libationary news.
62 DINING OUT
Padaek brings Lao cuisine to the Commonwealth.
64 COOKING
Dishing it up with herbs from Keswick Hall’s garden— with help from Executive Chef John Hoffman.
75 SPRING SPECTACULAR
Bring Historic Garden Week into focus at Ballantrae Farm.
79 TRENDS
From floors to décor, checkerboard is making a comeback. Plus, biophilic design and more.
83 DECORATE
Things are looking up if you don’t ignore your fifth wall.
85 RENOVATE
Modern masterpieces from Cabin Man Peter Hunter.
88 ARCHITECTURE
Battersea is the gem of Petersburg.
111 STATE OF EDUCATION
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s pipeline of educators. Plus, 160 schools across the Commonwealth make our 2024 Top Schools list.
144 DEPARTURE
Writer Naomi Kaye explains the curious tradition of Southern nameology.
Find our curated TOP DENTISTS 2024 list at VirginiaLiving.com
plus shipping and handling. Please call for availability or check ShopVirginiaLiving.com
REPRINTS &
Contact John-Lawrence Smith, Publisher, at 804-343-7539 or JLSmith@CapeFear.com
NANCY ROSS HUGO is the author of five books and hundreds of articles about nature and the outdoors. She loves lecturing on topics closest to her heart: observing trees and celebrating seasons. NancyRossHugo.com
LINCOLN BARBOUR specializes in architecture and interior décor product photography. His varied client list includes Kate Spade, Luxe, and Travel & Leisure. For us, he trained his lens on Battersea in Petersburg. LincolnBarbour.com
She Bought a Zoo: Meet Tara Campbell Lussier, a savvy tech start-up guru, who bought the troubled Reston Zoo and morphed it into a model for exotic animals.
Lost & Found: Stephanie Ganz writes about the rustic elegance and delicious food at Scott’s Addition’s latest restaurant, with delectable Italian bistro fare taking center stage.
Culpeper’s 2.0: A vibrant Main Street, enterprising entrepreneurs, and inspiring agritourism are fueling Culpeper’s resurgence as one of the Commonwealth’s most popular destinations.
Mark Helprin: Uncover this renowned author’s genius and discover his affinity for Virginia and the special place in the Blue Ridge Mountains he calls home.
Major League Mindset: MLB player, UVA alum, and mental strength coach Brandon Guyer translates on-the-field skills to meet the challenges of everyday life.
Weddings 2024: With ideas and inspiration galore, our super weddings section also showcases 10 couples who tied the knot all over the state.
It's Not Too Late! Limited stock is still available for our 20232024 issues! To order, visit VirginiaLiving.com or scan the QR code below.
Online Exclusives: Looking for the state’s best wedding pros? We've curated 900 of them—from bakeries, to venues, planners, caterers, boutiques, and more. Look for our 2024 Top Wedding Vendors list at VirginiaLiving.com.
Connect with us on to see all of the latest news and stories— plus exciting giveaways and exclusive content—from Virginia Living. Tag us @VirginiaLiving.
CAROLINE KETTLEWELL covers many topics, from endurance athletes and electric cars to the delightful diversity of Virginia’s native flora and fauna. Insatiably curious, she writes our Natives column. CarolineKettlewell.com
ROBERT LLEWELLYN reunites with Nancy Ross Hugo on our feature on trees. One of Virginia’s most celebrated photographers, he developed a special focus on the photography of landscapes and trees. RobertLlewellyn.com
J. MICHAEL WELTON is the author of Drawing from Practice: Architects and the Meaning of Freehand (Routledge, 2015). His articles have appeared in a number of national publications. ArchitectsAndArtisans.com
SERA PETRAS photographs food, lifestyles, weddings, and special places. For us, she captured cooking with herbs at Keswick Hall and the architectural gems in Westmoreland County.
Instagram: @SeraPetras
Soheila Rostami, MD, FAAO, FAACS
Sanctuary Cosmetic Center is a state-of-the-art body and face aesthetic center with locations in McLean and Reston. Led by Dr. Rostami, Sanctuary Cosmetic Center offers all the services clients desire in a warm, welcoming environment. Patients can receive both surgical and nonsurgical procedures at Sanctuary Cosmetic Center, including oculofacial cosmetic eyelid and facial surgery, CoolSculpting, DiamondGlow, chemical peels, dermal fillers, and Botox and Dysport injections. Other offerings include skin tightening and resurfacing, liquid face-lifts, liposuction, laser hair removal, liquid butt-lifts, and much more. Recently, the practice also began offering Medical Weight loss using Peptides, CoolPeel skin resurfacing for Co2 results without the downtime, Morpheus8, Opus, and Renuva Treatments. Morpheus8 combines the best of microneedling, and radiofrequency
and Opus uses RF technology to tighten and lift skin, as well as reduce scars and wrinkles, while Renuva is an alternative to autologous fat transfer, used to restore volume in the face, hands, and body. Expert in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Rostami has performed over 20,000 eyelid procedures, giving clients eye rejuvenation and a refreshed appearance. Besides offering her patients top-of-the-line care, Dr. Rostami is a fellowship director for the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, where she mentors a new fellow for one year at Sanctuary Cosmetic Center to help them grow their skill set as a facial plastic surgeon. She is also on the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. She also recently served as the president of the Medical Society of Northern Virginia for two years to support health care workers’ rights in 2020 and 2021.
@BeautybyDrRostami @SanctuaryCosmeticCenter
Cloak-and-dagger disguise, Historic Garden Week, trees, and a red-lidded favorite fill our spring pages.
I’M POSITIVELY OVER THE MOON with our feature on trees, timed perfectly for spring and courtesy of my friends Nancy Ross Hugo and Robert Llewellyn. These are two greats in my book—Nancy the writer, and Bob the photographer, both impassioned nature lovers—and they’re collaborating once again just for us.
If that doesn’t get you fired up for spring, check out our House + Garden section, where you can read all about Ballantrae Farm. It’s open for the McLean-Fairfax Tour on Tuesday, April 23, for the 91st year of Historic Garden Week. Plus, we bring you design trends galore—from a new look at checkerboards, to biophilic design and more.
When I first heard about Master of Disguise Jonna Mendez, I imagined all sorts of cloak-anddagger intrigue right out of James Bond—and I was right. Dawn Klavon brings the story of this former CIA operative to our pages, even describing a meeting with then-president Bush—and remember, he was also a former CIA director— whom Mendez manages to fool with her high-tech spyware that, poof!, turned her into someone else.
For architecture and history buffs, don’t miss Mike Welton’s trip to Westmoreland County and his article on Battersea, the Petersburg estate of John Banister, one of Virginia’s Founding Fathers. They should both be on bucket lists everywhere.
On my bucket list is a trip to the Eastern Shore,
PICTURE PERFECT
So much inspiration from the wedding issue (Feb. ’24). I love the locations of the weddings, and the advice was really helpful. It’s hard to believe that a budget isn’t really a budget until you add a few thousand dollars. Makes me consider eloping a little more seriously!
—Anna Smith, Lynchburg, from Instagram
where I intend to veg out at Tiny Livin, Cape Charles’ very own tiny village of tiny houses, recently rehabbed by renovistas Eric and Sylvia Hawkins. The story and photos will charm you right into making a reservation!
Stephanie Ganz took a spin to Sabra, everyone’s
favorite red-lidded hummus maker near Hopewell and dishes company intel, including what’s coming down the dipping pipeline. Plus, the Sabra reels we’ve posted on our social channels, thanks to our new digital content creator, Jessica Redwood, are positively mouthwatering. And speaking of deliciousness, Stephanie also writes about the flavor party she had at Padaek in NoVa and its craveable food from Laos. Not surprising Chef Seng Luangrath’s Paa Pao Branzino made our cover.
And finally, our annual State of Education is overflowing with information you can use, including a list of 160 of the Commonwealth’s Top Schools, plus the lowdown on Governor Youngkin’s initiative to create a pipeline for educators. It’s an unparalleled resource that’s a labor of love here at Virginia Living that we are proud to produce and share with our readers.
Like Ed Sheeran croons, “I’m holdin’ out for spring,” which becomes official on March 19. So sit back and explore our pages. Tell us how we’re doing. We’d love to hear from you.
Here in Virginia, we’re blessed to have an awesome publication, Virginia Living, which beautifully showcases interesting and worth-visiting sites across the Commonwealth—from the mountains to the shore. Once a year, the magazine includes Made in Virginia awards in which they feature 30 specialty products made, well, you guessed it, in Virginia (Dec. ’23). We are beyond thrilled to be selected as one of the companies featured.
—Emerson Creek Pottery, Bedford, from Facebook
Kudos to a great story! We appreciate highlighting the new Contemplative Commons (Dec. ’23) coming Fall 2024. Very exciting! —UVA’s Contemplative Science Center, from Facebook @uva @uvacsc
In “Marvelous Mocktails” (Feb. ’24) the ingredients list for Jonmichael Tarleton’s recipe for a Winter Mule mistakenly specified 5 ounces honey. The correct amount is .5 ounces honey. Big difference. Our fault, not his. We apologize for the error.
We love hearing from our readers. Send your comments by email to Editors@CapeFear.com or write us a letter and mail it to Letters to the Editor, 109 E. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219. Please include your name and city of residence. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.
Would you like to sell copies of Virginia Living in your shop, tasting room, or office? Send an email to our favorite circulation manager, Antonio Cabral at AntonioCabral@CapeFear.com and he’ll be happy to share the details.
The life and times of former CIA operative, Jonna Mendez.
By Dawn Klavon | Photo by Adam Ewing
I always felt like what I was doing was protecting everyone working for us. They were taking huge risks.—Jonna Mendez
IT WAS 1990. Jonna Mendez fidgeted with her pencil, nervously awaiting her face-to-face with President George H.W. Bush. White House senior officials stood near her chatting in the President’s outer office, but Mendez kept her distance.
As the group filed in for the briefing, Mendez sat closest to the President, kicking off the meeting by detailing the latest in disguise technology. Her boss, CIA Director William Webster, sat to her left, along with other top officials. As the CIA’s Chief of Disguise, Mendez worked for the Agency’s Office of Technical Services and was well-versed in spyware. Her nerves eased as she dove into a subject she knew better than most. Mendez, 30-something at the time, with chin-length, curly black hair and glasses, had never met President Bush. Yet she spoke with confidence about the subject she knew, describing new techniques being used to make disguise technology more lifelike. As she addressed the group, she observed the President. Clearly he was watching her, and it was as if everyone in
the room was wondering the same thing: did she bring along a sample of this fascinating spyware technology?
Mendez recalls that things got really interesting when she knew she had their collective attention. She announced she was wearing it—a mask—and reached to her face. But the President stopped her, stepped close, and studied her head and neck. She stood still. What was fake? he asked her. Her nose? Her chin?
Finally, she peeled off her mask to reveal the true Jonna Mendez—blue eyes, light brown hair, and a fair complexion. The rapt room nearly gasped in unison, the President’s eyes lighting up as he peppered her with questions. Others in the room perked up, as this highly unusual stunt sunk in.
With her mission accomplished, Mendez took her leave, pleased and victorious. Years later, she received a photo of the meeting. The mask had been airbrushed out, still classified information.
We could convincingly disguise an officer, even create a clone of the officer. We could change their ethnicity or gender or ‘borrow’ another person’s identity if necessary.
—Jonna Mendez
Mendez’s path was unconventional from day one. In the mid-1960s, at age 20, the Wichita State University English lit major traveled to Germany for a friend’s wedding. But instead of returning to the comfort of her Midwest roots, she pivoted, doing a 180 after the nuptials.
She never looked back.
Hopping a train to Frankfurt, Mendez called American companies from a payphone looking for a job. Pouring over the listings alphabetically, she first tried American Express. A resounding no. Next she contacted Bank of America. Again, no. She spoke no German, had no bank experience, and didn't have a work permit.
Next up on the list was Chase Manhattan Bank, and Mendez experienced the first of many unexplainable breaks in her career journey. Bingo. She was hired, and the young American began working at a Chase branch in Frankfurt.
Mendez soon fell in love with a tall, handsome American—John Goeser—who, after proposing, confessed that he worked for the CIA. They would have to hide the details of their life from friends and family, and life as she knew it would end. Madly in love, Mendez accepted.
Once married and living in Europe, she became a CIA secretary, where most women there started in the typing pool. Smart and resourceful, Mendez worked her way up the secretarial ladder, eventually landing a job in the Far East Office with the Executive Officer, when her husband was transferred.
It was there she became intrigued with the Office of Technical Services, the CIA team who provided materials and resources to assure operational success. The department was the CIA’s equivalent of James Bond’s “Q” and was responsible for supporting the agency’s clandestine operations with gadgets, disguises, forgeries, secret writings, and weapons. It would be there that Mendez hit her stride.
She was soon authorized to be trained in espionage photography. Over the next two-plus decades, she gained expertise in photography, disguise, secret documents, and a whole war chest of covert skills.
“We could convincingly disguise an officer, even create a clone of the officer,” Mendez explains. “We could change their ethnicity or gender or ‘borrow’ another person’s identity if necessary.” Mendez says the technology changed the way operatives were able to work against KGB harassment on the streets of Moscow.
She earned the respect and esteem of her colleagues with her skill at disguise, including one as a prime minister. And, she developed groundbreaking methods for masks, carrying concealed cameras, and protecting operatives in the field.
“I always felt like what I was doing was protecting everyone working for us,” she says. “They were taking huge risks.”
Eventually, after her 23 years of marriage ended in divorce, she married Tony Mendez, with whom she’d worked closely. Tony was a big-time operative and the renowned CIA officer who helped rescue six U.S. diplomats from Iran in 1980. His 1999 memoir, The Master of Disguise, was adapted into the Academy Award-winning movie, Argo, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2012. Ben Affleck starred as Tony and was the film’s director. The top-tier cast also included Alan Arkin, John Goodman, and Bryan Cranston.
The couple teamed up, globetrotting to become espionage’s undercover dynamic duo. Mendez says the challenge to match wits with Russia’s KGB, East Germany’s Stasi, Cuba’s DGI, and China’s MSS pushed the couple to new levels of problem-solving.
A fter a 27-year career in the CIA, moving up the ranks to achieve the position of Chief of Disguise, Mendez retired as a respected leader in a male-dominated field, blazing a path for more women to climb to success at the highest levels of the agency.
Together, Jonna and Tony collaborated on several books about their CIA careers, including Spy Dust, The Moscow Rules, and Argo. Now 78, the Reston resident reveals the highs and lows of her fascinating career in her new memoir, In True Face: A Woman’s Life in the CIA, Unmasked, just published in March (Hachette/ PublicAffairs). Always busy, she serves on the board of t he International Spy Museum and travels the world as a sought-after speaker, revealing details of her life under cover.
Much of her work in the CIA had been kept under wraps—some of it still is. But now, thanks to international exposure, book tours, speaking engagements, and her new book, leaders from the intelligence world a re taking notice of Mendez’s exceptional career.
“Jonna Mendez’s memoir, In True Face, will be, as her career itself was, an inspiration to generations of intelligence officers, particularly women,” says Michael Morell, former deputy director and twice acting director of the CIA.
“I think she’s a trailblazer,” Heidi Nulton tells me. She’s Mendez’s younger sister, a Richmond resident and her junior by 17 years. Nulton lived with her big sister and her first husband during several of their early CIA assignments, and she was sworn to secrecy for decades— nothing about Jonna’s life could be revealed. “She moved up the ranks,” Nulton adds, “and had the opportunity to do some really amazing things. And then in a whole second life, she was given additional opportunities to share it with the world and tell the stories.”
Journalist, author, and NoVa resident Dawn Klavon crafts compelling stories about inspiring people, up-and-coming restaurants, and fascinating lifestyles.
Camp Mont Shenandoah provides a traditional summer camp experience for girls between the ages of 7 and 16. Nestled along the pristine Cowpasture River in Bath County, we are one of Virginia’s best loved overnight camps.
Ready for your daughter or granddaughter to have the best summer of her life?
Ask us how she can become a Camp Mont Shenandoah girl.
540-997-5994
CampMontShenandoah.com
THEY’RE EVERYWHERE. Summer camps for competitive youth sports, for STEM study, for college prep programs. These intense, structured day camps are blooming, joining the arms race to prepare kids for success. And understandably, parents want the best for their children. But do good, old fashioned sleepaway camps hold any allure? Are they relevant in this competitive, fast paced 21st-century world?
If you poll most parents of sleepaway campers, you’d more than likely hear an enthusiastic chorus of “absolutely!” and then they’d cite the tremendous value in letting kids be kids. They can experience camp traditions, like catching fireflies and singing camp songs. And they can swim, explore, compete, and bond—all with their peers—learning valuable lessons in friendship, leadership, confidence, and independence along the way. “Giving [children] space to learn and explore is more important than crafting a particular curriculum,” wrote Alison Gopnik in the Wall Street Journal (“What Children Lose When Their Brains Develop Too Fast,” 12/9/22). “A longer, slower childhood may be better.”—by Madeline
MayhoodBeyond buff bodies, staying active nets countless benefits.
AS THE REALITY HITS US THAT 2024 IS MARCHING ON, many of us are on the hunt to get physical. We want to reestablish active routines that might have fallen by the wayside over the holidays—the food fests of Christmas and then all those boxes of chocolate someone had to eat for Valentine's
Virginia is home to some of the country’s most notable summer sleepaway camps. They include:
CAMP CARYSBROOK (girls 6-16): Riner, CampCarysbrook.com
CAMP FRIENDSHIP (co-ed 7-16): Palmyra, CampFriendship.com
CAMP HORIZONS (co-ed 6-17): Harrisonburg, CampHorizonsVa.com
CAMP MAXWELTON-LACHLAN (boys 9-15, girls 8-15): Rockbridge Baths, Maxwelton-Lachlan.com
CAMP MONT SHENANDOAH (girls 7-16): Millboro, CampMontShenandoah.com
CAMP STRAWDERMAN (girls 7-16): Edinburg, CampStrawderman.com
Day. Spring is about to arrive, so hopping on the movement bandwagon is a priority.
If you don’t belong to a club or fitness center, consider adult sports leagues. A recent Google search for adult sports leagues Virginia netted a whopping 32 million hits. They’re nearly everywhere and cover every conceivable sport—from pickleball to walking, curling, and more. You can spot groups assuming downward facing dog poses in botanical gardens and Zumba classes on the lawns of community centers. Stacked against a private club membership, their often low costs can be a bargain.
Physical benefits of being active are a given, but the social aspect derived from engaging, meeting new people, and having fun are also important. Debra Riggs, a Richmond-based social worker and executive director of the D.C. Metro Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, cites improved brain function, weight management, disease reduction, building strength, and an increased ability to perform everyday activities as tangible benefits. “And, staying active can reduce anxiety, depression, and negative moods and improve self-esteem and cognitive function,” she says. “Plus, there’s no substitute for socializing with peers and having fun.” —by M.M.
Catch the outdoor fitness craze.
DO YOU PREFER SWEATING ON AN ELLIPTICAL in a crowded gym or taking a brisk spring walk outside? More and more, parks departments, public gardens, and community organizations are offering outdoor fitness opportunities as the weather warms—from yoga to paddle boarding, calisthenics to tai chi. Chris Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities in Richmond, notes that city parks are seeing high levels of use as people come to appreciate the power of nature and find ways to enhance their well-being, a trend that park systems are seeing nationwide. “We have seen a renewed appreciation and activity of outdoor gems, from hiking along the river to playing pickleball,” he notes, adding his favorite Walt Whitman quote: “Now I see the secret of making the best person: it is to grow in the open air.”
If breathing fresh air and taking in the sites and sounds of nature are appealing—while burning calories to boot—check out these outdoor fitness opportunities throughout Virginia.
FAIRFAX: Traverse the Gerry Connolly Cross Country Trail that connects one end of Fairfax County to the other along 40 miles. FairfaxCounty.Gov/Parks
ROANOKE: Biking, hiking, caving, and paddling through Roanoke’s Parks & Rec Department with sites all over Southwest Virginia. PlayRoanoke.com
RICHMOND: Tai chi and various yoga classes at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden are held outside in the garden, weather permitting. LewisGinter.org
STAUNTON: Fitness Park at Staunton River State Park includes a trail with 10 fitness stations like ladders and stump steps, similar to an agility course. DCR.Virginia.Gov/State-Parks
VIRGINIA BEACH: Hillier Ignite Fitness Park, modeled after a West Coast fitness park, features equipment for strength-training, plus bars, rope climbers, and more. VaBeach.com
WINCHESTER: Outdoor trails for running, walking, and biking at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, where leashed dogs are welcome to tag along. TheMSV.org —by M.M.
Historic meets contemporary at the Virginian; offering 115 guest rooms and over 8,000 sq feet of event space. Home to Skyline Rooftop Bar, William & Henry Steakhouse, and Marigold Café.
434.329.3200
Dennis T. Clark appointed the 10th Librarian of Virginia.
IN NOVEMBER, the Library of Virginia announced the appointment of Dennis T. Clark as the state’s 10th Librarian of Virginia, succeeding Sandra Treadway, who served in the position since 2007 and retired last year. Clark comes to Richmond after serving as chief of researcher engagement and general collections at the Library of Congress. A former resident of the Commonwealth, he previously worked as a research librarian for both VCU and UVA.
“It is the pinnacle of my career to head the most significant state library and archives in the country,” Clark says. “Building on the Library of Virginia’s strong foundation of 200 years of archives and impact, I am honored to have a role in shaping its future.”
The Library of Virginia, preserver of the Commonwealth’s history and culture, contains more than 130 million items that document the lives of both famous Virginians and ordinary citizens.“In particular, I look forward to using the library’s incredible archives to spotlight the stories of all Virginians, especially those whose perspectives have been covered up for decades,” Clark continues, adding, “As state librarian, I am dedicated to making sure all voices of the Commonwealth are heard—past and present, in our future exhibits.”
Clark is especially excited to be part of this moment in time, as libraries shift from print-based archives to digital form. The library’s online resources already include copious digital databases, eBooks, and curated virtual exhibitions. “When the current library was built in the ’90s, we were a print-based society,” Clark says. “I’m thrilled to be part of the team that will reimagine the space to fit the needs of a digitally based society.” LVa.Virginia.gov
by Sherrie Page Guyer
searched for an exciting way to expand their square footage. They landed on an out-ofthe-box solution: a trailer.
Funded by the Commonwealth, the new VMFA on the Road trailer is both mobile and state-of-the art. Its ultra-modern design offers additional exhibition space, allowing the museum to show more works of art representing a variety of mediums, including 3D works for the first time.
Built by Kentucky Trailer, the expanded trailer’s sleek and very un-trailerlike exhibition space was fabricated and installed by Explus. Both companies are unmatched in their respective fields. Currently, On the Road houses an exciting new exhibition, Love, Laughter, Tears: An Artist’s Guide to Emotions, featuring paintings, prints, photographs, and film from the museum’s permanent collection.
VMFA on the Road crisscrosses Virginia—from the Eastern Shore to the mountains of the Southwest—where it makes appearances at fairs, festivals, schools, libraries, museums, and other community centers throughout the state. The artmobile directly supports VMFA’s mission to act as an educational institution that enriches the lives of all Virginians.
“In addition to the museum’s Richmond campus, where visitors can enjoy our permanent art collections and educational programs 365 days a year, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts strives to bring art to all corners of the Commonwealth,” says Alex Nyerges, VMFA’s Director and CEO. “VMFA on the Road now offers greater capacity for more works of art and more visitors. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the new artmobile trailer ensures the museum can serve the citizens of Virginia for many years to come.” —by Meredith Lindemon
THROUGH MAY, the work of nine multimedia artists are on display in All Water Has a Perfect Memory at the Ryan Resilience Lab’s Brock River Room in Norfolk. The exhibition celebrates the resilience of coastal communities and the beauty, importance, and state of the Elizabeth River.
This important tributary of the Chesapeake Bay has faced significant pollution challenges from various industrial sites, such as dry docks, processing plants, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and sewage and stormwater discharge. Once considered dead, its ongoing recovery has had help from the Elizabeth River Project, which relies on the power of partnerships in the restoration of this historic waterway.
The Pru and Louis Ryan Resilience Lab, which officially opens later in the spring, is a living laboratory and learning park that demonstrates how urban coastal communities can adapt to sea level rise. Green walls, solar power, floating docks, cisterns, and rainwater capture are some of the resilience features, many of which are easily duplicated in homes and businesses.
Gorgeous custom home with deep water and stunning views of Linkhorn Bay and First Landing State Park. This one owner 5,445 square foot, six bedroom, five and one half bath house on a 1.1 acre wooded/landscaped site was lovingly built and maintained with brick and juniper exterior, gorgeous wood floors, heart pine paneling, and oversized custom trim and moldings throughout.
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Beautiful, deep waterfront home overlooking Crystal Lake and just a short distance to the oceanfront beaches! Traditional brick home is loaded with charm and character and features an updated kitchen, paneled family room, office, open air porch overlooking the water, wonderful primary suite with sitting room, elevator, two fireplaces, custom trim and moldings and lovely hardwood floors throughout.
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1 ALEXANDRIA
61ST ANNUAL WOODLAWN NEEDLEWORK SHOW
MARCH 1 - 31: Celebrate needle arts at this month-long show. Learn about the ancient craft that stiches together communities and family ties across generations for need, for joy, and for remembrance. 703-780-4000, WoodlawnPopeLeighey.org
2 RICHMOND
2024 RICHMOND
CHILDREN’S BUSINESS FAIR
MARCH 13: At the 7th Annual Children’s Business Fair, “youthpreneurs” showcase their start-up ideas and entrepreneurial prowess at the Dewey Gottwald Center. ChildrensBusinessFair.org
3 CHARLOTTESVILLE
PAINTING THE MODERN GARDEN MONET TO MATISSE
MARCH 13: For art lovers, don’t miss this film directed by David Bickerstaff that introduces a massive collection of Impressionist and avant-garde art from the early 20th century.
434-979-1333, TheParamount.net
4 NORFOLK
WANDA SYKES—
PLEASE AND THANK YOU TOUR
MARCH 15: She’s costarred with Hollywood’s biggest names—from Amy Schumer to Jane Fonda, Goldie Hawn, J-Lo, and Steve Carell. Plus, Entertainment Weekly ranks her as one of the “25 funniest people in America.” Catch the always hilarious Wanda Sykes at Chrysler Hall. 757-664-6464, SevenVenues.com
5 FORT BELVOIR
BOOK TALK: AGAINST ALL ODDS: A TRUE STORY OF ULTIMATE COURAGE AND SURVIVAL IN WORLD WAR II, BY ALEX KERSHAW
MARCH 21: Join New York Times bestselling author of books on World War II at the National Museum of the United States Army for a gripping presentation profiling four men of the same unit who earned
medal after medal for battlefield heroism as the Allies raced to defeat Hitler. 800-506-2672, TheNMUSA.org
6 BRISTOL
JOHN OATES | PARAMOUNT BRISTOL
APRIL 10: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist John Oates, best known for being half of the ’70s and ’80s supergroup Hall & Oates—one of the most successful rock duos in history—promises a thoroughly enjoyable, intimate, live, solo performance. 423-274-8920, ParamountBristol.org
7 ROANOKE
ROMEO & JULIET
APRIL 13: Enjoy Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Romeo & Juliet, at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre. With music from the Blue Ridge Orchestra. 540-853-5370, BerglundCenter.Live
8 VIRGINIA BEACH
THE PRICE IS RIGHT!
APRIL 18: Come on down to the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts for the game show everyone loves to play. Try your luck at Plinko, The Big Wheel, and more for prizes, money, and even the fabulous Showcase, just like on TV. 757-385-2787, SandlerCenter.org
9 WINCHESTER
SHENANDOAH APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
APRIL 26 - MAY 5: Celebrate 100 years of Winchester’s most famous fruit at its 10-day Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. With activities for the entire family, from rides, to sporting events, baking contests—and lots of apples. 540-662-3863, TheBloom.com
THE VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS honors Willie Anne Wright for her captivating outlook on the perceptions of photography and the arts in Artist & Alchemist, through April 28 in the museum’s Evans Court Gallery. A Richmond native born in 1924, this groundbreaking and celebrated photographer and painter is known for experimenting with new mediums within her craft that examine pop culture, the pull of history, and the South’s shifting landscape.
10 ARLINGTON
10TH ANNUAL ARLINGTON FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
APRIL 27: Be impressed by the diverse range of artistic mediums, including sculpture, pottery, jewelry, photography,
Enjoy Historic Garden Week in Virginia.
FLOWERS ARE BLOOMING just in time for Virginia’s annual Historic Garden Week, April 20-27. The weeklong extravaganza invites visitors to explore Virginia’s rich connection to gardening, horticulture, and history during the nation’s only statewide house and garden tour, now in its 91st year. Proceeds benefit the Garden Club of Virginia’s nearly 50 restoration projects at historic sites across the Commonwealth. Dating to 1920, the GCV includes 48 garden clubs and more than 3,000 individual members. From the Shenandoah Valley to Virginia’s coastal communities, Historic Garden Week showcases more than 100 private and public gardens, landscapes, homes, and historic landmarks. You’ll see Virginia at its peak, awash in dogwood, tulips, camellias, redbud, peonies, daffodils, and more, with over 1,000 spectacular floral arrangements—a much anticipated tradition—each individually created by GCV members, with most flowers and foliage sourced from members’ gardens. For tickets, itinerary, and tour information, visit VaGardenWeek.com. —by J.G.
The exhibition, which chronicles Wright’s remarkable six-decade career, showcases 63 of her photographs and nine paintings from the VMFA’s recent acquisition of her work, which includes more than 230 photographs and 10 paintings. Wright’s subject matter varies from irreverent scenes of everyday life to ethereal evocations of the past, experimental and playful settings, and historical and renowned subjects.
VMFA.museum —by Julia Garrett
mixed-media, painting, and much more. Located in the heart of Clarendon, you’ll be wowed with the artistic variety showcased and available for purchase. 561-746-6615, ArtFestival.com
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Since 1847, Hollywood Cemetery has served as a place of remembrance to mourn and celebrate the lives of those passed. Unlike the common grid-like layout of modern cemeteries, Hollywood Cemetery offers a picturesque garden setting amongst rolling valleys and hills, stately trees, and undulating paths.
Pre-planning is a wonderful way to give you and your family peace of mind both now and in the future. Numerous burial options are available throughout our 135-acre historic garden cemetery including lots, cremation niches, and a scattering garden.
HOT SPRINGS
Omni Homestead
Garth Newel Music Center’s 50th Anniversary was celebrated with a glittering gala in the newly renovated Crystal Ballroom at the Omni Homestead on Nov. 4. The event included 140 guests, who honored the Center’s five decades of cultural contribution, and included local and state representatives. Entertainment featured a concert of Dvorak’s Piano Quintet, performed by Garth Newel resident Piano Quartet, with guest violinist and Borromeo String Quartet member Nicholas Kitchen. Afterwards, a three-course dinner, starring an entrée of cabernet-braised beef short ribs, was accompanied by another performance by the Piano Quartet. Dancing to live music by Elegance capped off the night.
Center for the Arts, George Mason University ARTS by George! made its annual return on Sept. 30, hosted by George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Headlined by Grammy and Tony Award-winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, best known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway musical Hamilton, the event raised more than $275,000 for student scholarships in the arts, as well as for the school’s arts-aligned organizations. Since its inception in 2006, ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million to support the arts at GMU.
Altria Theater
For the 29th year, the rvatech Gala celebrated the breakthroughs, advancements, and outstanding technologists that are part of the Richmond technology ecosystem. On Sept. 28, more than 800 guests embraced the speakeasy theme, donning 1920s attire. Throughout the stylish evening at Altria Theater that included the presentation of 18 awards recognizing business excellence, community impact, innovation, collaboration, and more, the night featured a cocktail hour and concluded with a lively afterparty. Rvatech is a nonprofit, memberdriven association of businesses and organizations working together to ensure the continued growth of Greater Richmond’s dynamic technology-based economy.
Registration fee includes:
Timed race for all events
Swag Bag and Race Shirt
2024 “O” medal, 2nd in the series of 4 Post run after party with live music, kids activities, 1 free drink ticket and snacks
Prizes will be awarded for overall & age group winners
Eric and Sylvia Hawkins created a hotel village, one tiny house at a time.
By Peggy Sijswerda | Photography by Kyle LaFerriereIt started with a vision board and a prayer, says Cape Charles resident Eric Hawkins, 53. He and his wife, Sylvia, 60, had been dreaming of creating a unique lodging destination for a long time. The couple put a photo of a tiny house village on their fridge and waited.
Eric also prayed: “Lord, help me see what other people can’t.”
The Hawkinses have been fans of the tiny lifestyle for more than a decade. They moved into a camper with their three kids in 2012 and started a short-term rental business in 2016, while also running Eric’s Virginia Beach-based HVAC company. “We’d already been living tiny,” Eric says. “We loved it.”
Fast forward to 2021—Eric and Sylvia were en route to Cape Charles, a place they loved to visit. For some inexplicable reason, instead of turning left toward town, Eric turned right onto Business Route 13.
All of a sudden, Sylvia says, “This is it! Stop the car!” Eric pulled over and looked to see what Sylvia was all excited about. Across the street was an overgrown lot with dilapidated tiny houses, barely visible amid a thick copse of cedar trees, recalls Eric.
The couple looked at each other and smiled. “The prayer came true,” Eric says. Then he let loose a laugh. “But it took a lot of hard work and sweat to make the vision come true!”
Today, Cape Charles Tiny Livin is an oasis of charm. Surrounded by rural landscape, the tiny house hotel with its bright colors and beautifully landscaped grounds looks organic, as if it’s always been here.
In fact, the buildings date to the 1930s, when the Esso Park Auto Court was built to accommodate hunters, fishermen, and travelers exploring the Shore in their new cars. Later, the property housed migratory workers. In 2021, when the Hawkins discovered them, the tiny houses had been abandoned for 45 years and were literally falling to pieces.
“That’s when the fun started,” Eric says. First, the couple cleared the land of trees and undergrowth. Then they tackled the houses: rebuilding needed infrastructure, painting, furnishing, and decorating—one tiny house at a time.
He and Sylvia would come up with ideas in the middle of the night. “It was almost like the houses whispered to me, ‘This is how I want to look,’” Sylvia explains. “Before we did anything, I laid out a map. I drew the houses and gave them names.”
console (with a modern flat screen inside), a four-poster bed topped with a sheer voile canopy, even an old-fashioned window unit. The exterior is natural wood. “It had layers and layers of paint,” Eric recalls, “but Sylvia wanted me to take it down to the original wood.”
It was almost like the houses whispered to me, ‘This is how I want to look.’ Before we did anything, I laid out a map. I drew the houses and gave them names.
“Each home took two to three months to complete,” says Eric. “We kinda took our time.” He recalls spray painting the houses, and “the old wood just sucked it up.”
Local townspeople came by, often dropping off vegetables, eggs, and even fresh seafood. “They were excited to see something happen,” Eric says. “People would tell us, ‘If you need anything, let us know.’ They appreciated what we were doing.”
Eight houses—Stay Awhile, Milk and its twin, Honey, Fisherman, The Barn, Mermaid, Vintage, and the Red House—have been totally renovated with two more in the planning stage, plus four foundations on which they’ll build tiny houses from scratch. All homes have kitchenettes and ensuite bathrooms.
—Sylvia HakwinsMy husband and I stayed in Stay Awhile and loved the ambiance. Think light and bright with lots of wood and a comfy vibe. Everything we needed was provided, and the chairs on the front porch were perfect for watching the sun set.
Wherever possible, the couple used repurposed materials as they renovated the houses. The Barn, for example, which is the only two-story house, features wood Eric intercepted on its way to the dump. “It’s from a house from the 1800s,” he says. The ladder up to the second floor is also original to the barn that was on property.
Downstairs, there’s a sitting area, a dining table, kitchenette, and lots of windows. The floor is a work of art, composed of cement and granite pieces in various geometric shapes. Upstairs, rustic wood lines the walls of the bedroom furnished with a king-sized bed. To maintain the character of the original barn, Eric left exposed beams throughout. I love the way it smells inside, like my grandmother’s attic.
Every tiny house is unique, but my favorite is Vintage. When you enter, you are surrounded by relics of yesteryear: an old-timey fridge and TV
The Red House is for adventurous guests, with photos of Jimi Hendrix on the walls and ceiling, along with mirrors, and a pole for pole dancing! I love the floor, which Sylvia painted by scattering paint in every color of the rainbow and then spreading it with a rake. It looks like a psychedelic spider web.
Besides the tiny houses, which can accommodate up to 22 overnight guests in total, Eric and Sylvia offer a wedding venue for small wedding parties (up to 80 people) as well as elopements. As a backdrop for wedding vows, the couple fashioned an old shed into a greenhouse full of plants, which are a passion of Sylvia’s. The roof is partially topped with transparent plastic panels, giving the greenhouse a bright, airy feel.
Eric and Sylvia welcomed their first guests in Jan. 2022. They originally predicted Cape Charles Tiny Livin would attract a lot of millennials, but they’ve been surprised to see more folks in the 45+ range. “It brings them back to Memory Lane,” says Eric.
As we sat around the firepit at day’s end, Eric told a story about a guest who heard him say he wanted to make the screen doors close more quietly. “The guest said, ‘Please don’t. The slamming screen door takes me back to my childhood.’” Eric happily complied. Rates start at $168 per night. CapeCharlesTinyLivin.com
Peggy Sijswerda, MFA, lives in Virginia Beach. She writes about travel, food, and wellness and is the author of Still Life with Sierra, a travel memoir. Facebook @ifyouseekadventure, Instagram @peggywrites, PeggySijswerda.com.
ENTERING
GATES OF the iconic 639-acre landmark is unforgettable. Steeped with history and tradition, Arlington National Cemetery honors those who served in the U.S. armed forces. The bucolic military cemetery is the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members and their families.
Among the pageantry of the military funeral ceremonies stands the Air Force’s Arlington Committee, a humble group of unsung patriots who remain in the background at funerals, but hold a vital role.
Since 1948, an Arlington Committee member has attended every Air Force funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, ensuring that no airman is buried alone.
“For 75 years, we’ve lent our presence to solemn moments at Arlington and our primary mission is to ensure no airman or guardian is laid to rest without the dignity and honor that they deserve,” says Camila “Cammy” Cheater, co-chair of the Air Force’s Arlington Committee.
Attending every funeral at Arlington can be daunting. Across all armed forces branches, the cemetery conducts between 27 and 30 funerals each weekday and between six and eight services on Saturday. The Army shoulders the majority of funeral ceremonies, but members from the Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard also are laid to rest at the cemetery.
“All our Arlington ladies and gentlemen are driven by a deep sense of duty and profound desire to honor those sacrifices that our veterans make,” Cheater says. Air Force funerals are generally held four days a week at Arlington— one volunteer is scheduled for each half-day shift, attending three funerals per shift.
“We will never, ever bury an airman alone,” says Christina Mavity, Air Force Arlington Committee co-chair, which used to be called the
All our Arlington ladies and gentlemen are driven by a deep sense of duty & profound desire to honor those sacrifices that our veterans make.
—Cammy Cheater
Arlington Ladies, before gentlemen were included. “It’s been a mission for almost 75 years, and I’m not going to be the one to break this chain.”
The Arlington Ladies’ work began in 1948 when Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg, chief of staff of the Air Force, and his wife, Gladys, were driving by the cemetery and noticed that some funeral ceremonies had no one but a military chaplain present. Mrs. Vandenberg recruited her friends to attend funerals, and the Arlington Ladies began. Though the mission of the Arlington Ladies started with the Air Force, the Army, Navy and Coast Guard soon founded their own branches. Marines send a representative of the Marine Commandant to Marine Corps funerals.
“The Air Force Arlington Ladies, through their dedication and kindness, ensure that friends and loved ones at Arlington services know they are part of our Air Force family,” says Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David W. Allvin. “They stand as a symbol of our gratitude and a beacon of faithfulness. We are grateful for their personal commitment and unwavering support at each and every service.”
Arlington Committee volunteers are spouses of active or retired Air Force members. At each funeral, they present two cards to the next of kin. One card is a standard note of condolence from the Air Force Chief of Staff and his staff, and the other is a personal, handwritten note, expressing thanks for their loved ones’ military service.
“We make sure that they understand that when they entrust their loved one to Arlington,” Mavity says, “that loved one will always be cared for, always remembered, and always honored.”
Dawn Klavon writes about travel, food, and hospitality. She especially enjoys focusing on people who make a difference.
ENTERING HUGO KOHL’S BOUTIQUE shop, what’s immediately eye-catching are the fine and elegant earrings, pendants, and rings, all crafted on site, many of which are true to American historical periods. Kohl made his reputation on vintage filigree designs that he, unlike many others, was able to make cost effectively. His location— in Harrisonburg’s renovated and hip Ice House complex—is a perfect setting for a man who’s fascinated by human industry and our evolving relationships with machines.
If you want a deep dive into this cherished craft, show up for a studio tour on Thursdays at 2 p.m. You’ll feel like you stepped into a wing of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, and after Kohl’s tour, you may not see jewelry and its production quite the same. In fact, the proud James Madison University graduate does refer to this busy workshop—with its walls of historic hubs (aka steel jewelry molds) and an impressive array of industrial machines—as the Museum of American Jewelry Design and Manufacturing.
In 1993, through a right-place-right-time bit of luck and his own initiative, Kohl came to possess a box of antique jewelry hubs with gorgeous, intricate designs. He’d made a pilgrimage to the shipping town of Provincetown, Rhode Island, to track down what was left of this Industrial Age jewelry-making center that thrived from the 1790s through mid-1970s. He ended up rescuing many of its remnants from the junkyard or those bound for metal scrapping. Some—both the hubs and early machines—he and his trained staff put back to work, while others he mainly admires. For his tours, he’s welcomed everyone from kindergartners to industrial design students.
Kohl’s respect for well-designed tools resonates throughout his workshop. One machine is an 1830s screw press, which was “integral to the Industrial Age and the workhorse of the jewelrymaking industry,” he says. That device and others, like a drop hammer, were created mainly to multiply the physical power of the humans who ran them. One of Kohl’s aesthetic prizes is an ornate mid-1800s scale that was used to measure gold in Philadelphia—in the days when U.S. dollars had to be backed by precise weights in precious metals. In addition to being well-designed and ultra-precise, this scale also represents “how
this country was starting to become the gigantic manufacturing powerhouse in the world,” he explains.
Kohl also freely shares his thoughts on the social importance of American jewelry’s history. “Mechanical mass production made jewelry affordable for everyone,” he points out. While different social classes may have bought jewelry made with different metals (brass and copper items for the poorer folk, and gold and platinum for the wealthy), they were usually buying the same designs made from the same hubs and even perhaps from the very machines that Kohl resuscitated.
Over the years and post-pandemic, this workshop has become a jewelry-making playground for Kohl, who crafts pieces that manifest his customer’s wishes—but also his own. While he walks his
and
lab mix, his eye is often inspired by items from nature, like a shapely leaf or a cicada wing that he’ll work into a piece. Selling it or not selling it is not really the point. He also experiments with some out-of-the-box designs, including placing gemstones on jewelry in unexpected places or at unusual angles. These machines and his own expertise enable him to craft “at the edge of what the laws of physics can be.”
Lately, Kohl challenges his own skills by embellishing wedding bands with metal engravings that symbolically circumnavigate the band without end. “People really enjoy that,” he says, and also that his well-made items can be handed down through generations. His pieces range from $125 to $10,000—for a specially requested design.
“I get to create things out of my imagination with my hands, and I have every possible goldsmithing tool ever invented, from 200 years ago till now,” Kohl says. “For me, it’s kind of like dying and going to heaven.”
Amy Brecount White loves to explore Virginia’s towns, natural riches, and personalities. Her work has appeared in Garden & Gun , Sierra , Flower, National Geographic , and more. AmyBrecountWhite.com
Invites you, your family, and friends to Public Ceremonies honoring the
266th Birthday of 5th President James Monroe at his Birthplace
Saturday, April 20th, 2024, at 10:30am
4460 James Monroe Highway in Westmoreland County, near Colonial Beach, Virginia
and at the Presidential Wreathlaying Ceremony
At the James Monroe Monument at Hollywood Cemetery, 512 S. Cherry St. in Richmond, Virginia
Sunday, April 28th, 2024, at 11:00am
And the receptions that follow
Updates on Facebook
James Monroe Memorial Foundation or James Monroe Birthplace Park and Museum
www.MonroeFoundation.org
WWW.THE-SLIPS.COM
The candy darter is one of Virginia’s seldom-seen gems.By CAROLINE KETTLEWELL | Illustration by JENN LIV
ONE OF THE GIFTS VIRGINIA offers is the sheer variety of our native species. We’ve got eagles and oysters, sharks and bears, venerable trees and vanishingly brief spring ephemerals, crabs and copperheads, mighty elk and mini weasels—a veritable bounty of flying, leaping, splashing, scuttling, leafing, slithering, soaring, blooming plenty.
Some are familiar sights, from the nuthatch at your feeder to the oaks towering overhead to the deer nibbling at your greenery and the poison ivy tickling at your ankles. But others that call Virginia home live their whole lives in places most of us will never go and settings few of us ever see. One of these is the colorful candy darter.
A mere four inches long at full size, the candy darter is small. It’s also rare. There are some 248 species of darters in the world, all of them found only in North America, and all but one of these found east of the Continental Divide. Of those
247 species, most are found in the southeast. And within the southeast, candy darters are known to be present only in two states—West Virginia and Virginia. What’s more (or less), here in the Commonwealth, they have been found only in parts of a mere four mountain streams. This is not a fish you’re going to stumble across in any casual outing.
But Mike Pinder, who is a nongame and endangered fish biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, has the rare privilege of being able to say he has indeed met the candy darter. And you can call him a lucky nongame and endangered fish biologist for having had that opportunity, because the candy darter—specifically the male of the species—is something to see.
Arrayed in brilliant crimson, aquamarine and gold, it looks like a fireworks display with fins, rivaling any tropical fish in beauty, says Pinder. It is such an extravagantly colorful fish that it’s almost as if nature was trying to use up a bunch of its most
precious leftover paints one day and threw the whole lot at the candy darter. (For images that— almost, says Pinder—do the fish justice, search for the candy darter in the “Photo Ark” section of National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore’s website, JoelSartore.com.)
The candy darter’s habitat is narrow and specific—the shallow, fast-running riffles and runs of the streams where they live, and where the candy darter is perfectly adapted to be right at home. “They are long and slender, so when they face up the river they don’t have much drag,” explains Pinder. “And their pectoral fins are shaped such that the water just pushes down on the fins and holds them on the bottom.” The name “darter” comes from the way the fish move about in this swiftly flowing environment, he says. “Typically they just kind of scoot on their bellies—dart here and dart there.”
Arrayed in brilliant crimson, aquamarine and gold, it looks like a fireworks display with fins, rivaling any tropical fish in beauty.
Because this is territory where larger, predator fish not similarly adapted can visit but can’t stay for long, male candy darters can risk being so colorful. And why they are so colorful, says Pinder, is for the same reason peacocks flaunt their tails, fiddler crabs wave their claws, and the Golden Bachelor got a spray tan—they’re looking good for the ladies.
Alas, though, beauty alone doesn’t win hearts. So throughout the breeding season, says Pinder, males vie for females’ attention by sparring with each other. And that takes a toll. If at the start of that season they’re swanning about in their finest, by the end, says Pinder, “The males are just a wreck. Their fins will be all chewed up, and they are not that pretty, because they have been through the ringer, one fight after another trying to compete with the other males.”
All this flourish and fury carries on, year after year, with most of us never the wiser. Yet just because species like the candy darter might be little-known and rarely seen, that makes them no less valuable in the rich tapestry of our state’s native flora and fauna. As a conservationist, says Pinder, “I don’t want to leave a world for future generations that is full of just cockroaches and starlings. I want a really rich world with a good diversity of species, knowing that there is beauty out there in the wild. And future generations can look back and say thankfully that the people who preceded them were thoughtful enough and caring enough to make sure these species are still around.”
Caroline Kettlewell is an insatiably curious writer who has written on all manner of topics, from endurance athletes to electric vehicles; she has a particular interest in stories about science, health, and the natural world. CarolineKettlewell.com
Birthplace of two US Presidents, George Washington and James Monroe, WESTMORELAND COUNTY hosts five wineries, three historic districts, and the second longest public beach in Virginia, Colonial Beach.
Along the Potomac River, go hiking at Civilian Conservation Corps-era Westmoreland State Park, or Voorhees Nature Preserve on the Rappahannock.
Stay overnight at the retro Riverview Inn in Colonial Beach, camp at Westmoreland State Park, or reserve lodging at one of the guest houses at Stratford Hall Historic Preserve.
Recently revitalized, Montross has turned into the premier destination in the Northern Neck of Virginia for ART, ANTIQUING , and DINING , WINERIES , and HISTORICAL SITES Left largely undiscovered, Montross offers great FISHING , KAYAKING , and BIKING areas for outdoor enthusiasts.
To find Stratford Hall in mid-October, slip down Virginia State Route 3, take a left at 214 past shorn summer corn in half-inch stubble. Then drive along fields of soybeans that pop in shades of sage green, gingko yellow, and autumn ochre.
Eyes left:
A mile inside the gate the manor house rises, orange-red and massive.
At the service level, its oversized Flemishbond masonry is laid in glazed headers and thick-troweled mortar. Above, rows of slim, hand-rubbed red brick dance lightly across paper-thin bonds—signifying the lives of the Lee family that once held court in its upper reaches.
It’s a 1740 house built in an H-shaped plan with two hip-roofed ends and a pair of four-clustered chimneys, stacked and joined with arches that reach for the sky. The arches are transparent—clouds slide behind them, seen clearly by the naked eye.
This is a structure grounded in verdant lawns and lush green trees. But from afar, it’s suspended above it all, a levitated apparition. It’s an 18th-century sleight of hand, a floating island that manipulates 21st-century eyes.
It does so with aplomb at night, when roads and grounds are pitch black—and the house hovers, lit by bright beams of white light.
There’s only one word for Stratford Hall: it’s magical.
To some, it’s the star of Westmoreland County. But other suns are at play here, each with its own architectural, historical, and social auras. So let’s explore some of the most accessible:
Stratford Hall’s bedchambers are on the second level to the west of the Great Room.
Below: Stratford Hall’s front facade illuminated at night.
Stratford Hall’s detached kitchen was in operation 24/7. It housed the largest fireplace on the plantation.
To the east of the Great Room is Stratford Hall’s dining room.
In the Great Room, the large portrait is William Pitt, British prime minister who opposed the Stamp Act. It’s flanked by portraits of Lighthorse Harry Lee and Henry Lee III, Robert E. Lee’s father.
MENOKIN:
CALDER LOTH first discovered Menokin’s ruins as a UVA student in 1965.
Later, he’d become its champion.
To be sure, Menokin is not in Westmoreland County. It’s a stone’s throw away, near Warsaw.
But it’s well worth a visit—because it’s the site of a neo-Palladian, 1769 manor house for Francis Lightfoot Lee, signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of the Second Continental Congress, and Virginia state senator. He had two great loves in his life: his wife and his home.
That home, on 1,000 acres along Cat Point Creek, was a gift to his wife, Rebecca Tayloe, from her father. Today, in its visitor center, a chalkboard lists 150 descendants of the 19 original slaves, who were also part of that gift. Two members of Menokin’s board of trustees are descendants.
The home was built with iron-infused sandstone, quarried nearby. Its bricks were fired on site; native white pine was the lumber of choice.
Alas, Menokin—named by the Rappahannock Indian Tribe whose study center is located across the creek today—would not last. It was abandoned in 1950. Atrophy set in: sandstone crumbled, walls collapsed, and a tree fell through its roof.
But Menokin found a path forward after Loth discovered it. He helped form a foundation to save it in 1995.
A steel shed now protects Menokin’s collapsed roof, and its stabilization is slated for completion by 2026, in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration’s signing.
Part of Menokin’s future lies in the hands of Boston-based architects Machado Silvetti. They’ll replace missing portions of the original house with glass rainscreens supported by stainless steel. One panel, etched to mark window and door positions, is already in place. Fittingly, it’s called “Calder’s Corner,” a tribute to the nowretired architectural historian who helped save Menokin’s ruins from obscurity.
BUSHFIELD, a centuries-old home in Mount Holly, has been reinvented almost too many times to count.
Built in 1751, it started out as a plantation for the Bushrod family, who’d bought it from Rice Madox, one of Westmoreland’s early settlers. It overlooks Buckner Creek, which feeds into Nomini Creek, which then flows into the Potomac.
Bushfield stayed in the Bushrod family for several generations, but by 1915 big changes were afoot. The property was acquired by Mark Skinner Willing, heir to Chicago’s Marshall Field. He wanted to live in Virginia, not Chicago, and he set about purchasing the peninsula that surrounded the plantation. By 1915, he’d hired Colonial Revival architect Waddy Wood of Washington, D.C., to enlarge the home for his wife and family.
Wood’s design left much of the original home intact at its core, but added two wings and a third floor. He designed the new home to envelop the older one, leaving the foyer, center staircase, parlor, and two bedrooms above it. He clad it all in brick—in the Flemish bond pattern—and added a cupola atop. The new home reveled in views of the Potomac, with breezes off both creeks and river.
After Willing died in 1944, the house and land were sold. Through the decades, it flip-flopped from country club back to a residential house, but today, finally, Bushfield has a happy ending. In 2012, Raymond Miller bought the property, which had been owned by his father, Lester. Raymond and his wife, Sabrina, set about restoring it, replacing termite-damaged flooring, repointing the brick, repairing the chimneys, restoring the brick sidewalks, and waterproofing the cupola. In 2014, they moved in.
It’s their home, but it’s also a destination for weddings and special events, overlooking one
of the most breathtaking waterfront views of any Westmoreland County estate. Inside, it boasts something not many others offer: upstairs is the guest bedroom where George Washington slept when he visited his brother. That’s no myth. The Millers say that Washington—the epitome of good Virginia manners—wrote fondly about his stays there.
EVERYTHING ABOUT the George Washington Birthplace National Monument on Pope’s Creek is a little confusing.
Except that Washington definitely was born there. The National Park Service, steward of the 551-acre park on site, confirms the fact—and that he would live there for four years.
However, exactly where there he was born is uncertain. And what happened to his original home is as much a mystery as its location. Oral history says the home burned on Christmas Day, 1779, but the Park Service lacks evidence to back that up.
Now a granite obelisk, almost one-tenth the scale of the Washington Monument, rises at the entrance to the site. In
1896, it was placed on a spot believed to be Washington’s birthplace, but moved later to make way for a different memorial.
In 1932, for the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth, architect Edward Donn Jr. opened the doors to a Colonial Revival residence there. Since no records of the birth house existed, Donn’s design was influenced by the 1930s architectural style du jour. Interestingly, his house/museum bears a striking resemblance to Twiford, the childhood home of the then-president of the Wakefield National Memorial Association, the group behind the commemoration. Its president, Josephine Wheelwright Rust, was a prominent socialite and descendant of the Washington family.
Historical documents help, sort of. In 1726, Augustine
DIANE AND DAVID BOSTIC are nothing if not ambitious.
On a Wednesday in 2019, they bought Wilton on Jackson Creek in Hague, just east of Montross. They closed on it on that Friday. And they’ve been working on it nonstop ever since.
Of the three Virginia Wiltons—one in Richmond’s West End dates from 1753 and another in Middlesex from 1763—this is the oldest, built from 1737 to 1742.
It’s got dated timber to prove it, from the time when Richard Jackson looked to the Georgian Colonial style for his new home on 1,000 acres. By the 1790s, it was updated for the Federal period.
When the Bostics bought it, the landscape was out of control. Its chimneys were birds’ nests. And termites had invaded the first floor through a brick pier, then moved up to the second.
They initially worked on the main house for a year. Plaster came down and masonry, reminiscent of Stratford Hall’s lower level, was repaired. They took out termite-riddled floor joists in the foyer and the 26-by-24-foot great room, and replaced them, adding heart pine flooring salvaged from another house.
In its five-foot-four-inch-tall basement, they re-laid a basket weave-patterned brick floor. And they moved the second-floor stairway back to its original central location.
Outside, David laid a new walkway approaching the house, and another behind it toward Jackson Creek. He used reclaimed brick for each, punctuated vertically with a pair of four-foot-tall, carved marble columns, capped by sundials.
When they paint the interior, they’ll reference the Prussian Blue and Biscuit Yellow tones that still show, plus the reddish milk paint in the kitchen.
After they’re done—in two years, they say— they’ll have the main house plus four outbuildings, including one of three quarters for enslaved workers, all restored.
And then—crafted and finished by hand— Wilton will be ready for wedding parties and Airbnb guests.
Washington, George’s father, submitted to Westmoreland County a page from his account book that documents a payment in tobacco for “finishing” a home on land he’d bought in 1718. It’s unclear, though, if “finishing” described work on an existing house or a new one.
Still, this site remains significant: First, it’s where seven generations of the Washington family lived. Second, it’s where the nation’s premier founding father was born. And third, it’s where the Park Service pursues its research to preserve and explore its legacy.
The year 2032 will mark the tricentennial of Washington’s birthday, surely with celebrations on site.
But more monuments?
Probably not. There’s still confusion to clear up.
EVEN AS A YOUNG MAN, James Monroe was a bright light.
He attended school at the home of Archibald Campbell, a Scottish immigrant and Episcopal minister at nearby St. Peter’s Church. James Madison and John Marshall were also Campbell’s students.
Monroe was fluent in Greek and Latin and excelled at mathematics. He kept the books for the family’s 500-acre farm, and by age 16, was studying law at William & Mary.
He left school to fight in the Revolution. He would cross the Delaware River with Washington for the Battle of Trenton. Wounded severely, he later took part in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown—and survived the 1777 winter at Valley Forge. He rose to the rank of major.
By 1780, he’d resigned his commission and was studying law under Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson. The same year, he advertised his 1752 home and property for sale in the Virginia Gazette, with a drawing attributed to Henry Latrobe, architect of the U.S. Capitol. The property sold three years later.
Monroe was elected to the House of Delegates in 1782, admitted to the bar in 1783, and served in the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1786. He was elected a U.S. senator in 1790, governor of Virginia in 1799 and 1811, and fifth president of the U.S. in 1817 and 1820. He introduced the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, naming the U.S. the dominant power in the Western Hemisphere and warning off any further colonization by Europe.
After he died on July 4, 1831, his birthplace was dismantled. Not until his great-great-grandson organized a family foundation in 1927 was any thought given to rebuilding it. The foundation was incorporated in 1947, and fundraising efforts began in earnest in the late ’80s.
By 2021, the home and landscape were rebuilt and dedicated, at a cost of about $2 million.
A quarter-mile path to Monroe’s Creek is laid today in composite stone mingled with oyster shells. Quotes from Monroe are etched in granite pavers every 10 feet. One is from his 1817 inaugural address:
It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that
they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty.
More than 200 years later, James Monroe still lights the way.
J. Michael Welton is the author of Drawing from Practice: Architects and the Meaning of Freehand His articles have appeared in The New York Times , The Washington Post , Metropolis , Dwell , and The News & Observer in Raleigh. He is editor and publisher of the digital design magazine ArchitectsAndArtisans.com .
EOCOMICO CHURCH is a chapel with a past.
It started out humbly enough in 1655, oaktimbered and clapboard-clad. Once termites had their way with its wood, parishioners sought a more permanent fix. The vestry’s instructions to hired workers from England, sans blueprints, were straightforward: “Build us a church as you remember from your early years.”
By 1706, their new church, made of brick—fired on site and laid in both Flemish and English bond—was open for worship. It retained a one-of-a-kind feature from the original: a wicket door within a door. The smaller one, rather than the larger, can be opened and closed to keep warmth inside during winter, and hold off heat in the summer. It’s said to be the only functioning door of its type remaining in the nation.
Inside, a polished white and gray-streaked marble baptismal font also dates from the original church. It’s said to have held the holy water that baptized both George Washington and Richard Henry Lee on a spring Saturday in 1732 .
Some years back, the church identified about 100 skeletal remains from the 18th century, buried with long-gone wooden markers in the surrounding cemetery. Their identities are unknown today, except for Daniel McCarty, speaker of the House of Burgesses in the 1720s.
In 1970, American author John Dos Passos—a Hemingway contemporary and author of the U.S.A. trilogy—was buried there. For his last 25 years, he’d lived at nearby Spence’s Point on the Potomac River.
That’s because he knew God’s country when he saw it.
Along the Rappahannock River, Richmond County is in the center of the Northern Neck National Heritage Area. With waterside hiking at various tracts of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, kayaking on Cat Point Creek, fine dining and boutique retail in Warsaw, and treasures that tell the stories of the past such as Menokin, the home of Declaration of Independence Signer Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richmond County offers outdoor activities, historic sites, and a downtown that’s enjoyable for all ages. About two hours from Charlottesville and Norfolk.
www.co.richmond.va.us
A springtime trip through Virginia brings delightful discoveries— from resort hotels, to historic sites, wine trails, charming small towns, cherry blossoms, azaleas, agritourism farms, and fascinating landmarks. Whether you hike, drive, or bike the Commonwealth, you’re sure to enjoy our remarkable attractions and celebrate both our history and our breathtaking natural beauty.
Your big day deserves a beautiful destination and you’ve found it in Virginia’s Northern Neck. We offer a blend of sophistication and charm, whether you choose a venue that’s historic, waterfront, or maybe a romantic vineyard. We look forward to making your day special.
Take the plunge at northernneck.org/weddings
By Stephanie Ganz | Photography by Fred + Elliott Olugbenga Diyaolu, Global Chief Research, Development, and Sustainability Officer for Sabra in the company's Chesterfield test kitchen.
When Olugbenga Diyaolu goes out to eat at a restaurant, he’s on the hunt for an experience that he can’t find anywhere else. A selfdescribed foodie, Diyaolu, the global chief research, development, and sustainability officer for Sabra (yes, the hummus) sees a restaurant’s menu as more of a suggestion, a jumping off point. He knows how professional kitchens work: They’re simply a combination of ingredients and talent, and Diyaolu, ever the innovator, has a knack
for pushing creativity forward whenever possible.
56 VIRGINIA LIVING APRIL 2024
NOW THE COUNTRY’S TOP-SELLING hummus brand, Sabra was founded in Queens, New York, in 1986—a time when hummus was far outside the mainstream in the U.S., known mostly to vegetarians and people with connections to the Middle East, where the dish was first created some 600 years ago. The story of Sabra’s climb to dominance as a now-global brand is one of mergers and acquisitions. Co-owned by Strauss and PepsiCo, it’s a partnership that has resulted in distribution opportunities and global positioning. In 2010, the company relocated its headquarters to Chesterfield, where it continued to grow. A line of guacamole was introduced in 2011. But Sabra’s mainstay remains its containers of red-lidded hummus—in 12 different flavors—that anchor the refrigerated dip section in just about every major grocery store.
Hummus is an Arabic word meaning chickpeas, and the centuries-old dip invariably includes them, as well as tahini, and (usually) garlic. “When you have those three ingredients, you have our baseline,” Diyaolu explains. “What I’m saying is, how do we show the imagination beyond our baseline that shows where hummus could go in terms of flavors?”
Inspiration, Diyaolu says, comes from all sides. There are the consumer groups that Sabra’s marketing team probes for ideas and feedback. There are summits with suppliers to gain insight into similar categories, like the ice cream space, where flavor innovation is common. Diyaolu’s team also explores restaurants and marketplaces during “Trend Trips” to other cities. And then there’s good old-fashioned everyday inspiration, like Diyaolu’s four-year-old daughter eating her hummus with the condiment that all four-yearolds adore—ketchup.
“The pairing of ketchup with a hummus base apparently goes well,” Diyaolu says with a bemused chuckle. “Then we tried buffalo sauce— it goes well! Then we tried barbecue, and it goes well!” And just like that, Sabra’s new line of Bold Familiar Favorites, which pairs hummus with Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce and Stubb’s Barbecue Sauce, was born, adding more options to Sabra’s 12-flavor lineup.
“That [product line] helps bring in lots of new folks that wouldn’t traditionally try a typical recipe of a hummus profile,” explains Diyaolu. “That’s where hummus could go, and that’s where we’re trying to increase accessibility of what people have known hummus to be, to what hummus can be, moving forward.”
Diyaolu says the process of taking an idea from a glimmer in a four-year-old’s eye to a SKU on store shelves can take anywhere from six to 18 months, depending on the complexity of the product. It starts with the “bringing products to life” phase, where ideating happens across every element of the item—from flavor to appearance.
At Sabra’s headquarters in Chesterfield, man and machine power come together to produce dizzying amounts of delicious dip. Here, miniature cups of hummus are getting ready to be paired with pre-portioned pretzels for Sabra’s Smart Snackers line.
In his second full year at Sabra, Diyaolu is keeping his eyes on the big dream—taking Sabra beyond hummus and guacamole to new frontiers.
Next, the potential product is presented to consumer groups for testing. Once it’s gone through that gamut, it’s on to the kitchen for small-batch production, followed by the pilot plant, and eventually scaled all the way up to the manufacturing plant.
Innovation is just one part of Diyaolu’s impressive title. Sustainability is equally important to Sabra, and Diyaolu says that takes two forms— environmental sustainability and community engagement. While Sabra’s packaging is already completely recyclable, Diyaolu says they’re now pursuing ways to get more recycled content back into their packaging, closing the loop. They’re also looking for new ways to convert their energy usage into renewable energy, upholding one of the company’s three missions—nourishing the planet is one. Nourishing people and communities are the other two.
As for nourishing the community, the company has been active in finding ways to reduce hunger, partnering with FeedMore and other local organizations like Hopewell Elementary School with the dual goals of solving food insecurity and improving food education, especially around the types of ingredients that Sabra works with.
In his second full year at Sabra, Diyaolu is keeping his eyes on the big dream—taking Sabra beyond hummus and guacamole to new frontiers. He’s on an ambitious mission to add several new platforms between now and 2026, which will likely include hummus-adjacent dips like tzatziki for which he and his team will look for ways to provide versatility and uniqueness. New globalfusion flavor profiles are also on the docket.
“I want to take this trusted brand that everyone knows and loves in the hummus space and translate that into the refrigerated spaces,” Diyaolu says. “So, establishing the journey of where we go from here, beyond hummus and guacamole …. How do we take that and grow?”
Richmond-based Stephanie Ganz has always been obsessed with food—she cooked professionally—and she’s been writing about it all along. She has been published in The Local Palate , Eater, and Bon Appétit . Follow her at @SalGanz.
Sabra’s newly launched Stubb’s Barbecue Sauce Hummus, and their fan-favorite, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, recently revamped with 25 percent more topping.
819
757-530-NEON
Where there’s a beer and a brewery for everyone.
Tumbling Creek Ciders reaches to its mountain orchard roots.
AS MARK FINNEY AND HIS PALS EMBRACED their hobby—they’re all serious weekend brewmeisters—they reflected on Southwest Virginia’s previously bustling economy, much of it from apple orchards. “The area used to be a thriving part of the state,” Finney says, explaining that the arrival of Red Delicious apples decimated a once vibrant apple industry. “Its superior shelf-life meant that it became a favorite in grocery story produce sections, essentially drying up demand for other varieties.” The effect was like dominos, shuttering businesses, one after the other.
NEPTUNE CITY’S craft beer scene is legitimate enough to have its own trail. From flavor-packed IPAs to barrel-aged sours, there’s a beer and a brewery for everyone. Visit Young Veterans Brewing Company for its WWII artthemed walls (and terrific beer), or mellow out in the cozy atmosphere of Reaver Reach’s neighborhood vibe (with tasty rotating small-batch beers). Check out the German-inspired, brewpub style Wasserhund and enjoy their mammoth flights that pair nicely with equally large beer pretzels, or order big, bold beers from Smartmouth. Visit one or two, or spend an afternoon roaming all eight. The best feature about the Virginia Beach Beer Trail? It celebrates local breweries, one sip at a time. VisitVirginiaBeach.com
—by Madeline Mayhood
BOB CULLEY DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH TO DO as an ER physician, so he looked for a side hustle. He found it in wine. With a supportive family and an ace team in place, he opened Act XII Wine & Provisions in Tappahannock, winning legions of fans the minute the doors opened in September. “This area has traditionally been somewhat of a desert in terms of what’s available” he says, noting that other than a handful of ABC stores and the occasional trip further afield to Kilmarnock and Irvington, the choices in his hometown were slim. If you wanted a bottle of wine, a wedge of good Brie, and something other than Triscuits, you were out of luck.
Red Delicious are delicious, but Finney and his friends found that they’re not ideal for cider making. However, older varieties like Arkansas Black Twig and Virginia Beauty are. “They have more character, a deeper flavor, and more tannins,” he explains. With a mission to create
high-quality apple-to-bottle, region-focused cider, they launched Tumbling Creek Cider in Abingdon. First came a production facility, then they grafted cider apple trees for an orchard. A taproom followed, serving their core ciders, along with small-batch and experimental varieties.
Finney’s favorite? Tumbling Creek’s Hellbender Hops—a customer favorite, too. “It’s blended with hops, with floral notes that hint towards citrus,” he says. TumblingCreekCider.com —by M.M.
“I started out wanting to make wine accessible to everyone,” Culley says. “About 90 percent of our wine is priced below $30 a bottle, so I was really going for wines that outperform their price points—varieties that give a real bang for your buck.” Act XII’s scope also includes gourmet foods and craft beer.
Culley enjoys combing farmers markets to identify and cultivate the makers and creators whose products are typically not found on grocery store shelves, especially those from local producers. So in addition to wine, Act XII, which gets its name from the 1619 House of Burgesses edict encouraging the colonists to grow grapes, also sells cheeses, gourmet salts, spreads, cocktail mixes, and charcuterie. The store also stocks Momofuku noodles, which sell out in a flash. [Editor’s note: They’re worth a trip alone.]
“The community has been so supportive,” Culley tells me, after pulling three consecutive overnight shifts at his primary gig. And community is what he’s going for. Plans are in the works to schedule wine- and craft beer-centric events throughout the year; for now, wine tastings are every Friday. ActXIIWineAndProvisions.com
—by M.M.
Chef Seng Luangrath perfectly captures Laotian cuisine at Padaek.By STEPHANIE GANZ | Photography by SCOTT SUCHMAN
In a bustling Arlington shopping center, there’s an oasis hidden in plain sight. Padaek, a Laos and Thai food restaurant from the mother of the Laos Food Movement, James Beard Award-nominated chef Seng Luangrath, is a beacon in a busy parking lot. Step foot inside, and you’ll be transported far beyond the circling SUVs making their way to Giant and Gold’s Gym, right down to the banks of the Mekong River.
LVietnam
before landing in the Bay Area in 1983. After marrying her husband, Boun, the couple moved to Alexandria, where they worked together at Boun’s construction business. But soon Luangrath realized she felt unfulfilled, and her husband encouraged her to find a career that better suited her talents. That’s about the time a restaurateur approached Luangrath, who had amassed a small following for her Lao and Thai catering, with an offer to take over his restaurant, Bangkok Golden Thai. That move put Luangrath on a path to become a nationally-celebrated chef. She founded the Lao Food Movement, which encourages Lao immigrants to celebrate their culture and cuisine and inspires would-be
restaurateurs to open Lao restaurants. Which is exactly what she’s done. Padaek, now with two NoVa locations, is named for Luangrath’s favorite condiment, a bold, unfiltered fish sauce that makes its way into many classic Lao dishes.
“I chose that name because a lot of Lao people, like myself back in the day, were so shy to talk about it,” Luangrath explains. “It kind of gave me that courage to cook Lao food. It’s kind of like showing the Lao people that we don’t need to be shy about our food anymore.”
At Paedek’s new location in Arlington, Chef de Cuisine Nyi Nyi Myint, from Myanmar, is in the kitchen, and the menu is anything but shy. It’s a vibrant, fiery love letter to the food and memories of Luangrath’s childhood, starting with the 150-seat space itself, bedecked with touches of bamboo and rattan, and custom art pieces from Gia Salvi, whose vibrant art provides a “warm and spicy welcome to the true side of Laos,” the artist says. “It’s brought me back to the memories of the garden, the fish in the ponds,” says Luangrath. “It’s a lifestyle. We grow our own vegetables, our own fish. So you see the fish on the walls and the greens because, in the backyard we’ll have a coconut tree, a banana tree. We live with nature.”
The setting establishes guests on their journey around Laos and Thailand through Padaek’s menu. Starters are a carousel of crispy, spicy, sticky, and funky, with standouts like Sai Oua, a succulent pork sausage served with sticky rice, which is used as a utensil for scooping up bites of the herbinfused sausage, and Peek Gai, a mountain of shatteringly crispy chicken wings tossed in a sticky-sweet tamarind glaze and a flurry of scallions.
Among the salad selections, you’ll find two distinct versions of green papaya salad. One is Lao while the other is Thai. Here you can begin to grasp the differences between the two cuisines. Tum Lao is an assertive, all explosive heat and fish sauce funk, and Tum Thai plays up the juxtaposition of sweet
and spicy, thanks to palm sugar and fiery bird’s eye chili.
Luangrath says one of her favorite dishes on the menu is collard green Mieng—wraps that the diner constructs for themselves. Traditionally, Mieng uses betel leaves, which are nearly impossible to find. Cabbage is a common stand-in, but collard greens are Luangrath’s personal innovation: “I just happened to go to the market and, and I wanted to eat Mieng, but I didn’t want cabbage, and I wanted to find some green that I can eat it with. So I tried collard greens and, and I fell in love with it. I liked the flavor, the bitterness, and the chewy texture.” While novel to folks familiar with Mieng, the collard greens and crispy catfish, another ingredient Lao food shares with Virginia, feel right at home on the menu, and it’s now one of Padaek’s most popular dishes.
Thai and Lao cuisine share an affinity for curries, and you’ll find stellar versions at Padaek. A traditional Massaman Curry comes out piping hot with a creamy coconut base, reddened with fiery curry paste and loaded with tender beef brisket. Luangrath’s recent trip to Thailand inspired new dishes, including Praram Long Song, a curry that dates back 140 years. Luangrath’s version eschews the traditional beef or pork in favor of a butterflied branzino,
which sits perched on a pool of the spicy peanut curry sauce.
You can see the influence of Luangrath’s Thai travels in some of the chef’s recommendations—a nearly perfect Pad Thai Mun Goong, or Shrimp Pad Thai, a litmus test for Thai restaurants that Padaek passes with flying colors. Padaek’s Crab Fried Rice is a mountain of tawny, egg-flecked fried rice whose summit is blanketed in crabmeat, with a flurry of crab roe on top—a filling, not-spicy counterpoint to the heat that defines much of the menu.
The service at Padaek is as warm and inviting as the menu, thanks in part to front-of-house manager, Sunny Vanavichai. Her playful-yet-serious drink menu complements the flavor explosions on the food side. The frothy Poo Bao Johnny combines scotch with a lemongrass-scented honey, and the highly quaffable Seng Spritz blends gin and ginger perfumed with hibiscus, lychee, and lime. Luangrath hopes Padaek’s success will inspire more restaurateurs to open Lao restaurants. It’s a part of her Lao Food Movement that she holds dear. “Most of my parents’ generation who came to America worked in Thai restaurants, and a lot of us opened Thai restaurants, so having a Lao restaurant, especially with the name Padaek, gives people courage to say, it’s OK. You can convert your restaurant to Lao food or you can add Lao food on the menu.”
Richmond-based Stephanie Ganz writes about food for The Local Palate , Eater, and Bon Appétit . Follow her at @SalGanz.
If you successfully weathered a fourth grade home economics class, you should have a basic understanding of how herbs can enhance a dish.
They add flavor, they add color, they just look nice sprinkled about on a plate, adding a bit of je ne sais quoi like they don’t even care. They give serious cred to even the most inexperienced chef, saying “I know my way around a kitchen.”
But there are secrets to mastering herbal-infused cooking, and John Hoffman, executive chef at Keswick Hall, shares them here.
FIRST OF ALL, get it out of your head that cooking with herbs is as easy as going out to your garden, grabbing a handful of dill, and tossing it with some chicken salad. (It actually is that easy but that’s not what we’re going for today.)
Here, we have star-chef-level, herb-rich recipes that you may—or may not—be able to make in your own home. Some of these recipes are definitely not for the home chef, so be prepared to feast only your eyes, and eyes alone.
Hoffman has been heading up kitchens at fivestar resorts around the world since 2016, and these days he’s managing Keswick’s farm-to-table produce farm, Oakdale, where he and his team gather produce daily. And yes, that includes all types and varieties of herb.
First, he says, make sure you are working with your own homegrown herbs. You can plant them in a garden or grow them in a window box, just make sure you’re not rolling with shaker cans from a supermarket. Marvel as you watch your herbs begin to flower and blossom, and then use those showy parts for a nuanced flavor that adds definite color to a plate.
“English rosemary grows really well in Virginia’s soil,” says Hoffman. “While we wait for those to go to flower, we use them as garnish. Chives, when they start to blossom, we’ll pull them. It’s not just herbs when you’re cooking, though. While they make great garnish and the flavors that come from the flower are somewhat nuanced, the blossom has a lot of punch to it, so it can really enhance the flavor as well.”
I asked Hoffman if there’s a way you can mess up while cooking with herbs, and his response was, essentially, yes but it’s complicated. “We have soft herbs but there are also hard herbs. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and lavender are harder and can be cooked longer. The softer herbs are basil or tarragon,
or parsley. I like to use these at the last minute because their flavors can kind of melt away or get mixed up if you cook them too long.”
Then, of course, there’s the form of the herb itself. Sometimes, you want a finer powder rather than the whole blossom. To dehydrate an herb to make a powder, Hoffman suggests using the microwave. “This gives you a basic, great powder after it dries out,” he says. “You have this beautiful, bright, vibrant color and you still have that flavor.” [Editor’s note: see box for more info.]
“You can dehydrate almost any herb, but we typically do the soft herbs like tarragon or basil,” Hoffman continues, “the ones that are a little bit more delicate to the touch.” Hoffman says
hardier herbs like rosemary and sage can be dehydrated too. Need a leafy herb for a garnish? Hoffman has a tried and true technique that works without fail. “A lot of times we’ll take tweezers, and pull the blossoms off, so it’s kind of the most delicate work. We’ll put them in ice water, so that kind of shocks them and keeps them for service.”
Meredith Lindemon, a former Philadelphian, is a Richmond-based freelance writer who covers culture and lifestyle for a variety of publications.
John Hoffman, executive chef at Keswick Hall, strikes a pose at the entrance to Marigold by Jean-Georges.STEP 1
¼ cup shiitake mushrooms, washed and stemmed
¼ cup cremini mushrooms, washed and stemmed
Extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper
STEP 2
¼ cup trumpet mushrooms, split in half and washed with the bottoms removed
1 clove of garlic, small diced
6 thyme sprigs, leaves chopped
12 chives, chopped
1 rosemary sprig, chopped
4 mint sprigs, chopped
¼ cup butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
½ teaspoon salt
4 pieces of skinless salmon filets, about 4–6 ounces each
In a bowl, combine ingredients in Step 1, and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Transfer seasoned mushrooms to a baking sheet and cook at 325°F for about 20 minutes. Mushrooms will be lightly colored but not dry. Let cool to room temperature, then cut into ½-inch pieces.
In a second mixing bowl, combine ingredients in Step 2 and mix with a standing mixer set on low speed and fitted with a paddle. Add cut mushrooms from Step 1. Once mushrooms are broken and incorporated, about 2 minutes, spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a layer about ½″ thick. Let cool in your refrigerator to form an herby crust. Increase oven temperature to 400°F. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place filets skin side up on the baking sheet. Cut the crust to the approximate sizes of each salmon piece and top each filet with the crust. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes or until the crust is a deep golden brown. Serves 4.
While they make great garnish and the flavors that come from the flower are somewhat nuanced, the blossom has a lot of punch to it, so it can really enhance the flavor as well.
—John Hoffman, Executive Chef, Keswick Hall
STEP 1
¾ cup onion, small diced
¾ cup carrots, small diced
1 finger/Jwala chili, small diced, optional (if you like heat)
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
STEP 2
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
¼ cup sherry vinegar
Salt and pepper
STEP 3
9 morel mushrooms, sliced into ½-inch rounds
3 shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and cut into wedges
3 oyster mushrooms, cut into 1-inch pieces
¼ cup grapeseed oil
1 teaspoon butter
15 pieces jumbo asparagus, peeled with bottoms trimmed
½ cup fresh herbs, mixed and chopped
Salt and pepper
In a small saucepan, combine ingredients in Step 1 and sauté for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Take the pan off the heat, cool, then transfer ingredients to a medium bowl. Combine with ingredients in Step 2 and season with salt and pepper.
Wash and dry mushrooms in Step
3. Heat grapeseed oil and butter in a sauté pan over high heat. When the pan begins to smoke, carefully add mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Sauté approximately 5 minutes until mushrooms are caramelized but still moist and tender. Reserve in an ever layer and keep warm.
In a pot of salted boiling water (it should taste like the ocean), blanch peeled asparagus for 1 minute until vibrant green. Drain and arrange spears on a small platter, then scatter with reserved mushroom mixture. Drizzle 1 ounce of dressing over asparagus and sprinkle with your favorite herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 2.
Semolina flour
Pizza dough (4 balls)
1 ½ cup Comté or Gruyère cheese, diced ¼ cup freshly grated ParmigianoReggiano cheese
1 cup fresh ricotta
6 cups spinach leaves
1 1/3 cups loosely packed fresh dill and basil leaves
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Put a pizza stone on the lowest oven rack. Preheat the oven to 500°F. Let the stone get very, very hot.
Sprinkle a baking sheet with semolina flour. Pick up a dough ball with your fingers and gently pinch the edges of the ball while rotating it so that the dough stretches into a round. Drape it over your knuckles and continue turning and stretching until the center is so thin it's almost translucent. If you’ve ever watched a pizza dough-maker at work, this is the method you want to emulate. The dough should be about 9 inches in diameter. Place on the prepared sheet. Unless you have a very large pizza stone or baking sheet, you can probably make only one or two pizzas at a time. Cover the other dough rounds in plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to use. Spread a quarter of the Comté/Gruyère and Parm-Reggiano on the dough round, then crumble a quarter of the ricotta over the top. Scatter a quarter of the spinach and herbs over the cheese. Drizzle a little oil all over and season with salt. Slide the sheet onto the hot stone and bake until the crust is browned and crisp, the cheese is melted, and the spinach is wilted—about 10 minutes. Grind pepper all over. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and pop in the oven for a few more minutes. The baked ingredients and all the oozy cheeses will be on the bottom layer, with the fresher ingredients on the top for the ultimate flavor bomb.
YOU CAN USE A DEHYDRATOR, but if you don’t have one, try making herb powders in the microwave. First, strip herb leaves from stems—especially harder herbs like rosemary and lavender. Spread them out between two paper towels. Zap the herbs in 30-second increments, checking on them frequently to make sure they don’t burn. The total time will be contingent on your microwave’s power and what herbs you’re nuking. If your herbs are getting fried, reduce your microwave’s power to 50 percent. Once they’re fairly brittle and dry, let them cool. Then, working in batches, grind herbs in a spice mill to a fine powder. Another set-it-and-forget-it method is to use your oven. Set it at 150°F or as low as it will go. Spread out herbs on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until dry and brittle, 1–11/2 hours. Working in batches, grind herbs in a spice mill to a fine powder. Store in an airtight container and use frequently for pops of flavor and color.
Virginia's planned retirement communities offer gracious living and world-class amenities. Gourmet restaurants, art studios, top-of-theline fitness centers, championship golf courses, and more, create a dynamic community, where built-in home maintenance support means carefree living. At these premier locations across the Commonwealth, you'll find boundless opportunities for learning, wellness, friendship, and fulfillment and meet neighbors who share your dreams and passions.
Atlantic Shores Retirement Community is Virginia’s only resident-governed cooperative community, offering the choice of equity ownership or lease within a vibrant lifestyle. Set on a beautifully landscaped 100-acre campus, the Atlantic Shores independent living community is 10 minutes from Virginia Beach’s famed oceanfront and boardwalk.
Atlantic Shores offers active senior living with a range of services, social activities, amenities, award-winning cuisine, and a full continuum of on-site medical services. 757-745-1359 or AlanticShores.com
Cedarfield
Since 1996, Cedarfield has provided an engaging culture that fosters independence, individuality and a secure plan for the future. Our sense of community is matched only by our commitment to service and hospitality. Living at Cedarfield means freeing yourself from the hassles of homeownership. Here on a 95-acre wooded campus, first-rate amenities, exceptional dining, a commitment to wellness and a vibrant social life come together to create a lifestyle that exceeds expectations.
804-373-8511 or Cedarfield.org
Kendal at Lexington
Kendal at Lexington is a vibrant Life Plan Community nestled on 84 acres in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, just one mile from downtown Lexington, Virginia. Offering a fulfilling lifestyle for older adults, the campus boasts a range of amenities including a fitness center, extensive walking trails, an indoor pool, a woodworking shop, and an art studio. Residents enjoy spacious cottages and apartments with scenic views, fostering a sense of tranquility and comfort. With a commitment to holistic wellness, Quaker values, and lifelong learning, Kendal at Lexington provides a supportive environment where individuals can thrive and cultivate meaningful connections within a close-knit community.
540-463-1910 or KALEX.Kendal.org
At Lakewood, we believe the pursuit of perfection takes many forms. That’s why we focus on giving you an array of choices so you can create YOUR ideal lifestyle. We’ll take care of the responsibilities of home maintenance while you explore your interests. Plus, as a Life Plan Community, we have a full continuum of on-site care for peace of mind backed with the financial predictability of Life Care. Visit our beautiful 128-acre campus in the convenient west end of Richmond. We can’t wait to see you!
804-451-1583 or LakewoodWestend.org
Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury
Situated on 165 wooded acres in Virginia’s Northern Neck, Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury is a Total Lifecare retirement community that has provided exceptional living for senior adults for more than 38 years. Housing options include apartments, cottages and freestanding homes – all within a short distance of the main building. Assisted living, on-site health care and a memory care center round out the continuum of care. A host of social and fitness activities along with delicious meals make it feel like living in an all-inclusive resort. Everything is taken care of, so you can do the things you love!
804-438-4000 or RW-C.org
Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury
A Connected, Enriched Lifestyle Awaits at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC)
Winchester’s quaint setting is matched by its colorful history and the abundance of cultural offerings. What a perfect setting for SVWC, which welcomed its first residents in 1987. T he 87-acre campus has a 14-acre nature preserve with 2.5 miles of walking trails. Residence options include apartments, cottages, and single-family homes, and the new Villa neighborhood blends traditional cottage and apartment living.
540-665-5914 or 800-492-9463 or SVWC.org
Sunnyside Communities
Sunnyside Communities is three award-winning Life Plan Communities in Virginia – Sunnyside (Harrisonburg), King’s Grant (Martinsville) and Summit Square (Waynesboro) offering a variety of affordable living choices. Each community is located in a region of the state rich in history, culture and diversity and surrounded by many area attractions. Recognized nationally and internationally, the communities have received awards for whole-person wellness programming, the highest ratings for quality of care, and “Best of Virginia” awards. Pet-friendly.
Harrisonburg 800-237-2257 Martinsville 800-462-4649 Waynesboro 800-586-5499 or SunnysideCommunities.com
Williamsburg Landing
Located in the “South’s Best Small Town of 2020,” according to Southern Living, our premier Life Plan Community is the ideal place to enjoy a future of independence and inspiration. Since 1985, Williamsburg Landing has offered a vibrant lifestyle that cultivates new interests, lasting friendships, and a well-balanced retirement. Choose between beautiful home styles and sizes before spending your days staying upbeat in our state-of-the-art Health Club & Spa, playing pickleball, and enjoying educational opportunities and engaging classes. If health care is ever required, we’ve got you covered there, too! It’s time for Williamsburg Landing.
757-565-6505 or WilliamsburgLanding.org
GLENDA
540-797-2247
SmithMountainLakeAgent@gmail.com www.TheLakeSpecialist.com
Sunnyside Communities takes living to the next level. With more than 111 years of experience, our three award-winning Life Plan Communities – all in Virginia –are for those 55 and better who want more than just senior living.
Our residents are active. They travel. They have fun. They share their hobbies with others. They discover new interests. They are adventurous. They embrace lifelong learning. They socialize. Most importantly, they enjoy the journey.
SUNNYSIDE
Harrisonburg, VA 800.237.2257
LiveatSS.com
KING’S GRANT Martinsville, VA 800.462.4649
LiveatKG.com
SUMMIT SQUARE Waynesboro, VA 800.586.5499
LiveatSQ.com
Located on a beautifully wooded west-end campus, Lakewood offers innovative hybrid homes, cottages, apartments, and a broad array of modern amenities all designed to enhance your life and support your well-being. Combined with LifeSpire of Virginia’s solid 75-year history, an unwavering commitment to empowering choices in purposeful living, and the security of LifeCare, Lakewood is a smart choice that could make your next years your best years.
Start your next chapter of living with us! Schedule a personal visit and learn about the exceptional Lakewood lifestyle. Call 804.451.1583 today.
Come for a visit to the quaint little town of Irvington and discover the best retirement community on the East Coast of Virginia. At Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, our residents enjoy an active, involved lifestyle in a beautiful, rural community close to the Chesapeake Bay. Housing options include apartments, cottages and free-standing homes. Our campus offers 165 wooded acres with plenty of groomed walking trails and a man-made lake for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Call to schedule a tour or check out our 360-degree virtual tours.
groomed trails
804-438-4000 | RW-C.org | info@rw-c.org
Choosing Kendal at Lexington leaves more time for what’s important. More time for painting in the art studio or taking it en plein air to the gardens. More time for singing classes, dance clubs, and recorder groups. More time at art museums, theaters, and in the woodworking studio. Create a future that means more. Kendal at Lexington.
Learn more at kalex.kendal.org or call us at (540) 463-1910.
Proceeds fund the restoration of Virginia’s historic public gardens and a research fellowship program.
For a complete listing of tours and to purchase tickets, please visit VaGardenWeek.org
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’
MCLEAN WAS COVERED IN SNOW when I visited in January. I was headed to Ballantrae Farm, the 6.5 acre estate that’s open for Historic Garden Week on the Fairfax/McLean tour, April 23. The road follows Ballantrae Farm Drive, lined with neoGeorgian and mid-century modern McMansions on micro-lots. It winds up and around to what legend says is the highest point in Fairfax County, and where—so the story goes—President James Madison and his wife, Dolley, solemnly watched the Capitol burn, just 10 miles away, when the British attacked Washington in 1814.
Large stone pillars and a stately iron gate signal an entrance to a sprawling Georgian Revival fieldstone house. Built in the early 1920s, Ballantrae Farm once comprised hundreds of acres, much of it farmland. Subsequent owners, name changes, and acreages shifted over time, but the footprint of the original 10,000-squarefoot house has essentially remained the same.
I’m there to meet Sara Polaski, the estate manager, and Janet Guzzano, the property’s garden manager. I motor up the meandering driveway, bordered with Belgian brick and flanked with alternating Kwanzan and Yoshino cherries. Lawns and plant grouping and well-tended beds are on either side, and despite being covered in snow, they’re thriving and healthy. I sense a certain magic about the place. A feeling of serenity washes over, and any hint of the congestion of the greater D.C. Metroplex quickly disappears.
As soon as I’m parked, a giant ball of fur rockets toward me through the snow, tails ferociously wagging. Midnight and Roscoe are Ballantrae’s canine residents, loyally patrolling the property while their owners travel. They greet me enthusiastically as Sara, Janet, and Wriggly, Sara’s diminutive furbaby, catch up.
Ballantrae’s current owner purchased the “farm” from the estate of Joe Robert, the D.C. financier and philanthropist, whose early death at 59 in 2011 left the property in flux. Situated in some of the country’s most expensive real estate, it was ripe for subdividing by hungry developers were it not for a soon-to-be retired executive on the hunt for his next chapter. Lucky for Ballantrae, he’s a guy with a love of history, a penchant for preservation, and a big heart.
ILEARN THAT IN THE 1990 s, Robert commissioned landscape architect Guy Williams to enclose the property, which, up until then, had been fairly open. Williams strategically added hedges and masses to the existing trees and shrubs, which together created a natural barrier. Now yews and holly and cypress, along with cryptomeria, giant oaks, and hydrangea, comprise the property’s borders.
Ballantrae is über-luxe. Not in an in-your-face way, but subtly and stately. As we trudge through the snow, with my new canine friends in tow, Sara and Janet show me the huge Swiss Family Robinson-style treehouse tucked into a grove of Norway spruce. Brilliantly camouflaged, I nearly miss it. With ladders and levels and an actual treehouse— even a swinging bridge—winding among its host’s gnarly limbs, it’s right out of the pages of Johann David Wyss’ classic children’s book. It’s in the corner of a regulation-size soccer field, sunken and complete with amphitheater-style stone stairs notched into the gently sloping hillside.
A kitchen garden, designed by Jan Conti, the property’s emeritus director of horticulture, is also sunken and features Belgian brick-edged beds, cold frames, and possibly Virginia’s most charming potting shed. Ledges of the surrounding stacked-stone retaining walls are layered with ‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangea and leatherleaf viburnum. Sara and Janet tell me that the owner’s children, some grown, some still in school, enjoy the property’s privacy, where they can also play tennis on a Har-Tru clay court.
Joe Robert’s priority had been the landscape, but after his death, from all accounts, it was in need of some serious love. Now, it’s once again a focus. The current owner lived in the U.K. for many years, admiring the country houses and gardens that dot the English countryside. A fan
of Vita Sackville-West’s style at Sissinghurst and Christopher Lloyd’s gardens at Great Dixter, he arrived at Ballantrae a decade ago, inspired to properly honor the property by paying homage to its history and the gardens he admired abroad.
Sara shows me a serene birch tree “walk” and the pretty parterre garden that was rehabbed, a project that also made pool access easier. It’s where Ballantrae’s hardscaping shines, artfully combining slate, brick, limestone, and pea gravel, creating a visual party underfoot.
Garden vignettes, succession planting, and seasonal interest were capitalized on, where clusters of spring’s sweet-scented clethra give way to fothergilla in the summer, and the exfoliating bark of oakleaf hydrangeas can be the dramatic stars of the landscape in winter. Pansies happily welcome nearly 20,000 spring bulbs sprinkled throughout the property. Foundation planting, with beds of holly, boxwood, fern, and azalea and in place for decades, were tamed and trimmed. Containers, reflecting the seasons, are well-placed, and climbing roses and hydrangea, vestiges from Guy Wil-
liams’ day, scamper up stone walls. A terrace on the south side of the property includes ample furniture groupings and a full outdoor kitchen.
An engineer by training, the current owner took over Ballantrae in 2013 and not only put his stamp on the outside, but he also embarked on several interior renovations, with every decision factoring in the house and its history. For liveability, the second floor and the kitchen got complete makeovers.
Ballantrae Farm could have gone the way of many noble, aging homes. The “farm” could have been subdivided into a dozen or more McMansions. That would have been the easy route. With a deep appreciation for history, its new owner took the road less traveled. In the last decade, he’s preserved this gracious home, making thoughtful changes that respect its legacy.
And when he bought the house from Joe Robert’s estate, Robert’s two loveable labs, suddenly had nowhere to go. Without so much as a second thought, this dog-loving owner tells me in a phone conversation we had in December, Midnight and Butterball are what sealed the deal. “Of course they came with the house,” he declares. I can almost see him smiling through the phone. Sadly, Butterball passed away last year, but Midnight, the spry 15-year-old black lab, Wriggly, and Roscoe, their red golden retriever pal, continue to happily roam the property. Who knows? You might just see them on the Historic Garden Week tour.
Residential, company headquarters, hospitality or development opportunity in the heart of Richmond’s Historic District. With a total area of 11,454 sq ft, this Greek Revival Mansion still retains all of its original details. It was the residence of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ellen Glasgow from 1887 to 1945 and comes with a charming carriage house and an English basement. $1,850,000
DOUG DORSEY | 804.389.0905 | DOUGDORSEY@SRMFRE.COM
Mount
Spectacularly Renovated End Unit in Rocketts Landing, this townhouse with windows galore and decks on every level make for unparalleled views of The James River and Downtown Richmond. Features include an oversized 2-car garage, an open floor plan, a glorious kitchen with a huge butcher block island, elevator with access to every level. A once in a lifetime Dream Home. 1banksidemews.com $2,000,000
ALICE SHARP | 804.426.8308 | ALICESHARP@SRMFRE.COM
Welcome to Historic Warner Hall, one of the mid-Atlantic’s most coveted waterfront estates. This stately Colonial Greek revival estate encompasses 40 total acres, a main house, a carriage house, and a charming river cottage. Situated on the Severn River with easy access to the Mobjack and Chesapeake Bays. Only 30 minutes to Williamsburg, 1 hour to Richmond, and 3 hours to Washington D.C. $4,450,000 JOHN MARTIN | 757.870.2893 | JOHNMARTIN@SRMFRE.COM
The Old Oyster is now available and complete and in move-in ready condition! A beautiful southern style low country inspired design by Allison Ramsey Architects built by
CHECKERBOARD, that high contrast cousin to the more subtle demure gingham and plaid, is back again—but did it ever leave?
Whether it conjures up images of Alice in Wonderland ’s descent into the looking glass, the iconic Vans worn in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, or, perhaps, an actual game of checkers, this timeless chess-inspired pattern has been bouncing around for generations.
Few patterns can look equally at home on a diner floor and gleaming grand foyer, adding visual interest, length, and a classic linear detail to any space. Now we’re seeing it make a resurgence not only in kitchens, but also in bathrooms and living spaces. And there’s no one way to do it right. The pattern is back with multiple personalities, making it impossible to pin down whether it’s stately or electric.
“The coolest thing about what we are seeing now is that there have been so many new takes on the tried and true black and white marble checkerboard. There’s limestone with bluestone, stacked zellige tiles, and the look keeps evolving,” says Kristin Harrison, founder of Bungalow 10 Interiors in NoVa.
CHECKERED PILLOW IN BROWN
A warm palette of chocolate and taupe give this checkered pillow an earthy and nostalgic 1970s look. $95 MaisonRoseaux.com
CHECKERS BOLSTER PILLOW
Gray and white checkers add a quirky accent to minimalist spaces. $60 ShadesOfLight.com
The iconic black-and-white treatment is popping up in kitchens, paired with muted, warm cabinets for a palette that feels crisp yet welcoming. It’s a sophisticated reference to the checkerboard floors of the 1950s. Occasionally, the black veers into gray territory for an even softer look.
Earthy palettes like rust, brown, and gray tone down the starkness of the checkerboard on vintage-inspired floor mats, pillows, and textiles in living areas. It can be used in the same places where a plaid might work, but offers an unexpected, edgy feel, as if a touch of punk rock snuck in when the designer wasn’t looking.
FRENCH CREEL COIR MAT
Welcome your guests with an eye-catching and classic harlequin checkerboard. In two sizes. $35-$55 BallardDesigns.com
Bathrooms are where things take a sharp left turn. Small-scale checkerboard tiles in clashing colors and dimensional textures give a ’70s touch (yes, the ’70s are still back!). It’s maximalism at its finest.
“Checkerboard is a cool pattern to have some fun with,” explains Harrison, who adds that the motif can work in a small space. “It creates a little jewel box that stands out as a feature.”
COURTLY CHECK WHISTLING TEA KETTLE & UTENSIL HOLDER
Mackenzie Childs is the reigning Queen of Checkerboard, and this iconic kitchenware could be the start of your collection. $169, $89 Mackenzie-Childs.com
ANTIQUE SPANISH WHITE AND GRAY MARBLE
12” x 12” tiles from Paris Ceramics that give an instant lived-in feeling. Available from select distributors. ZoeFeldmanDesign.com
VINTAGE VINYL FLOORCLOTHS (PATTERN 07: CHECKED OUT)
Floorcloths were the rugs of choice in the 1700s; this checkered version is reason enough to bring the look back. From $58.50 HudsonAndVine.com
PRINT FABRIC
Preppy pink and white checkers are a whimsical alternative to its more buttoned-up cousin, gingham. Sold through designers. Schumacher.com
Make Classic Practical
Skip high maintenance marble in heavily trafficked spaces and, instead, look for porcelain with a marble look. “If you have toddlers or animals, functionality is key,” says Harrison. “We use porcelain to limit the inevitable scratching and scuffing that comes with the banging around of daily life.”
Bunny Mellon was an American garden icon. Her legacy lives on at Oak Spring, a place of history, beauty, and learning.
• A community of nature lovers
• Year-round educational programs
• Special public tours this April and June Come grow with us at www.osgf.org
$1,675,000 MLS 648803
A classic Georgian Colonial built in 1842, overlooking the Rapp. River Valley. This 70 ac. property is just mins from Fredericksburg, yet very private. The 5,000 sq ft Flemish bond brick manor house was renovated in 1986 keeping in place all of its original woodwork. Owners added a matching addition that connects a large family rm through the kitchen. The second floor includes a master suite, with bath, two additional bedrm, and a full bath. Partially finished English basement includes an office/bedrm, wine cellar, laundry, and utility rooms. Other improvements include a detached 3-bay garage, workshop, kennel, garden sheds, and formal gardens
JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528
$4,100,000 | MLS 645482
Stony Point area productive grass farm with incredible mountain views. Less than 20 minutes to Charlottesville, this 435 acre farm represents the best Albemarle County has to offer. Rolling pastures and hardwoods, frontage on Preddy Creek and an elevated building site with sweeping views of the property and Blue Ridge beyond. 2,260 square foot cabin built in 2008 overlooks the property. Currently fenced and cross fenced for cattle. Pastures have automatic waterers. Large equipment/ hay barn with copper roof. Exceptional Albemarle County farm offering.
JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528
PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090
$1,950,000 | MLS 630710
Beautiful 207+ acre farm in a protected enclave of Madison County with incredible views of both the Blue Ridge and Southwest Mountains. The natural beauty and privacy are unparalleled. An attractive farmhouse with a c. 1804 section is perfect as a weekend getaway or guesthouse leaving numerous incredible building sites for a main residence. Additional improvements include a large pond with dock, pool, manager’s cottage, a center aisle stable with 8, 12 x 12 stalls and finished office space above, garage and good farm buildings and farm infrastructure. An excellent candidate for conservation easement.
PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090
$8,500,000 | MLS 622844
One of Virginia’s preeminent estates, Verulam is nestled on 503 acres in the breathtaking foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, conveniently located just 4 miles from the University of Virginia and modern amenities of Charlottesville. The Classical Revival manor offers an easy elegance with both formal and informal spaces that flow seamlessly to bucolic grounds, formal Charles Gillette designed gardens and handsome pool complex. Additional amenities include a charming guest house and restored dairy barn turned grand event venue. The farm abuts 1,000+ additional acres of protected land including the Ragged Mountain Reservoir Natural Area.
JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528
PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090 ORANGE VA | 540 672 3903
BIOPHILIC DESIGN IS A FANCY term for bringing the outside in. Simply put, it’s a method of design that creates space that’s in harmony with nature. It’s not new, but in the last several years, it has resurfaced as a viable concept in interior design. By using elements of nature, including wood, plants, water features, and colors found in nature—the greens, blues, and browns— you see outside, biophilic design can naturally reduce stress, helping create a healthy space that promotes overall wellbeing. —by
Madeline MayhoodInterior designer Ann Gottlieb brings sculptural elements to décor.
1. NATURAL LIGHT: Incorporate large windows into your design, and keep them clear and unobstructed. Then create groupings nearby with views of the outside. Let fresh air in, and take advantage of cross ventilation. Bring in the sites and sounds of nature.
2. BOTANICAL ART: Trick up your walls with botanical wallpaper or nature-inspired art—from birds to foliage, butterflies to landscapes.
3. WOOD: Incorporate wood of all manner, from furniture to flooring and walls, that showcase its natural grain and character. If your budget is tight, consider wood finishes in laminate flooring and tiles.
4. NATURAL MATERIALS: Use jute, organic cotton, linen, stone, and rattan in upholstery, linens, cushions, carpet, flooring, and even wall art.
5. PLANTS: Connect the dots to nature by using plants, perhaps the most obvious of biophilic decor principles. Grow succulents, a vertical garden, fragrant plants, and tropicals in pots on windowsills and on the floor, or as hanging plants.
6. EARTHY COLORS: Paint walls in shades reminiscent of being outside, like the green hues in nature (think moss, grass, leaves) or sky blue tones. Also consider grays, browns, sands, and terracotta. Carry those colors into slipcovers, upholstery, and rugs.
7. GO BIOMORPHIC: Incorporate patterns from nature like honeycombs or rippling waves in fabric and tiles. Use the curves of nature in arched doors and abstract shapes in furniture. Choose texturally rich upholstery and rugs that add dimension to your space.
RIGHT NOW, interior design talk is all about organic shapes. Maybe because we live in a hard world, people want something a bit softer on the senses when they get back home.
Ann Gottlieb, of Ann Gottlieb Designs in Fairfax, says that you can go big with the trend—or play it safe.
“You can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a staircase,” she says, referring to the many iterations they can take, from spiral to bifurcated to quarter-turn and more. “Or, you can also do more budget-friendly renovations like adding a curved banquette to your kitchen.”
Want to try the trend without making major (or even minor) renovations? Mirrors in oblong shapes, low, curved benches in natural materials like rough lacquered wood, or being ultra literal and getting a sculpture to display on your built-in works just as well.
Why are sculptural elements trending right now? Gottlieb explains: “I think people get bored of the same old rectilinear shapes, and with the rise of social media platforms, people all over the world are getting more fearless with their decisions and exploring more with curves and shapes to feel more calm and happier.” AnnGottliebDesign.com —by M.L.
Byzance Trimmings from Osborne & Little are desgined to complement both plain and patterned fabrics. This colorful collection features nature-inspired motifs, including lattice, stylized florals and leaves, and geometrics.
Foresta, also in Osborne & Little’s Byzance collection, depicts stylized Indian trees. The colorways include various shades of green with golden accents, capturing a natural ambience. Printed on linen. This colorway is emerald.
Zellige tiles are all the rage in interiors.
LOVE THE LOOK OF ZELLIGE TILES? The “perfectly imperfect” stars of interior design magazines everywhere are more than just a backsplash. They’re small-scale pieces of art.
“I love the wabi sabi or ‘imperfectly perfect’ look of Zellige tiles,” says Cathy Connon of the Richmond- and NoVa-based Catherine Jordan Design. “They have a variation in color within each color range.” She says that if you pick one green tile as your wall tile once the wall is installed, there isn’t the exact same flat color green. “There is a variation of greens over an entire wall of green tiles.”
And in keeping with that subtle color irregularity, Connon says that Zellige tile surfaces are irregular too, not perfectly smooth like ceramic tile. “The shine in Zellige tiles show off the irregular surface, which adds to the natural overall look.”
Connon has a few thoughts on what one should— and shouldn’t—do with the application of Zellige tiles. “My favorite application is for a shower wall or large backsplash, maybe including the range wall, because it gives enough room and greater number of tiles to show off their color variation and their hand-crafted nature,” she advises.
But due to their irregularity and glaze finish, she doesn’t recommend them for floors or countertops. Minor Zellige tile-related injuries have been reported on Instagram, like nicks and scrapes when they’ve been brushed against, so walking on them is not recommended. Connon recommends making sure your installer has specific experience with Zellige tiles. All their irregularities require someone who can make sure they are leveled on the face of installation to avoid sharp edges and looking sloppy.
—by Meredith Lindemon
MAXIMALISM IS AN INTERIOR design trend that you might want to approach with a bit of caution. After all, how are you going to paint over all that lacquer once the trend gets old? The good news is that there’s a safe way embrace it.
Sally Lord, of GreyHunt Interiors in Chantilly, says, “Because of the rise in maximalism, people want to be surrounded by their design and not leave surfaces unfinished. They’ve rediscovered the fifth wall”—a designer term for ceilings. “With maximalism, everything is covered and treated. Now, you’re seeing more of an increase in treating that fifth wall and people aren’t afraid to do it.”
Lord, a fifth wall expert, loves to highlight a ceiling with wallpaper. She says, “It’s a great way to bring color, pattern, texture into a space, to have that contrast and interest on every surface. So people don’t feel totally enclosed in a space—a little on the ceiling is just enough.”
The options for wallpaper are endless, and finding something appropriate you can stare at from the floor of a room is a daunting task. Lee Waters, of Lee Waters Design in Midlothian, says, “Look for ceiling wallpaper patterns that look good no
white walls, or you could have a pattern, but you haven’t papered the whole room with that depth of color so you’re not lighting something that is too dark. You can get the depth without the complete saturation, making the room too dark.”
Erika Bonnell, of Erika Bonnell Interiors in Sterling, says that her favorite types of paper to use for a ceiling are “non-directional papers—allover florals or geometrics. Some of my favorite designers are Lindsay Cowles for cool abstract geometric patterns.” She’s also a big fan of Osborne & Little and Designers Guild, especially for their stripes and florals, and Cole & Son “for pretty much anything they do.”
matter how they are rotated, since you’ll view the pattern from various angles in the room. Patterns to avoid would be something where all the pattern faces one direction, or has a distinct bottom to the pattern.” As an example, Waters cites a plant in the ground stretching toward the sky—how would you position it on a ceiling? “Geometrics, mirrored shapes, and abstract patterns generally work well,” she advises.
There’s also lighting to think about when you’re papering a ceiling. Lord says to consider what you want the light coming from your fixtures to do. “There are multiple ways that the lighting can come into play. Sometimes you want reflection off the paper and around the space to give a glam shimmer in a formal space, like a dining room.”
If you like drama, Lord says, “You may have paper with an iridescence to it, which brings a different moodiness to the space. Sometimes you can pick paper to showcase the light fixture itself, to define and show off the lines of the lighting. Other times, if you don’t want to saturate a room with drama, you could have a black ceiling with
Thinking of trying it out yourself? Waters says, “Ceilings are often not as smooth or level as a wall. You will want to ensure that you utilize a skilled installer to apply wallpaper to a ceiling, especially if your pattern is geometric or striped. The installer will compensate as much as possible to avoid a crooked appearance along the ceilingwall joint and any straight lines or edges in the wallpaper’s design.” GreyHuntInteriors.com, ErikaBonnell.com, LeeWatersDesign.com
Meredith Lindemon, a former Philadelphian, is a Richmond-based freelance writer who covers culture and lifestyle for a variety of publications.
Blake Hunter stands atop a ladder on the roof of the secondstory porch of a Batesville cabin, using a masonry trowel to smooth broad swaths of gray, freshly mixed chinking between foot-wide, hand-hewn chestnut logs that date to the 1750s. His father, Peter, 69, nods with approval as the final strip is sealed.
The latter was hired to help save the 1,000-square-foot structure from ruin about 10 years ago. But this was no run-of-the-mill restoration.
Peter used hand-salvaged stones from abandoned 18th- and 19thcentury homes and barns to rebuild sections of the cabin’s natural foundation. A crumbling fireplace was dismantled, reconstructed, and enlarged into a dazzlingly beautiful chimney with a centerpiece stone hearth and mantel. Wooden windows were rebuilt from reclaimed lumber, leaded glass, and century-old square iron nails leftover from prior projects. The bathroom got plumbing updates, along with a clawfoot tub, porcelain pedestal sink, and slate tiling from the 1800s. And that’s the shortlist.
The result is a historic vacation getaway with modern comforts and unmatched character that sits on the outskirts of Charlottesville, just miles from Shenandoah National Park.
“As a kid I watched and helped my dad with jobs like this all the time, so it seemed pretty run-of-the-mill,” says the younger Hunter, who is now 40 and handles most of his father’s masonry work. But gigs with high-end, new construction crews as a teen and 20-something revealed “the incredible uniqueness of what he was doing. The level of attention, skill, and artisanship he brings to these projects is insane.”
Forty-plus years of renovating, rebuilding—and often combining—centuries-old cabins and homes in and around Albemarle County has earned Peter, the elder Hunter, the nickname “Cabin Man.” He’s revered by tradesmen and clients alike for blending salvaged and custom-crafted, old-world style materials with period-correct architecture and modern amenities.
“Peter’s a builder’s builder,” says Matt Lucas, a software engineer, who owns multiple historic homes in the Crozet area and has worked with the Hunters on about 10 restorations to date—including transforming a negatively valued, antebellum plantation house into a stunning family abode. Peter approaches projects “like an artist,” Lucas continues. “He can see the finished product hiding in the ruins, and the results are beyond anything you could have imagined was possible.”
But Peter’s path to success wasn’t quite a straight line.
The Cismont native fell in love with music and drawing as a teen and went on to study painting and sculpting at colleges in New York, California, and
France. He returned to the Charlottesville area in the late 1970s after a four-year stint teaching art at a Washington, D.C., private school.
“I didn’t have a degree, was making very little money, and realized I didn’t like teaching all that much,” Peter says. After years of living in major cities “I wanted to be closer to the natural world, spend more time outdoors, and try something different.”
And there was an upside: he had discovered a knack for carpentry and masonry working side jobs in college. Gigs helping renovate historic homes inspired a deep admiration for old-world artisanry. The interest led him to research techniques like mortise and tenon construction, handmilling lumber, stonecutting, and more.
“The dedication to craftsmanship, quality of work, and relationship to the structure was radically different,” observes Peter. Today’s new construction contractors typically work for developers and specialize in elements like framing, siding, plumbing, or roofing. Crews do their part, then leave.
“There’s very little intimacy with the overall project,” he continues. The goal is to throw houses up quickly and cheaply, and generate profits. Consequently, “most new homes will require significant structural repairs within 50 years. But once upon a time, they were made to last for generations and generations.”
Peter gained a foothold in the area with remodeling and new construction crews.
Peter’s a builder’s builder. Like an artist, he can see the finished product hiding in the ruins, and the results are beyond anything you could have imagined was possible.
—Matt Lucas, Crozet
Marriage, fatherhood, and discontentment with work drove him to launch a business in 1981. It began with restoring old chimneys and retaining walls. Word-of-mouth referrals quickly brought new clients and expansion.
“It didn’t take long to realize there were very few people with the skills and patience necessary for this kind of work, and even fewer willing to take it on,” says Peter. But he found the craft so interesting and enjoyed learning about it so much, “whenever someone reached out about something historic, my response tended to be a quick ‘yes.’”
Learning as he went, Peter tracked down master artisans to consult on jobs that were beyond what his expertise happened to be at the time. Gigs ranged from repairing bedrock foundations, to adding copper roofs and bathrooms, to building custom doors, windows, and kitchen cabinets. They also included dismantling unwanted old homes, cabins, buildings, and barns. For Peter, the latter was a goldmine: He salvaged whatever materials he could and stored them on an undeveloped Batesville property the family eventually bought in the late 1980s.
“What I was doing was so niche,” he says. “I wanted to find a way to ramp things up and attract bigger, more creative projects.”
His solution was to build a family home that doubled as a showhouse. It started with the
reassembly and total overhaul of a 2,500-squarefoot colonial era post-and-beam home salvaged from Nelson County. Then he attached a 1,500-square-foot, 19th-century log cabin as a wing. Touches included slate roofs, countertops shaped from reclaimed Italian marble, exposed rafters and beams, copper sashing and gutters, bathrooms with Venetian limestone tile, patterned heartwood flooring, and more.
The strategy ultimately paid off. The ability to see and experience Peter’s true capabilities led to more than 100 restoration and renovation jobs with clients like Lucas, the Crozet software engineer.
What you have to understand about Peter is, for him, these projects “are like a giant puzzle that unfolds over time; you just have to have faith in his ability to solve it,” Lucas says. Determining one element “inspires what comes next. And bit by bit something incredible emerges.”
These days, Peter mainly serves as a project manager and consultant, trusting the heavy lifting to his son and a core team of skilled tradesmen.
“This work has brought a tremendous amount of joy and meaning to my life,” he says. “So, I take pride in passing down these skills and knowing this lineage of artisanry will continue long after I’m gone. That’s where my focus is now.”
Eric Wallace is an award-winning journalist based in Staunton who has contributed to WIRED, Outside , Backpacker, Atlas Obscura , Modern Farmer, All About Beer, and more.
Farm, Estate and Residential Brokers
◆ EDGEMONT ◆
◆ EDGEMONT ◆
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 15 miles south of Charlottesville, is this circa 1796 historic Palladian inspired masterpiece called Edgemont. The residence is on the National Register of Historic Places and is reputed to be the only complete remaining private residence attributed to Thomas Jefferson. The home contains a light-filled octagonal drawing room rimmed with egg-and-dart cornice. Sited 572 acres of rolling Virginia farmland with the Hardware River running through the lush fields with a tennis court, pool house, guest houses, and beautiful terraced gardens. MLS#576150
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 15 miles south of Charlottesville, is this circa 1796 historic Palladian inspired masterpiece called Edgemont. The residence is on the National Register of Historic Places and is reputed to be the only complete remaining private residence attributed to Thomas Jefferson. The home contains a light-filled octagonal drawing room rimmed with egg-and-dart cornice. Sited 572 acres of rolling Virginia farmland with the Hardware River running through the lush fields with a tennis court, pool house, guest houses, and beautiful terraced gardens. MLS#576150
www.HistoricEdgemont.com
www.HistoricEdgemont.com
◆
◆ NORTH WALES ◆
Unparalleled in its beauty and charm is this exceptional 1,471± acre Virginia estate surrounded by breathtaking rural countryside, yet is less than one hour to our Nation’s Capital and 45 minutes to Dulles International Airport. Showcasing a stately Georgian-style manor house, numerous homes, extensive farm and equestrian improvements, and a shooting preserve. Listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, as well as under a preservation easement, this extraordinary property, in excellent condition, is a rare offering of a National treasure. MLS#587418 www.NorthWalesVa.com
Unparalleled in its beauty and charm is this exceptional 1,471± acre Virginia estate surrounded by breathtaking rural countryside, yet is less than one hour to our Nation’s Capital and 45 minutes to Dulles International Airport. Showcasing a stately Georgian-style manor house, numerous homes, extensive farm and equestrian improvements, and a shooting preserve. Listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, as well as under a preservation easement, this extraordinary property, in excellent condition, is a rare offering of a National treasure. MLS#587418 www.NorthWalesVa.com
WWW.MCLEANFAULCONER.COM
Battersea in Petersburg is one of Virginia’s few surviving 18th-century Anglo-Palladian villas.
By J. MICHAEL WELTON | Photography by LINCOLN BARBOUR
Today, Petersburg seems an unlikely spot for a five-part Anglo-Palladian villa.
But in 1768, it wasn’t.
Perched on a sloping bluff overlooking the Appomattox River, Battersea straddles the site of an Indian fishing village dating from 6,000-8,000 B.C. Prehistoric tools and arrowheads abound, according to Sandy Graham, chairman of the board and president of the Battersea Foundation.
SINCE THE FOUNDATION PURCHASED the villa and 37 acres from the City of Petersburg in 2011, it’s stabilized and restored the home built by Colonel John Banister III. Banister was a member of the House of Burgesses in the 1760s and ’70s, a signer of the Articles of Confederation, and a delegate to the Second Continental Congress from 1776-80.
Along the way, he befriended Thomas Jefferson, no stranger to Andrea Palladio’s 16th-century architecture—and its 18th-century tweaks by the British. “Jefferson had a vision of Virginia planters living in Palladianstyle villas,” says Calder Loth, retired senior architectural historian of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. “He designed buildings for his friends. Several of those who worked for him continued to design and build in the Jeffersonian-Palladian idiom.”
Battersea may be connected to Jefferson’s vision, but his direct participation in the design can’t be documented. Still, says Loth, “The house would not look like it does had not Jefferson popularized the Palladian style in Virginia. It’s possible that one of Jefferson’s workmen had a hand in Battersea’s design.”
After John Fitzhugh May acquired Battersea from Colonel John Banister’s estate in 1823, he added Palladian-style windows to its flanking pavilions.
Banister built Battersea near Petersburg for a number of reasons. His grandfather had arrived in Virginia in the late 1600s with a Dinwiddie County land grant and established a plantation at Hatcher’s Run, eight miles southwest of Battersea. His mother, a member of the Peter Jones family who are credited with founding Petersburg, owned the Battersea property—at least 500 acres at the time. The family established gristmills there in 1732, east and 1,500 feet downriver from where Banister built his home.
But Banister was motivated far beyond his mills. “He wanted to be closer to downtown Petersburg— he was a professional politician and one of the wealthiest men in the region for years,” Graham says. “He wanted to entertain and impress his guests.”
And its name pays homage to Banister’s British roots. The London district of Battersea is in the borough of Wandsworth on the south bank of the River Thames. “As a planter, he might have thought it was a good name for it,” Loth says.
Along with Battersea and other properties, Banister owned 46 adult slaves, another 42 who were underage, plus 126 head of cattle and 28 horses. He grew tobacco at Hatcher’s Run, but at Battersea, horticulture was the enterprise du jour. “He was raising trees, plants, bushes and flowers there, not tobacco,” Graham says. “He had long lists of native trees and plants that he sent to Jefferson in France—40 or 50 different seedlings and saplings.”
Then there was the horse racing. Within two miles of Battersea were four professional-grade racetracks, and Banister was actively breeding and heavily betting on his equine stock. “George Washington bought a horse from the Banisters,” Graham says.
Besides, Petersburg at the time was the center of the universe. It was a busy
port city in Virginia, which burgeoned first as a colony and then as a state. The city eventually became renowned as a commercial center for processing cotton, tobacco, and metal, then shipping products out of the region. It quickly became an important industrial center in a mostly agricultural state with few major cities. “It was more important than Richmond for a long time,” says Travis McDonald, retired director of architectural restoration at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest.
McDonald has served on Battersea’s technical panel for years, offering opinions when asked. He views the villa as important because it’s one of the few surviving examples of Anglo-Palladian architecture in Virginia. “My favorite part is the Chinese Chippendale staircase inside, a pretty rare occurrence,” he says of Battersea’s intricately carved railing. “It came out of a pattern book—possibly the British architect William Haypenny’s.”
Banister was elected Petersburg’s first mayor in 1785. He died on Sept. 30, 1788, and is believed to be buried at Hatcher’s Run. In 1823, John Fitzhugh May, a friend and Virginia Supreme Court justice, who was involved with settling Banister’s estate, acquired the villa and initiated extensive refinements, including the construction of an orangerie.
May added Palladian windows to Battersea’s pavilions, a triple-hung window in the east wing, three-part windows in the hyphens connecting pavilions to the main house, plus Doric porches on each end. The brick exterior was stuccoed, then scored to imitate ashlar blocks. Inside, May added Federal-style woodwork in the principal rooms, and marble mantels.
May died in 1856. Battersea remained in private hands until the City of Petersburg purchased it in 1985, then sold it to the Battersea Foundation for
$175,000 in 2011. “They were successful over the long haul in preserving it,” Loth says.
Its preservation was no walk in the park, since most of Battersea’s exterior walls were bowing out at its base.
“We spent the first five years investigating and resolving foundation-related issues,” Graham says. “We didn’t want it to fall down before we did the interiors.”
Those interiors have been substantially completed in the last two years. The preservation has benefitted from private funds and grants from the Cabell Foundation, the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and Petersburg’s Cameron Foundation. About $2.3 million has been spent since the foundation took title.
Battersea is now a cultural arts mecca for Petersburg and Central Virginia, with concerts, nature tours, oyster roasts, symposia, lectures, meetings, plein air painting, opera performances, and archeology for students. In 2026, it will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution by reenacting 1781’s Battle of Petersburg, and host other events.
Inside, it is being prepped for weddings, dinner parties, and other celebrations; outside, it will host more weddings, plus art and antiques shows.
Then there are the free open houses from 1:00–4:00 p.m. on Saturdays from March through November annually. “More people need to come out to see it—it’s a real hidden gem,” says Elizabeth Kostelny, CEO of Preservation Virginia. “I’m always a little surprised and in awe when we pull up.” That’s partly because the path to Battersea winds through an urban grid of warehouses and industrial sites. But those who persevere are in for a treat. What awaits them is an 18th-century vision of symmetry and grace.
J. Michael Welton is the author of Drawing from Practice: Architects and the Meaning of Freehand . His articles have appeared in The New York Times , The Washington Post , Metropolis , Dwell and The News & Observer in Raleigh. He is editor and publisher of the digital design magazine ArchitectsAndArtisans.com .
JOHN BANISTER III’S grandfather was the noted naturalist and reverend John Banister, whose knowledge of the natural plant world in North America was internationally recognized and who included the use of American plants in English gardens.
Early in his career, he wrote to colleagues in England that some of the plants he saw
were “so strange and monstrous that I am affraide that they may be thought chameras to be found no where but in his braine that drew them. [SIC]” The first universitytrained specialist to send specimens, drawings, and descriptive Latin catalogs of plants, insects, spiders, and mollusks to leading naturalists in England, Banister’s excellent observations provide a glimpse of 18th-century flora and fauna of Virginia.
The Oxford-educated Banister landed in Virginia in the midst of Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676, He immediately set to work documenting his observations—the internal anatomy of a snail, the function of halteres (balancers) of flies, and the virtues of the
Virginia bluebell. He intended to publish his findings, but his accidental death in 1687 at 37, in a “botanizing” incident on the Roanoke River, quashed those plans.
In the ensuing centuries, Banister’s name faded into relative obscurity, but had his catalogs been published during his lifetime, they would have fundamentally changed the course of American botany, entomology, and malacology.
Upon his death, Reverend Banister’s extensive library of botanical and religious books became part of the Byrd’s library at Westover in Charles City. Banister’s grandson, Banister III, lived for a time there and no doubt became familiar with the many
volumes it contained on the natural world. And it was from his grandfather whom Banister III acquired the Battersea property on which he built his five-part Palladian house.
Banister III was a contemporary of Jefferson and Washington’s, the latter holding him in especially high regard. Correspondence among the three includes references to seeds and plant stock. Jefferson was also a fan, writing to Banister III from France in 1787 requesting that he send him an extensive list of North American plants, which suggests his confidence in Banister III’s knowledge of horticulture.
While there is scant knowledge of the specifics of Battersea’s landscape in
Banister’s time, there was a kitchen garden, and perhaps orchards, since Banister III was a close friend of St. George Tucker from Williamsburg, whose enthusiasm and knowledge of fruit and fruit orchards is well documented. There are records of subsequent owners through the years establishing pleasure gardens, as well as vegetable and cutting gardens.
“Developing the gardens and grounds at Battersea is one of our goals,” says Battersea Foundation board chairman Sandy Graham. “Our first priority was to stabilize the house, but now we can look toward other projects to enhance the property and the visitor experience.”
—by Madeline Mayhood
Central Park Artwalk Presented by the Rotary Club of Cape Charles
The Rotary Club of Cape Charles 100th Anniversary committee is celebrating the milestone with the Central Park Artwalk featuring artists from the Eastern Shore. When: Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May19 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Regionally recognized arts professionals will judge the show. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy wonderful artwork and welcome spring in the beautiful town of Cape Charles. Visit the website listed below for lodging and dining suggestions as well as the entire calendar of events in the area. For more information, email joan.natali@outlook.com.
757-695-4884 or CapeCharlesVirginiasCape.com
CoART GALLERY
CoArt Gallery, now in its 26th year, located in the heart of historic downtown Staunton, is a cooperative art with exhibit space for up to 40 member artists who work in a variety of styles and mediums. Discover art for all tastes and budgets. Exhibits change frequently. The public is invited to monthly featured artist openings. For seasonal hours and special events, updates and news, follow us on our website and on Facebook and Instagram.
540-886-0737 or CoArtGallery.com
Charlottesville Ballet presents the Outdoor Series hosted by Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard. This three-day outdoor festival showcases the professional company repertoire including performances by Charlottesville Symphony, Charlottesville Opera, Heifetz Institute, The Front Porch, Youth Orchestras of Central Virginia, UVA Chamber Singers, and The Oratorio Society of Virginia, all coming together for collaborative concerts on one outdoor stage. Savor food & wine and see the best of Central Virginia's performing arts with your family!
434-227-7592 or CharlottesvilleBallet.org
Charlottesville Opera, formerly Ash Lawn Opera, welcomes audiences to the beautiful Paramount Theater for productions of “The Music Man” and “The Elixir of Love” in June and July, 2024. Don’t miss ticket discounts, lodging offers, and weekend package options from our partners along the Monticello Wine Trail. Additional summer events include a FREE Arts for ALL FestivALL concert at Ting Pavilion with full orchestra, soloists, chorus, and activity tents for the whole family!
434-293-4500 or CharlottesvilleOpera.org
Crossroads Gallery showcases both emerging and established mid-Atlantic artists, fostering awareness across a spectrum of art forms. Representing over 300 artists, Crossroads Art Center is the largest for-profit gallery on the east coast. Don't miss our Artist Reception on March 15, 5-8pm, featuring James River Art League and captivating Ceramic Art exhibits, including "Liminal Spaces" and "Nature & Coalescence," in collaboration with NCECA, the National Council of Education for Ceramic Arts. Join us for an evening of artistic exploration! Shows continue through May 5, 2024. 804-278-8950 or CrossroadsArtCenter.com
The Chrysler Museum of Art brings art and people together through experiences that delight, inform, and inspire. Internationally recognized for its collection of more than 30,000 objects, including one the largest glass collections in America, the Museum is free and features the state-of-the-art Perry Glass Studio, a full-service restaurant, shop, theater, works on paper space, and oversees the historic Myers House. The Museum boasts an ambitious schedule of exhibitions, events, and programs, and has been nationally recognized for its commitment to inclusion through its innovative gallery host program.
757-664-6200 or Chrysler.org
Easels in the Garden, Edenton, NC
April 26 and 27, 10-4pm
Come join us in historic Edenton, viewing its finest gardens and talented plein air painters. The weekend starts Friday night 5-10pm with Boogie on Broad, dancing in the street in Edenton and concludes with a Garden Party Art Sale Finale at the Cupola House Saturday 5-7pm. Sponsored by the Cupola House Association. Enjoy southern hospitality and glorious gardens this spring!
CupolaHouse.org
Finally, a local band with Bond’s sense of occasion. Vocalist and founder Jason Paul Curtis (“a tour de force” - Chicago Tribune) sums up the Martini Mission: “Turn a roomful of guests into a ball.” Mixing classic samba, soul, Sinatra & you with equal parts Connick and Buble. Read the reviews, sip songs, meet the gentlemen and plan your 2024-25 at dcmartini.com. Starring renowned NOVA showmen Matt Trimboli/guitar, Zack Williams/bass and Caleb Nei/keys.
DCMartini.com
Rock and roll at the annual ESVA Chamber Fest on May 18th, 2024 from 3pm to 8pm. Featuring the Irie Tree Band, Firefall, and Little River Band, this year’s festival is set to be a roaring good time! Enjoy fresh food from local food trucks and a selection of drinks. Be a part of the Shore’s premier tailgating event! Learn more at esvachamber.org and find places to stay at visitesva.com. ESVAChamber.org or VisitESVA.com
MUSEUM
The Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum, located in the heart of Historic Downtown Wytheville, honors the Appalachian history, leadership, and legacy of First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson, wife of President Woodrow Wilson, through the preservation and interpretation of her life and birthplace. We invite all Virginians to visit our site, to learn about her contributions to our country and to the world, and to be inspired by her unique story of dedication, patriotism, and love.
276-223-3484 or EdithBollingWilson.org
FORD'S THEATRE
Make your way downtown to Ford's Theatre to experience the cult-classic musical, Little Shop of Horrors! A sci-fi horror comedy, love story and rock musical all in one, "Little Shop" follows luckless florist shop worker, Seymour, who raises a wisecracking carnivorous plant – Audrey II – that develops a craving for human blood. This non-stop blast of a musical plays on our historic stage from March 15 to May 18, 2024. Recommended for ages 8 and older.
888-616-0270 or Fords.org
FRONTIER CULTURE MUSEUM
Step back in time and experience history come to life at Staunton's Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia. Explore authentically recreated farmsteads from Europe and America, interact with costumed interpreters, and witness the daily lives of early settlers. Engage in hands-on activities, stroll through lush gardens, and immerse yourself in the captivating stories of our past. Discover the rich tapestry of cultural heritage at the Frontier Culture Museum – where history is an adventure! 540-332-7850 or FrontierMuseum.org
Experience changing exhibits including slavery in Appalachia and early settlers in this 1875 historic home. Situated above the New River, Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery features period furnishings and offers a glimpse into America’s Civil War and the fascinating love story between owners Gen. Gabriel and Nannie Wharton. Visit adjacent Mary Draper Ingles Park with rail observatory and bronze statue that honors the colonial heroine. Open Wednesday through Sunday. Free admission.
540-731-5031 or GlencoeMansion.org
Where play powers STEAM discoveries to inspire children to care about and change the world. Young learners ages 0-12 are encouraged to dream big as they engage with hands-on experiences and programs. Located in Downtown DC, National Children’s Museum is open every day except Tuesdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets start at $18.95 per person. Children under 1 and members receive free admission.
202-844-2486 or NationalChildrensMuseum.org
Headlined by premier events such as the 48th Annual Norfolk Harborfest and the 41st Annual Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival, Norfolk Festevents’ 2024 Season of Events features a wide variety of diverse, dynamic festivals and community events. From live music to mouth-watering culinary experiences to award-winning wine festivals, the 2024 Season of Events provides entertainment for all ages.
757-441-2345 or FestEvents.org
Waynesboro’s Riverfest, an organization dedicated to promoting environmental conservation and watershed stewardship, will host its annual Riverfest on SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Constitution Park in Waynesboro, VA. The event is free and open to all. It takes place alongside the South River, and features a variety of environmentallythemed activities and programs. Free activities include canoe rides, face-painting, games, arts, stream safari and more. Food vendors are on site.
RiverfestWaynesboro.org
Thousands flock to St. Mary’s County, Maryland to attend the U.S. NATIONAL OYSTER FESTIVAL (October 19 -20, 2024). Now in its 58th year, the festival celebrates the bounty harvested from local waters. We are host to both the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship and the U.S. National Oyster Cook-off. You can taste the oysters in a variety of ways and experience entertainment and fun for the kids. Non-oyster food items are also available.
301-863-5015 or USOysterfest.com
VIRGINIA
Virginia Repertory Theatre is a nonprofit professional theatre offering entertainment for the entire family, including musicals, dramas, comedies, and new plays in four different venues. For 70 years we have entertained and engaged our community as the largest theatre in Central Virginia. Our touring productions provide educational shows to schools throughout Virginia and arts centers in 32 states. We offer youth camps, theatre classes, and free accessibility programs for people with autism, low vision and hearing challenges.
804-282-2620 or VirginiaRep.org
WAYNE THEATRE ALLIANCE
Discover a world of entertainment and arts education at the Wayne Theatre in Downtown Waynesboro, VA! With a diverse array of performances from live music & theater to films and community events, the Wayne Theatre promises unforgettable experiences for all. Immerse yourself in the arts, celebrate local and regional talent, and be part of a vibrant cultural scene. Your ticket to an enriching journey awaits at the Wayne Theatre –where every event is a masterpiece!
540-943-9999 or WayneTheatre.org
Wolf Trap, America’s only National Park for the Performing Arts, combines music and nature to offer an unforgettable summer lineup in a majestic natural setting. Visitors can enjoy Wolf Trap’s stages, including the stunning Filene Center amphitheater and charming Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. Conveniently located just outside DC’s Beltway, Wolf Trap offers free parking and gorgeous picnic overlooks. Plan to spend summer nights with your favorite artists at Virginia’s favorite outdoor music venue!
703-255-1868 or WolfTrap.org
June 4–6
John Legend with the Wolf Trap Orchestra
August 3
Lauren Daigle
The Beach Boys
June 2
Patti LaBelle
Gladys Knight
June 8
Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes
June 16
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
JD McPherson
June 18 + 19
Wilco
June 20
Michael Feinstein
A Tribute to Tony Bennett with The Carnegie Hall Big Band
June 26
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
National Symphony Orchestra
Wolf Trap Opera Artists
July 12
June 22
Out & About Festival
Brittany Howard
Jenny Lewis | Lawrence
Kim Gordon | Tiny Habits | Quinn Christopherson Okan | Be Steadwell
September 12 + 14 + 15
James Taylor & His All-Star Band
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
National Symphony Orchestra
July 13
Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me!
August 1
Lyle Lovett and his Large Band
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
August 9
KIDZ BOP LIVE 2024
August 10
Boyz II Men
Bell Biv DeVoe
August 17 + 18
Indigo Girls
Melissa Etheridge
August 24 + 25
Kristin Chenoweth
Alan Cumming
September 13
Named one of the top food and drink festivals in the nation by Business Insider, the 16th Annual Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival is one of Hampton Roads’ most anticipated wine festivals. Held on Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5, 2024 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront, the festival showcases more than 25 of the Commonwealth’s top wineries in a picturesque setting along the Elizabeth River, paired with gourmet foods, specialty merchants, live music, and much more!
To purchase tickets or for more information visit Festevents.org or call 757-441-2345.
ANNA’ GO SEE A TREE?”
“Sure. Will people be involved?” (Translation: “Do I need to change clothes?”)
“No.”
So we’re off, my husband and I, to see a tree in Northside Richmond recommended by a friend. This trip, which included a stop at the grocery store, lasted little more than two hours, and in that time, I revisited a section of Richmond I hadn’t seen in decades, explored a neighborhood I’d never been to before, and walked an alleyway as interesting and revealing as anything on Parts Unknown. And the tree, oh, the tree.
“That’s a big ’un,” said John, in his usual understated way.
I’d been told the tree was probably the new state champion hackberry (it’s not), that Lewis Ginter insisted it be saved when he laid out the Ginter Park neighborhood (probably not), and that the trolley line from Richmond to Ashland had swerved to avoid it (definitely not).
Still, this was a tree that clearly owned the neighborhood long before these houses were built in the early 1900s. I can’t describe trees (more on that later), so I resort to statistics: with a 96-foot crown spread, this hackberry is 80 feet tall with a trunk over 19- feet in circumference. The Super Can trash bin next to it looked pint-sized in com-
parison. What a surprise and thrill to see such a majestic living thing growing in such an unassuming spot. Both John and I zeroed in on its bark, which was not the typical warty bark of a merely mature hackberry; this was ancient hackberry bark, with smooth, peeling, vertical patches and corky burls the size of dinner plates. Equally amazing was the way the tree’s massive limbs surrounded electrical lines running down the alleyway. They threaded the tree like a needle, with absolutely no damage to the tree’s shape. Someone, very long ago, decided to let the wires yield to the tree instead of the other way around, and the result was impressive.
Traveling to see trees never disappoints. Some advantages of adding a tree visit to your travel plans (or, better, for making trees the focus of a trip) include these: trees don’t move, don’t close on Mondays, and are waiting for you no matter how late you are or how horrid the weather. They don’t care how old or rich or thin you are, and they certainly don’t care what you’re wearing.
To know a tree, you do, though, need to get out of the car and into its presence, close up. The worst thing you can do is look at a picture of a tree and think you’ve seen it. I call the camera “the great tree-diminishing machine,” because even the best photographers can’t capture the sense-around experience of a living, breathing tree. You’ve got to experience its size and strength in comparison to your own (no contest), witness the sun at 3:00 p.m. in its crown, hear
THIS WAS A TREE THAT CLEARLY OWNED THE NEIGHBORHOOD LONG BEFORE THESE HOUSES WERE BUILT. WHAT A SURPRISE AND THRILL TO SEE SUCH A MAJESTIC LIVING THING GROWING IN SUCH AN UNASSUMING SPOT.
the rattle or rustle or patter of wind in its leaves (each species has a different sound), feel the temperature drop in its shade, share the air with its resident birds.
Words, I confess, are even worse than photos at capturing trees. Poets get it right occasionally, but, in general, words are about as good at capturing trees as they are at capturing stars, which Primo Levi once compared to “trying to plow with a feather.” Still, I plow on.
There is no bad time to visit a tree. In fact, I particularly enjoy visiting trees in bad weather, because 1) no one else is there, 2) my other favorite activity, gardening, is out, and 3) I get to experience, and therefore understand
better, what trees (which can’t retreat with a good book) endure.
One of my all-time favorite tree visits happened during a February ice storm, when I went to visit a venerable old Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) in Louisa. After the publication of Remarkable Trees of Virginia, I got lots of letters of invitation to see trees, so many that I filed them by county knowing I’d not live long enough to see them all. But now and then, knowing I’d be in the area, I’d pull out one of these golden invitations and show up.
It took me 20 years to answer Mildred Millholland’s invitation to see her Osage orange, and by then Mrs. Millholland was in her 90s. In the midst of a storm—and a pandemic—I didn’t really expect Mrs. Millholland to come outside the day
These three search for champion trees the modern way.
Retired horticulture teacher Byron Carmean and retired park ranger Gary Williamson were already Virginia’s preeminent big tree hunters when they teamed up with nuclear pipefitter Dylan Kania, 25, who introduced them to new tools, like satellite imagery. Kania knew Carmean by reputation and knew they shared many of the same interests: archaeology, natural history, big trees. So when Kania, also an IT whiz, started spotting what he thought might be unusually large trees using Google Earth,
he contacted Carmean, who was impressed.
“He can sit on his couch and find trees,” says Carmean.
Now dubbed “The Tree Amigos,” Carmean, Williamson, and Kania spend days in the field tracking down trees Kania spots first using Google Earth, Eagle View, or Google Street View. They also search for champion trees the old-fashioned way: by exploring historic properties and out-of-the-way places where unusually large trees tend to grow. Together, they have found so many new champion
I visited, but not only did she come outside, she traipsed with me around the tree as snow and ice piled up around the tree’s massive trunk and buttressing roots. She described the tree’s long connection to her family, and I saw something I could have seen only in this terrible, awful, very bad weather: ice and snow settling into the tree’s deeply fissured bark, highlighting its ridges and depressions like mountains and valleys. And I’ve never seen the orange undertones of Osage bark quite as electric as they were on that deeply gray day. The weather turned my tree trip into a singular experience, but it was business as usual for the tree.
Rain is great for tree travel, too: the bark so dark, the moist air so sweet on your lungs. Like ice, rain also cuts down on the number of
or near-champion trees that Virginia’s Big Tree Program coordinator, Dr. Eric Wiseman, has trouble keeping up with their nominations.
To be named champions, trees of the same species are compared using a score that combines measures of their height, crown spread, and girth. Dr. Wiseman at Virginia Tech keeps Virginia’s records and posts them on the Virginia Big Trees website: BigTree.Cnre.VT.edu. The University of Tennessee maintains records for national champs. Big tree hunters look not just for the largest living examples of large tree species, like sycamore and tulip poplar, but for the largest living examples of small trees, like dogwood and redbud.
How do The Tree Amigos gain access to the trees they
photos by kyle l ª ferriere
Hiding in plain sight, this is the kind of white oak a tourist might travel miles to see, but it’s mostly ignored beside James Madison Highway in Fork Union. Maybe that’s because after the military academy, the Presbyterian church, the pharmacy, the realty company, the Gas N’ Go, the mortuary, and the changing speed limits, a storybook oak is not what most motorists have on their minds when driving through this small community. But here it is with no plaque, no historic marker, not even a place to pull off the highway to admire it. “It’s the nicest tree in Fluvanna, if not the state of Virginia,” says local physician Dr. Randy Lanford. And who’s to argue? Virginia’s champion tree program compares trees by size, but no statewide program compares them based on beauty, setting, or health. To take an
want to measure? “We just knock on the door and hope for the best,” says Carmean. Seldom are they turned away.
“They appeared on my doorstep and said, ‘We’re big tree hunters; we want to measure your tree,’” says Edna Johnston, who lives on Moss Side Avenue in Richmond's Northside, where an enormous hackberry grows in the alley. “We were thrilled, because we love our house, and I always say, ‘the tree is our favorite part of the house.’”
According to Kania, not only has technology for assisting in tree searches gotten better, but he’s gotten better at using it. “It’s a skill I’ve honed,” he says. “I can’t see the whole tree, but I can see features of it.” What he looks for are things like branching structure, size of the tree crown,
foliage texture and color, and sometimes flowering, to help identify the species. “Even just a large shadow cast, I can associate with a very large tree."
“One thing leads to another,” says Carmean, who, with Williamson and Kania, often enters a landscape looking for one thing and winds up finding another. Images on Google Earth led Carmean and Kania to enormous Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) trees on a Prince George estate, but while there a groundskeeper insisted, “I know where some bigger ones are.” Sure enough, she led them to a nearby property with an abandoned homesite where larger Osage oranges grew. Final determination pending, but Carmean thinks one of them will rank among the top five largest Osage oranges in Virginia.
distracting fellow visitors, but, better, it highlights some of a tree’s engineering. You may have never heard the terms “branchflow” and “stemflow,” but spend some time with trees in a downpour and you’ll witness vertical rivers rushing down the trunk (stemflow) and drips of water falling from the undersides of branches (branchflow). Both feed not just the trees’ roots but microorganisms in the soil below.
Colors are richer on a rainy day, too, which reminds me to say: fall is not the only time to look for tree color. It drives me mad to hear of people waiting, waiting for the narrow two-week period when fall leaf color is supposedly at its peak and tree viewing is encouraged (from the window of a car). What about January, when tulip poplar cones flash like reflectors in the tops of the trees? What about December, when a blue-berried red cedar can stop traffic? What about July when the first tupelo leaf turns red, February when red maple flowers glow, March when parchmentcolored beech leaves hang, translucent, in horizontal lines? Yes, Virginia trees have gorgeous fall color, but so do our spring, summer, and winter trees.
Anywhere a tree grows, a tree lover who’s a good observer can learn something and enjoy the process—and the backyard is as good a place to observe trees as any. But routines are sometimes blinding, and breaking the habit of not seeing something familiar, like a backyard tree, is hard. Hence, travel.
Some of the best places to see fine old trees are cemeteries, college campuses, arboreta, and botanical gardens. Virginia is full of them, and most of them are open to the public. Both Maymont in the City of Richmond and the State Arboretum in Boyce are free, open every day of the year, and full of fine trees.
Another way to find trees to visit is to explore the Virginia Big Tree Program website, where
THERE IS NO BAD TIME TO VISIT A TREE. IN FACT, I PARTICULARLY ENJOY VISITING TREES IN BAD WEATHER, BECAUSE I GET TO EXPERIENCE WHAT TREES (WHICH CAN’T RETREAT WITH A GOOD BOOK) ENDURE.
champion and near-champion trees of over 300 species are listed. Using the Advanced Search function, you can search that database by county, and the website will provide you a picture of the tree, a description of the tree, and its location (if it grows in a public place or its owner is willing to share its location). Loudoun County even has its own Big Tree Registry website,
with the locations of its champion trees marked. One caveat: not every champion tree is a beauty. The way champion trees are measured and compared, a tree with a wide girth can outscore a healthier, handsomer one, so champion does not necessarily mean “storybook beauty.” Luckily, if you’re on the trail of a big tree, it doesn’t really matter what you find at the end. You’ll be training
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), Boyce Virginia blooms in April, and nowhere better than on Dogwood Lane at the State Arboretum of Virginia in Clarke County. One of the state’s best kept secrets, the Arboretum sits in the midst of UVA’s 712-acre Blandy Experimental Farm, where visitors will find, among other tree treasures, 30 state-champion trees. There is no bad day to visit the Arboretum (which is open, free, 365 days a year), but another popular time to visit is late fall when the Arboretum’s 300tree Ginkgo Grove is changing from green to gold.
As
we
We never did find the redbud we were looking for, but this Higan cherry at the Historic Moore House exceeded any expectations I might have had for the redbud. Not only was it perfectly formed and in full flower, it was being mobbed by bees and even the slightest breeze animated the air with its petals.
your eyes to see trees in the landscape, so you’ll find something.
Just asking around is another way to locate trees worthy of a pilgrimage. I, a tree fanatic, never stop being shocked by the remarkable trees close to me that I’m still discovering. Sometimes I think, “It couldn’t be that good, because someone would have told me about it before” and then, lo and behold, it’s better.
A narrator on a recent radio program was espousing the virtues of awe. Evidently awe is good for your health (and probably for your relationships and your hair). I don’t disagree, but I question the idea that someone can go out, on cue, for a dose of awe. More reasonable might be the more modest goal of heading outside, into the presence of trees centuries older than you are, for perspective and a sense of humility.
A few things that can’t be repeated often enough: trees evolved 397 million years before human beings. They are smart and they are enduring. Some local ones live five to ten times as long as people do. Some more distant ones live 50 times as long. (The oldest bristlecone pine is over 5,000 years old.)
Fifty years ago, when he realized I was a tree fanatic and traveling the world to see trees, Dr. Jay Stipes, plant pathologist and tree guru at Virginia Tech, insisted my tree education would be incomplete until I visited the bristlecone pines (Pinus aristata) in the White Mountains of California. He said go in July, which I did, and, as he
predicted, the snows parted, letting my husband and me in to see trees that germinated before the pyramids were built. That trip turned me from a tree lover into a tree worshiper.
Worship: “a feeling of adoration and reverence.” Not every tree inspires that feeling in me, but trees are my most reliable source of such. And so, I travel to see trees.
The author of five books and hundreds of articles about nature and the outdoors, Nancy Ross Hugo is the former garden columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and former education manager at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. She collaborated with the renowned photographer Robert Llewellyn on Remarkable Trees of Virginia (co-authored with Jeff Kirwan), Trees Up Close, Seeing Trees, and for
Cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata), Colonial Heights
If there’s a more magnificent tree in a more accessible but unheralded public space in Virginia, I haven’t seen it. This tree is too easy to get to not to be visited more. Just get off I-95 at the Colonial Heights exit (between Richmond and Petersburg) and make your way past the waffle, burger, and car loan places to get yourself to the tiny Violet Bank Museum where you’ll encounter the plant equivalent of a whale. This tree, growing way outside of its western Virginia natural range, was probably not, as a sign near the tree suggests, a gift to the owner of Violet Bank from Thomas Jefferson in 1718, but it may have been planted from a slip brought back from White Sulphur Springs in 1833.
this article in Virginia Living. She currently lectures of topics closest to her heart: observing trees carefully and celebrating the seasons through daily, simple flower arranging. She lives in Ashland. NancyRossHugo.com
Learn the lingo on how to love lodge life.
LLike a duo of rough-terrain amateurs, we set out into the wilds of Virginia to answer one question: What does it take to legitimately hang at a hunting lodge?
Or more than that, what does it look like to “lodge” like a seasoned outdoorsman?
Lodging is different than simply staying at a resort. True, lodges can be “resort-y” but if you pack several kaftans and platform espadrilles, you will feel like a fool.
Not only are there differences in what you wear onsite, there is also paperwork that requires a spin down the rabbit hole of procuring state applications, not to mention equipment to purchase and pack. And assessing your own level of physical fitness is a must, way before you even set foot in a forest.
Most of the lodges we cover here are four- or five-star, but those ratings were not a parameter for inclusion. Rather, after extensive field research, wherein we went out and roughed it for the better part of the past two years, we chose to cover places where we were met with an outstanding experience that taught us how to shoot skeet, fly-fish, quail hunt, avoid bears, and eat really, really well.
Here, we share what we learned about lodges in Virginia and how to prepare for what you’ll do when you’re visiting any one of them.
By PAULA CHAMBERS
Evan Jones of White Oaks Preserves takes aim from one of his lodge's tree stands. Left: An aerial view of the Inn at Willow Grove in Orange. Below: Hunting gear galore at Rounton Farm in Orange.
FORT LEWIS LODGE MILLBORO
FORT LEWIS LODGE, in Millboro, sits in the middle of a 3,500-acre cattle farm, nestled in pastures as far as the eye can see.
Open from April until November, the destination sees repeat visitors every year since it established itself as a hospitality enterprise in 1987. In previous years, it had been a working cattle farm long before the Cowdens bought the land in 1959. The farming tradition continues, and Fort Lewis’ beef cattle are presently sold to Whole Foods and other major food purveyors.
The Cowden family has worked on the farm for three generations, since its inception as a farm in the 18th century. Older and newer members of the family still live and work on the property.
One of the key Cowdens is chef and owner Caryl, the family matriarch and full-time cook who works at the Lewis Mill Restaurant. She serves breakfast at 9:00 in the morning and dinner at 7:45 in the evening, after a 6:30 p.m. happy hour at Buck’s Tavern, which is next door on a screened-in porch overlooking the Cowpasture River.
“I’ve been coming here for 13 years, and I come back every year for the food,” George Eanes, a lodge guest from Glen Allen tells me. I meet him in the restaurant on my first night there. His wife echoes the sentiment.
In fact, everyone present in the tavern said they come to Fort Lewis Lodge for the food. And that is the culinary genius of Cowden, who has been working in the kitchen making breakfast and dinner for more than 35 years.
The food on the plate is made with what comes from the gardens on the property and out of the chicken coop. The cattle operation is too large-scale to accommodate small orders, so the beef at Buck’s Tavern is sourced from other local purveyors. “We want everything to be as farm-to-table as we can possibly make it,” Caryl Cowden says.
But there is something else in these dishes that makes dinner— prepared by someone who’s not a trained chef—heads-and-shoulders above the food I’ve had at some Michelin star restaurants. “I just love what I do,” says Cowden.
When I say that you can taste the love that goes into her cooking, it sounds like a cliché—but it’s the truth. Each plate tastes like it was prepared just for you, as opposed to being produced for hundreds of heads a night.
Aside from the food, you can stay in a room in their historic lodge, book a night in a terracotta-tiled grain silo apartment, or move into one of their free-standing cottages, which is where I stayed. Mine was one room, comfortable and intelligently laid out, with a small kitchen and ensuite bathroom.
The beauty of the land hits you when you sit and look out into the cattle fields, while sipping a glass of wine, fishing in the river, or enjoying the sauna that overlooks the river. The lodge also offers inflatables, perfect for floating down the Cowpasture River, as long as you’re comfortable in a bathing suit around Bath County’s wildlife. FortLewisLodge.com
Scan here for a sampling of Caryl Cowden’s recipes from Fort Lewis Lodge at VirginiaLiving.com
Caryl Cowden, Fort Lewis Lodge’s innkeeper and chef at Lewis Mill Restaurant.
Cattle graze in the fields at Fort Lewis Lodge. Left, from top: The terracottatiled grain silo apartment and a selection of delectable home-cooked dishes by Caryl Cowden at the lodge’s Lewis Mill Restaurant.
Fort Lewis Lodge is for nature lovers. From left: The wood-fired barrel sauna treehouse; fly fishing; and the lodge’s vegetable garden.
fort lewis lodge photos by jumping rocks photography. caryl cowden portrait by erin cowden
I LEARNED TO SKEET SHOOT at Rounton Farm. I stayed at The Inn at Willow Grove. Both are in Orange with exceptionally different vibes.
Rounton Farm is a working cattle farm that offers guided hunts, shooting lessons, and has perfect boho-looking barns at-the-ready for your next outdoor wedding. It’s recommended that if you go to shoot skeet, you bring some noise-canceling headphones, bug repellent, and wear canvas pants, hunting boots, and a durable jacket. I, on the other hand, wore linen pants, a black tank top, and a pair of Keds.
Aside from your wardrobe, you should be licensed to hunt, if you’re going on a guided hunt, and able to handle a firearm. You can also bring firearms of your own to use.
I could have stayed at Rounton’s Airbnb—a quaint cottage, rustic and comfortable—but fly fishing was on my agenda, so I traipsed up the road to the Inn at Willow Grove. Its spa, with a seemingly endless supply of free-flowing champagne, has a dreamy location, overlooking the pool smack in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The food at the inn’s Vintage Restaurant is legendary, with a menu that leans heavily into the freshest flavors of the season. And the luxurious accommodations in a restored Georgian house that dates to the late 18th century are downright decadent.
Armed with a fishing license from the Virginia Department of Natural Resources—required to fish in any of Virginia’s waters— I was lucky enough to learn how to fly-fish in Shenandoah National Park with Matt Scibal, general manager of The Inn at Willow Grove Resort and Lori Carter, communications director. This intrepid pair attempted to teach me how to ford the Rapidan River, in which I splashed and flailed in impotent humiliation.
I did eventually get the hang of casting with my three-weight fly rod and Adams Parachute dry flies, which considerably inflated my ego with a brand new skill (and vocabulary). I ultimately found myself walking through the Rapidan before the three of us hiked up to President Hoover's Rapidan Camp to enjoy a packed lunch courtesy of the inn.
And once again, wardrobe is key to a fly-fishing expedition. And being new to the experience, I came dressed completely inappropriately. I didn't have a clue what to wear under the hip waders and waterproof jacket they leant me, so I wore jeans, a linen shirt, and those same Keds. This is not the way of a fly fisher: wear ripstop pants, flat-bottomed boots, and dress in layers on top that go under the bib of your hip waders with a waterproof, zip-up jacket. InnAtWillowGrove.com RountonFarm.com
“I eventually got the hang of casting with my three-weight fly rod and Adams Parachute dry flies, which considerably inflated my ego with a brand new skill (and vocabulary).”
REMEMBER THIS: It’s always cooler on top of a mountain. And you’ll want to be outside as much as possible when staying at Mountain Lake Lodge, known to legions of film fans as the location for the movie, Dirty Dancing
At nearly 4,000 feet of elevation, the lodge leans into its location with a variety of outdoor pursuits, including off-road Gator™ vehicle tours and clay shooting, with instruction and equipment provided.
Scheduled to open in May, the new Giles County Trail Center at Mountain Lake Lodge will offer guidance on more than 20 miles of trails on Mountain Lake property and a fresh, four-mile loop to Bald Knob, with spectacular views of the New River Valley and into West Virginia. You can also traverse the thickly wooded Mountain Lake Loop, which encircles the famous lake. Interestingly, it’s now mostly drained, thanks to mysterious geological effects.
Enjoy al fresco dining at Salt Pond Pub, which overlooks the lodge’s pool, tennis courts (warning: no pickleball), and a grassy area perfect for volleyball, bocce, and badminton. There’s a cozy firepit, too.
A variety of accommodations are available within the 2,600acre nature preserve: classic hotel rooms at the main lodge; fully restored, but still rustic cabins dating to the resort’s origin in the mid-1800s; and newer Blueberry Ridge cottages of varying sizes, perfect for romantic weekends or family reunions.
“Mountain Lake Lodge is one of the few places where you can step back in time, a time when life was slower, and nature was appreciated and savored,” Heidi Stone, Mountain Lake president and CEO told me. “Guests love to park their cars on arrival and take shuttles to all the activities and through the nature preserve.” MtnLakeLodge.com
“Mountain Lake Lodge is one of the few places where you can step back in time, a time when life was slower, and nature was appreciated and savored.”
SITUATED ON 350 ACRES just outside Clarksville, White Oaks Preserve is the place to feed your love of the outdoors. Owners Tiffany and Evan Jones took over the property from Evan’s dad in 2022; they now host sold-out dove hunts in the fall and offer five-stand shooting, private hunting excursions, and a 100-yard shooting range. The Jones’ describe their hunts as “low pressure.” The preserve also offers fishing, Polaris Ranger rides, and a blueberry festival in July, which came about as a result of abundance. “I couldn’t keep up with picking them all,” Tiffany says.
Hunters who come for guided excursions may rent the lodge, which is a three-bedroom farmhouse. Novices are welcome, too, though you should bring your own firearms. (Metal and paper shooting range targets are provided.) “Even though hunting and shooting sports may seem intimidating for someone who hasn’t tried them, it’s incredibly fun and a great way to spend time outdoors,” Tiffany says. “We will make sure that you are properly coached and taught proper firearm safety while having an incredible time.”
For a historical vibe, head to The Sunnyside Sisters, a B&B just outside downtown Clarksville that pays tribute to the sisters who once ran the property as a women’s school. New-ish owners Martijn and Eveline Broeders moved from the Netherlands and opened the business in 2021, restoring the nearly 200-year-old structure and adding modern touches like marble bathrooms, convenient USB ports, and high-end amenities. The Broeders paid homage to the property’s founders by naming guest rooms for each of the sisters. Guests are welcome to park their boat trailers for use on nearby Buggs Island Lake and can explore walking trails or the historic cemetery on the 23-acre property. WhiteOaksPreserve.com
SunnysideSisters.com Freelance writer Paula Peters Chambers has
Our friends at Merriam-Webster define education as: the action or process of educating or of being educated; or, the field of study that deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning in schools With that in mind, and after months of research, we present our annual State of Education Awards that offer intel on 160 institutions all over the state—from seaside universities to urban schools that provide cutting edge opportunities for
exceptional learners and those creating innovative programs for neurodivergent students. We profile schools with a message and those with inventive initiatives—from new teaching modalities, to new curricula, career pipelines, and experiential opportunities.
In 18 pages and six categories, we bring you Virginia’s best in education. We hope you find this resource guide helpful. Read on, and if you’re inspired, email us at Editors@CapeFear.com
By MADELINE MAYHOOD | With articles by KINSEY GIDICK, JULIA GARRETT, ASHLEY H. SHERIDAN, & ERIC WALLACE | Illustrations by SAMMY NEWMAN
To address Virginia’s teacher shortage, Governor Glenn Youngkin proposed a solution. Last year, he announced the Future Educators Academy, a lab-school initiative designed to fast-track high schoolers into careers in education. With the dualenrollment program slated to launch in the 2024-25 school year, proponents say it will help graduate and train a new batch of young educators.
Youngkin’s initiative was in part based on EdPolicy Works findings. The UVA-based research center reported that thousands of teachers were not returning for the fall school term, leaving students, classes, and schools in the lurch, which wasn’t boding well for Virginia’s school system overall.
With the number of newly licensed teachers lower than in previous years, according to a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee study, and student enrollment in education programs in Virginia colleges declining, the figures spoke for themselves: Virginia had a teacher shortage problem. Experts say the Commonwealth’s educational challenges are in part due to the aftereffects of widespread lockdowns, a pivot to virtual learning, teacher burnout, and more.
How to fill those vacancies and create a teacher pipeline?
Youngkin’s administration decided to look to the future: high schoolers.
In 2022, the General Assembly approved $100 million to go toward lab school initiatives. Using these dollars, 15 schools, including Germanna Community College, Piedmont Community College, and Central Virginia Community College, were awarded funds to “stimulate
“What I have found is that there are two areas where students seem to be sure about what they want to do and that’s nursing and elementary education.”—Kim Blosser, Laurel Ridge Community College president
the development of innovative education programs for preschool through grade 12 students.” Some of the schools have multiple locations, which amplifies the program’s reach. Germanna, for example, has campuses in Locust Grove, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Culpeper.
At Laurel Ridge Community College—with its multiple locations in Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray— and Germanna, a two-year program for 11th and 12th graders at area county public high schools looks like the Future Educators Academy (FEA) lab school. Students can earn up to two years of credits toward a degree in K-12 education, while still enrolled in high school.
Students interested in becoming elementary and special education teachers can apply for admission to FEA, explains Germanna’s Taylor Landrie, special assistant to the president for strategic initiatives, as long as they meet dual enrollment eligibility. “If there are more applicants than seats available, the students will be selected by lottery,” she says. The idea is to create a more inclusive future teacher cohort—or group—a requirement for all lab schools. Once accepted, FEA students will attend classes at the Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper for half days, Monday through Thursday, and complete their associate degree concurrent with their high school diploma. Every Friday, FEA students will have hands-on learning rotations to gain teaching experience in the classroom, designed for them to complete practicum hours.
But perhaps the best part about the FEA program is that it guarantees admission into James Madison University’s College of Education and the University of Mary Washington’s College of Education. Not only do participants leave high school with an AA degree,
but they also have an automatic acceptance to college.
“They’ll be able to graduate with their degree from JMU when they’re in their early twenties,” says Kim Blosser, Laurel Ridge school president. Even better?
“Once they graduate, they’ll return to their home county to teach.” Meaning communities will have a guaranteed batch of fresh educators within four years to help fill the teacher shortage gap. How long they’re required to stay in their home school district remains to be seen, but Dr. Andrew R. Armstrong, assistant superintendent of strategic innovation for the Virginia Department of Education, says, “A two year commitment is encouraged.”
“We cap each cohort at 24 students, but we’ll be running concurrent cohorts at Laurel Ridge and Germanna by year two and may have the capacity to launch two cohorts of juniors at each site in the future if there’s a strong demand,” says Landrie, who adds that enrollment is anticipated to grow each year, with one group in year one, two groups in year two, three in year two (juniors and seniors at Germanna; juniors at Laurel Ridge), and four in year three. By year four, she says, there may be potential to expand to two groups at both locations.
“This is a careful approach,” Armstrong says. Designed to “ensure strong retention as the lab school evolves and builds relationships with their students in its rollout.”
With any luck, the program could be duplicated statewide.
While FEA is a first for the state of Virginia, the lab school will blend the well tested dual-enrollment path schools in Virginia that have been operating for years, while blending in new initiatives to accelerate the pathway to employment for future teachers. Blosser is confident that while this first year might require tweaks
to the program, the concept is primed for success.
“In all my years in community college education, so many students are undecided majors,” says Blosser. “But what I have found is that there are two areas where students seem to be sure about what they want to do and that’s nursing and elementary education.”
Will her anecdotal data apply to students as young as 16 and 17? Blosser thinks so and is especially optimistic about underserved populations.
“In Winchester Public Schools, 77 percent of students receive free and reduced lunch. I know there are individuals who want to be teachers who think they can’t afford it,” Blosser says. While specifics regarding scholarship money toward the university costs have not been announced, Armstrong says the cost-benefit of earning an AA alone is substantial. “The savings realized through dual enrollment degree completion during the FEA experience will translate to significant savings at the bachelor’s destination,” Armstrong says.
Blosser is eager to see FEA in action. “This gives our underserved students a path to teaching and with a guaranteed job. If you start in 11th grade, you have a guaranteed job,” she says. “For many of these students, this is something they never believed they could do.”
Kinsey Gidick, a writer based in Scottsville, is married to a middle school history teacher. Her work has been published in The Washington Post , The New York Times , Garden & Gun , and more.
“We’ll be running concurrent cohorts at Laurel Ridge and Germanna by year two and may have the capacity to launch two cohorts of juniors at each site in the future.”—Taylor Landrie, Germanna Community College
Highly ranked for XYZ. Welcoming community. Top academics. You’ve heard it all before. For something more, make plans to visit Longwood.
We’ll give you a personalized tour and answer all your questions— including what are those mysterious symbols on the campus walkways and what exactly is Civitae? We can even fill you in on our rankings, welcoming Lancer community and academics, too.
UMW’s Student Alumni Ambassadors facilitate mock interview competition.
The University of Mary Washington’s Student Alumni Ambassador program (SAA) helps connect current students with alumni, while simultaneously preparing them for professional life after college. Throughout the year, SAAs participate in professional development workshops on topics including resume and cover letter writing, networking, and etiquette. “Some of these workshops are led by members of our Alumni Association Board of Directors, Young Alumni Council, or the Career Center and Professional Development team,” says Cadiann Treviño Pinto, ’22, UMW assistant director of
Averett University
Danville
Averett.edu, 434-791-5600
Capitalizing on the region’s expanding tourism industry and Averett’s new Hospitality Management and Tourism program, the university partnered with Virginia Tech to explore facets of the area’s expanding industry in an October summit. Nearly 75 leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders convened in Danville to exchange ideas designed to build upon the regional progress already made in this sector.
Bluefield University
Bluefield
Bluefield.edu, 276-326-3682
Service-minded students are the heart and soul of Bluefield’s compassionate campus community. With a culture that embodies a committed Christian environment, the university’s robust mission program includes opportunities to minister locally and abroad. In 2023, six Bluefield students traveled to Ecuador through For His Children, a Christian children’s home that shelters children in unfortunate circumstances in addition to offering spiritual, physical, and mental care.
annual giving. SAAs also hone their skills by interviewing and selecting potential candidates for the program. “This allows them to see what it’s like being on the interviewer’s side rather than as an interviewee,” says Treviño Pinto. Every two years, the SAA program holds its Mock Interview Competition. The two-round event is judged by alumni as well as current faculty and staff. Senior Aniya Stewart, a mathematics major, won the last competition, held in October 2023, and has said she now feels more prepared in searching for jobs after college. The next Mock Interview Competition will take place in the fall of 2025. UMW.edu —by Ashley H. Sheridan
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater
Bridgewater.edu, 540-828-8000
Bridgewater provides students with a successful college experience on campus, as well as a wealth of resources in preparation for life post-graduation. From internship development, to job search strategy, resume development, career exploration, job fairs and events, graduate and professional school planning and more, Bridgewater prepares students for success and meaningful employment or continuing education.
Christendom College
Front Royal
Christendom.edu, 540-636-2900
Christendom’s Life on Tap series, hosted by the college’s Career and Professional Development Office, connects successful alumni with current students, demonstrating various career paths post-graduation. The November series focus was project management, where three recents grads noted the many skills they learned through their Christendom education—from clear communication to leadership, academic rigor, and time management, through its Catholic liberal arts curriculum.
Christopher Newport University
Newport News
CNU.edu, 757-594-7000
In October, CNU received an $800,000 grant designed to bring academia and industry closer together. The funding will launch EPIIC—Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity. The goal of this on-campus project is to foster stronger ties between academia and industry by connecting faculty with companies doing research that aligns with their interests. A core program component is the inclusion of students in research initiatives.
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg
EMU.edu, 540-432-4000
Professor Daniel Showalter continues to receive broad recognition for excellence in teaching. As EMU’s program director for mathematics and computer science, he was selected by the Mathematical Association of America on Statistics Education as the 2024 recipient of the Robert V. Hogg Award for
Excellence in Teaching Introductory Statistics. He previously won the John M. Smith Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching.
Emory & Henry College
Emory
EHC.edu, 276-944-4121
A collaborative agreement between EHC and Mars Hill University near Asheville, North Carolina, will establish a pipeline for students interested in healthcare careers. Both institutions are committed to enhancing rural healthcare opportunities in their respective regions. The articulation agreement creates an academic pathway for select Mars Hill students to pursue admission into various Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences graduate programs.
Ferrum College
Ferrum
Ferrum.edu, 540-365-2121
Ferrum College announced another major financial aid initiative that follows the April ’23 launch of the Panther Promise, which secures free tuition to qualifying Virginia students. The new initiative is a $10,000 reduction in undergraduate tuition for fall 2024, a natural next step in Ferrum’s commitment to provide accessible and affordable higher education to students seeking an inclusive, values-based environment.
Fairfax
GMU.edu, 703-993-1000
In partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank and DoorDash, George Mason University’s Patriot Pantry delivers shelf-stable groceries and fresh produce to food-insecure GMU students within a 15-mile radius of the Fairfax campus. The program promotes consistent and nutrient-healthy food, while addressing financial and transportation barriers. By confronting obstacles, students can devote their attention to academics and increase their success rates.
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney
HSC.edu, 434-223-6000
Thanks to a $30 million gift from the Pauley Family Foundation, the college’s new Pauley Science Center, an impressive 77,000-squarefoot facility, includes state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, equipment, and interactive spaces to support first-class science teaching, research, and scholarly activity. This transformational gift, the largest in the college’s history, will help launch the future of the sciences at Hampden-Sydney.
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Hampton University
Hampton
HamptonU.edu, 757-727-5000
Hampton University announced the expansion of its strategic relationship with Prudential Financial, thanks to an additional $1 million grant to HU that will enhance educational programs and launch new initiatives. The grant will enable the university to offer new scholarship and mentorship opportunities, launch a new faculty fellowship, and support campus facility improvements, technology investments, and educational sessions.
Hollins University
Roanoke
Hollins.edu, 540-362-6000
Hollins University’s Global Learning Hub helps students build global awareness and engage in intercultural learning. In addition, it prepares them for a diverse and increasingly interconnected world and provides them with experiential learning opportunities. The Hub offers more than 20 study abroad programs, domestic cultural immersion programs, international internships, and scholarships that help students enhance their academic and career goals.
James Madison University
Harrisonburg
JMU.edu, 540-568-6211
Time magazine included James Madison University in their “Best Colleges for Future Leaders” survey conducted in 2023 with Statista. Only three schools in Virginia made the list, which included 100 U.S. colleges and universities. The methodology analyzed 2,000 resumes of the nation’s top leaders across sectors—politicians, CEOs, union leaders, Nobel winners, and more—to build the list of the schools and universities they attended.
Liberty University
Lynchburg
Liberty.edu, 434-582-2000
LU’s Center for Cyber Excellence renewed its status as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through the 2028-29 academic year, a designation made every five years from the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The Center prepares future cybersecurity professionals by awarding undergraduate and graduate degrees in the areas of information systems, information technology, and computer science.
Longwood University
Farmville
Longwood.edu, 434-395-2000
Longwood’s Civitae Core Curriculum begins with the premise that the world is complex and interconnected. By intentionally reinforcing those connections through a unique approach to education, Longwood prepares students for the world through multidisciplinary, co-taught classes that blend creative energy with an intense focus on creating citizen leaders. The process teaches the invaluable skills of communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Staunton
MaryBaldwin.edu, 540-887-7019
Rally in the Valley gives MBU social work students a giant step in professional development. The event, started four decades ago, connects social work students across Virginia to share ideas and resources, network, and gain professional experience. Attendance is mandatory for MBU students, who participate in a variety of workshops, such as yoga for wellness, trauma-informed care, and homeless instability.
Arlington
Marymount.edu, 703-522-5600
Marymount’s STEM Scholars Program supports undergraduates studying biochemistry, biology, computer science, cybersecurity, Engineering, or information technology. Students are eligible for scholarships of up to $40,000 over four years at Marymount—$10,000 per year—based on financial need. The program emphasizes career preparation through hands-on workshops designed to help students prepare for a successful and sustainable career.
Norfolk
NSU.edu, 757-823-8600
Norfolk State University has demonstrated a commitment that prioritizes the safety and well-being of its student body through a groundbreaking physical self-defense program adopted by the national and international based curriculum of R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Systems. This initiative, orchestrated through collaborative on-campus partnerships, equips NSU students with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves in various situations.
Norfolk
ODU.edu, 757-683-3000
ODU’s proximity to the state’s thriving maritime industry and the Port of Virginia makes it ideally located to study maritime and supply chain management. As the only university in the country to offer a Maritime and Supply Chain Management undergraduate major, graduates are prepared to meet the needs of the complex shipping, transportation and distribution industries, and a myriad of employment opportunities.
Radford
Radford.edu, 540-831-5000
The Bridge Program—NRB2RU—a partnership between New River Community College and Radford University, gives NRCC participants an opportunity to enhance their academic skills before fully enrolling at Radford. By providing support for transitioning from high school to college, it encourages engaged learning. Students take courses at NRCC’s Dublin campus for their first year, while living, dining, and engaging in a robust student life at Radford University.
Charlottesville has its own crew of Indy drivers. Specifically, they’re from UVA, and they are race car drivers with a unique vantage point—and it’s not from behind the wheel. Their car is autonomous, run by artificial intelligence. With speeds that can exceed 150 mph, the car provides an experiential learning ground for engineering, robotics, AI, problem-solving, software, automotive technologies, and more. “Racing is the perfect proving ground for AI technology,” says Madhur Behl, associate professor of computer science and systems and information engineering, and director of the autonomous
racing team. “If we can demonstrate racing safely at high speeds and with close proximity to other vehicles, this will have a significant bearing on the safety of passenger autonomous vehicles, which are currently facing several challenges in dealing with unusual situations.”
The autonomous car has raced on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to the Indy 500, and it placed second in the world at the Indy Autonomous Challenge at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Last fall, it was displayed on the Charlottesville campus for students to check out. Next, it is slated to hit the Formula One racetrack in Monza, Italy, in June. Virginia.edu —by A.H.S.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sweet Briar’s campus is one of the most beautiful in the nation.
Our campus is home to lakes and trails, an apiary and a vineyard, a 26,000-square-foot greenhouse and a commitment to academic excellence and sustainability.
With outstanding programs in engineering, environmental science and more, Sweet Briar women graduate—in four years—with the skills, compassion and vision to create a more just and sustainable world.
sbc.edu
CNU ranks high nationally for short-term study abroad.
According to Open Doors’ 2023 U.S. Study Abroad Report, published by the U.S. State Department, Christopher Newport University ranks in the top 10 nationally for colleges and universities that offer short-term programs all over the world. According to CNU’s study abroad department, approximately 27 percent of undergraduate students studied abroad in 2021-22 across 37 countries.
“We specialize in offering programs in our core academic
Randolph College
Lynchburg
RandolphCollege.edu, 434-947-8000
In the 19th century, when colleges and universities did not offer women math and science curricula, Randolph Macon Woman’s College’s course catalog included classes in physics, astronomy, biology, chemistry and more. While time, technology, and the college’s name have changed, science still matters at Randolph College. A campaign to renovate and revitalize its science building was just launched, with construction scheduled for completion in 2025.
Ashland
RMC.edu, 804-752-7200
Thanks to a National Science Foundation grant, Randolph-Macon College students took part in a six-week summer project that indexed fish and macroinvertebrates in the rivers and streams of Kenya’s Lake Victoria Basin. The RMC team, which also assessed habitat quality in this biodiversity hotspot, included biology professor Ray Schimdt and students and researchers from Tulane, the University of Eldoret, and the National Museums of Kenya.
areas as well as specific majors,” says Mandi Pierce, director of CNU’s Study Abroad. “Our goal is to have options available to every student attending our university.” Pierce says CNU offers about 15 group programs each year, including Pursuit of Social Justice in South Africa, Cross-Cultural Leadership in the Netherlands, Comparative Criminology in Norway and Sweden, and Business Ethics in the Bahamas, as well as CNU in Scotland, which consists of a spring semester at the University of Glasgow. CNU.edu —by A.H.S.
Regent University
Virginia Beach
Regent.edu, 757-352-4127
For the second year in a row, a three-judge panel heard live oral arguments in Regent Law’s courtroom in November, after which five Court of Appeals judges held a robust Q&A session with students. Witnessing the proceedings were more than 200 Regent Law students, which illustrated the school’s commitment to train purpose-driven, practice-ready attorneys who have firsthand experience.
Roanoke College
Salem
Roanoke.edu, 540-375-2500
Roanoke College’s Washington Semester Program provides students exciting opportunities to work and study in Washington, D.C. Past participants have interned at an impressive collection of agencies and organizations, including the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court, the State Department, the Organization of American States, the D.C. Corporation Counsel, the ACLU, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, and on Capitol Hill.
Shenandoah University
Winchester
SU.edu, 540-665-4581
A generous gift from David B. Baxa, a member of Shenandoah University’s Board of Trustees, and his wife, Lynn, will be used to create the Baxa Family Chair for Stakeholder Capitalism in SU’s School of Business. The endowed position will complement the business school’s work in building a local, national, and global economy that promotes social cohesion, inclusive long-term prosperity, and environmental health.
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar
SBC.edu, 434-381-6100
Sweet Talks, monthly presentations by faculty and students at Sweet Briar College, kicked off its exciting 2023-24 season with a presentation by Kala Bonner, assistant biology professor and cancer researcher. Bonner’s work theorizes that identifying biomarkers in patients with glioblastomas, a particularly fast growing and aggressive brain cancer notoriously resistant to treatment, may make treatment protocols more effective.
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg
Lynchburg.edu, 434-544-8100
University of Lynchburg history professor
Brain Crim has been adapting his book Our Germans: Project Paperclip and the National Security State for TED-Ed, a TED Talk platform that brings lesser known historical events to a larger audience, which also targets students. Crim’s book tells the true story of the controversial intelligence program that brought engineers, scientists, and technicians to the U.S. from former Nazi Germany.
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg
UMW.edu, 540-654-1000
Experiential learning opportunities—from study abroad to undergraduate research, internships, and travel to academic conferences—provides a leg up in an increasingly global and competitive workplace. To support high-impact student learning experiences, the College of Arts and Sciences is building a $1 million endowed fund—Beyond the Classroom: An Endowment for Student Research and Learning—to support these enriching experiential learning experiences.
University of Richmond
Richmond
Richmond.edu, 804-289-8000
The latest Open Doors Report, a U.S. State Department initiative that assesses global education trends, ranked UR No. 1 for the number of students participating in mid-length study abroad programs. The college offers many ways to study abroad, including research and internship opportunities, short term experiences (1-3 weeks), summer programs, and traditional semester-long programs. Seventy percent of UR students graduate with international experience.
University of Virginia
Charlottesville
Virginia.edu, 434-924-0311
UVA has captured the No. 2 spot as the best value public university in the country, according to The Princeton Review, moving the school up one spot from its 2022 ranking. UVA was also ranked the best public college in the nation for financial aid for the third year in a row, according to the educational services company’s “Best Value Colleges for 2023.”
UVAWise.edu, 276-328-0100
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise joined Virginia Tech and VCU as being the only three institutions in the state to be awarded the Innovation & Economic Prosperity Program (IEP) designation by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. IEP is the leading certification process recognizing higher education institutions that demonstrate a substantial commitment to regional and community development through workforce development, innovation, public service, community engagement, and outreach.
VCU.edu, 804-828-1231
VCU’s First-Year Living-Learning Communities are specialized residential environments that integrate on-campus living with a focused academic experience. By mixing curricular and co-curricular activities inside and outside of the classroom, the LLCs enable students to fully engage in their college experience and learn to encounter life in the real world with a holistic approach. The school’s LCCs focus on shared interest, academic goals, or lifestyle preferences.
Lexington
VMI.edu, 540-464-7230
VMI hosted its 14th annual Leadership and Ethics Conference, Oct. 30-31, “Leading During Crisis: Culture, Conflict, Collaboration.” Inspirational speakers, small group discussions, collaborative activities, and networking opportunities all focused on the challenges of adapting to personal and organizational crises with courage and integrity as an individual and as a leader. Topics included behavioral adaptability, crisis preparation, communication, and building effective teams.
Blacksburg
VT.edu, 540-231-6000
The Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, just a few miles from Washington D.C., is intentionally positioned at the intersection of academia, industry, and government. Its first academic building, slated to open in 2024, features a design centered on the principles of sustainability, health and wellness, green and social spaces, accessibility, connectivity, flexibility, and integrated technology.
Petersburg
VSU.edu, 804-524-5000
Virginia State University was chosen by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host the Oct. 1, 2024 Presidential Debate, the second of three scheduled general election presidential debates. This is a momentous occasion for VSU, as it is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) ever selected to host a General Election U.S. Presidential Debate.
VUU.edu, 804-257-5600
Continuing its upward trajectory, Virginia Union University rose to the country’s 39th best HBCU in 2023, entering the top 40 just five years after not being ranked. VUU also welcomed its largest class in eight years in 2023, an increase driven by an unprecedented 31 percent surge in undergraduate enrollment over the previous year, a distinct victory and counter to enrollment declines around the country.
Virginia Beach
VWU.edu, 757-455-3200
VWU’s Marlin Business Conference, the university’s cornerstone event, is an incubator for future business innovation. Aspiring leaders and seasoned professionals converge, forging new connections, exploring emerging tech-
nologies, and gaining career-shaping insights. This year’s theme, “Creating Opportunities through Technical Innovation,” held in November, brought to life the immense potential at the intersection of business and technology, specifically targeted at the area’s vibrant coastal economy.
Lexington
WLU.edu, 540-458-8400
Washington & Lee’s Student Consulting Group (WLSC) makes connections on campus and in the community by pursuing local collaborations on various projects. The opportunity to work with local clients can be invaluable for members of the WLSC as they interact with the local Lexington community on projects that include marketing, research, and social media strategy for businesses and organizations.
WM.edu, 757-221-4000
William & Mary’s Sharpe Community Scholars Program has seen enrollment triple, as more and more students seek avenues to meaningfully connect with their community members to explore social dynamics and issues. Sharpe’s approach centers on community-based research, and the program offers first-year students a yearlong seminar featuring community partner visits, research workshops, community building social activities, and communal living.
Shenandoah University launched Shenandoah Conversations in response to the realization that “engaging in conversations about socially complex and at times controversial topics was increasing in difficulty due in part to the unfortunate polarization currently endured at a national level,” says Adela Borrallo-Solis, Ph.D., director of Shenandoah Conversations and university professor.
The result was not only a platform for civil dialogue, but an immersive learning experience. Shenandoah Conversations are based in reflective structured dialogue, a framework that builds trust and mutual understanding. “The objective of reflective structured dialogue is not to convince anybody of a particular perspective,” says Borrallo-Solis,
“but to listen to each other so we can understand perspectives different than our own.” More than 300 faculty, staff, and students have been trained to facilitate reflective structured dialogue (RSD), and 178 courses have implemented Shenandoah Conversations, reaching nearly 3,000 students. Conversations have covered topics such as abortion and the Israel/Palestine conflict. “This fall, two of my classes managed to have an unstructured and civil dialogue about gun control after the shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh,” says Cooper Minister Ph.D., associate professor of religion. “This, to me, displays the real potential of RSD. RSD prepared the students in the classes to listen to each other so that they were prepared when it really mattered— and even when I hadn’t intentionally prepared a dialogue about this specific issue.” SU.edu —by A.H.S.
Discover the difference of a Benedictine education today.
We provide a common Catholic culture to educate the whole person.
Body. Mind. Spirit. benedictineschools.org
Richmond
BenedictineSchools.org, 804-708-9500
GRADES 9 –12
Past Benedictine Schools of Richmond strategic plans focused on defining the partnership between St. Gertrude and Benedictine and transitioning both schools from Richmond’s Museum District to a sprawling campus in Goochland. Now, with a bright future secured, BSoR’s new strategic plan focuses on two of its most valuable assets: its robust community of students and teachers.
St. George
BlueRidgeSchool.com, 434 985 2811
BOYS, GRADES 9 –12, BOARDING
Blue Ridge School acknowledges exceptional faculty members as demonstrated by their Gold Apple Award for excellence in teaching. In 2023, the award was presented to history teacher Hampton Kennedy, who is especially known for his engaging U.S. history and government classes, which he approaches with intent and purpose.
Chatham Hall
Chatham
ChathamHall.org, 434-432-2941
GIRLS, GRADES 9 –12, BOARDING
Chatham Hall prepares to welcome its 18th rector and head of school on July 1, an appointment that was unanimously approved by the school’s Board of Trustees. Sara Stephenson will lead Virginia’s all-girls boarding school, bringing with her nearly three decades of experience at various private schools, mostly recently at Ashley Hall in Charleston.
Urbanna
ChristchurchSchool.org, 804-758-2306
GRADES 9 –12, CO - ED, DAY AND BOARDING
Christchurch School, on 125 picturesque acres along the Rappahannock River, is one of the country’s most ideal campuses for competitive sailing. The Seahorses launch their fleet of FJs, 420s, and Lasers in spring, summer, and fall from the Clyde V. Kelly IV Sailing Pavilion, home of the school’s national championship sailing team.
Roanoke
CommunityHigh.net, 540-345-1688
GRADES 9 –12
With a mission to develop culturally literate, globally conscious, and locally engaged citizens, CHS hosted exchange students several years ago from Saint Exupéry High School in Fameck, a town in the northeast corner of France. Today, CHS French students have rekindled the relationship by emailing their Saint Exupéry counterparts, demonstrating how education can unite different people and cultures.
Richmond
CristoReyRichmond.org, 804-447-4704
GRADES 9 –12
After a nationwide search, Cristo Rey Rich-
Fishburne Military School champions freedom above all.
t its Waynesboro campus, Fishburne Military School’s structure and discipline is about freedom from distractions, including cellphones and social media that many parents would prefer their children avoid. The school ethos is less about control than it is about creating an environment that encourages kids to be themselves, discover themselves, and reach their goals.
AWhile the traditions of a military school matter at Fishburne, the school has refreshed its approach to meet each cadet where he is and guide him toward his passions, armed with the skills and knowledge to succeed. The school offers each boy the opportunity to be a part of an athletic program where he plays, competes, and is part of a team, no matter the sport. Barracks Life on campus and Army JROTC programs remain committed to embracing the core values of leadership, discipline, honor, courage, structure, integrity, loyalty, and selfless service—traits Fishburne cadets will use for the rest of their lives. Fishburne.org —by Todd Livick
mond announced that Dr. Lynn Waidelich, Ed.D., was promoted to principal and chief academic officer. Waidelich, the second to hold the position, brings with her significant experience in leadership, community building, and innovation from her career in education as a teacher, school administrator, adjunct professor, and researcher.
Alexandria
EpiscopalHighSchool.org, 703-933-3000
GRADES 9 –12, BOARDING
Flexperience is a new term added to the EHS lexicon. These small group experiences offer flexibility and immersion, where faculty can dedicate more time to in-class experiments, one-on-one interaction, research, outside speakers, or off-campus excursions. Designed to be specifically aligned with their curriculum, Flexperiences provide meaningful alternatives to traditional classroom experiences.
Fishburne.org, 540-946-7700
BOYS, GRADES 9 –12, BOARDING
Fishburne Military School is only one of a handful of military schools in the U.S. to offer a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction. For students whose goal is attending a U.S. service academy, Fishburne can nominate select cadets directly to one of the academies. In addition, Fishburne hosts one of only four summer JROTC programs in the nation.
Middleburg
Foxcroft.org, 540-687-5555
GIRLS, GRADES 9 –12, DAY AND BOARDING
Foxcroft’s Exceptional Proficiency program enables students with demonstrated talent and passion to spend time away from campus—from a single training session to months-long stays—so they can train, compete, and pursue passions while benefiting from academic support to fulfill Foxcroft’s high educational standards. Past EP participants include violinists, ballet dancers, equestrians, ski racers, a certified doula, and more.
Miller School of Albemarle
Charlottesville
MillerSchoolofAlbemarle.org, 434-823-4805
GRADES 8 –12, DAY AND BOARDING
Sustainable Agriculture is an in-depth and interdisciplinary program at Miller School of Albemarle that provides students an opportunity to study a wide range of farming principles and practices. On its 1,600 acre campus nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, students get exposure to the basics of farm life, animal husbandry, soil health, tools used in daily farm work, bee keeping, gardening principles, pollinators, and more.
Renaissance School
Charlottesville
RenaissanceSchool.org, 434-984-1952
GRADES 9 –12
Charlottesville’s college prep school for aca-
demically and artistically advanced high school students is celebrating 25 years with a campus expansion that incorporates an adjacent builidng to its existing downtown Charlottesville campus. Renaissance School is the highestranked high school for the arts in the state and is in the top 13 percent nationally.
St. Margaret’s School
Tappahannock
SMS.org, 804-443-3357
GIRLS, GRADES 8 –12, DAY, 5 - DAY BOARDING, 7- DAY BOARDING
St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock is ideally situated on the banks of the Rappahannock River. When the school launched its STEAM program in 2021, embracing a curriculum of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, it added an “R,” a natural evolution that pays homage to its hometown river. STREAM offers a focus on the vibrant history, science, and the recreational opportunities the Rappahnnock provides.
Trinity Episcopal School Richmond
TrinityES.org, 804-272-5864
GRADES 9 –12
Morning Meeting is the Trinity tradition most often cited by students and alumni as the defining experience of high school. The chance to come together each morning to share highs and lows, victories and defeats, joys and concerns provides a daily foundation for Trinity’s uniquely strong community. Following Morning Meeting, the Head of Schools greets students on their way to first period.
Virginia Episcopal School Lynchburg
VES.org, 434-385-3600
GRADES 9 –12, DAY AND BOARDING
VES seniors have the opportunity to explore a topic in-depth through a year-long Advanced Studies program, where students create their work, set deadlines and goals, and are aligned with a faculty member. The experience culminates on Expo Day, a series of spring presentations shared campus-wide. Past projects have included included Wildlife and Trees of VES, A Feminist Perspective of the Brontë Sisters, and Architecture in Lynchburg.
Woodberry Forest School
Woodberry Forest
Woodberry.org, 540-672-3900
BOYS, GRADES 9 –12, BOARDING
An integral part of the boarding school curriculum at WFS is a philosophy steeped in a belief that education is training for service to others rather than for success for one’s self. The school’s community service program, a WFS requirement, aims to develop tolerant, selfless individuals who understand others, appreciate their needs, and are rewarded by community service.
The Academy at Metropolitan School of the Arts
Alexandria
MetropolitanArts.org, 703-339-0444
GRADES 7–12
With a mission to influence full potential, AMSA allows students to discover their passions in a nurturing environment. They are not met with the expectation to win, but to grow in a way that influences future success.
Myriad programs and highly qualified instructors offer a solid foundation on which to build their future.
Centreville
AdFontes.com, 571-348-0784
K– GRADE 12
Ad Fontes Academy combines a heart for Christ, an emphasis on quality education, and student success. Faculty treasures the special relationship between teacher and student at all times. Spanning grades K-12, Ad Fontes’ impressive faculty-to-student ratio of 1:6 helps strengthen this unique dynamic.
Alexandria Country Day School
Alexandria
ACDSNet.org, 703-548-4804
K– GRADE 8
The goals of ACDS’ new strategic plan include raising teacher salaries, strenthening commitments to professional development, and creating a fellowship program. Additionally, staff is encouraged to focus on professional growth that includes opportunities for new teachers to learn from the school’s more experienced staff.
Collegiate, the 1,600-student independent school located in Richmond’s Far West End and considered one of the region’s tops, joins teams from a dozen countries in a multi-million-dollar collaboration to combat global historic declines in math and spatial learning competencies among young learners in the wake of the pandemic.
The funding is the fruit of an ongoing partnership between the school, education research professors at major universities like Stanford, and nonprofit edtech design lab na2ure. It lets students expand work on a project to develop an interactive digital platform for na2ure’s groundbreaking Pattern Alphabet—which the nonprofit says “codifies all the patterns nature uses to make 2D patterns and build 3D structures, at all scales.”
Collegiate director of economic and entrepreneurship education, Trina Clemans, helped spearhead the partnership and says the platform will drastically enhance “spatial and mathematical competency building for learners and educators through playful engagement with our natural world’s complex patterns.”
Results will be unveiled at the 2023-24 Tools Competition, which is funded by major global nonprofits like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Open AI, and the Walton Family Foundation. The competition has a three-phase selection process that spans approximately eight months and includes screening, review, and virtual pitch. This process is intentionally designed in order to give competitors time and feedback to strengthen their proposal. Collegiate-Va.org —by Eric Wallace
Amelia
AmeliaAcademy.org, 804-561-2270
PREK– GRADE 12
Amelia Academy prepares students for college, while maintaining a strong Christian faith. A particular emphasis is placed on ensuring they are well-equipped for a constantly changing environment post-graduation. Combined with a school culture that emphasizes personal responsibility, integrity, and honor, students are well-positioned for a successful future.
Banner Christian School
Chesterfield, Culpeper
BannerChristian.org, 804-276-5200
PREK– GRADE 12
Christ first, education second is the motto at Banner Christian School, which instills values of unity, equality. and compassion throughout its culture. With campuses in Chesterfield and Culpeper and its Christ-centered curriculum, the school enables its students to experience traditional academic and fine arts classes, as well as AP courses, all to ensure success beyond the classroom and college readiness.
BASIS
Independent McLean
McLean
McLean.BasisIndependent.com, 703-991-6075
AGE 2– GRADE 12
Paving a pathway to success, BASIS Independent McLean provides its students an opportunity to explore individualized learning paths. As one of the highest-ranked schools in the country, the culture encourages exploring different concentrations and interests. With this model, overall standardized test
scores are exceptionally high, as well as the potential to attend the world’s most elite colleges and universities.
The Blessed Sacrament
Huguenot School
Powhatan
BSHKnights.org, 804-598-4211
PREK– GRADE 12
In 2023, Blessed Sacrament Huguenot announced a game-changing $300,000 matching grant from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation. With funds targeting improvements to the Brower Student Center, the project demonstrates the school’s studentcentric emphasis, as well as on an enriching campus life. Construction is anticipated to wrap up this spring, allowing students to thoroughly enjoy these new opportunities by the next upcoming school year.
Broadwater Academy
Exmore
BroadwaterAcademy.org, 757-442-9041
PREK– GRADE 12
Broadwater Academy offers myriad club organizations for upper school students that encourage engagement in the Exmore community and beyond. Students learn about aquatics, wildlife, forestry, and soils through Envirothon, a national environmental science learning experience and competition sponsored by Dominion Virginia Power and the Eastern Shore Soil & Water Conservation District, where students demonstrate their knowledge at competitions.
Cape Henry Collegiate School
Virginia Beach
CapeHenryCollegiate.org, 757-481-2446
PREK– GRADE 12
Will Tragert, CHCS’s upper school head, launched Dolphin Discovery Nature Retreat
to ease the sometimes-rocky transition from middle to upper school. Split into unfamiliar groups, the class of 2027 roughed it for three days in Prince William National Forest. The new “families” made mistakes, got lost, and found their way back, relying on each other and gaining confidence along the way.
Carlisle School
Axton
CarlisleSchool.org, 276-632-7288
PREK– GRADE 12
Studies reveal that STEAM opportunities have a positive effect on learning, career aspiration, thinking, and emotional skills. The school’s robust STEAM program offers hands-on, cross-curricular activities that give students a solid foundation. Lower school students take an art/design class and a STEAM class where they explore coding and robotics, with more opportunities available in middle and upper schools.
The Carmel School
Ruther Glen
TheCarmelSchool.org, 804-448-3288
PREK– GRADE 12
Technology is important at The Carmel School that begins in kindergarten, where technology classes afford students unlimited access to the school library’s digital resources. In addition, the campus has a fully integrated wireless network with interactive classroom whiteboards. All students have individual school email accounts and complete access to Google Apps for Education.
Chelsea Academy
Front Royal
ChelseaAcademy.org, 540-635-0622
K– GRADE 12
Chelsea Academy students get an introduction to the 1,000 Good Books—the novels, poetry, fables, myths, stories, and plays that stimulate the imagination and encourage an intellectual life and cultural literacy beyond school. Students read Homer, Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, and more, sharpening their intellect through reading, writing, memorization, recitation, and discussion.
Collegiate School Richmond
Collegiate-Va.org, 804-740-7077
PREK– GRADE 12
“Minds that Seek, Hearts that Serve” is Collegiate’s motto, which is powerfully realized through its Powell Institute for Responsible Leadership. Through collaborations in the areas of global engagement, inclusion, economic literacy, sustainability, and civic engagement, one of Collegiate’s founding tenets is realized: to nurture its students as scholars, citizens, and leaders.
Commonwealth Academy
Alexandria
CommonwealthAcademy.org, 703-548-6912
GRADES 3 –12
Commonwealth Academy knows that the arts—visual, theater, performing arts, and music—fuel development and are vital to students’ social, emotional, intellectual, academic, and personal growth. Through arts engagement, CA students explore the process of self-expression and discover different modes of artistic expression, illustrating the school’s belief that art is a vehicle by which students can contribute to the school community, while exploring new passions and interests.
The Covenant School
Charlottesville
CovenantSchool.org, 434-220-7329
PREK– GRADE 12
The Covenant School’s Parent-Teacher Community is a group of parents dedicated to benefiting and serving the school. They support the school’s mission by fostering positive relationships and communication among the administration, faculty, staff, and each other. By serving as a source of information on school activities, volunteer needs, and fellowship, the group strengthens the school community.
Desmond T. Doss
Christian Academy
Lynchburg
DesmondTDossAcademy.org, 434-237-1899
K– GRADE 10
The Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy is eponymously named for the Lynchburg native who lived by a code of selflessness. Drafted in 1942, Corporal Doss’ beliefs prohibited him from killing another person or carrying a gun, however he was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service as a medic in WWII. Doss’s life was the subject of the 2016 movie, Hacksaw Ridge, and the school honors his spirit.
Fairfax Christian School
Dulles
Fairfax-Christian-School.com, 703-759-5100
PREK– GRADE 12
Considered the premier school for international students studying in the metro-DC area, the Fairfax Christian School is the first K–12 school to receive the Presidential E–Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce for its work with the international community and for its university-prep Intensive English Institute program that prepares students for success at the world’s top universities.
Flint Hill School
Oakton
FlintHill.org, 703-584-2300
PREK– GRADE 12
“Always Curious, Always Innovating” is Flint Hill’s mantra, an ethos that is supported by a dynamic and robust JK-12 innovation curriculum. Students are inspired to ask “what if?” and “how does this work?” while navigating interdisciplinary problem-solving projects of increasing complexity and depth. The school builds strong relationships and creates devel-
opmental experiences that embrace the best practices of traditional and contemporary education.
Fork Union
Military Academy
Fork Union
ForkUnion.com, 434-842-4205
GRADES 7–12
Fork Union, one of nation’s top military boarding schools, offers strong college-prep academics and athletics built on character development, self-discipline, responsibility, leadership development, and Christian values. An environment of structure and discipline limits distractions and encourages students to focus on achievement in academics, athletics, and personal growth.
Fredericksburg Academy
Fredericksburg
FredericksburgAcademy.org, 540-898-0020
PREK– GRADE 12
A member of the Eastern Region of Forest and Nature Schools, Fredericksburg Academy not only integrates nature-based experiences into its curriculum, but also into the fabric of the school’s culture. Its renowned Outdoor Program provides students with experiential learning opportunities, where, in addition to biking, climbing, camping and hiking, participants learn valuable lessons in leadership, stewardship, and community.
Fuqua School Farmville
FuquaSchool.com, 434-392-4131
PREK– GRADE 12
Small class sizes, individualized attention, a family atmosphere, and developing life-long
student-teacher-coach relationships set the Fuqua School experience apart. With a commitment to empower students to become positive change-makers in their communities, the school fosters the development of boundless, individual potential in the classroom and beyond.
Grace Christian School Staunton
GCSWarriors.org, 540-886-9109
PREK– GRADE 12
Grace Christian School provides a sound academic education in a Christ-centered environment designed to prepare students to know God and to live their lives in obedience to Him. The school’s belief is that the Bible is infallible in all its truth claims, so it is not only the most important class taught, but biblical truth is also integrated into all academics.
Grove Christian School
Richmond
GroveChristianSchool.com, 804-741-2860
K– GRADE 12
A successful learning environment is when students are engaged behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively in the classroom. The Grove Christian School culture focuses on these paths of engagement and places additional emphasis on spiritual engagement— how a student supports others and their community, discusses faith, and participates in prayer and Bible study.
Hampton Roads Academy
Newport News
HRA.org, 757-884-9100
PREK– GRADE 12
Hampton Roads Academy is one of only 16 schools in Virginia to be awarded a Cum
Laude charter. The Cum Laude Society honors superior academic achievement for promoting excellence, justice, and honor. In fall 2023, five HRA Cum Laude inductees represented the top 10 percent of their graduating class: Leya Baalbaki, Leo Feng, Chailea Harvey, Sabrina Post, and Zoe Tankersley.
Hargrave Military Academy Chatham
Hargrave.edu, 434-432-2481
GRADES 7–12; BOYS
With a commitment to provide students with the best possible education, Hargrave Military Academy strives to shape future leaders through a holistic educational approach. Established in 1909, Hargrave has created a one-of-a-kind experience for young men to become the best versions of themselves through character development, spiritual growth, and the importance of making a difference.
Highland School Warrenton
HighlandSchool.org, 540-878-2700
PREK– GRADE 12
The Highland School believes that sports bring out the school’s Five C’s: critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration and leadership, and character beyond the confines of the classroom. Athletics are integrated into the entire Highland experience beginning in Lower School. By Upper School, it takes a more prominent role, where the value of sportsmanship is emphasized.
National K-12 and collegiate rankings website, Niche, has crowned BASIS Independent Schools Mclean as Virginia’s best college prep school for the second year in a row. The 600-student academy also took the top spot for the Washington, D.C., area and was ranked seventh nationwide.
BASIS Mclean is owned and operated by California-headquartered Spring Education Company, which oversees a national network of about 70 K-12 schools. It boasts an 8:1 student/teacher ratio and places 90 percent of graduates at U.S. News & World Report Top 50 colleges and universities.
“The recognition confirms we have exceptional schools populated by subject expert teachers and remarkable students who are inspired daily to raise their potential and achieve outstanding academic outcomes,” BASIS vice president Toby Walker said in a statement. “We believe that students can do more than what is typically expected of them and create a joyful learning culture, where hard work is celebrated and intellectual pursuits result in extraordinary outcomes.” BasisIndependent.com —by E.W.
Reston
IdeaventionsAcademy.org, 703-860-0122
GRADES 1–12
Ideaventions Academy is a place where learning is joyful and challenge is embraced. From coding software and engineering to creative arts, the Ideaventions faculty guides students to find their passions. Thoughtfully organized field trips, based on student interests, emergent opportunities, curriculum focal points, and active research work, have included the Smithsonian, Lockheed Martin, National Spy Museum, Williamsburg/Yorktown, Amazon, and more.
Winchester
ISWVA.org
K– GRADE 12
Run by a student board of directors with faculty advisors, Huzzah Theater Production Company is a project of the Independent School of Winchester, supported by a generous grant from the Marion Park Lewis Foundation. Huzzah is one of the first and only student-run high school theater companies in the U.S. Past productions include Legally Blond, Little Women, and The Enchanted Bookshop.
Isle
Isle of Wight
IWAcademy.com, 757-357-3866
PREK– GRADE 12
With a mission to aid students in reaching their full potential, Isle of Wight Academy provides opportunities to become self-reliant and life-long learners. With innovative changes such as newer technology, students have opportunities to expand their learning in and outside of the classroom. Parents and teachers work collaboratively to ensure optimal success so that each student has room to grow.
Blackstone
Kenston.org, 434-292-7218
PREK– GRADE 12
At Kenston Forest’s Early Learning Center, the littlest learners explore, use their imaginations, and learn through play. The preschool program has weekly themes and activities in a loving, caring, and nurturing environment, where children participate in center play, art, music, movement, games, cooking, and more. They also learn through repetition and handson activities, like holding a crayon, reciting their ABCs, and catching a ball.
King Abdullah Academy Herndon
KAA-Herndon.com, 571-351-5520
K– GRADE 12
King Abdullah Academy is an IB World school, enhancing the values of Islam and proficiency to provide an environment where students can excel. The Academy provides a supportive learning environment that challenges students to reach their highest potential. While gaining educational, spiritual, and social skills, students have access to the baccalaureate program, which provides multiple opportunities in becoming a responsible world citizen.
Ideaventions students at Bell for the AVR Championship.
Benjamin Franklin famously said: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Reston’s Ideaventions Academy for gifted learners takes the maxim to heart.
Students participate in dozens of off-campus educational field trips and events annually, including a year-end international excursion to destinations like Switzerland’s European Council for Nuclear Research particle accelerator lab, CERN. Weekly domestic outings bring everything from studying journalism at the Newseum, to live plays at Folger Shakespeare Library, to research with biologists at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Overnight trips let students explore cultural destinations like New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston.
The robust experiential learning opportunities “reflect the extraordinary education students receive here,” said head of school, Ryan Heitz, in a statement. Yearly schedules are curated “based on current student pursuits and interests, emergent opportunities, curriculum focal points, and active research work.”
The focus has helped Ideaventions achieve remarkable results. Among other 2023 accolades, students charted the state’s highest mean SAT scores (760 math, 780 verbal), 63 percent received National Merit Awards, and Washington Parent magazine named the academy Northern Virginia magazine’s top private school. IdeaventionsAcademy.org —by E.W.
Liberty Christian Academy Lynchburg
LCABulldogs.com, 434-832-2000
PREK– GRADE 12
Liberty Christian Academy was founded in 1967 by Dr. Jerry Falwell and stands as Lynchburg’s viable educational choice for parents who want their children taught a Christian worldview from a Bible-based curriculum. LCA provides students opportunities that allow them to realize their God-given potential and to live lives that glorify God in the spiritual, academic, social, physical, and vocational realms.
Millwood School Midlothian
MillwoodSchool.org, 804-639-3200
PREK– GRADE 12
Millwood School’s World Languages Program promotes linguistic and cultural literacy and cultivates a life-long appreciation and enthusiasm for languages and cultures. Millwood’s
belief is that all students can learn a new language, and that a global mindset is a necessity and an asset in today’s rapidly changing society. Language study gives students a global perspective and a deeper understanding of their own culture and the larger world.
MVCA.CCMV.com, 540-868-1231
K– GRADE 12
Members of Mountain View Christian Academy’s senior class can choose a location for their Senior Trip. Students raise money through fundraising initiatives to realize this once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity. Scheduled prior to graduation, the trip is designed to culminate the years of the MVCA experience in a trip that helps them see God’s hand in the world and their place as that world’s culture-shapers.
Suffolk
NSAcademy.org, 757-539-8789
PREK– GRADE 12
Music is an important part of the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy culture. The school’s music program offers students enrichment opportunities through learning and performing music. Lower School students brush up on singing skills and play instruments through classes and after-school programs, while Middle and Upper School students are exposed to diverse musical experiences that encourage continued engagement in college and beyond.
The New School of Northern Virginia
Fairfax
NewSchoolVa.org, 703-691-3040
GRADES 6 –12
Creativity is what drives the culture at The New School of Northern Virginia. Every student practices the arts in some form—from drama, to music, photography, film, and more. And by integrating this creative culture into the school’s ethos, students become more introspective and skilled in craft, more balanced in their lives, and more dynamic and innovative in their academic work.
Norfolk Academy
Norfolk
NorfolkAcademy.org, 757-461-6236
GRADES 1–12
The Batten Leadership Program at Norfolk Academy reinforces and strengthens the school’s commitment to cultivating principled, civic-minded leaders. Through its three signature programs—Batten Leadership Fellows, The Leadership Lab, and Medical Scholars—Batten fellows grapple with real-world issues through research and experiential learning in global affairs, global health, and EDI (engineering, design, innovation), and more as they identify challenges and seek actionable solutions.
Norfolk Collegiate School
Norfolk
NorfolkCollegiate.org, 757-480-2885
K– GRADE 12
In December, Norfolk Collegiate’s First LEGO League team took home second place in robotic performance in Division 2 and first place in Innovation Project in Division 2 regional competition. Through robot design and a project, teams must meet a universal theme. “Masterpiece” was the 2023 theme, where students were challenged with imagining new ways to create technology that changes how we communicate using STEAM.
North Cross School
Roanoke
NorthCross.org, 540-989-7299
PREK– GRADE 12
From writing Thanksgiving messages to veterans at the VA Hospital, collecting paper products to donate to a local shelter, taking service trips abroad, or organizing a fundraiser to support a local charity or cause, service is an important part of the North Cross School culture. Students find innovative ways to help the community and beyond, where results are immediate, but benefits last a lifetime.
Oakcrest School
Vienna
Oakcrest.org, 703-790-5450
GRADES 6 –12, GIRLS
Girls at Oakcrest are encouraged to develop character, intellect, faith, and leadership skills with help from an engaging faculty and curriculum, as well as a rich school life. Unique traditions at Oakcrest create a vibrant community and strengthen friendships and school pride. From talent shows and green and white team competitions, to an all-school service day and more, these traditions continue to shape Oakcrest’s distinctive identity.
Pinnacle Academy
Chantilly
PAEdu.org, 703-537-0355
AGE 3 – GRADE 12
Pinnacle Academy’s mission is to be the best private school in Fairfax County and to immerse its students in a dynamic STEAM-focused, college-oriented, community-embraced environment that fosters industry-ready and globally competitive leaders. Pinnacle students are curious and innovative thinkers who strive to be accomplished, independent learners. The school produces tech-savvy graduates who embrace collaboration and diversity.
The Potomac School
McLean
PotomacSchool.org, 703-356-4100
K– GRADE 12
Speech & Debate is just one component of
The Potomac School’s curriculum that translates to an important life skill. Through its nationally ranked Speech & Debate team, to the school’s Debate Club and public speaking opportunities throughout the academic year, communication skills help students become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders who facilitate robust class participation and learn to engage an audience.
Front Royal
RMA.edu, 540-636-5200
GRADES 6 –12, DAY AND BOARDING
Randolph-Macon Academy offers a superior university-preparatory curriculum in a military environment. The school’s comprehensive Student Life program is designed to instill values of accountability, teamwork, character, structure, and grit, and dorm floors are fully staffed with a Cadet Life Supervisor. On its 135-acre campus, a plethora of athletic opportunities are available for all skill levels, with facilities and equipment to match.
RoanokeCatholic.com, 540-982-3532
PREK– GRADE 12
Roanoke Catholic School blends learning with faith and faith with daily life—an ethos that infuses the school’s curriculum both in and out of the classroom. Mass is celebrated each week inside neighboring St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. Monthly Adoration, Prayer Buddies, which partner an Upper School student with a Lower Schooler, class-wide retreats, and more provide abundant opportunities for students to serve the school and community.
Seton School Manassas
SetonSchool.org, 703-368-3230
GRADES 7–12
As a school for junior-senior high school students, The Seton School combines strong Catholic values with a successful learning environment. With a blend of co-ed and nonco-ed programs, Seton has opportunities that cater to its entire student body. Each student is required to seek college-level courses that build intellectual abilities, going above and beyond in preparation for life after high school.
Southampton Academy Courtland
SouthamptonAcademy.org, 757-653-2515
PREK– GRADE 12
At Southampton Academy, college counseling is a priority. With a highly individualized program, the process pushes students to activate their college search with an open
mind and genuine curiosity that empowers them to make decisions blending their needs, desires, and values. Through individual and group meetings, the counseling staff supports students in researching and identifying colleges of interest and completing effective applications.
St. Anne’s-Belfield School Charlottesville
STAB.org, 434-296-5106
PREK– GRADE 12
The health and well-being of the school community is a St. Anne’s-Belfield priority. Dedicated to cultivating the physical health, mental well-being, and social-emotional learning among students of every age, STAB offers opportunities to grow emotionally, socially, and spiritually by helping them develop leadership skills, agency, empathy, and kindness, as well as practice habits that promote personal and communal wellness.
St. Catherine’s School Richmond
St.Catherines.org, 804-288-2804
AGE 3 – GRADE 12, GIRLS
At St. Catherine’s, each girl’s spiritual journey is valued, where prayer, reflection, and matters of the heart are priorities. With its Episcopal identity, the school embraces all faiths, and chapel services are a significant part of community life. Students and faculty are encouraged to participate in leading worship, where readers, speakers, musicians, acolytes, ushers, and guest homilists are a regular part of chapel services.
StChristophers.com, 804-282-3185
PREK– GRADE 12; BOYS
St. Christopher’s School, founded in 1911, is the largest all-boys school in the state and one of the largest and oldest boys’ schools in the Mid-Atlantic region. Three Community Pillars are the school’s core values—Honor & Integrity, Pursuit of Excellence, and Community & Brotherhood—each designed to guide and inform its curriculum and institutional priorities that educate its students and create an inclusive and welcoming community.
Alexandria
SSSAS.org, 703-212-2700
AGE 3 – GRADE 12
St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School’s most ambitious campaign to date—the $45 million Saints Together Campaign—is a bold initiative to ensure limitless opportunities for its students through world-class teaching, facilities, and programming, all nurtured through its Episcopal identity. The campaign’s three giving pillars includes a reimagined upper school, building the endowment, and The Saints Fund to strengthen financial stability.
A PRIVATE ALTERNATIVE Virginia’s private schools see an uptick in enrollment.
Enrollment at Virginia public schools has been dropping since 2019. That comes as no surprise to researchers, as annual statewide births have been in decline for the last 15 years. But a second trend caught them off guard: Dissatisfaction with pandemic responses and ongoing teacher shortages has led a growing number of parents to seek private alternatives.
A study from the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service found that homeschooling in the Commonwealth increased by about five percent and enrollment at independent academies grew by seven percent from 2019 to 2021. The latter is significantly higher than national increases of two percent. And heavily populated regions with higher per capita incomes have been more affected than others.
Public schools in Arlington, for instance, lost more than 1,000 students during the pandemic alone. Many of them entered independent academies like The Potomac School, in McLean, which saw applications jump by 15 percent for the 2021-22 academic year. Enrollment at Bishop Ireton, a Catholic school in Alexandria, has surged by 20 percent to date. Private schools in Richmond, including St. Catherine’s, St. Christopher’s, Steward, and Collegiate also saw recent increases. —by E.W.
The Steward School
Richmond
StewardSchool.org, 804-740-3394
PREK– GRADE 12
College prep is a significant priority of The Steward School, with the process starting well before senior year. Junior College Tour, an overnight college tour in the fall, is a way for juniors to experience college life up close. They visit a variety of school types in two action-packed days. The experiences become a valuable tool the following year as they begin their college application process.
StoneBridge School
Chesapeake
StoneBridgeSchool.com, 757-488-2214
PREK– GRADE 12
StoneBridge School is a demonstration school for The Principle Approach®, a method of education that “produces Christian character and self-government, Christian scholarship and Biblical reasoning for lifelong learning and discipleship.” Through this philosophy of teaching, students develop a deep understanding of their value in Christ and the way God’s Word relates to every aspect of life.
Stuart Hall School
Staunton
StuartHallSchool.org, 540-885-8926
GRADES 6 –12
The Silver Line Theater Exchange is open to Stuart Hall students, especially those interested in pursuing a career in theater. This local theater conservatory’s staff features professional performers from a diverse set of stage disciplines. Its collaborative style encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and teamwork, giving students the opportunity to practice, develop, and enhance the skills of all roles involved in a full production.
Charlottesville
TandemFS.org, 434-296-1303
GRADES 5 –12
Tandem’s new Pavilion, located directly behind the school’s Community Hall building, illustrates the emphasis the school places on community interactions and relationships. With 1,700 square feet of open dining/assembly area, restrooms, and storage space, it’s open on three sides with large, garage-style doors to allow flow between the café and the quad and to maintain access to the outdoors and bolster a feeling of community.
Wakefield
TAWarriors.org, 757-899-5401
PREK– GRADE 12
With small class sizes and caring, dedicated teachers, the environment at Tidewater Academy is one where every student is important, family values prevail, students are able to thrive academically, and every child is a valued member of the school. To complement its college preparatory education, TA offers opportunities for athletics as well as leadership in student government, involvement in community service projects, and more.
Rarely is anything more powerful than hands-on experience. For high school students who are deciding on which college to apply and which careers to pursue, the opportunity to testdrive career options and gain real-world experience can be a game changer.
Norfolk Academy’s Alumni Association offers summer internship opportunities through its Alumni Career Connections Program. For two decades, the program has connected current NA students and young alumni with alumni and Academy friends who are already established in the workforce. From advertising and marketing to medicine and business, NA students and young alumni get tangible experience through these opportunities that help facilitate the college selection and application process, their future course of study, and career focus. “This program has given so many people their launch into a satisfying professional career,” says Ruth Acra, director of alumni relations. “And those who offer internships love the ongoing connection to our school.”
—by Madeline MayhoodFairfax
TCSFairfax.org, 703-273-8787
K– GRADE 12
Realizing that not all students learn in the same way, Trinity Christian School’s goal is to help students understand their unique gifts as given by God. Showing them different approaches and providing them with proven educational tools can empower them to become successful, independent learners. TCS’s Learning Center is full of resources that help students with learning differences realize their fullest academic and social potential.
Arlington
VeritasAcademyDC.com, 866-564-4233
K– GRADE 12
Veritas Collegiate Academy, a classical Christian school in Arlington, offers a well-rounded education through a biblical worldview. With a philosophy of education adapted from Dorothy Sayer’s The Lost Tools of Learning and Douglas Wilson’s The Case for Classical Christian Education, VCA’s rigorous academic program is based on the wisdom of scripture and founded in the Trivium, consisting of grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages.
Virginia Beach
VBFSchool.org, 757-428-7534
TODDLER– GRADE 8
With small classes structured for the needs of each student, Virginia Beach Friends School provides maximum learning opportunities that are tailored to individualized learning and support. Students are encouraged to excel not only in the classroom but through real-world experiences such as internships, service-learning projects, and capstone projects. These qualities enhance the overall experience, while allowing students to become the best versions of themselves.
Wakefield Country Day School
Huntly
WCDSVa.org, 540-635-8555
PREK– GRADE 12
Excursions and trips are an integral part of the WCDS experience. From visiting the National Zoo to canoeing the Shenandoah River to touring a British cathedral, experiences provide educational opportunities that inspire and help students to discover their
Norfolk Academy’s Career Connections Summer Internship Program enters its 20th year in 2024, offering Upper School students and young alumni a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, in many cases working alongside successful NA alumni. The program provides more than 70 internships this summer, in fields varying from business to medicine to real estate to education and beyond.
passions. Small class sizes and teacher independence allow WCDS to design a tailored curriculum complemented with field trips that enhance the learning process.
Wakefield School
The Plains
WakefieldSchool.org, 540-253-7500
PREK– GRADE 12
Wakefield students discover how they can directly influence global conservation, while they learn about cultural connections and self-discovery. Wakefield Upper School students in the Mola Mola Club held a fundraiser to raise money for the conservation of green sea turtles in the Galapagos, which will also provide educational opportunities for students on the island archipelago that support their environmental science education.
Walsingham Academy
Williamsburg
Walsingham.org, 757-229-6026
PREK– GRADE 12
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy on the principal values of compassion and service, Walsingham Academy is the region’s premier preK through 12 co-educational, Catholicbased independent school. Immersed in a compassionate, inclusive community of learners, Walsingham students benefit from a high-powered, holistic education. Through a proven portfolio of transformative teaching practices and a caring faculty, Walsingham graduates view the world through an inquisitive, altruistic lens.
Williamsburg
Christian Academy
Williamsburg
Private-Christian-School.
WilliamsburgChristian.org, 757-220-1978
K– GRADE 12
Williamsburg Christian Academy now offers a full International Baccalaureate School Continuum—the Diploma Programme (DP), Middle Years Program (MYP) and Primary Years Program (PYP), joining more than 4,000 schools worldwide in over 150 countries. This international organization provides a highly respected educational framework that unifies learning, instruction, and language. Beyond content, learners develop life-long skills across disciplines.
Anna Julia Cooper School
Richmond
AJCSchool.org, 804-822-6610
GIRLS, GRADES K– 8
Students at AJC have opportunities to participate in programs and experiences designed to extend learning and development outside the classroom. Many are offered in collaboration with other organizations, including Kids in the Kitchen sponsored by the Junior League of Richmond, to Minds in Motion with the Richmond Ballet, and more.
Aylett Country Day School
Bruington
ACDSPatriots.net, 804-443-3214
PREK– GRADE 8
To further its mission to build character and foster the traditional values of citizenship, honesty, and respect, ACDS encourages students in Grades 6-8 to participate in voluntary activities within the local commmunity, creating a culture, which recognizes that individuals in a community share a social responsibility to help and support others.
Browne Academy
Alexandria
BrowneAcademy.org, 703-960-3000
PREK– GRADE 8
The Parents Association at Browne Academy hosts several events for families and friends during the year, offering ways to connect with the larger school community—from a Back to School BBQ to Bingo Night and Friend Visit Day. These organized events build bonds and create a unifed, inclusive culture.
Burgundy Farm Country Day School
Alexandria
BurgundyFarm.org, 703-960-3431
K- GRADE 8
SEL—social and emotional learning—prioritizes a student’s social and emotional state so they are optimally available to learn. Small class sizes at BFCDS and its advisory and homeroom programs allow students to form strong relationships with classmates and work through challenges in productive and supportive ways.
Chesapeake Academy
Irvington
ChesapeakeAcademy.org, 804-438-5575
PREK– GRADE 8
The PALS program at Chesapeake Academy— Performing Arts and Lecture Series—provides art, music, science, and theatrical and social enrichment programs through grade 8. Since its inception, PALS has hosted exceptional arts organizations, including The Richmond Ballet, Poetry Alive!, Jamestown Foundation, Sheila Arnold Storytelling, and more.
Congressional School Falls Church
CongressionalSchool.org, 703-533-9711
INFANT– GRADE 8
Teaching and learning in the 21st century are evolving rapidly, requiring a more nuanced understanding of how young people learn and effective ways to teach them. Congressional
School’s Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation (CTLI) ensures the school stays ahead of the curve, serving as a resource for the study and development of learning-centered teaching, curricular innovation, and social-emotional development for young learners.
EdlinSchool.com, 703-438-3990
K4 – GRADE 8
“Every Picture Tells a Story,” a recent program at Eldin for fourth grade students, went beyond an ordinary field trip. Students traveled to D.C.’s National Gallery of Art for a language arts odyssey, during which they were encouraged to “read” paintings and unravel the narratives within each brushstroke. By sharpening their critical questioning skills, this immersive experience encouraged creativity and analytical thinking.
GSES.org, 804-231-1452
K– GRADE 8
As an Episcopalian church school, religion and world cultures studies are part of GSES’s enrichment curriculum. Grades 4-8 are offered classes that study Hebrew and Greek Bible stories, values, and history, as well as a survey of major world religions, field trips, quizzes, and games, all of which shape students’ global perspectives and values.
GrymesSchool.org, 540-672-1010
JK– GRADE 8
The Campaign for Grymes builds on the school’s 75-year history to enhance its already impressive foundation. Known for its gifted faculty and staff, small classes, and rural campus, Grymes encourages children to explore, discover, create, work, and grow. The campaign’s objectives are to enhance the school’s facilities, support community partnerships, and provide outdoor learning opportunities.
TheHillSchool.org, 540-687-5897
PREK– GRADE 8
To further its mission to create a curious and resourceful school community, students at the Hill School participate in the study of another culture for three days before spring break. Students study a specific country—its geography, history, language, art, people, and customs—through a scientific ecomystery, song and dance presentations, art projects, hands-on learning, and a cultural feast.
Lynchburg
JRDS.school, 434-384-7385
K– GRADE 8
The James River Day School philosophy believes effective communication is a valuable life skill, whether speaking on a public stage or singing in a school production. Students at JRDS learn to present assignments in front of their classmates, gaining experience to
coherently address an audience, conquering stage fright, instilling confidence, and, ultimately, setting them up for success.
LangleySchool.org, 703-356-1920
PREK– GRADE 8
At Langley, classrooms aren’t the only places to learn. The school’s 10-acre campus offers enriching opportunities galore—from the athletic field, to nature walks, in the gardens, and in a rooftop Classroom in the Sky. Field trips are also integral to the Langley experience, with students visiting museums, art galleries, and theaters—places that provide engaging learning experiences and bring classroom lessons to life.
Annandale and Falls Church MSNV.org, 703-256-9577
AGES 2–12
The backbone of a Montessori experience is the myriad of rich learning opportunities, a concept that MSNV extends to its summer programs. Camp MSNV, at its Valleybrook and Sleepy Hollow campuses, from June 20-July 28, offers a robust variety of experiences for children, ages 6-12—from Book Cooks & Little Chefs, to Cosmic Exploration, Theater Camp, Inventors Workshop, and more.
Since kids spend much of their time at school, it makes good sense to make it a healthy experience. Active RVA, a Richmond SportsBackers program, aims to create a culture of activity and wellness in schools across Central Virginia that can have long-term and wide-ranging impacts on students, faculty, and families. In addition to gaining community recognition through its certification program, tangible benefits include improved academic performance, concentration, and classroom behavior, increased employee productivity, and reduced employee healthcare costs.
Active RVA strategies include incorporating Read & Ride, where kids read while riding on a stationary bike; using exercise balls instead of chairs in the classroom; and promoting active recess. In addition, Active RVA encourages incorporating Fit4Kids strategies, such as kinesthetic techniques and health promotion messaging in the classroom. Other Fit4Kids programs include Learning Gardens, where kids plant, grow, harvest, and taste fresh and flavorful food and Game On, Girl! that empowers adolescent girls to be physically active, nutritionally fit, and confident. Fit4Kids also encourages ways to make healthy fun. Math problems are far more fun to solve playing subtraction tag than puzzling over them on paper. So why not turn a spelling bee into a baseball game instead of taking a dreaded test?
To date, SportsBackers has recognized over 100 organizations and schools in Central Virginia who have achieved Active RVA status. They include Williams Mullen, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Trinity Episcopal School, Seven Hills School, and many more. SportsBackers.org, GRFit4Kids.org —by M.M.
Chesapeake Academy is an independent, co-educational day school serving a diverse population of Pre-K 3 & 4 through Eighth Grade students in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia. Come explore with us!
107 Steamboat Road ~ Irvington, Virginia 22480
www.ChesapeakeAcademy.org
In 2023, VPM partnered with artist David Marion of Liberated Flow to design a mural in The Market @ 25th’s community room. The purpose of the mural is to reflect the culture and history of the Church Hill community alongside VPM’s mission to educate, entertain and inspire from childhood through adulthood.
Photo courtesy of Monica Pedynkowski
CONNECTED TO WHAT MATTERS.
As Virginia’s home for public media, we bring you relevant news and local storytelling to foster a greater understanding of our state, our neighbors and our world. VPM.org
This private Roanoke academy uses free education for the area’s low-income youngsters.
The McLeod Family Foundation dramatically expanded its mission to counter cyclic poverty in the Roanoke Valley when it launched The Academy, a free private school for the area’s most underserved young learners. The Academy opened in 2018 with just 10 kindergarteners.
But it’s been adding a new grade level and 15 or more learners each year—and plans to graduate its first high school class in 2031.
The school works hand-in-hand with its parent foundation, partnering area nonprofits and businesses to provide comprehensive resources that help lowincome families and their children succeed. Students enjoy small class sizes, experience-driven learning with specially trained instructors, before and after-school care, three hot meals a day, mentorships with community members, and more. Parents and guardians gain access to opportunities
Mountaintop Montessori
Charlottesville
MountaintopMontessori.org, 434-979-8886
TODDLER– GRADE 8
Mountaintop Montessori’s Music, Dance, Drama program builds musicianship in every learner through the integration of music, movement, speech, and drama. Younger children experience music in the classroom with weekly visits from the music guide. Elementary students receive group lessons with open studio time to create and collaborate. Middle School students participate in creative expression workshops. Three performances are presented during the year.
Herndon
Nysmith.com, 703-713-3332
PREK– GRADE 8
In September, students at Nysmith sailed the school seas on a pirate day adventure, demonstrating that learning can be fun. From the tiniest preschool buccaneer to eighth grade captains—even teachers in full Jack Sparrow gear—everyone channeled their inner pirate, donning eye patches, pirate hats, and technicolor parrots perched on shoulders—all embracing the spirit of the day with unmatched enthusiasm and plenty of “Arrs” and “Ahoy mateys!”
Boyce
PowhatanSchool.org, 540-837-1009
PREK– GRADE 8
The Powhatan School announced the appointment of its 11th Head of School, effective in July 2024. Carson Roy will join Powhatan
like personal finance classes, job training, and 1:1 match-funded grants toward buying homes, starting businesses, or returning to school.
“We’ve seen a great need in our poorest communities,” says McLeod Family Foundation director of operations, Teresa Schaeffer, pointing to a New York Times report that ranked Roanoke as the nation’s 10th worst city in the nation for upward mobility out of poverty. Families and children experiencing generational poverty “are often not equipped with the tools and financial skills they need to move them out of their current situations,” she says. “Our goal is to help them break that cycle.” McLeodFamilyFoundation.org —by E.W.
from The Potomac School, where he currently serves as director of enrollment management. Roy brings a wealth of experience that aligns with Powhatan’s mission and values, in addition to his proven track record of transformative leadership and a deep commitment to educational excellence.
Henrico
Richmont.org, 804-741-0040
TODDLER– GRADE 8
Montessori Enrichment, Richmond Montessori School’s after school programs, are an extension of the RMS experience, providing before and after-school care, extracurricular activities, and summer camps. Students can build on Montessori practices, as well as gain exposure to other initiatives not always available during the traditional school day. Enrichment experiences uphold the Montessori philosophy of respect for the child, while encouraging independence, creativity, and natural curiosity.
Richmond
Rudlin.com, 804-353-1110
K– GRADE 8
RTA students engage in education beyond the classroom. In addition to observing traditional Jewish holidays with their teachers and classmates, students foster their creative energy through music, art, physical education, and a host of extracurricular activities to enhance the totality of their experience at RTA. Afterschool activities and clubs have included science enrichment, drama, gymnastics, soccer, art enrichment, basketball, conversational Spanish, chess, karate, and more.
SabotAtStonyPoint.org, 804-272-1341
AGE 2– GRADE 8
For a decade, Sabot School has been a “small school for big change,” and its model has proven effective. However, with an expanding student body comes a need to grow its home, so the school launched its “Where the Heart Is: The Campaign to Grow Sabot’s Home.” Expansion plans include a 16,000-square-foot building, new learning spaces, and integrated gathering areas.
St. Michael’s Episcopal School Richmond
StMSchool.net, 804-272-3514
K- GRADE 8
Stanley and Buckeye are two therapy dogs who inspire St. Michael’s Lower School students to read through its Reading Dog program. These two Doodle dogs instinctively know when someone needs cheering up, putting big smiles on the faces of all they meet. Emerging readers in particular benefit from Reading Dogs, who, without judgement or prejudice, help build confidence and motivate students to read independently.
Strelitz
International Academy
Virginia Beach
StrelitzInternationalAcademy.org, 757-424-4327
TODDLER– GRADE 5
Third graders at Strelitz International Academy, an IB World School, heard stories about oil spills and examined before and after images. Then, donning safety goggles and their
science hats, they demonstrated the traits of being an inquiring risk-taker and thinker, reflective in their oil spill-themed lab, determining that preventing oil spills was the best way to keep oceans clean.
Bristol
SullinsAcademy.org, 276-669-4101
PREK– GRADE 8
Opportunities for education outside the classroom are integral to the Sullins Academy philosophy. These excursions, both local and further afield, enrich and deepen classroom learning. While fun and exciting, they’re also carefully designed to complement the school’s curriculum, providing hands-on and engaging learning experiences from which students reap huge rewards. Past trips have included Colonial Williamsburg, Space Camp, and The Barter Theater.
Gloucester
WareAcademy.org, 804-693-3825
AGE 3 – GRADE 8
A fundamental component of the Ware Academy experience is its Character Education Program. Students are taught lifelong character lessons through a system of positive reinforcement integrated into the school’s curriculum. By focusing on monthly character traits, students expand their understanding of the trait through stories, role-playing, and writing activities and are recognized throughout the year for exhibiting those traits.
WestminsterSchool.com, 703-256-3620
K– GRADE 8
Founded in 1962, Westminster School offers an accelerated, in-depth, classical curriculum, including arts and theater, foreign language, P.E., STEAM classes, frequent field trips, and enriching extracurriculars. Specialized teachers instruct small classes, providing guidance in articulate speech, integrity, personal responsibility, critical thinking, and creativity. The school’s diverse community encourages tolerance, kindess, and respect.
TheWilliamsSchool.org, 757-627-1383
K– GRADE 8
Williams’ OWL Program—Our Wider Learning—speaks to the school’s roots in community engagement and service learning. Based on American philosopher John Dewey’s belief that knowledge, skills, and experience are the keys to a successful education, Williams’ OWL outings are day trips to museums, parks, exhibitions, and more. The campus’ location in downtown Norfolk makes enrichment opportunities convenient and plentiful.
Bristol BVPS.org, 276-821-5600
In January 2024, Loral O’Hara, a NASA astronaut, addressed Bristol students on moon landings and the space program. The event, hosted by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, also included students from other schools around the state, all of whom had the opportunity to attend space-related presentations and participate in hands-on activities.
Hillsville
CCPSD.K12.Va.US, 276-730-3200T
Nine public schools in the Carroll County public schools system enroll more than 3,500 students through grade 12. In 2023, the district spent nearly $200,000 on safety and security upgrades, investing in ballistic-proof windows, security cameras, walkie-talkies for security and staff, and mobile panic buttons to enhance in-school safety.
Charlottesville City Schools
Charlottesville
CharlottesvilleSchools.org, 434-245-2400
Charlottesville City Schools are participating in a mindfulness-based learning program organized by UVA that helps both students and teachers keep stress levels lowered. The program provides teachers with techniques to improve interactions with students, promote mindfulness in the classroom, and reduce overall stress.
Chesapeake Bay
Governor’s School
Bowling Green, Glenns, Warsaw CBGS.K12.Va.us, 804-443-0267
Field studies in marine and environmental science are an essential part of the curriculum at CBGS, offering about one-third of its instruction as hands-on and in-the-field, using the Chesapeake Bay as a living classroom. Concepts learned are integrated into the classroom, and students can participate in world-class research opportunities with local partners and academic institutions.
Chesapeake Public Schools
Chesapeake
CPSchools.com, 757-547-0153
In February 2024, Chesapeake Public Schools hosted their annual “Take a Peake Job Shadowing Day,” during which students explored careers by following professionals in various fields. The experience allows each student to learn about a profession by being mentored and observing the tasks and responsibilities required in a particular career.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools
Fredericksburg
FxbgSchools.US, 540-372-1130
A division-wide, comprehensive long-range plan to improve classroom instruction and student achievement was adopted by the
Fairfax County is home to the state’s best public high schools.
S. News & World Report’s latest annual assessment of public schools across the nation says Fairfax County is home to six of Virginia’s 10 best high schools—and its Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) takes the top slot. The Lincolnia magnet school was also named the country’s fifth best high school, number one magnet school, and fourth best STEM-focused high school.
The report used data compiled from 2018 to 2021 to assess factors like breadth of curriculum, college preparedness, performance on state assessments, graduation rates, and more.
Experts say many factors contribute to Fairfax’s success, but one stands out: Average teacher salaries at TJHSST are the highest in the state, and Fairfax County ranks a close third. But TJHSST principal Ann Bonitatibus says it mainly comes down to school culture.
In student surveys “the words that rise to the top are fun, collaborative, challenging, and competitive,” she says. “The most exciting part about these descriptors is that everyone works to bring out the best in each other. I am proud each day to see how students, faculty, and staff are committed to mentoring others and uncovering hidden potential.” —by E.W.
Fredericksburg School Board through 2027. Developed with staff and community involvement, the plan informs the goals and aspirations of the community and guides learning engagements of employees and leaders.
Hampton City Schools
Hampton
Hampton.K12.Va.US, 757-727-2000
Seventh and eighth grade students at Kilgore Gifted Center are participating in the NASA eClips Spotlite Design Challenge in which they create a video confronting a common science misconception. Then they show viewers how to conduct an experiment to understand the truth about that misconception.
Loudoun County Public Schools
Ashburn
LCPS.org, 571-252-1000
Last year, LCPS announced their Blue Ribbon Panel on school safety, bringing together the schools’ various leaders with community experts in law enforcement, emergency services, and health and mental health. The panel was tasked with addressing physical, technical, cyber security, and health challenges throughout the LCSP community.
Massanutten Regional Governor’s School
Quicksburg
MRGS.Shenandoah.K12.Va.US, 540-477-3226
Massanutten Regional Governor’s School
for Environmental Science & Technology provides an integrated, collaborative, and enriched inquiry-based curriculum to highly motivated and gifted students. With a mission to foster the next generation of leaders, it also develops critical evaluators who can address comprehensive human and environmental systems.
New Horizons
Governor’s School Hampton
NHREC.org/GSST, 757-766-1100
Students at the New Horizons Governor’s School for Science and Technology (GSST) have the chance to design a microgravity experiment that could fly aboard the International Space Station. GSST was one of 14 schools across the country chosen for the opportunity by the Houston-based High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) Extreme Science Program.
Newport News Public Schools
Newport News
NNSchools.org, 757-591-4500
Newport News Public Schools’ mission includes a commitment to CCC—college, career, and citizen-ready. Through AP courses, early matriculation to area colleges, STEM courses, CTE (Career & Technical Education), Early Career and Youth Development programs, and more, students are introduced to viable career and educational opportunities as well as the importance of productive citizenship.
Pulaski
PCVA.US, 540-994-2550
Pulaski County Public Schools has revitalized its Education Foundation to support students, teachers, and staff. This charitable organization provides a means to enhance, enrich, and promote educational opportunities throughout PCPS. Priorities include fostering educational excellence, supporting innovation, and providing professional growth opportunities.
Radford
RCPS.org, 540-731-3647
The Recruiting Initiative for Student Engineers (RISE) is an event each semester in which students may apply to the inclusive engineering program to learn more about engineering in advance of college. It is designed to attract underrepresented high school students or first-generation college students interested in engineering.
Woodstock
Shenandoah.K12.Va.US, 540-459-6222
As part of its 2022-26 strategic plan— ”Reaching New Horizons”—the SCPS school board adopted five goals to optimize student success. They include providing an environment in which students are college, career, and citizenship ready; fostering respect and positivity; creating a culture of learning; empowering staff; and ensuring that SCPS facilities are current and adaptable.
Alexandria
TJHSST.FCPS.edu, 703-750-8300
TJHSST provides students with a challenging environment focused on math, science, and technology. The curriculum inspires discovery, innovation, and ethical behavior to promote the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, vital for addressing today’s complex societal and ethical issues.
Waynesboro
Waynesboro.K12.Va.US, 540-946-4600
Leaders from Waynesboro Public Schools visited Johnson & Johnson Innovation in Washington, D.C., securing a donation for their school and students. The philanthropic effort was part of a partnership with the African Ancestry Leadership Council and was facilitated by a Waynesboro Public School alumnus.
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Accotink Academy
West Springfield
Accotink.com, 703-451-8041
AGES 6 –21
Art-making is part of programming at Accotink Academy, a special needs, language-based, literacy-rich therapeutic facility for children with emotional and developmental disabilities and specific learning deficits in reading, mathematics, and written expression. Art therapy encourages students to practice adaptive coping skills, such as tolerating frustration, delaying gratification, and controlling impulses.
Charterhouse School
Edinburg and Richmond
CharterhouseSchool.org, 804-239-1080
AGES 6 –22
Charterhouse School meets children’s developmental needs by using Circle of Courage, a philosophy that integrates current research, the heritage of early youth pioneers, and Native American philosophies of child care. It promotes positive youth development through four growth needs that support emotional stability and psychological development: generosity, belonging, independence, and mastery.
Chesapeake Bay Academy
Virginia Beach
CBA-VA.org, 757-497-6200
GRADES 1–12
Dr. Judy Jankowski and Dr. Shantanu Talik from Chesapeake Bay Academy traveled to New York in 2023 to participate in the Yass Prize finals, which rewards, celebrates, and expands best-in-class education organizations every year. CBA, with a mission to educate students through academic programs that address learning differences, was recognized as one of the most innovative schools in the country.
Cortona Academy
Herndon
CortonaLearning.com, 703-464-0034
GRADES 4 –12
For children who have been designated as gifted, dyslexic, dysgraphic, or having ADHD, Cortona Academy’s powerful, potential-based philosophy of education eschews labels, instead focusing on what students can do versus what they cannot do. With a 100 percent college acceptance rate, Cortona has its own system of HTS-3 Study & Organization Skills, which catapults students through assignments, as well as reduces the stress of tests.
East End Academy
Newport News
EastEndAcademy.com, 757-247-0039
K–12
Small class sizes, individualized instruction, and highly structured behavior management programs are the hallmarks of East End Academy. The provider of various customized programs for students with emotional disabilities and at-risk youth to meet their developmental, academic, social, and emotional needs, the school’s overarching vision is that every child deserves an education with a goal of achieving success and self-sufficiency as an adult.
Elk Hill
Charlottesville, Goochland, Staunton ElkHill.org, 804-457-4866
AGES 4 –21
Elk Hill has grown into a regional organization that serves 900 youth across Central Virginia each year. Offering specialized education, community-based services, and residential treatment programs, its programs include mental and behavioral health interventions, specialized literacy programs, workforce development education, and more.
enCircle Minnick Schools
Multiple locations in Southwest VA enCircleAll.org, 540-774-7100
AGES 5 –22
Minnick Schools’ compassionate and supportive staff have a passion for helping students who have struggled in traditional public school settings, as well as a deep understanding of what it takes to overcome those challenges. Students get the support they need to return successfully to their home public school or make the transition to life after school.
The Faison Center Richmond
FaisonCenter.org, 804-612-1947
AGES 5 –22
The Faison Center’s mission is to give children and adults with autism and related challenges the best opportunity to improve their life’s journey through evidence-based practice. Its world-class services and programs through its lifespan model offers enriching opportunities from early diagnosis to adulthood. Regardless of when its services are needed, the Faison Center is committed to improving the lives of the individuals it serves.
Berryville, Winchester, Richmond Grafton.org, 310-714-1213
AGES 6 –22
GIHN, with locations in Virginia and Minnesota, has more than 60 years of experience serving children, adolescents, and adults with complex behavioral health challenges. Beyond the four walls of its facilities, GIHN also provides innovative, community-oriented solutions for clients that include an early intervention program, an adult day activities program, and the outpatient-focused Dominion Center for Behavioral Health Services.
Bristol
MorrisonSchool.org, 276-669-2823
PREK-12
Morrison School, which empowers students who learn differently to be successful, has partnered with River’s Way, which provides team-building activities and adventures. The organization facilitates programs that focus on collaboration, leadership development, risk taking, and social skills through outdoor adventures—from hiking to rock wall climbing, caving, canoeing, and more, all of which are used to enhance students’ physical, personal, and social abilities.
TNCS.org, 804-266-2494
GRADES 5 –12
New Community is a college prep school that empowers bright, talented students who are challenged by dyslexia and related learning differences. The school believes that intern-
ships give students an opportunity to “try on” careers in low-risk, high-reward settings to inspire career choices. The program also teaches life skills, including job search strategies, networking, and time management.
Northstar
Glen Allen
NorthstarVa.com, 804-747-1003
K–12
Northstar offers two premier programs— Northstar Academy and Northstar Career Center—for students who have a disability and face academic, physical, or social challenges. Small classroom sizes and a highly qualified faculty ensure that students of all abilities achieve their greatest potential. The school practices differentiated instruction and project-based learning that have significant success rates in the classroom.
Manassas
YouthForTomorrow.org, 703-368-7995
AGES 12–18
YFT is the only facility in Virginia and in the mid-Atlantic region that offers girls who have been sexually exploited/sex trafficked safe and secure residential and specialized recovery service. The professional staff helps victims regain their lives through individual service plans that set weekly priorities and goals for each girl in their education, residence, counseling/therapy, supervision and safety, self-reliance, and relationships.
UNIQUELY ABLED
Rivermont Schools turn special needs students into productive citizens.
The Rivermont Schools provide a therapeutic educational program for students in kindergarten through grade 12 with special needs, including autism spectrum disorder and behavioral challenges, as well as those who have difficulty learning in a traditional school setting. The program supports each students’ unique abilities with methods such as learning together, discovering passions and dreams, making strong social connections, celebration, awareness, and acceptance.
“Rivermont Schools offers a range of comprehensive, evidence-based programs that integrate intensive and personalized educational, behavioral, and therapeutic services,” says Sharmin Hossain, marketing coordinator for New Story Schools, the parent company that runs Rivermont Schools. “Our dedicated and passionate team adopts a holistic approach to foster critical thinking skills, creativity, and personal growth while maintaining an authentic school experience for students.” There are 14 Rivermont schools across Virginia, including ones in Northern Virginia, Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Greater Petersburg, Alleghany Highlands, Hampton, Tidewater, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Danville. In addition, New Story Schools are in Pennsylvania and Ohio. NewStorySchools.com —by A.H.S.
49%
1,113
14,253
Number of graduates from Fairfax, the Virginia county with the most number of graduates in 2023.�
93,792
Total number of graduates from Virginia public schools, 2022–23.�
52
Number of regional and local Governors Schools and Academies in Virginia.�
With more than one million students enrolled in Virginia’s primary and secondary public schools, the Virginia Department of Education’s budget clocks in at over $10 billion, with about half of that total allocated to the state’s public colleges and universities and the other half to its primary and secondary schools.
The state’s funding formula has historically been linked to a teacher student/ratio, however critics say its an outdated approach and one that most states no longer use.
The State Board of Education requested that the General Assembly revisit that formula and create one that provides more flexibility based on a more modern per-pupil formula.
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission estimated that if Virginia had used the student-based rather than staffing funding formula, schools would have received an additional $1.17 billion in fiscal year 2023.
Virginia schools receive 14 percent less state funding than the 50-state average, equal to roughly $1,900 less per student. As a comparison, New York public schools receive nearly $30,000 per student, whereas Virginia’s public schools receive just under $13,000 per pupil. Read on for more of the Commonwealth’s public school education by the numbers:
1,296,817
Number of students enrolled in Virginia’s K-12 public schools.�
131
Number of school districts in Virginia.�
1:14.8
Average teacher/student ratio in Virginia public schools.⁵
#1
Virginia’s #1 ranked public high school: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria (ranked 5th nationally).⁴
$57,325
Average salary paid to Virginia public school teachers.�
87,166
Number of public school teachers in Virginia.� $12,905
Amount Virginia spent per student, per year (vs. national average of $13,949).�
ANNE. WILLIAM. ROBERT. CATHERINE. They’ll always have a timeless feel, but one fascinating phenomenon I’ve been observing in recent years is the influence of Southern American naming trends creeping into the national trends of American baby names.
After many years living in Bavaria, the southern part of Germany, I’d like to think that perhaps I have acquired some honorary Southern credentials. Bavaria has had a lengthy history of local fascination with the American South, and there’s been some back and forth over the years. As a former Californian, I do realize that this point could be contentious, so I’ll dive right into my source of true fascination with Virginia and its neighboring states: first names.
Confession: I’m a lifelong name nerd. There are many of us out there. We spend our childhoods making up fake rosters for schools and day camps, scribbling lists of future baby names in the margins of our high school notebooks, and browsing the Social Security name database as an adult to see trends and popularity statistics. Then, if we have kids, they get saddled with the culmination of our lifelong fruits of labor (in my case, my three sons, poor things, have been saddled with two middle names each).
The first and most obvious of this category is surnames as first names. In Virginia, and in many other Southern regions, this has been a common practice dating back centuries. Historically and even today, families gave their sons (and occasionally daughters) what would generally be seen as last names: Clark, Baylor, Parker, Alden, Brooks.
It’s hard to completely pinpoint as to why this was somewhat more confined to the South. One theory is that families were trying to emulate a name of aristocracy and wealth rooted in England, where many of the initial European settlers of Virginia were immigrating from. As the years rolled by, the phenomenon gradually extended to girls as well in recent decades, with names like Avery, Kinsley, Kennedy, and Hadley climbing the charts.
But last names first isn’t the only naming trend that feels deeply Southern. Double names can also be traced to being a Southern phenomenon, with its origins rooted in the blue bloods of Europe.
When Charles James Stuart became King Charles I in 1625, the idea of giving children multiple names became all the rage in 17th and 18th century England. British aristocrats caught on, sometimes giving their offspring upwards of 10 names just to make their status in society crystal clear.
Though the 10-name phenomenon never got traction on this side of the pond, the habit of bestowing children with double-barreled names did. As migratory patterns ruled and the Scottish, Irish, and French made their way across the Atlantic, they first settled in the South, bringing with them not just the last-name-first phenomenon, but the double name tradition, too. And as they forged new identities in an untamed land, it made sense to hang on to things that felt familiar—naming traditions being one of them. Since then, as sure as ham biscuits and fried chicken are the signs of a Southerner, so are double names. Shouting for Mary to come to dinner might lead to five girls running your way, but only one child will answer to Mary Grace.
Though the 10-name phenomenon never got traction on this side of the pond, the habit of bestowing children with double-barreled names did.
Southern geography also inspires naming. With their fiercely proud history, Southerners are prone to give a big nod to the places that have defined its culture. You may not hear Philadelphia or Peoria or Oakland being tossed about as prime candidates in a hospital nursery, let alone Manassas or Bull Run, but you do hear certain Southern locales—Austin, Georgia, Jackson, Savannah, and Dallas— in elementary school rooms nationwide. Historical figures from the South also loom large in naming nomenclature, including Braxton, Armistead, Tyler, Harrison, and Carter. Traditions rule the South in ways large and small. Known for their epic hospitality, approachability, and charm, Southerners love good manners, like thank-you notes and a firm handshake. They’re deeply attached to Southern cuisine—think grits, cornbread, barbecue, sweet tea, and pecan pie. They’ve even created “y’all,” their very own quintessentially Southern pronoun. And I’ve come to understand that these traditions, be they quirky or mainstream, double names or last names first, hold a powerful sway.
Alternatively, if name nerds don’t have kids, the fur babies get the monikers. Freckles and Duke have been summarily replaced with names like Cooper and Cassidy. In the case of having both human children and household pets, you’ll have the royal flush of Name Nerdery at your fingertips.
Naomi Kaye Honova is a freelance writer and former social worker living in Munich, Germany, with her husband and three young sons. Her work has appeared in Lonely Planet , Nameberry, Today’s Parent , and Kveller. Her first visit to Virginia was to Mount Vernon at the age of 12.
