Virginia

Strasburg Visitor Center and Museum (Virginia) /  by Todd Henson

The entrance to the Strasburg Visitor Center and Museum

In a previous post we toured the Strasburg Museum in Strasburg, Virginia, which included a fascinating and eclectic look at artifacts collected in the town. Today we look at the museum within the Strasburg Visitor Center, which takes a wider view of the entire area and how it fits within the history of the country.

Naturally, there is a lot focused on the Civil War, but the history of the area extends further back to Colonial times. And of course, there were people living in the area before the colonists ever stepped foot on North America, so there are also displays with artifacts from native peoples. One highlight is the long hand painted mural along the back wall that was created by local artists. It steps through many moments in the area’s history.

It’s a small museum, but very well laid out with plenty of educational and interesting displays. And the displays are spaced apart nicely, making them all very accessible and accommodating multiple groups of people without folks getting in each other’s way.

The Visitor Center, in addition to any number of items available for purchase, even contains an active bee hive in the corner which has an entrance of its own to allow the bees access to all the flowers planted just outside. There’s also a small park on the premises with a Civil War trail.

A small park outside the Strasburg Visitor Center with a short Civil War trail

The Strasburg Visitor Center and Museum is well worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.


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The Road Goes Ever On and On /  by Todd Henson

The Road goes ever on and on

For this photo I decided to borrow the first line of a series of three poems by J.R.R. Tolkien from The Lord of the Rings.

The first appears in chapter one of book one in The Fellowship of the Ring, titled A Long-Expected Party, said by Bilbo as he sets off from the Shire after his grand birthday party. It mentions pursuing the Road ahead with eager feet.

The second appears in chapter three of book one in The Fellowship of the Ring, titled Three is Company, said by Frodo while pausing on the road with Sam and Pippin for lunch on their way out of the Shire. This version is almost exactly the same as the first except instead of pursuing the Road with eager feet, it mentions weary feet.

And finally, the third appears in chapter six of book six in The Return of the King, titled Many Partings, when Sam and Frodo are reunited with Bilbo after the climax of the story, and Bilbo shares a much changed version of the poem that talks of letting others follow the Road, beginning their new journey, but he with weary feet would turn towards the inn and welcome sleep.

Three short and simple poems that perfectly capture the changing tone and direction of the story, and perhaps of our lives.


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Twelve Northern Virginia Wildflowers of Mid-May to Early June /  by Todd Henson

Below is a sampling of some of the wildflowers found within Prince William Forest Park in Northern Virginia from mid-May to early June. These were all photographed over that span of time in 2022.

Daisy Fleabane

Daisy fleabane

Daisy fleabane, Erigeron annuus, is a common native of the region and often found in disturbed soil, along roads and in pastures.

Deerberry

Deerberry

Deerberry, Vaccinium stamineum, is also known as highbush huckleberry, buckberry, and southern gooseberry, and is a native of the region. I’ve read the fruits are edible and have been used in preserves and pie filling.

Dwarf Cinquefoil

Dwarf cinquefoil

The native dwarf cinquefoil produces a lovely flower though it is apparently an indicator of poor soil. Some Native American tribes used the plant for medicinal purposes.

Ghost Pipe

Ghost pipe

The native plant, Monotropa uniflora, goes by several names, such as ghost pipe, ghost plant, and Indian pipe. It doesn’t use photosynthesis, but is instead parasitic.

Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel

Native to the eastern US, Kalmia latifolia, or mountain laurel, produces a beautiful and complex flower. The bushes can fill sections of the forest floor, both in the mountains, and in lower regions, often near streams. As with many plants, some Native Americans used it medicinally.

Pale-spiked Lobelia

Pale-spiked Lobelia

Pale-spiked Lobelia, Lobelia spicata, is also known as spiked Lobelia. Though Native Americans once made medicinal tea from the leaves, the plant is considered poisonous.

Partridgeberry

Partridgeberry

Partridgeberry, Mitchella repens, is a native of the region. The plant produces a small bright red berry that’s edible, though apparently bland. Native Americans used the leaves to make tea.

Pinesap

Pinesap

Similar to ghost pipe, the native Monotropa hypopitys, or pinesap, doesn’t use photosynthesis and is parasitic, pulling nutrients from trees.

Venus' Looking Glass

Venus' Looking Glass

Venus’ Looking Glass, Triodanis perfoliata, stands out for the rich violet colors of its flowers. This native plant, like many others, has been used medicinally by Native Americans.

Virginia Dwarf Dandelion

Virginia dwarf dandelion

Virginia dwarf dandelion, Hyoseris virginica or Krigia virginica, is a native of the region and is often found in disturbed soil. There are many similar species, and it’s always possible I’ve misidentified it.

Wild Comfrey

Wild comfrey

This native is sometimes called hound’s tongues, and this specific example of it is likely Andersonglossum virginianum.

Yellow Star Grass

Yellow star grass

A common flower in many regions and native to this one, Hypoxis hirsuta, or yellow star grass is a member of the lily family.


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