If you are looking for more information about the City of Lexington, VA, please visit http://lexingtonva.gov. City of Lexington, Virginia Government Social Media Posting Policy:http://lexingtonva.gov/documents/Posting%20Policy.pdf
The City of Lexington has a rich history and an abundance of significant architecture represented in its buildings. The historic core of the City is a Nationally Regis
tered Historic District, as are the Washington and Lee Colonnade and the Virginia Military Institute Post. All overhead utility lines have been placed underground along Main Street and brick sidewalks reinstalled. Two of Virginia's highly respected education institutions, Washington and Lee University (W&L) and Virginia Military Institute (VMI), are located in Lexington. Washington and Lee University is a national ranked liberal arts and science institution with two undergraduate divisions and a School of Law. Virginia Military Institute is one of 15 state-supported institutions of higher education. The Virginia Military Institute Research Laboratories, a nonprofit organization, performs scientific and engineering investigations and research for industry and government. Both W&L and VMI sponsor a full array of sports teams. VMI is now a member of the Big South Conference and W&L the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. As a result, there are numerous collegiate athletic events in the area, many free. An abundance of cultural activities contribute to the area’s charm. The Lime Kiln Theater presents a professional theatrical and concert series through the summer months in an outdoor amphitheater. FAIR, Fine Arts in Rockbridge, is an umbrella organization which includes groups interested in promoting arts in education, orchestra, dance, and drama. Several additional community organizations, such as the Rockbridge Arts Guild, Rockbridge Community Chorus, Rockbridge Historical Society and Historic Lexington Foundation, sponsor other cultural activities. The Lenfest Center for the Performing Arts at Washington and Lee University opened in 1991 and is a state of the art facility devoted to the fine arts. The Washington and Lee Theater Arts Department is nationally recognized for its quality. Virginia Military Institute also offers theatrical productions throughout the school year. Both W&L and VMI provide lectures, concerts and art exhibits, most of which are available to the general public and many of which are free. A number of special interest clubs and organizations are active in Lexington and the surrounding areas of Rockbridge County and nearby Buena Vista, Natural Bridge and Glasgow. Opportunities for participation abound, whether interests are in civic activities; history; gardening and other hobbies; conservation; recreation; service to children, the elderly or the homeless; political action; healthcare; or the well being of animals. Located at the southern end of the Great Valley of Virginia, Lexington and surrounding Rockbridge County possess great natural beauty. The abundance of recreational opportunities available to Lexington and area residents contribute greatly to the enjoyable quality of life. Opportunities for outdoor recreation abound. Residents have access to natural areas in the County such as
•the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests,
•the Goshen Wildlife Management Area,
•Little North Mountain Wildlife Management Area,
•Goshen Natural Area,
•Brushy Hill Park and
•the Blue Ridge Parkway. The George Washington National Forest contains 45,250 acres in Rockbridge County and the Jefferson National Forest includes 21,192 acres in the County. Together, these two National Forests compose over 17% of the total land area of the County. The Maury River provides excellent opportunities for swimming, canoeing and fishing. Lake Robertson, owned by the Virginia Game Commission, is operated by Rockbridge County as a recreation facility. The secondary roads in the County, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the trails in the National Forests provide excellent biking. There are more than 100 culturally and historically significant sites in the Rockbridge County area. The best known are
•the Cyrus McCormick Farm,
•Natural Bridge of Virginia,
•Lee Chapel on the campus of Washington and Lee University,
•the home of Stonewall Jackson,
•the Virginia Military Institute Post, and
•the George C. Marshall Museum. The Virginia Horse Center is located three miles from Lexington. The Horse Center is a 600 acre facility with permanent stabling for 750 horses, an indoor arena with seating for over 4,500, ten other show arenas, two cross country courses and two campgrounds. The Center hosts major horse shows and sales, grand-prix jumping classes, dressage exhibitions, breed shows, and 4-H judging competitions. Lexington has carefully attended to its heritage while still moving forward into the 21st Century. Citizens can take pride in their successful efforts to create opportunities which make Lexington culturally significant. Living in Lexington is, in fact, living in a unique and special community. Those who live in this unique and special community are aware, as they enjoy daily activities, that the present is deeply influenced by Lexington’s past.
