Commemoration, Activation, and Our First Press Release
- Mike Marburg
- Apr 13
- 5 min read
Over the spring equinox, we marked a meaningful milestone as The Shenandoah Nature Resort entered its next phase of emergence. We announced an invitation-only founding community preview of 20 rooms opening in January 2027, offering an early opportunity for guests to experience and help shape what is to come, ahead of the resort’s planned grand opening in January 2028. Our announcement and pictures are below:
Honoring the Land, Activating the Future: The Shenandoah Nature Resort Begins Its Journey
A Gathering Rooted in Love, Hope, and Harmony Marks the Beginning of a Story Still Unfolding
SHENANDOAH VALLEY, Va. (April 9, 2026) — On a quiet stretch of land in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, something new has begun. The Shenandoah Nature Resort marked the start of its journey in March 2026, with a “Commemoration and Activation” ceremony, bringing together founders, community members, and cultural leaders to honor the land, reflect on what has been created, and open hearts to what is still to come.
Founders Mike and Jennifer Marburg were joined by a circle of partners, guests, and collaborators, including representatives of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Through music, dance, drumming, and shared words, the gathering invited a spirit of connection, renewal, and collective purpose. Rather than a traditional groundbreaking, the moment was designed as something more human: an offering of gratitude, and an activation of energy for the path ahead.
“This moment is both a recognition of what has brought us here and a commitment to what we are building moving forward,” said Mike Marburg, Founder of The Shenandoah.
More than 150 guests moved across the land throughout the day, engaging in a series of immersive stations that explored the nature resort’s regenerative design. Led by world-class partners including Olson Kundig Architects, Marlon Blackwell Architects, interior designer Clodagh, and landscape architect Coen + Partners, the experience offered an early glimpse into how the built and natural environments will exist in harmony.
In quieter moments, members of the Seven Sisters’ Coherence Council walked the property’s 640 acres, reflecting the deeper philosophy behind the project.
At the heart of the nature resort’s model is a regenerative approach to capital, designed to align financial returns with social and ecological impact. The Shenandoah is structured to embed impact directly into its financial architecture, creating a system where growth supports renewal.
A core expression of this approach is the nature resort’s 501(c)(3)-enabled endowment program, designed to grow alongside the business and fund access to transformational experiences for individuals and communities navigating trauma. Through this model, investor participation and long-term operations are designed to channel approximately 20 percent of profits into initiatives that support healing, recovery, and renewal over time.
The ceremony also included deeply personal moments of reflection. The founders honored two mothers whose loss and love helped shape the inspiration behind the project, reminding those gathered that this vision is not only built on land but also on lived experience, memory, and meaning.
Local leadership and partners were also recognized, underscoring the project’s commitment to the region. Voices from the community reflected a shared belief that the nature resort can serve as both an economic and cultural catalyst for the Valley’s future.
“The Shenandoah will serve as a unique destination for visitors to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Shenandoah County,” said Tim Taylor, Chairman of the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors. “Their mission to support environmentally sustainable practices, the local agricultural industry, and other local businesses and artisans aligns with the values of Shenandoah County, as outlined in our most recent comprehensive plan. We are excited to welcome The Shenandoah Nature Resort and its visitors to our community.”
Construction is now underway, with an invitation-only founding community preview of 20 rooms expected to open in January 2027, offering an early opportunity for guests to experience and help shape what is to come, ahead of the nature resort’s planned grand opening in January 2028.
As day turned to evening, the gathering shifted into celebration as guests entered a softly lit barn for an immersive sound and light experience. Guests were left with a message, one that may ultimately define the spirit of what is being created:
We are a place the Seven Sisters call home.
A place for renewal, exploration, and joy.
Here, we partner with Mother Nature,
and remember our humanity.
Together, we search for wholeness and harmony,
trusting that when we lead with love, our culture will evolve in a beautiful way.
Thank you for being here at the beginning,
and for helping us carry the story forward.
The Shenandoah is an unfolding vision: one grounded in love, open hearts, and the belief that a more harmonious way of living is possible.
About The Shenandoah Nature Resort
The Shenandoah Nature Resort is a one-of-a-kind hospitality destination featuring 120 guest rooms, a state-of-the-art spa and aquatics center with an indoor/outdoor pool and 20 treatment rooms, restaurants featuring locally sourced cuisine, meetings and fitness and yoga facilities, 40+ daily group activities, a retail marketplace, and flexible space to host a full spectrum of holistic experiences for both small and large groups. Construction is underway, and the expected opening is January 2028. A preview site of 20 rooms will open in January 2027 to start activating the vision. The Shenandoah is located at 1815 Turkey Run Road, Star Tannery, VA, 22654. For more information, please visit www.theshenandoah.us.
Media Contact:
The Point PR
Freely downloadable images can be found here: Commemoration & Activation | March 20, 2026 - The Point PR.
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