Frontier Culture Museum — Attraction in Staunton

I went here twice, on Thursday one week and Friday the next. I really loved my first trip but was disappointed the second time.

There are many wonderful things about FCM, the exhibits are beautiful, especially the English and German sites. I was impressed by how well preserved the english house was. We loved petting the animals, they seemed very happy and well taken care of. I wanted to give 5 stars but can't, on account of our reception.

Some of the staff were very welcoming. We met Eli, who was very nice, and another gentleman, who also answered our questions and gave us a good tour.

However, on both trips, I was shocked at how rude some of the women were. Many of the women seem to take their jobs very seriously, and I was made to feel as if I was intruding into their private lives. I actually walked up to one lady to ask a question, and she turned her back on us and gave us the cold shoulder after having gave a presentation to a children's group. She was demonstrating how a field was cut. I was really amazed at the flat out weird vibes. I was also met with hostility by a pair of girls in the American log cabins. My child dropped an egg, I apologized, it the pair of young woman glared at us, never said a word. I felt run off by the feeling they gave me.

I also would like to mention that the golf carts were not well promoted. It was pushing 90 degrees and we had small children with us. We didn't know until after the second week that we could rent them for $10. I was a little angry. It would have saved us a...

Once in a while you find a treasure unexpectedly - they call it "serendipity". Well, here you have just that! My wife and I love early American history, and the early architecture of the founding, the colonies, and the early expansion. At times we pull off the highways while on long trips to see some "countryside". That's what we did this time and found this place. And, as a big understatement, we were blown away! This place earns national recognition but somehow it was not known to us. I don't know who put all the money up, but somebody has created a first class, top quality village of rebuilt and 100% accurately restored early homes and buildings, from native Indians, to 1600's to 1700's to 1800's eras. And somebody went nuts doing it, as in getting an early stone farmhouse in Europe, numbering all the stones, taking it down, shipping it here, and putting it back up, stone by stone! I'm a retired historical architect, and even I can't imagine going to such lengths for the sake of accuracy. If you are NOT big into history, come here anyway. By the time you leave you will be! And bring the kids and grandkids. This is real live American history and they need to learn it before they get hit with all the twisted history coming into the schools these days. Curators are in each building to talk about that era and how life was back at that time. An old history book is good. But walking inside...

This was an amazing experience for grandchildren and extended family alike, even on a cold and blustery day! This favorite Living Museum of ours for the past 20 years has continued to grow and evolve in its offerings, appealing to us as much as ever. A newer offering we most enjoyed was the West African village. It is beautifully laid out, and the drummer outside under the tent engaged all of us, especially the children in playing the drums and instructing us in the types of drumbeats used for village specific communication. It was a blast! We especially enjoyed a 450 lb pig rolling over on her side and being pet like a house kitten by the museum worker. It tickled ALL of us for several minutes! The living history actors in every exhibit were warm and welcoming to the adults and children alike, drawing us into their historical world with ease. Another feature we absolutely love is being able to rent a golf cart to tour the grounds. With a two and a five year old in tow, just walking from one exhibit house to another can be too much of a trek, and the stroller tiring for the adults pushing it as well! So the very reasonably priced golf cart made it very worth our while. And of course as in the past, we had to renew our annual membership, as we definitely will be back to enjoy many more of their familiar and...