|
NOTE: The descriptions of the places in this guide were accurate at the time the articles were posted. Please be advised that you should call ahead before traveling to any of them. |
“Crazy” for Patsy Cline in Winchester, VABy: Michelle
Based on the suggestions we received, we began our tour by driving past Patsy’s childhood home located on 608 Kent St. This home is currently privately owned and occupied by renters. Therefore, there are no tours available. There is movement afoot to possibly purchase the home with the hopes of creating a Patsy Cline Museum. For now, visitors must be content with viewing the home from afar. Also located on the same street about a block away is the home in which Patsy married her second husband Charlie Dick, which is also privately owned and not open for tourists. However, even from a distance, both of these homes give visitors a sense of the working-class life from which Patsy came.
Other sites on the tour that you may want to visit while you are in town are WINC Radio on N. Pleasant Valley Road, where Patsy performed many times and Handley High School, which Patsy attended. You may also choose to drive along Patsy Cline Boulevard located off Millwood Avenue in Winchester.
For more information visit: http://www.visitwinchesterva.com Thanks for visiting VirginiaWind. Travel | Back Seat | Byways | Specials | Letters | Tips | About Us | Privacy | Disclaimer | Search © Copyright 2008 VirginiaWind
|
On September 8, 1932, Winchester, VA welcomed the birth of its newest resident, Virginia Patterson Hensley who would grow up to become known as Patsy Cline, one of country music’s original women pioneers. Though her career was cut short by a plane crash on March 5, 1963, Patsy’s 6 year career continues to influence today’s younger generations. In 1995 “Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits” was certified gold with over 6 million copies sold – further proof of her lasting legacy as one of the most influential female artists of our time. Her timeless hits such as “Crazy, “Walkin’ after Midnight” and “I Fall to Pieces” can still be heard in jukeboxes across the country. Her powerful voice and unique sound is used as a point of comparison against young aspiring artists. Perhaps the ultimate testimony to Patsy’s contributions came in 1993 when the post office issued the Commemorative Patsy Cline stamp.
In order to fully appreciate the entire “Patsy Cline experience” that Winchester has to offer, your first stop should be at the Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau located on 1360 S. Pleasant Valley Road in Winchester. Here you can request a copy of the walking/driving tour entitled “Celebrating Patsy”. Employees were more than happy to review the route, make suggestions as to what to see first and what is no longer available. While you are there, be to check out the many items of Patsy Cline memorabilia.
We were informed that the centerpiece of our tour should be Gaunt’s Drug Store located on the corner of S. Loudoun and Valley Avenue where Patsy worked as a waitress. The owner of the store, Harold F. Madagan, is probably the ultimate Patsy Cline fan. He knew Patsy from his days of working at Gaunt’s in the 50’s. If you are fortunate enough to be visiting when he is working, we are told by the employees at the Visitor’s Center that he will gladly stop and reminisce about Patsy. Unfortunately, he was not available on the date we visited but we did enjoy all the Patsy Cline articles, photographs, and other memorabilia located throughout the store, which is basically the unofficial Patsy Cline Museum (or as close as you are going to get until the real one is built).
For lunch, we walked across the street to Lynette’s Triangle Diner where it has been reported that Patsy Cline also worked as a waitress. The diner, which has been around since 1948, has the standard diner-type fare at reasonable prices. Of course, the ambience is definitely Patsy. You will find many of her songs to choose from on your tabletop jukebox. Or if you prefer fast food, there is a McDonalds next door, which has its own tribute to Patsy Cline in the form of a giant neon record inscribed with “Forever Patsy” in the front window. This little section of Winchester is perhaps where Patsy Cline’s presence is most noted.
We concluded our tour by heading southeast on Rt. 522, also known as the Patsy Cline Memorial Highway to her final resting place in Shenandoah Memorial Park. The location of her gravesite, located directly behind Omps Funeral Home, is identified only by a small brown sign pointing you in the general direction. The grave is marked Virginia Patterson Dick and is easily distinguished by the many pennies left behind from fans as a form of tribute. Across the field is 55-foot bell tower erected in Patsy’s honor by her many friends and fans. 
For those who want to become totally enwrapped in the Patsy Cline experience, you may wish to visit Winchester during Labor Day Weekend. Where to coincide with Patsy’s birthday the town holds its annual “Celebrating Patsy Cline Weekend”. During this time fans from all over the world converge on the town to honor Patsy and ensure that she is always remembered.