May Day at the Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton, Virginia

Visiting the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia almost feels like you’ve been transported to the past. Between the replica houses, the costumed actors, and the demonstrations of daily life in the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th Century, history really does come to life right before your eyes. Furthermore, the Frontier Culture Museum offers a number of festivals throughout the year, and one upcoming event is the May Day Festival.

May Day is a celebration of spring, and the Frontier Culture Museum’s activities reflect a number of traditional activities from historic England, Ireland, and Germany. “In medieval England, people would celebrate the start of spring by going out to the country or woods—‘going a-maying’—and gathering greenery and flowers, or ‘bringing in the may’” (Infoplease).

On Saturday, May 3, 2014, take part in the available food, drink, children’s activities, and celebratory games. Enjoy the antics of the Mummers—costumed pantomimes—at the German and Irish farms, and, of course, join in a lively dance around the Maypole. Festivities begin at noon and run through 5:00 p.m.

(Need nearby lodging? How about a BBHSV member inn: https://www.bbhsv.org/shenandoah-valley-virginia-inns.htm)