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Close By — The Staunton Community
The Mary Baldwin campus is on 54 beautiful (and hilly) acres right next to Staunton, Virginia’s vibrant downtown area. A town of around 24,000, Staunton has been described as sophisticated, energized, laid back, historic, full of life, beautiful, welcoming ... and it truly is all that, and more. Within a few blocks of campus you can find live music (blues, rock, jazz, alternative, and more), two movie theatres, a dozen or more art galleries, several coffee houses, restaurants for all budgets, and some terrific shopping. Plus, there’s a world-famous Shakespeare theatre and the birthplace and library of a U.S. president. The lovely historic districts combined with modern facilities make Staunton a destination for filmmakers, festivals, conferences, and visitors from around the world.
There’s no shortage of great activities in Staunton, even on a student’s limited budget. Check out our list of fun things to do for under $10!
The Blackfriars Playhouse, called “one of the five most important theatres in the world” by one international expert, is only two blocks from campus. It is the home of the American Shakespeare Center — Mary Baldwin’s partner in its unique Master of Letters/Master of Fine Arts in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature in Performance — and the site of highly acclaimed productions of the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.
Just across the street from MBC, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library offers a museum, library, and conferences and seminars. The WWPL is Mary Baldwin’s partner for the minor in public history, which combines an academic degree with hands-on presidential library and museum experience.
Also within walking distance of campus are churches of just about all major Protestant Christian denominations, a Roman Catholic Church, and a Jewish synagogue. A bit further afield are a beautiful city park and lots of opportunities for civic engagement.
Staunton is in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, which is truly beautiful year-round with fields, forests, and mountain vistas. Also within reach are the recreational opportunities afforded a national park and other natural areas in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. At the junction of Interstates 81 and 64, Staunton is
- Within 50 miles of 47,000 other college students
- 30 minutes from Shenandoah National Park
- 30 minutes from George Washington National Forest
- 45 minutes from Wintergreen and Massanutten ski resorts
- Less than 2 hours from Richmond, the state capital
- Less than 3 hours from Washington, DC
- 3½ hours from Virginia Beach
- Served by Amtrak and within easy driving distance of 2 airports (Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport and Charlottesville Airport)