Bridge Day, Saturday, April 13 will be a celebration of the Sears Hill Bridge and Staunton’s rich architectural history and preservationist culture. Events will include free family activities around the District at Woodrow Park, the Staunton Station, the Wharf and on Beverley Street.
Attendees will enjoy children’s activities from Staunton Recreation and Parks, the Staunton Station Street Market, the Bridge Dedication and Ribbon Cutting, live music from the Stonewall Brigade Band and Hound Dog Hill, the Farmer’s Market, Queen City Green City Window displays, an appearance by Woodrow Wilson, tours by the Historic Staunton Foundation, strolling Victorian characters and so much more.
Downtown stores and restaurants will participate with special offers and activities, as well. The day will be full of surprises and activities that are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maps of the event will be available at downtown stores.
A list of activities and participating business follows and can also be found online at www.stauntondowntown.org.
In November 2010, cranes were at the train station removing one of Downtown Staunton’s most recognizable historic landmarks, the Sears Hill Bridge. The structure providing a valuable pedestrian link between the Sears Hill neighborhood and downtown Staunton for more than a century had been condemned the preceding January.
After months of conversation about restoration and who would foot the $200,000 bill, the bridge was removed and placed in storage until funds could be raised. Concerned citizens formed a committee, Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge to begin the fundraising efforts.
The Staunton Downtown Development Association collaborated with the Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge Committee, the Sears Hill community and the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge to sponsor a series of events in mid-2011 to raise awareness and encourage donations that included a short movie titled “It Takes More than Love to Build a Bridge.”
The film was used as the centerpiece of the publicity push and can be seen on the Downtown Staunton YouTube channel at http://youtu.be/_iJx65D19Y4.
Activities included a film contest, a storefront art gallery and two opening night events.
Fast forward two and one-half years later and the Sears Hill Bridge is beautifully restored and ready for pedestrian traffic. Bridge Day is a celebration of this exceptional community achievement and is a collaborative effort by the Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA), the Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge and Kay Shirey, co-owner of Rachel’s Quilt Patch, located in the Train Station.
“All of the businesses here at the station are excited for the bridge to be back place and functional,” said Shirey. “The Sears Hill Bridge restoration demonstrates not only our preservation culture here in Staunton, but how the community can come together to save a unique piece of our history. It restores our pedestrian link to the Sears Hill community and restores a destination for tourists to see a beautiful perspective of our city and the station.”
Additionally, Bridge Day is sponsored by StellarOne Bank, the News Leader and STAR 94.
“Kay Shirey and the Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge Committee have been an inspiration in the planning and coordination of the Bridge Day event,” said Julie Markowitz, director of the SDDA, “We are planning on making this an annual event. It’s a perfect opportunity to bring some the elements of the Victorian festival back and create a downtown event focused on preservation and history.”
Woodrow Park
- Staunton Recreation & Park Children’s Activities from 1:00pm-4:00pm
- Sears Hill Community Garden 1:00pm-3:00pm
Train Station
- The Bakers Dozen Donuts and Lucas Coffee Roasters in Depot Parking Lot
- Staunton Station Street Market from 9:00am-1:00pm
- Screening of ‘It Takes More Than Love to Build a Bridge’ on the hour 10am-3pm at Monica Wilson Photography
- Historic Staunton Foundation’s Preservation Walks in front of American Hotel at 10:00am and 1:00pm
- Demonstrations and Live Music at Appalachian Piecework
- Stonewall Brigade Band at 11:30am
- Bridge Dedication & Ribbon Cutting at Noon
- Hound Dog Hill from 1:00pm-3:00pm
The Wharf
- Farmer’s Market from 7:00am-Noon Harrisonburg Harmonizers playing
Beverley Street
- BRIDGE: Pop-Up Gallery at 16 West • Live Music from 9:00am
- Queen City Teacups from Grimmcrackery at 106 E Beverley Street treasure hunts at 9:30am, 10:30am & 11:30am – creative project at 12:30pm
- Stuart Hall Lego League at 102 W Beverley Street from 10:00am-3:00pm
- Shenandoah Cloggers at 5 E Beverley from 1:00pm-2:00pm
- hOUR Economy Information Table at 5 E Beverley from 10:00am-12:00pm
- Music from Joseph Lombard at corner of Augusta & Beverley Streets
- Queen City Green City “Unabridged” Window Displays throughout the month
- Strolling Victorian Characters ongoing
Visitor’s Center
- Staunton Guided Tours – history of Staunton on the Green Line Trolley passing the Sears Hill Bridge – Guide Fee $10 at 11:00am
Participating Stores and Restaurants:
- 16 West
- 17 E Beverley Antiques
- Appalachian Pieceworks
- AVA Restaurant and Wine Bar
- Arthur’s Home Gallery
- Bookworks
- Camera & Palette
- Clocktower Restaurant & Bar
- Cocoa Mill Chocolatiers
- Coffee on the Corner
- Cranberry’s Grocery & Eatery
- Depot Grille
- Design @Nine Women’s Boutique
- Golden Tub Bath Shop
- Grandma’s Bait
- Margaret McElroy Interior Designs
- Monica Wilson Photography
- Pufferbellies Toys & Books
- Rule 42
- Rachel’s Quilt Patch
- Smith Center Gallery Shop
- Staunton Augusta Farmer’s Market
- Staunton Guided Tours
- Staunton Station Street Market
- Taste of India
- The Sacred Circle
- Turtle Lane Gift Boutique
- ZABB’s Beach Day Café
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