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Lexington–Historic, Hip and Just up the Highway

By Heather King

Whether you’re in the mood for an outdoor adventure, want to camp out under the stars, take a walk back into history or spend the day visiting picturesque shops and boutiques, Lexington, Virginia, has everything you and your family could want or need for the perfect two-day mini vacation.

Located about 45 miles northwest of Lynchburg, in Rockbridge County, Lexington is close enough to drive to in an hour, but far enough away to make you feel like you’ve taken a short vacation to one of America’s best small towns.

The first thing you need to do when you get to Lexington is check-in to the place that will be your temporary home for the next two days. A main source of income for the town is tourism, so it’s not surprising that they have an assortment of hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts to choose from.

A visitor favorite is the 1868 Magnolia House Inn. This bed and breakfast was built in 1868 by William Pole as a private home. The story behind the former residence is as interesting as the history of Lexington itself. Three years after the end of the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee was the president of what is now Washington and Lee University (it was called Washington College at the time of Lee’s presidency). Lee commissioned a chapel to be built on the campus by Pole, and its completion allowed him to purchase land and build a house for himself. That house is what is now known as the 1868 Magnolia House Inn.

Staying at this Victorian bed and breakfast will make you feel like you’ve finally done something good for yourself. Read a book by the fireplace in the cozy parlor, sit out on the balcony and take in the beauty of the garden or head up to your room to make use of the free high-speed Internet.

“This historic Inn is filled with antiques and traditional furnishings,” Mary Stuart Harlow, manager of the Inn, said.

The 1868 Magnolia House Inn offers three rooms and two suites. Each room is unique; you won’t find two rooms decorated the same.

“Each room offers fine linens and fluffy towels, a comfortable bed, a seating area and private bath. One suite has a private porch, one has a sun room, three rooms have gas-log fireplaces. The deluxe Lexington Room has a king four-poster bed and a Jacuzzi bath,” Harlow said of the luxurious amenities.

After checking in and getting settled, enjoy a complimentary beverage (hot tea, hot chocolate or cold drink) and snacks in the Hospitality Room.

“Guests may relax in the Victorian Parlor and common porches on both levels,” Harlow said.

After indulging in some decadent treats and mingling with your fellow guests, all of Lexington awaits.

Lexington may be a small town, but it has enough big city fun to keep you and your family occupied all weekend. You’ll find upscale boutiques, art galleries and an assortment of restaurants.

Located across the street from the Lexington Visitor Center, the Lexington Carriage Company offers visitors a unique way to tour the town–via horse drawn carriage. Your carriage driver will also act as your tour guide. As you ride along the historic roads of Lexington, your guide shares historic tales of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, along with other historic figures and places.

One former driver/guide, Shana Pardue Layman, enjoyed her job so much that she purchased the company seven years ago, after driving and giving tours for eight years.

“I love horses and I love history,” she said, when asked what drew her. “It gives people an alternate way to see the town.”

In all, the Lexington Carriage Company has been providing visitors with carriage tours since 1985. Many patrons have declared this to be one of the favorite things they’ve done.

Special care is also taken with the horses.

“Most people are concerned of treatment of horses,” Layman said. “They only work two days in a row and no more than four days a week. They’re watered between each trip.”

The tours run approximately 45 minutes. For more information, visit them online at www.lexcarriage.com, contact them via email at LexCarriage@yahoo.com or by telephone at (540) 463-5647.

A trip to Lexington would not be complete without a visit to the Stonewall Jackson House.

“Our logo is, ‘Discover the man behind the legend,’” Lucy Wilkins, Volunteer Staff and Tour Coordinator of the Stonewall Jackson House, said. “I think that sums it up well.”

Much is known of Jackson’s military genius, but less is known about the 10 years he spent in Lexington. At the Stonewall Jackson House, special emphasis is placed on his life as a husband, teacher and the contributions he made in his community and church.

Some little known facts about Stonewall Jackson:

He lost his first wife and baby in Lexington during his wife’s childbirth.
He was a teacher at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) before the Civil War.
He grew a kitchen garden.
He was a loving husband to his second wife, Mary Anna Morrison, and liked to tease her.

“He’d hide behind doors and jump out and embrace her,” Wilkins said. “People are very interested to hear a different side of Jackson. They’re interested to hear what makes him tick and interested to hear of his interaction with his slaves.”

Many people don’t know that Jackson taught a Sunday school class filled with slaves and free African-Americans. This class was the only way for them to learn and provided a perfect setting for them to do so. Due to Jackson’s thoroughness, slave masters could allow their slaves to attend Sunday school class, confident that they were there for the entire length of the class.

“Jackson was meticulous about record keeping so masters could be comfortable,” said Wilkins. “He had 98 students.”

This class was so successful that it continued on for 30 years after the war.

At the Stonewall Jackson House, you’ll hear about how the town of Lexington was torn over the Civil War. While the town was pro-Union, the student bodies at Washington College and VMI were pro-secession. Jackson spent his last year in Lexington contemplating the issue, before finally deciding to follow Virginia into the Confederacy.

In honor of this year’s 150-year anniversary of the Civil War, the museum is offering a tour through the end of the year called “Turning Points–Stonewall Jackson on the Brink of War.” This tour gives visitors much more information about this time in Jackson’s life.

At the museum, visitors will also hear a story many are familiar with: how Jackson got his nickname. The story goes that it happened during the First Battle of Manassas. Inspired by Jackson’s steadfastness during battle, Confederate General Bernard Bee remarked to his men, “There is Jackson standing like a stone wall.”

To find out more about this museum, visit www.stonewalljackson.org or call (540) 463-2552.

At this point, you’ll probably want a bite to eat. In Lexington, you’ll find a variety of restaurants ranging from American fare, health foods, Greek, Italian and Japanese, just to name a few, so you’ll have a lot of options to choose from.

Bistro on Main is a comfortable restaurant located in the heart of Lexington. While the dress code is casual, they offer a variety of fine dishes. Opened in 2003, the Bistro on Main serves lunch and dinner between 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. (please note that they close between 2:30 and 5 p.m.). The lounge is opened from 5 to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday and from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Visit this restaurant online at www.bistro-lexington.com or call (540) 464-4888.

After you eat, a trip to Hull’s Drive-In Theater will be the perfect end to your first day in Lexington. At only $6 per person, with children under 11 free, Hull’s Drive-In Theater offers a unique movie watching experience. Bring a blanket and chairs so you can sit out under the stars and watch a movie, or enjoy it from the comfort of your car. If you’re in the mood for a few decadent movie snacks, Hull’s Drive-In offers popcorn at prices so low they haven’t been seen in nearly two decades. They also sell candy, nachos, hotdogs, burgers and chicken nuggets.

Learn more about Hull’s Drive-In online at www.hullsdrivein.com, or call them at (540) 463-2621.

Start your next morning out with a decadent breakfast served in the dining room of your bed and breakfast. They take special care to ensure their guests have a memorable experience, serving breakfast on fine china and crystal. Or, if you prefer, have a continental breakfast brought to your room. Breakfast for two is $20 and includes a selection of items for you to choose from.

After breakfast, venture into the city on foot with no specific destination in mind. Explore the art galleries and boutiques where you’ll find items unique to the area.

Whether you go to Lexington with your family, friends or by yourself, you’re guaranteed an experience that will be memorable, fun and educational. Even if you’re not a history buff, Lexington is so steeped in history that a little can’t help but rub off on you. Where else can you enjoy luxury accommodations, fine dining, historic museums and cap off your evening with a night at the local drive-in? Lexington is truly one of Virginia’s finest gems.

Other sites to check out:

Haunting Tales–Lexington’s Ghost Tour

www.monstersanddinosaurs.com/Ghost-Tours.html

(540) 464-2250

Lee Chapel and Museum

chapelapps.wlu.edu

(540) 458-8768

Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Museum

www.vmi.edu/museum

(540) 464-7334

Rockbridge Historical Society

www.rockhist.org