Classes, Community, and a Creative Spark THAT'S LASTED 50 YEARS
SHOPPING
EXPLORE THE JOY OF PERFECTLY CURATED FINDS
ENTERTAINMENT
FROM LOCAL THEATER TO STORYTELLING FILMMAKER
LIFE + CULTURE
SOUTHERN FOOD MEETS HISTORY AND CONVERSATION
The Explore Issue
Living in an area so rich with history, art, and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors makes exploration of all kinds an easy endeavour. In the July "Explore" issue, we delve into an array of ways that you can do just that.
This month’s edition of Charlottesville City Lifestyle offers a glimpse into the storied past of a community art center, as well as how it contributes to the lively and diverse arts scene in the area. We also chatted with a local art enthusiast about how he has curated a wide range of collectibles that visitors can explore and purchase, and a Virginia-based filmmaker who got his start in Charlottesville. In addition, we explored the intersection of food and the past with an esteemed Crozet-based food historian and also highlighted a driveable destination that offers plenty of opportunities to scout out incredible dining, outdoor adventures, and historical attractions. Finally, we are offering a glimpse at one of Virginia’s best annual festivals that not only offers the opportunity to enjoy live performances and the work of local artisans, but also gives back to the community.
This month also marks a special milestone for us as we celebrate one year of publishing Charlottesville City Lifestyle! We are so grateful for all of our readers and partners who have given us the opportunity to explore and to share it all with you. We look forward to the next year of forging ahead to bring you the stories of our community and its members. Thank you for being a part of it!
Warmly,
JAMES LISOWSKI, PUBLISHER
@CITYLIFESTYLECHARLOTTESVILLE
Correction: In the Business Monthly section of the June issue we misprinted the name of Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates. We apologize for the error and encourage readers to visit the website at LoringWoodriff.com.
July 2025
PUBLISHER
James Lisowski | james.lisowski@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Jennifer Waldera | jennifer.waldera@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Olivia Bastone, Ryan Cudahy, Cecily de la Pena, Ron Dressel, Stacey Evans, Kirk Fox, Alisa Foytik, Trevor Joppich, James Lisowski, Ben Lolli, Robert Alan Moose, Seyl Park, Kori Price, Stephanie Rajab, James Rapelyea of CHLN Media, Michael O. Snyder, Sanjay Suchak, Jennifer Waldera, Benevolent Photographer/ BenevolentPhotographer.com, Consignment House Gallery, Emily Butler Photography, Fredericksburg Economic Development & Tourism, The George Washington Foundation, The Publisher Hotel, Ryan Guite Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
inside the issue
Fifty Years of Art, Energy, and Exploration
Explore how a former schoolhouse became one of Charlottesville’s most inspiring community art
Explore Local Treasures
Wander into a space where creativity and community collide.
From Charlottesville to Statewide Screens
A filmmaker with Charlottesville roots uses storytelling to explore identity, connection, and mental health with heart.
Southern Stories: Where History
Photo Credit: Lavender Dreams VA
1: Pop Up Dinner for Culinary AB's 20th Cohort of its GOCook Program. 2: A morning F3 workout in Charlottesville. 3: Winemaker's Reception at Keswick Hall. 4: Winemaker's Golf Tournament at Keswick Hall. 5: Summer Supper Series at Veritas Vineyard. 6: Grand opening of Milk & Honey. 7: Event staff at Rivanna Riverfest.
JAMES LISOWSKI
JAMES LISOWSKI
KORI PRICE
KIRK FOX
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The Team at pūrvelo is Gearing Up to Celebrate a Milestone
August 31 will mark 10 years that pūrvelo has been a part of the Charlottesville community. Keep your eyes out for celebrations to commemorate the 10th anniversary!
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Photography by Alisa Foytik
Photography by Cecily de la Pena
Photography by Ron Dressel
An opening event at McGuffey Art Center. Photo Credit: Stacey Evans.
McGuffey Art Center. Photo Credit: Michael O. Snyder
An artist at the McGuffey Art Center. Photo Credit: Stacey Evans.
Fifty Years of ART, ENERGY, and EXPLORATION
Erected in the early 1900s, the building at 201 2nd St., NW in Charlottesville served as an elementary school for over five decades. After its closure, the building sat vacant for several years before neighborhood artists and other community members helped to rehab it, ultimately turning it into the home of McGuffey Art Center in October of 1975.
“It’s intended to be a place where artists meet the public,” said Operations Manager Bill LeSueur. “They can walk in and watch someone work, ask them about the process, and be inspired by that communication. Our goal is to spread that creative spark as thoroughly and widely as we can.”
For fifty years, the center has been doing just that, as a space where fifty or more resident artists create with every visual medium from glass, wood, or fiber to oil and watercolor paint, ceramics, metal, and more. Performance artists, including musicians and improv groups, are also among the center’s tenants. Additionally, the center hosts 130 associate artists who take part in community engagement and exhibit at the art center, too.
McGuffey Art Center’s artists also host classes that community members of all ages can enjoy. LeSueur says that the most popular class is Life Drawing, but there are numerous other options,
Explore how a former schoolhouse became one of Charlottesville's most inspiring community art spaces.
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACEY EVANS, MICHAEL O. SNYDER, SANJAY SUCHAK
Glass Blowing at McGuffey Art Center. Photo Credit: Sanjay Suchak.
Members of the McGuffey Art Center in 1975. Photo Courtesy of McGuffey Art Center.
including sculpture, stone carving, painting, dance, and more. Even the youngest community members can get involved, with an experiential music class for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
While some of the artists at McGuffey Art Center have been there for 30-40 years, there are spaces for new members, as well. Three times a year -- in January, May, and September -- the center’s current artists jury the work of prospective new members for both associate and resident status. In addition, it offers an incubator program to support newer creators.
“Our incubator program is one of the things we’re most proud of. One of the large studios is divided into six smaller studio spots, and we give those to younger folks for them to get their first studio experiences -- there are half-price leases on those,” LeSueur said. “They get that first studio experience, having a dedicated space to do their work, and in the building with fifty other artists, and the ability to communicate with them or be mentored by them.”
McGuffey Art Center supports the community in other ways as well, routinely welcoming visitors like theater groups or Piedmont CASA. Additionally, the center works closely with the non-profit International Neighbors, offering newly settled refugees the opportunity to pick out artwork for their homes.
The center is planning a celebration of its fifty-year milestone in September and hopes to continue fulfilling its mission in Charlottesville. “Fifty years is a long time,” LeSueur said. “It’s a democratic experiment being a member-run organization, and there’s a lot to be proud of in terms of who has been involved and who we have helped. I hope for another fifty years or more!”
They can walk in and watch someone work, ask them about the process, and be inspired by that communication. Our goal is to spread that creative spark as thoroughly and widely as we can.
Class at McGuffey Art Center. Photo Credit: Stacey Evans.
Explore Local Treasures
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
CONSIGNMENT HOUSE GALLERY
Geoff Robinson, owner of Consignment House Gallery, took the time to chat with Charlottesville City Lifestyle about what makes his shop a special place to explore.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR SHOP AND WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM A TYPICAL SECONDHAND STORE?
I think the curating -- just the fact that we are a bit more of a gallery. We’re more picky about what we take in -- [there’s] a higher level of inventory than your average consignment or secondhand store. We have some really good ones here in town. My focus is
WANDER INTO A SPACE WHERE CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY COLLIDE.
Driftwood sculpture by Don Adams. Photo Credit: Consignment House Gallery.
HOPEFULLY, THERE’S SOMETHING IN HERE THAT’S GOING TO MAKE SOMEONE SAY, “WOW, THAT’S SOMETHING I WASN’T EXPECTING AND IT MAKES MY DAY!” THAT’S MY HOPE.
on modern art and not as much of the antique, though I do have some; I focus on 20th-century to mid-century and more modern. Most of the artists are still producing. Obviously some have passed and we’re representing their estate. There’s just a focus on the caliber and uniqueness of items -- not stuff that you can find anywhere. If everything in the store could be one-of-a-kind, that would be my ideal.
WHAT KINDS OF TREASURES CAN SHOPPERS EXPECT TO DISCOVER WHEN THEY EXPLORE YOUR SPACE?
Vibrant, colorful pieces. I really like things that will uplift people’s environment. I want everything to give people a little sense of upliftment, brighten their day -- something to have in their space that brings them joy. Hopefully, there’s something in here that’s going to make someone say, “Wow, that’s something I wasn’t expecting and it makes my day!” That’s my hope.
IS THERE SOMETHING CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP THAT YOU’RE PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT?
There’s this one piece that’s a bronze Chinese mask I found in a store in Massachusetts on a trip. It’s a reproduction -probably 20th century. I went in this store and I saw it and said that is just so unusual, so I negotiated with the shop owner and brought it home.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO SOURCING ANTIQUES AND
CURATING THIS KIND OF COLLECTION?
I’ve loved the store for at least 30 years. I knew the previous owner -- he was a regular at Firefly, which my wife owns. So he said he was interested in a potential new buyer and over a few months of thinking about it, I said: “I could do that.” I grew up around a lot of antiques and art up in the Delaware Valley, across from Winterthur Museum. I just love the arts -- glass, paintings, furniture, metal work. I love the work that goes into it. I wanted to turn Consignment House into a gallery, but a gallery just wouldn’t work -- there’s so much art to represent. I morphed it in that direction, but a lot isn’t
Linda Abbey's watercolor of The Rotunda.
Photo Credit: Consignment House Gallery.
Chrome "Cathedral" lamps by Robert Sonneman. Photo Credit: Consignment House Gallery.
Geoff Robinson
CONSIGNMENT HOUSE GALLERY
Raised in Delaware near esteemed art institutions like Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library, and the Brandywine Museum, and the son of a photographer for the Hagley Museum, Geoff Robinson developed an early love and appreciation for art in all its forms. In 2019, Robinson began curating the collection that can be found at the Consignment House Gallery on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, featuring collectibles, paintings, furniture, jewelry, and more. Robinson is also a devoted supporter of local and regional artwork, with paintings from Aina Nergaard, Randy Smith, Edward Thomas, and more available in the shop as well as glasswork by Chip Hall. When he's not busy curating the collections at Consignment House Gallery, Robinson enjoys frequenting McGuffey Arts Center, particularly to admire the work of the glass-blowing artists at Raging Buffalo Glass.
For more information about Consignment House Gallery or to set up an appointment for Robinson to assess any pieces that you may be interested in parting with, visit ConsignmentHouseCville.com.
directly through an artist. Somehow, I inherited a good eye for space design and composing pieces together -- I spent a lot of years in restaurants and making spaces look inviting. And I felt honored to be able to shepherd this space and to maintain it and keep it going.
IS THERE A BEST TIME TO COME IN AND DISCOVER SOMETHING SPECIAL IN YOUR
STORE?
I’d like to say it’s when I’m there. Weekends are the busiest but most guaranteed for me to be there. I have good staff that’s there. Tuesday through Friday, Holly is there for jewelry from 11-3, if you’re looking for jewelry. Sunday evenings are generally slow and chill, and I’m there. It’s hard to say the best time.
ANY TIPS FOR SPOTTING A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH?
I guess it’s harder and harder. Because of the internet, everyone can find things. Everyone can be an expert by looking stuff up. You really have to dig and look in the back corners and see if there’s a little treasure. I guess it [also] depends on what you’re looking for. I’m often looking for a new artist. I’ve been in restaurants and cafes and found some amazing new art.
Also, perseverance -- just keep looking. Check out as many places as you can. Know what you’re looking for. It's like there’s something in your eye -- it just gets caught. See something, look closer, and decide it’s cool or hey, it’s not.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE READERS TO KNOW?
We also make house calls to look at people’s items that they’re trying to find a new home for. A lot of people are downsizing or thinking about it. I like coming to people’s houses after they’ve emailed some pictures and see what they have that might be helpful to move through our store.
Geoff Robinson of Consignment House Gallery. Photo Credit: Consignment House Galley
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From Charlottesville to Statewide Screens and Beyond
A
filmmaker with deep Charlottesville roots uses storytelling to explore identity, connection, and mental health with heart.
When he was just three years old, Ryan Cudahy’s family moved to Charlottesville. By the time he was nine, he was performing with Black Box Players in shows that ranged from “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” to “The Sound of Music,” and in his teen years, he enrolled in his first theater class while studying at Albemarle High School. Now, he may be best known for the feature film “Written By Mike,” which he wrote and directed, and was released in the fall of 2024.
The film, shot primarily in Fredericksburg, tells the story of two couples grappling with issues related to family, illness, and trauma, and was inspired by Cudahy’s own exploration of issues related to mental health. “I didn’t know how to deal with all of these things I was going through,” Cudahy said, “My psychologist told me to write a screenplay about it. I did, and people liked it and encouraged me to move forward with it. Then, an old boss, James Laughorn, financed the whole thing.”
In the months following the release of “Written By Mike,” Cudahy and his crew toured throughout Virginia to showcase the film in locations that included Richmond (where it was an official selection at the Richmond Film Festival), Harrisonburg, Winchester, Ashton, Arlington, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg, and Charlottesville. “What
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN CUDAHY, ROBERT ALAN MOOSE, JAMES RAPELYEA
was special about Charlottesville was that the Q&A was moderated by Charlotte Wood, who was a film teacher at Albemarle,” Cudahy said. “It was very special to me.”
Cudahy says that a portion of the proceeds of the tour will benefit an organization that he has immense respect for: Charlottesville Region Ten. With locations throughout Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson, the organization aims to support community members in need of mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services.
Cudahy says that the team also prioritized giving back to the community during the filmmaking process. “I think that’s incredibly important. One thing we tried to do with “Written by Mike” was support local businesses with product placements and lots of shots of local businesses,” Cudahy said. “The Virginia Film Office does great
Ryan Cudahy during film production.
Photo Credit: Robert Alan Moose
work when giving money to make sure it’s used in the Commonwealth. We also worked hard to hire people who live in Virginia.”
In addition to “Written by Mike,” Cudahy has previously released one other feature-length film and 13 shorts. For future work, while he enjoys focusing on coming-of-age topics and psychological thrillers, he also has hopes of producing a sociopolitical-based film and is in the process of potentially collaborating to bring a close friend’s script to life. “She’s written the most beautiful script I’ve ever read, and we’re discussing how to get that out there.”
While Cudahy used his screenwriting skills and talent as one means of exploring mental health, he credits
two close relationships as also being inspirational and supportive. “When I was really struggling with mental health issues, my swim coach at Virginia Gators, JJ Bean, was basically a second dad to me and was super inspirational,” Cudahy said. “And Joseph Lusk at Timberwood Grill -- he’s the best boss I’ve ever had and someone who was very important to me to work with. It was a wonderful experience getting to know both of them.”
“Written By Mike” can now be viewed on both YouTube and Tubi.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support services, reach out to one of Charlottesville's trusted professional resources.
Production of "Written by Mike."
Photo Credit: Ryan Cudahy.
Ryan Cudahy at the premiere of Written by Mike. Photo Credit: James Rapelyea of CHLN Media.
Savoring Southern Stories: History Meets Home Cooking
TASTE HISTORY, SHARE STORIES, AND LEARN PRESERVATION THROUGH IMMERSIVE DINNERS AND CLASSES.
We talked with Dr. Leni Sorensen about her history dinners at Indigo House that offer guests the opportunity to explore the past through food.
WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR EDUCATING THROUGH FOOD?
Part of it is that I’ve always cooked and been interested in food -- where it came from, who grew it. I’m from California, and even in my teens and twenties in the 60s was aware of the Farm Movement. When I came to Virginia, I got engaged with historic house museums, going into 18th and 19th-century history. I’ve always been a burgeoning historian and have always been interested in food as a mirror to the broader cultural world. Food is as good a lens to look through as any other. I use that as a way of looking at the broader world.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE THEMES FOR EACH DINNER?
For a while, I was doing as many as six themes. I reduced it down to three dinners that cover parts of history that I’m particularly interested in, and meals that I really like to prepare and that others have really enjoyed. One of them is Edna Lewis, who is from Orange County and was a great American chef, along with other African American chefs in that same meal. The others are from Mary Randolph’s cookbook “The Virginia House-Wife,” considered the first Southern cookbook. I can look at the cooks [and consider] what did they
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE RAJAB
Class at Leni Sorensen's Indigo House.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Rajab
need to know to do this and what did it mean in a larger picture? The other is Southern Sunday dinner. It’s a long tradition in the South. It’s Southern iconic food -- chicken and greens and mac and cheese. Dishes I like to make, that people enjoy eating, and that I enjoy talking about -- those are my three criteria.
DO YOU TRY TO STAY AS AUTHENTIC AS POSSIBLE TO RECIPES OF THE TIME, OR DO YOU ADD MODERN TWISTS?
All of the Mary Randolph stuff and earlier was on an open hearth, and I’m using modern cooking techniques. I’m also using much smaller amounts because I’m making a dinner for eight. I might add a little cream here or a little butter there, but I try to stay fairly authentic. Some are adapted, but there aren't a lot of modern processed additions. The food is a vehicle to bring people into the conversation. I’m not trying to be like “this is exactly how they did this in 1805.” The important part is who was doing it, how they were doing it… We’re having a dinner table conversation about the history of sometimes the ingredients, sometimes the people who did it, and the world they lived in.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE GUESTS TAKE AWAY FROM ONE OF YOUR DINNERS?
For them to say, “Oh, I didn’t know that,” or “I didn’t know that I would like this.” That people learn. That’s what I want people to go away with. I would hope that they construct a conversation at the table that is also unique -- and I love listening to it. I like how they interact and make connections, talk about the food, and bring their own autobiographical material into the discussion. It’s a dinner party with kind of a guided topic. Our conversation is about history, and what talking about history sparks in our own memories and minds. I’m listening to them as much as I’m talking. It’s fun -- dinner parties are fun!
CONTINUED >
“I like how they interact and make connections, talk about the food, and bring their own autobiographical material into the discussion. It’s a dinner party with kind of a guided topic.”
Leni Sorensen teaching preservation at Indigo House. Photo Credit: Stephanie Rajab.
“I've...always been interested in food as a mirror to the broader cultural world. Food is as good a lens to look through as any other. I use that as a way of looking at the broader world.”
IS THERE A PARTICULAR DINNER OR MOMENT THAT STANDS OUT TO YOU AS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL?
I’ve had a lot of fun doing this, and I’ve been doing it since 2019. Filming the dinner with Debra Freeman [for the PBS film “Finding Edna Lewis”] was really a major highlight. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening. The director and cinematographer caught such beautiful moments of my guests at the table. It was a lovely experience. We have a local icon of Edna Lewis, who is getting the kind of attention that she deserves.
ANYTHING ELSE READERS SHOULD KNOW:
I particularly like to teach canning, and I have three more canning classes for this year in August, September, and October. Go to IndigoHouse.us to sign up.
Inside Indigo House. Photo Credit: Stephanie Rajab
Preserved goods in the pantry at Indigo House. Photo Credit: Stephanie Rajab
Preservation at Leni Sorensen's Indigo House. Photo Credit: Stephanie Rajab
Rooster Walk Celebrates its 15th Year of Giving Back
THE ANNUAL FAMILY-FRIENDLY MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL FEATURED OVER 45 BANDS ON SIX STAGES IN MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA.
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
1. One headliner, Keller Williams, performed a 90-minute funk set with the Rooster Walk House Band.
2. Progressive bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles from Duluth, Minnesota, was another of the headliners for the festival.
3. Attendees enjoy music on the lawn near one of Virginia’s LOVE signs.
4. Crowds of adults and children enjoy performances.
5. Caleb Caudle during a daytime performance at Rooster Walk.
6. Daniel Donato Cosmic Country performing on Saturday at Rooster Walk.
7. Virginia-based band Erin & The Wildfire performing at Rooster Walk.
8. Hammock Village at the festival.
ROOSTER WALK
Rooster Walk is a community-driven festival that has donated more than $330,000 to local and regional charities since 2009. In addition to music, guests can enjoy art, food, craft beer, arts, yoga, disc golf, healing arts, slacklining, pedal boats, and more. Visit RoosterWalk.com for details about next year’s event.
On Memorial Day weekend, festival-goers descended once again upon Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Virginia for a weekend of camping, live musical performances, art, and more, as Rooster Walk kicked off its 15th year. A portion of this year’s event proceeds will help to support the Penn-Shank Memorial Endowment Scholarship Fund and the Rooster Walk Music Instrument Program for local schools. I 2 3 4 5 6 8 7
Photo Credit: James Lisowski
Photo Credit: James Lisowski
Photo Credit: Emily Butler Photography
Photo Credit: Seyl Park
Photo Credit: Ryan Guite Photography
Photo Credit: James Lisowski
Photo Credit: Olivia Bastone
Photo Credit: James Lisowski
Fredericksburg: Class, Comfort, and Charm
RIVER VIEWS, CHARMING SHOPS, HISTORY, AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES INVITE EVERYONE TO EXPLORE.
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER WALDERA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Chandelier at The Publisher Hotel. Photo Credit: Jennifer Waldera Dining table at Historic Kenmore. Photo Credit: Fredericksburg Economic Development & Tourism
With a 40-block Main Street District, Historic Downtown Fredericksburg is a destination with broad appeal to anyone from history buffs and art lovers to outdoor adventurers or food and drink enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for an upscale weekend getaway, a family-friendly day trip, or a city that’s perfect for solo travelers, Fredericksburg delivers with a wide array of historical attractions, trails, museums, shops, and restaurants.
STAY
For a stylish stay, The Publisher Hotel is a luxurious destination where you can rest, relax, and rejuvenate. The name of the hotel speaks to the history of the building that once served as home to the Free LanceStar Newspaper, and its elegant interior, adorned with publishing-influenced accents, reflects its storied past. Ornate chandeliers offset calming dark blue decor throughout the halls, the rooms are outfitted with pristine white furniture and linens, and any guest will appreciate the incredible scent and luxe quality of the adage brand lotions, washes, and haircare products. Many of the rooms in the hotel also offer balconies with scenic views of the town and surrounding areas. Guests looking for an upscale meal will be equally impressed by the hotel’s Five Chophouse & Bar, which offers a comfortable yet high-end ambiance with topnotch service. Known for meats, the restaurant has multiple cuts of steak as well as elk, with options for various preparations and sauces. Expertly prepared seafood, chicken, and pork dishes are also available. Pair any of the dishes with a well-executed cocktail, craft brew, or fine wine from the restaurant’s curated list. Looking for a morning meal? Stroll down from your room for straightforward breakfast favorites or level up with an elevated dish like crab cakes Benedict, which is sure to kickstart a day of exploration.
Visitors with a goal of being transported to the past can also look to Ironclad Inn, a cozy stay in the heart of town. The 1793 private residence owned by Fielding Lewis’ father was previously the Kenmore Inn. In 2023, Kara King took over the property, marrying hospitality with her family’s Ironclad Distillery brand to form a Bed, Breakfast, and Bourbon destination with the goal of bringing family hospitality to Fredericksburg. With nine quaint and comfortable rooms, and halls adorned with pieces from area artists that are available for purchase, this inn is an ideal starting point for a lover of all things local. Bourbon enthusiasts can also settle down in the loungy bottom level or the adjacent courtyard for Ironclad Distillery-based flights or cocktails alongside dishes like the wildly popular smoked trout dip from esteemed chef Blake Bethem.
DINING AND DRINKS
With over 40 chef-owned restaurants, there’s no shortage of spots for a quality meal in addition to those at The Publisher Hotel and Ironclad Inn. For another upscale dining destination, consider Orofino. The restaurant features an ongoing offering of Italian classics (including gluten-free options) as well as a rotating monthly menu that takes diners on a tour of various regions of Italy. Looking for more steak? Step into Fahrenheit 132 for a special occasion meal.
Fredericksburg also boasts a number of unique casual-style restaurants -- there are no national chains within the historic downtown area. For breakfast, try Eileen’s Bakery & Cafe, housed in a beautifully adorned former church built in 1833. At lunch or dinnertime, pop into Harry’s Downtown for a variety of Americanstyle dishes, including impeccable burgers and flavorful shrimp and grits. Or, stop by Sammy T’s in a historic building dating back to 1805 for a variety of sandwiches and entrees, many of which have a Mediterranean twist.
“Whether you’re looking for an upscale weekend getaway, a family-friendly day trip, or a city that’s perfect for solo travelers, Fredericksburg delivers with a wide array of historical attractions, trails, museums, shops, and restaurants.”
“With
such an extensive background, the city is an American history enthusiast’s dream come true and offers numerous options for studying the area’s early days.”
Ornate chandelier at The Publisher Hotel.
Photo Credit: Trevor Joppich.
Inside The Publisher Hotel. Photo Courtesy of The Publisher Hotel
If you’re on the search for more historic architecture to pair with your meal, FoodE (headed up by James Beard Award-nominated Joyce Crump) fits the bill. Dine under soaring ceilings, or even in a bank vault -it was once the Historic National Bank Building. In the mood for a water view? Savor small plates riverside at the family-friendly Tapa Rio. And if sushi is what you’re seeking, don’t miss out on the authentic ambiance and spunky service at Osan Japanese Restaurant.
For wine enthusiasts, Curio Wine Bar & Tasting Room is a can’t-miss, with 60 self-serve WineStations that offer customized pours. Meanwhile, beer lovers who are up for a brief drive (or ride service trip) will appreciate Strangeways Brewing’s 100-foot bar with 36 craft beers on tap and plenty of interesting oddities lining the walls.
HISTORY
For those not already familiar with Fredericksburg, no introduction to the city is complete without a ride with the Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg. Hop on the trolley for 75 minutes to view the town and learn about its history. Impeccably narrated by the utmost of informative guides like Heidi Bass, the tour takes visitors past destinations that range from the Hugh Mercer Apothecary, The Lewis Store (one of Virginia’s oldest commercial buildings), the City Dock, and markers that show the height of the 25 foot flood in 2018 and the 42 foot flood of 1942 to numerous warbased historic sites. The tour is the perfect starting point to map out later on-foot travels.
With such an extensive background, the city is an American history enthusiast’s dream come true and offers numerous options for studying the area’s early days. Numerous options for exploration abound, but some standout destinations include the city’s Civil Rights Trail, Mary Washington House, and Historic Kenmore, which offers an authentic glimpse into the past through its thorough tours.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
For those on the lookout for fun finds and interesting shops, Caroline Street is the place to stroll. With plenty of antique shops and thrifting opportunities, this main thoroughfare (and its intersecting roads) has no shortage of opportunities to uncover a hidden gem. Visitors can also peruse a plethora of clothing boutiques, home goods shops, and book stores. And if you’re an animal lover or looking for a unique way to entertain little ones, stop into Possumbilities, a two-story shop that offers not only plenty of funky gifts and other goods, but also the opportunity to meet possums, snakes, and other interesting critters.
Art lovers also have plenty to embrace in Fredericksburg. For local artwork as well as a place to create your own, Ponshop is the place to visit. Artists Gabriel and Scarlett Pons have not only curated a collection of various forms of art in their shop, but have also formed a Creative Cafe in the cozy back portion of the space. The Cafe offers the opportunity for creators of all skill levels to craft in the form of drawings, embroidery, suncatchers, earrings, and more in-house with the Pons’ art kits. Other arts venues worth a visit in town include LibertyTown Arts Workshop, Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, and Sophia Street Studios.
OUTDOORS
If outdoor-based adventures are on your agenda on a trip, Fredericksburg is sure to not disappoint. With over 18 miles of pathways and trails, many along waterways, it’s easy to bike and hike through the area. The Rappahannock River also offers plenty of water-based activities, including canoeing and kayaking. Want to combine those with live entertainment? Try stopping into Mott’s Run Reservoir for its ongoing “Concerts by Canoe” events.
Finally, any walk through Historic Downtown Fredericksburg necessitates checking out the otters around town. Throughout the city, spot the locally made bronze otters and scan the QR code to learn more about the area, its rich history, and the people that make the city what it is today.
CONTINUED >
Craft beer tasting at Strangeways Brewery.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Waldera
Bacon wrapped cheese-filled dates at Tapa Rio. Photo Credit: Fredericksburg Economic Development & Tourism
Kayakers on the Rapphannock in Fredericksburg. Photo
Credit: Fredericksburg Economic Development & Tourism
Historic Kenmore. Photo Courtesy of The George Washington Foundation
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Charlottesville City Lifestyle
Published by James Loved by Charlottesville
JULY 2025
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
FRIDAYS
Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard
594 Merrie Mill Farm, Keswick, VA 22947
On select Friday evenings throughout the summer, Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard hosts its Sundowner Series. The event features live music at the expansive vineyard that offers an array of reds and whites alongside non-alcoholic options like kombucha and Gus-brand craft sodas. Learn more at MerrieMillFarm.com.
JUNE 26TH - AUGUST 2ND
Heifetz Festival of Concerts
Venues throughout Staunton and the Shenandoah Valley
From late June through early August, this ongoing event showcases performances from a wide range of skilled and talented musicians in over 50 concerts. All concerts are free for children 12 and under. For more information, see HeifetzInstitute.org and VisitStaunton.com
JUNE 28TH
Book Talk by Photographer Michael O. Snyder
New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902 | 7:00 PM
Hosted by New Dominion Bookshop, this hour-long book talk by Michael O. Snyder will focus on his recently published Alleghania: A Central Appalachian Folklore Anthology. The award-winning photographer, raised in rural Appalachia, crafted the book during his time at Charlottesville’s McGuffey Art Center. For more information, visit NDBookshop.com
JULY 14TH - 16TH
100th Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA) Women’s Amateur Championship
Keswick Hall, 701 Club Dr, Keswick, VA 22947
In mid-July, Keswick Hall will host the Virginia State Golf Association’s Women’s Amateur Championship on its award-winning Pete Dye-designed Full Cry golf course. The winning golfer will receive an exemption into the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. For more information, visit VSGA.org or Keswick.com. No tickets are necessary and there is no cost to attend.
JULY
16TH & 19TH
Paramount Theater Tours
The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville, 215 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Stop into the Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall for a free backstage tour that offers a glimpse into the history and architecture of the theater, which first opened in 1931. July 16th tours are at 11 am and 5:30 pm, while the July 19th tour is at 11 am. Visit TheParamount. net for more details.
JULY 25TH
Comedy at Hazy Mountain Vineyard
Hazy Mountain Vineyard, 240 Hazy Mountain Ln, Afton, VA 22920 | 7:00 PM
Get ready for lots of laughter and gorgeous views on July 25th as part of Hazy Mountain’s comedy series. The vineyard is welcoming topnotch, well-known comedians whose performances guests can enjoy against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset with a glass of one of their award-winning wines in hand. For tickets, visit Hazy-Mountain.com
*some exclusions apply