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Centertown Bedford
by Denise Allen Membreno
Bedford Tourism Information
Set against the backdrop of the nearby Peaks of Otter, the city of Bedford offers friendly, small-town charm and elegance. An 1884 fire burned much of the downtown (Centertown) area, so most of the buildings you'll see today are modern—built in the 1880s and 1890s.
Historic Centertown Bedford is rich with shopping opportunities, including antiques and collectibles, gifts, jewelry, art, books, home furnishings, dry goods, clothing, and more!
Centertown features a variety of dining opportunities, ranging from classic American fare to international specialties. Stop in for a quick bite at one of several coffee shops and cafés, or settle in for a feast at one of Centertown's full-service restaurants.
You can relax at one of several bed and breakfasts within walking distance of Centertown. Most of these homes are on the National Register of Historic Places and all offer fine Virginia hospitality.
Be sure to stop at the new Visitor Center and pick up a downtown walking tour map; the award-winning Visitor Center also serves as a venue for the Bedford City/County Museum.
Article text ©2004-2006, Shenandoah Specialty Publishing, LLC.
May be printed for personal use only.
The Peaks of Otter
by Denise Allen Membreno
Rising out of the Blue Ridge Mountains, three prominent peaks, Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill, form the Peaks of Otter.
Home to Native Americans as far back as 10,000BC, the Peaks of Otter are located at Milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
At the Peaks of Otter today, you'll find awe-inspiring scenic beauty, hiking trails, wildflower walks, picnic areas, fishing, campgrounds, and a wonderful lodge and restaurant facility that is open year-'round. You can hike or take a guided bus tour to the peak of Sharp Top or hike to a restored farmstead (the Johnson Farm) and experience 19th-century life in the southern mountains.
Article text ©2004-2006, Shenandoah Specialty Publishing, LLC.
May be printed for personal use only.
The National D-Day Memorial—Heroes Remembered
by Denise Allen Membreno
More than sixty years ago, the city of Bedford mourned the loss of 21 men. Today the world comes to this small, picturesque Virginia community to celebrate their bravery and to remember the sacrifice all our soldiers made on D-Day.
Company A, of the 116th Infantry, stormed Omaha Beach as part of the First Division's Task Force O. Bedford lost 19 sons, brothers, and husbands on June 6, 1994—the greatest single sacrifice of any community in the United States. Two more of Bedford’s soldiers died in Normandy. The US Congress decided Bedford should be the site for the National D-Day Memorial.
The memorial is as breathtaking as the mountains that surround it. The English Garden replicates the shoulder patch of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. The next level represents the five landing beaches of the mission. Gunshots splash in the water as a soldier climbs onto the beach. A Higgins Boat is beached, possibly by the nearby hedgehog obstacle.
The dramatic images continue as your eyes climb Scaling the Wall, one of the lifelike scultures capturing the pain and bravery it took to lead the Allies to victory. The mission was titled Overlord. And now, the Overlord Arch looks over the city as a reminder of the cost of freedom. The arch and an inverted rifle and helmet help make up the top level of the memorial... Victory Plaza.
The National D-Day Memorial is open daily 10am to 5pm, with special events held regularly.
Article text ©2004-2006, Shenandoah Specialty Publishing, LLC.
May be printed for personal use only.
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