Gallery Hours

The gallery at the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art is open to the public Wednesday – Friday, 1 pm to 4 pm, and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.

Inside the R.R. Smith Center

Staunton Augusta Art Center, Augusta County Historical Society, Historic Staunton Foundation and The American Shakespeare Center all have employees, rent and utilities to pay while income sources are severely restricted.

Thank you – keep healthy – know and keep your neighbor safe – record your experience for history – produce art – tend your gardens – repair your home – make your historic buildings and neighborhood shine.

Staunton Augusta Art Center

The Staunton Augusta Art Center’s state-of-the-art galleries, competitive exhibit selection process, and free access provide a welcoming setting for visitors to view and purchase excellent art year-round.  Exhibits change every six weeks and include the eagerly anticipated Art for Gifts, a holiday shopping boutique mid-November through December.  Art instruction is offered at various times throughout the year.  The organization’s signature event, Art in the Park at Gypsy Hill every Memorial Day weekend, features juried fine art, fine craft, children’s art activities, and live music.

540-885-2028
info@saartcenter.org

Augusta County Historical Society

The mission of the Augusta County Historical Society is to study, collect, preserve, publish, educate about, and promote the history of Augusta County and its communities including Staunton and Waynesboro. The society also strives to make the citizens of the Augusta County area aware of their heritage. The work of the society includes educational outreach, operating an archives and library for preservation and research use, supporting the creation of historic districts, documenting cemeteries, erecting historic highway markers, documenting local landmarks, creating historical exhibits, and publishing items of historical interest.

540-248-4151
augustachs@ntelos.net

Historic Staunton Foundation

Historic Staunton Foundation is a non-profit organization promoting the preservation and revitalization of the rich architectural and historic resources in Staunton, Virginia.  HSF works one-on-one with property owners, provides preservation workshops, conducts education programs and provides staff assistance to the City of Staunton.  HSF also maintains a preservation resource room and the TJ Collins & Son Architectural Drawings Archives.  Visit our web site for office contacts, learn about events, historic preservation in Staunton, and get great advice for your project.

540-885-7676
adminhsf@historicstaunton.org

About the Center

The R.R. Smith Center for History and Art includes galleries, classrooms, archives, conference space, a garden, and offices for non-profit cultural organizations. Located in Staunton’s Beverley Historic District, the building is an 1894 hotel designed in the French Second Empire style by Staunton architect, T.J. Collins.

Managed by the R.R. Smith Center Foundation, the Center was developed and operates as a collaborative project of three leading organizations: the Augusta County Historical Society, Historic Staunton Foundation, and the Staunton Augusta Art Center. In addition to the Center operators, the American Shakespeare Center is housed on the fourth floor.

Video History of R. R. Smith Center

 

Host Your Event in a Gallery!

The R.R. Smith Center is the perfect place for your special event. A former hotel, the beautifully renovated historic building is prominently located in the heart of historic downtown Staunton. Gallery spaces and the Mevluda Tahirovic Memorial Garden provide unique and interesting settings for receptions and parties. In addition, excellent venues for meetings and conferences include upstairs classrooms, a lecture hall, and catering kitchen. Easily accessible parking is located directly across the street in Staunton’s New Street parking garage. Call the rental coordinator at 540-885-2028 or email rrsmithcenter@gmail.com for information.

Enjoy the Garden

Nestled between red brick Victorian buildings and connecting to Barristers Row, the Mevluda Tahirovic Memorial Garden is the result of a generous donor’s proposal to create a memorial to his late fiancée. Enjoy this urban garden daily, or inquire about it as a venue for weddings and other events.

Open to the general public during daylight hours.

Volunteer

If you love people and want to volunteer your time, the R. R. Smith Center is the place for you. For more information about volunteering, please call 540-885-2028 or send us an email at rrsmithcenter@gmail.com.

Visit

ADDRESS

20 South New Street
Staunton, Virginia 24401

PARKING

The accessible New Street Garage is located directly across the street and includes a Visitors Center, elevator and bike racks.   Enter from Johnson or New Street.

EXHIBITS & ARCHIVES

Exhibits, archives & workshops are maintained by the organizations within the R.R. Smith Center. Please see their websites at the top of this page for current news & schedules.