Monday officially marked the start of "National Tourism Week."

What better way to kick off the festivities than with the grand opening of the history and tourism center in Winchester?

Local officials held a ceremony Monday morning at the center, now known as Davis Hall, with more than 100 local residents and dignitaries in attendance.

The Winchester site is the second of five in the National Historic District, with the next center slated to open next year in Harrisonburg.

The tourism locale offers an orientation on the Civil War, as well as a variety of other resources.

"We promote lodging, things to do, events, activities, theater, the arts, restaurants- where to go eat, agrotourism- where to go pick your apples in the fall," listed Executive Director Natalie Wills. "We're your
one-stop shopping for what to see and do."

The Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitor's Bureau had used the former tourism center for more than two decades.