Staunton (pronounced "Stanton" by locals) is a small city with a deep history stretching back to the Colonial era.
Nestled in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, it was a major manufacturing center until the Civil War, and the city's story is rich with tragedies and triumphs.
Today, Staunton honors its past as it moves forward to the future. For a town its size it punches way above its weight in its cultural offerings. Staunton is the home of the renowned American Shakespeare Center and its stunning Blackfriar's Theatre; the annual 10-day Staunton Music Festival draws classical music fans from across the nation and abroad; the Queen City Magic & Mischief Festival brings thousands of Harry Potter fans to its streets for an annual celebration, and the Heifetz Institute draws talented musicians from across the globe. Music and arts festivals abound in the Valley, and the surrounding National Parks provide nearly every outdoor activity imaginable.
There is a bustling food scene, buoyed by hundreds of local farmers, with nationally recognized restaurants, lively farmer's markets, and well-stocked specialty shops in a downtown refreshingly devoid of chain stores by design and made possible by astute city planning.
The town has stunning architecture and hundreds of beautifully maintained homes, churches, and commercial buildings.
Staunton's close proximity to Charlottesville and a number of colleges and universities (including Staunton's own Mary Baldwin) makes it a great location for people seeking a vibrant place to call home.
Come see for yourself.
