THE HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER · Volume 33, No. 3 Fall 2011 THE HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER Home of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society Published Quarterly by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham

Volume 33, No. 3 Fall 2011

THE HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER Home of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society

Published Quarterly by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society

TAKING THE WATERS

A Spring-by-Spring Exploration

of Rockingham County’s

Wonderful Waters

By Dale McAllister,

Resident Historian

Our recent Jed Hotchkiss exhibit at the museum was

accompanied by programs and lectures about the life

of the famous educator, cartographer, and business-

man. One incident in the Hotchkiss family reminds us

of the importance of mineral springs resorts in nine-

teenth-century society. Jed Hotchkiss and his wife

Sara were the parents of two daughters, both born

while the family lived at Mossy Creek south of

Bridgewater. When the younger daughter was deliv-

ered, the birth was difficult and left the mother frail

and infirm. What could be done to restore Sara Hotch-

kiss to full health? Why, have her “take the waters” at

Stribling Springs. The family moved to Stribling

Springs, northwest of Churchville, where Mrs. Hotch-

kiss drank the invigorating mineral water and was re-

stored to health within a year. Stribling or Augusta

Springs, on the eastern slope of North Mountain, was

known for its healing, sulfurous waters.

Rockingham County, too, was the home of several

resort springs where one could stay in a cabin or hotel

and leave the rigors of harsh life and ill health behind.

The railroad would bring visitors to Harrisonburg and

private conveyances would take them the rest of the

way to their vacation destination. Here is a brief list-

ing of the more important resort springs:

Bear Lithia Springs, named for the pioneer Bear

family and located north of Elkton, had famous miner-

al waters and a hotel. Bear Lithia likely sold more of

its mineral water to retailers than any other springs in

the county. Adam Miller, pioneer settler in Rocking-

ham, had originally owned the springs.

Bloomer Springs was a few miles north of Rocking-

ham Springs to the east of Massanutten Mountain. It

was opened in the 1850s as a health resort. Lake’s At-

las indicates seven cabins there including one belong-

ing to Jacob Burner. The Bloomer name relates to the

iron industry nearby.

See page 6

These visitors to Sparkling Springs, south-west of Singers Glen, were just a few of the

tourists heading to the cool climes of the Shenandoah Valley for refreshment, enter-tainment and good health during the 19th century. Sparkling Springs was developed

between 1886 and 1890. The cabins, in their whitewashed Victorian décor, still exist and

are often occupied by families on holidays and over the summer.

Calendar Of Events

Through Jan. 15, 2012: ―Bernhart & Company: Shenandoah Valley Folk Art as Fraktur (1774-1850).‖ Featured exhibit.

Nov. 5: Fraktur Drawing Workshop, with local artist Joan Shaver. 10 am. $20 fee includes personal supplies for each participant.

Nov. 15: ―My Dearest Angel—A Story of a Victo-rian Marriage,‖ by Katie Letcher Lyle. 7 pm. Free. Donations welcome.

Nov. 20: Last Seasonal Sunday opening until Spring 2012.

Nov. 24-25: Museum, Library and Office closed. Take a break from football and cooking and bring your guests to visit on Saturday, Nov. 26th!

Dec. 11: Holiday Open House, Book Signing and Bookstore Sale. 1-5 pm.

Dec. 23-26: Museum, Library and Office closed.

Dec. 31– Jan. 1: Museum, Library and Office closed. Happy New Year!

Jan. 21: Folklife Society Program on Fraktur by Dale MacAllister. Refreshments.

Jan. 2-16: An American Turning Point: The Civil War in Virginia, Temporary exhibit on loan from Virginia Historical Society.

Stay in touch for new listings— www.heritagecenter.com or find the Harrisonburg-

Rockingham Historical Society on Facebook!

Page 2 Volume 33, No. 3

The Heritage Museum Hours

Tuesday—Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Seasonal Sundays 1 p.m.—5 p.m.

Genealogy on Mondays by appointment

Office closed on Saturday and Sunday Telephone: (540) 879-2616

Email: [email protected] www.heritagecenter.com

www.heritagemuseumstore.com

Trustees

Chairman: John Paul

Vice-Chair: Nancy Hess

Secretary: Michael G. Hill

Treasurer: Bonnie Paul

HRHS Staff

Interim Director: Penny Imeson

Office Assistant: Margaret Hotchner

Archivist: Laura Adams

Newsletter Editor: Lauren Jefferson

Staff: Amy Kiracofe, Cameron Hupp, Juanita Wysong

2011 - 2012 Newsletter Submission Deadlines

All articles are subject to editing. Ideas for feature articles

must be submitted in advance of the article. We reserve the

right not to use unsolicited feature articles. Genealogical que-

ries welcome.

Submissions can be emailed to the editor

[email protected]

Or by calling (540) 879-2616

Lauren Jefferson, 5200 Singers Glen Rd.,

Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

Winter January 30

Spring April 1

Summer July 1

Fall October 1

THE HERITAGE MUSEUM HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Linda Bowers Wes Graves

William Kyger, Jr. Dale MacAllister

Nathan Miller Greg Owen

Harry Rawley

Greetings to New Staff Member—

Margaret Hotchner

Margaret, born in Missouri, has lived

in Virginia since 1971. In 2006, she

and her husband bought a home in

Harrisonburg to help curb her gene-

alogy addiction and to find out more

about her paternal ancestors who

lived in Harrisonburg from 1862 un-

til the early 1900s. She began volunteering in the

Genealogy Library earlier this year and now enjoys

the diverse nature of working as the Office Assistant

for The Heritage Museum. Margaret’s 35+ years

work experience is in the financial area where she

worked for The American Red Cross and Howard

Hughes Medical Institute.

Volume 33, No. 3 Page 3


Correspondence From The Genealogy Library

On the Good and Stoner families

John McLuckie, from Jefferson, Md., visited The

Heritage Museum in April to conduct research on the

Good and Stoner families. After he sent a thank-you

note for his successful research, HRHS asked John if

he’d like to share more about his interests.

John related that his love of family history began in

his childhood, when his grandmother lived with his

family.

“She told me many stories of growing up in Pitts-

burgh, Pennsylvania,” he emailed. “These stories

made me want to learn more about my ancestors.”

He continues: I have been involved in family his-

tory for over 25 years… I have traveled to the

following places during my research: Frostburg

and Cumberland, Maryland; Washington, DC to

the Library of Congress and to the library of the

Daughters of American Revolution; Pittsburgh,

Pennsylvania; Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Ten-

nessee; and Edinburg and Dayton, Virginia.

My wife's family is connected to Augus-

ta, Rockingham and Shenandoah counties

through the Good and Wolford families. When I

came to the HRHS, I was looking for the Good

family and my search was greatly rewarded. I

am planning on putting together the information

on the Wolford and Good families and giving it

to my wife, her sister, brother and extended fam-

ily. I am currently working on further infor-

mation on the Wolford/Woolford/Wolhfarth

family in Shenandoah County.

If you have any further questions please feel to

ask, I always like talking about family history.

Keep up the good work at your great library and

museum.

Genealogical inquiries are welcome for publication in the newsletter.

HRHS researchers are also available to assist. Cost is $20 per hour per

surname with a minimum two hours per surname ($40) to start. For

more information, call 540-879-2616 or visit the HRHS website at

www.heritagecenter.com, find Order Research under the Library tab.

Mary Elizabeth Good Wolford holds her two-year-old

great granddaughter, Pamela Wolford (McLuckie).

Mary Wolford was born Sept. 23, 1856 in Steele’s Tav-

ern, Virginia. According to family legend, she traveled

as an infant from Virginia to Tennessee in a covered

wagon. She died Feb. 8, 1955 in Bristol, Tennessee. Re-

searcher John McLuckie, who is married to Pamela,

says this is one of his favorite family pictures.

On the Stinespring family

Mary Ann Stinespring, of Bigfork, Montana, inquired

in the Spring 2010 newsletter about her husband’s ances-

tors, John Henry and Eleanor Stinespring, who lived in

Augusta and Rockingham counties in the early 1800s with

their two sons, William and John Adam.

She received one reply to her inquiry and is now trying

to find out if the family’s original surname was changed

when they entered the country.

Mary Ann has been involved in genealogy for 42 years;

she began researching with her mother after joining the

Church of Latter Day Saints, which encourages such re-

search.

To offer information, email [email protected]

or mail 865 Bear Creek Rd., Bigfork MT 59911.



Annual Banquet 2011 More than 115 members and guests socialized, dined, shopped, voted, and enjoyed

history at the Annual Banquet & Silent Auction held at the Spotswood County Club on

Friday, October 7th. Program Chair Lisa Eppard greeted the attendees with an impas-

sioned welcome, saying “I am so impressed by all of you, the talented individuals who

have chosen to carry on the mission of the founders of this great organization who saw

the importance of preserving the stories of the past. It is through your generous support

that we are able to preserve and celebrate our area history."

Generous shoppers made the Silent Auction quite a success! Hot items included a

hand-turned walnut bowl by local artisan Phil Evans, a lustrous silk scarf courtesy of

Primrose House in Dayton, a hot air balloon ride, and a tour of Brock’s Gap with

Turner Ham luncheon courtesy of Pat Turner Ritchie. In addition, gift certificates to

local restaurants and free passes to tourist destinations across Virginia generated lively

activity at the bidding tables. Proceeds topped $3500. Big kudos to the Silent Auction

Team for their outstanding efforts.

Guest speaker, Robert Dalessandro, captivated the group first with lessons learned by

studying the Civil War. He then led an engaging question and answer session in which

he addressed U. S. military engagements up to the modern era and the role of his de-

partment in embedding military historians on the battlefield. Attendees took the oppor-

tunity to tap Mr. Dalessandro’s depth of knowledge and experience further as he enthu-

siastically continued the conversations even after the banquet concluded.

John Paul, Trustee Chairman, efficiently lead the business portion of the Annual Meet-

ing during which the Trustee Class of 2014 was elected: Lisa Eppard, Monica Frackel-

ton and Greg Owen officially start their terms in January 2012.

New Trustees Elected The Trustee Class of 2014 was elected by unanimous consent during the official business meet-

ing held at the Annual Banquet. Returning for a second term is Greg Owen, Rockingham County

native, historian, George C. Marshall Scholar, and author of two titles on the topic of World War

II. He is an active member of the Bridgewater Ruritans and Bridgewater Church of the Brethren.

Joining him are Program Chair, Lisa Eppard, and new recruit, Monica Frackelton. Lisa Harman

Eppard is a native of the Shenandoah Valley and resides in Harrisonburg with her husband Todd.

She earned an Associate’s Degree from Blue Ridge Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in

U.S. History from Mary Baldwin College, and a Master’s Degree with a concentration in U.S.

History from James Madison University. She teaches History for Liberty University’s College of

General Studies. Monica Kramer Frackelton has a love for the Valley and is committed to per-

petuating its beauty and history, as exhibited in her leadership of the Spotswood Garden Club and

now HRHS. She was born in Harrisonburg, where she and husband, David Gilmer Frackelton,

raised their three children. Monica’s strong belief in giving back to the community was inherited

by her daughter, Rebecca, who was a leader of the Silent Auction team.

One guest wrote: “Please extend my appreciation for such a lovely and interesting evening last

Friday. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and thought that the Speaker was incredi-

ble. Thanks so much for everyone's hard work to make this evening such an enjoyable event.”

Robert Dalessandro, U.S. Army

Chief of Military History


Volunteer of the Year: Allen Litten



At the Annual Banquet, longtime vol-

unteer Allen Litten was presented with

the Volunteer of the Year award for

his work on both the Exhibit and Col-

lections Committees. Presenter Peyton

Yancey introduced Litten with the fol-

lowing accolades:

As we go through life, we rarely have

the opportunity to meet an individual

such as our 2011 Volunteer of the

Year. When very young our nominee

began a career as a hobby. In order

to earn money to support the hobby, our volun-

teer washed cars at a local service station for fif-

ty cents a car. Other jobs were held and com-

pleted in an extraordinary fashion. Respect was

earned from those with whom contact was made.

It wasn’t long until it became evident that the

hobby was to become a vocation that developed

into an illustrious career giving our volunteer

many acknowledgements, recognition, and

awards.

After years of providing service to help people to

understand what was happening in the city and

county, the idea of retirement was anticipated

and concluded. As events developed, this individ-

ual saw that there was a huge demand for special

assignments with organizations, and volunteering

to assist with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham His-

torical Society became a reality.

Many of us have had the great pleasure of work-

ing with this individual. There are times that we

stand in awe of the artistic professionalism exhib-

ited. Our volunteer is a person of the highest in-

tegrity and morality who strives for perfection in

the work that is assigned whether the project is

large or small, to be seen by many or only a few.

This individual is one who devotes extra time to

complete an exhibit or to help others with their

program or task in the most kind and friendly

way. When there is an event at the museum,

whether a program, a speaker, or the opening of

a new exhibit, you will always see our volunteer

in attendance.

I would like our volunteer to come forward when

his name is announced and accept this small to-

ken of our deepest appreciation for all that you

do. It gives me great pleasure to present to you

the 2011 Volunteer of the Year, Mr. Allen Litten.

Presenter Bonnie Paul shared the inscription on

Allen’s certificate:

This certificate is awarded to Allen Litten who

always generously shares his expertise and pro-

fessionalism in photography but who went above

and beyond by sharing his time to digitally pre-

serve the identity of fraktur and collections for

posterity every Tuesday and Thursday and times

in between as HRHS Head Photographer.

Congratulations, Allen! Keep up the good work!

Volunteer of the Year Allen Litten with co-presenters Peyton Yancey,

Collections Committee Chair, and Bonnie Paul, Exhibit Committee

Chair.

From page 1

Liberty Springs is on the eastern slope of

Second Mountain several miles northeast of

Rawley Springs and west of the Peak section.

The cabins built there before the Civil War

were burned during the conflict to prevent

those seeking to avoid military service from

hiding in this isolated sylvan retreat. In 1877,

B. D. Bowman, Michael Whitmer, John Long

and John Eversole began laying off lots for

new cabins. Four cabins had already been built

and their plans included room for about 20

additional ones.

Taylor Springs was an important site for local

camp meetings, especially Methodist, begin-

ning about 1816. The Madisons and the Mon-

roes were distinguished early guests at Taylor

Springs. When Dr. Burke Chrisman bought the

property in 1888, he changed its name to Mas-

sanetta Springs. The name was a combination

of Massanutten, the mountain, and Henrietta,

the name of Dr. Chrisman’s wife. The doctor

sold Massanetta bottled spring water in Wash-

ington, Philadelphia and New York City. It

was advertised as a cure for “malaria, nervous prostration, in-

somnia, diabetes, inflammation of the bladder, and venereal dis-

ease.”

In 1922, Massanetta was deeded to the Presbyterian Synod of

Virginia. That year was the beginning of an annual Bible Con-

ference that has drawn nationally known speakers through the

years.

Rawley Springs, located in the foothills of Shenandoah Moun-

tain west of Harrisonburg along U. S. 33, was among the more

successful resorts in the area. Guests could readily travel over

the Rawley Springs Turnpike to reach Blue Hole and the

springs. In the 1870s, the resort advertised that its waters were

“peculiarly efficient in the diseases of females.” Lake’s Atlas for

1885 includes a map of Rawley Springs that includes the follow-

ing buildings: Washington House, Virginia House, Baltimore

House, band stand, dining room, bar room, separate ten pin al-

leys for men and women, bath rooms, laundry room, spring

house, ice house, bottling house, stables and numerous cottages.

Its fine hotel and other buildings burned in June 1886 leaving

only the Baltimore House standing. A rebuilt, native-stone

spring house remains today.

Hopkins Springs, near the Massanutten Peak and northeast of

the Kettle, was later called Rockingham Springs. In the 1870s,

the resort advertised that its healing waters were good for

“diseases of the liver, kidneys, alimentary canal, scrofula, rheu-

matism, and bronchial lungs.” Rockingham Springs is best

known because Southern poet Sidney Lanier spent the summer

of 1879 here writing his Science of English Verse. The springs

are now part of Massanutten Resort.

Baxter Springs, along Little North Mountain southwest of Sing-

ers Glen, became known as Sparkling Springs when it opened

as a family resort. Twenty-nine cabins were built from 1886 to

1890. Those who did not own cabins could stay in the boarding

house built by J. W. Minnick. Its heyday at the turn of the twen-

tieth century is long gone, but its mountainside cabins remain, as

does a rebuilt spring house.

Union Springs is located northwest of Clover Hill beyond Nar-

rowback Mountain. The Misses Croushorn ran the boarding

house in the 1870s. Amazingly, that same decade, concerts were

held in the ballroom to raise money for a proposed narrow-

gauge railroad from Washington, D. C., to California that would

pass by Union Springs! There were at one time more than 30

cottages built around the springs. By 1900, the cabins had fallen

into disrepair and several had fallen down.

Yellow Massanutten Springs was located along the western

slopes of the Massanutten in Mountain Valley about four miles

east of Lacey Spring at Yellow Springs. This resort, owned by

Charles J. Brock, opened in 1874 and contained a large, three-

story hotel, ten pin alley, and bar. The original board costs were

$2 per day, $10 per week, and $35 for the month. The buildings

no longer exist and the grounds have been reclaimed by nature.

See page 7

Local spring water, resorts marketed nationally



Rawley Springs, located in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountain west of Har-

risonburg, was a popular and successful resort until destruction by fire in 1886.


From page 6

What caused the decline in mineral springs as summer destina-

tions? There were certainly several factors. Transportation

shifted from the horse and carriage to automobiles making trav-

el easier. Advancements in medicine lessened reliance on the

“curative powers” of mineral water. People began looking for

more vacation entertainment than springs could provide. And

many came to believe that “taking the waters” was just plain

old fashioned.

Sources furnished upon request.


Advances in medicine drew visitors away

By Rosemarie Palmer

The Civil War came to

Lynnwood plantation, near

Port Republic, on the evening

of June 7, 1862, when the es-

tate was taken over by Union

soldiers in pursuit of Major

Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall”

Jackson. His headquarters

were at Madison Hall in Port

Republic.

Charles Lewis’s daughter,

Anne Walton, owned

Lynnwood with her husband,

Robert, a Confederate army

chaplain. Her aunt and uncle,

Richard and Maggie Fletcher,

and two Fletcher cousins were

also staying in the house.

At dinner that night, Col.

Lewis P. Buckley of the 29th

Ohio told his hosts, “By sun-

down tomorrow night we will

have sent Jackson and his ar-

my to Hell.” Sue Fletcher, one

of Mrs. Walton’s cousins, re-

torted that he ought not to

speak too soon, since he might

be the first to get there.

The family fled the next day

across the Shenandoah River

to Bogota when hostilities at

Lynnwood became imminent,

according to historical ac-

counts of the battle. With them

were Anne Mayhew Fletcher,

who had given birth to a girl

the previous day, the Walton

children, and servants carrying

necessities in their aprons. As

the refugees watched the clash

of Jackson’s men with Union

troops from a second-story

porch at Bogota, Sue Fletcher

spotted the boastful Col.

Buckley falling mortally

wounded from his horse.

Yankees tore up beds in the

house, drove off livestock and

took clothing leaving the

home’s residents without a

change of clothes. The Union

invaders cut the throats of

sheep and ruined farm uten-

sils. As the residents returned

through the front yard, they

found a dead Union soldier

propped against a tree with the

family’s silver spoons sticking

from his pocket.

Richard Fletcher took

charge of caring for the

wounded at Lynnwood, aided

by family servants. The num-

ber of Confederate buttons un-

earthed near the house is evi-

dence that uniforms too

See page 11

Visitors to Rockingham Springs,

located on Massanutten Resort.

Civil War in the Valley: Lynnwood Plantation


New In The HRHS Bookstore

Shop and support The Heritage Museum at our NEW web store:

www.heritagemuseumstore.com

or come in for a visit and see all we have to offer!

Questions? 540 879 2616

Shenandoah Valley Folk Art Fraktur (1774-1850)

Edited by Bonnie L. Paul, Exhibit Director

$24.99

A beautiful publication of the Bernhart & Company

exhibit now in the gallery. With color photographs and history of 78

fraktur full of Rockingham County heritage, it will be a keepsake!

Coming

Soon!


Interested in making a donation to our collections or archives?

For artifacts unique to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, please schedule an appointment with our Collections

Review Committee. Artifacts must be reviewed before being accepted into the permanent collection. We are com-

pleting a full inventory of our archives and will not be taking new paper items until we complete this important task.

Thank you for allowing us to process your items with thoroughness and care.

1861: Life in the Shenandoah Valley

By Elsie Renalds Newcomer & Janet Renalds Ramsey

$20.00

Siram P. Henkel of Rockingham County kept a detailed journal of daily farm and

mill operations from the 1830s to the 1870s. His account of the first year of the Civil

War reveals how the transition from peace to war affected his community and the

Current Bestseller!

Thank

you!

Just in time for your holiday shopping!

Collectible ornaments and mugs to celebrate the

beautiful fraktur in the HRHS Collection.

Mugs $10, Ornaments $12



While much research is completed at the HRHS library, some

of it never sees the light of day. That’s not the case for William

B. Fetters, of Mitchellville, Maryland, who reports that his 266-

page volume titled “"Mathias Muench/Minnick (1776-1860) of

Rockingham County, Virginia: Ancestors and Descendants" was

published in April.

Fetters donated a copy to the library where much of his re-

search was completed in the 1980s, he said, adding that former

assistant Mary Nelson’s help was most appreciated.

“The Minnicks were an important family that settled in the

area between New Market and Timberville about 1800,” Fetters

said. “Part of the original farm still is owned and operated by a

Minnick descendant, Joseph F. Minnick.”

Seeking a better life in the New World, in 1737 (the year of

his 37th birthday), Johann Simon Münch left his home at Gom-

mersheim with his wife, Anna Maria Catarina Schenk, and chil-

dren. They were accompanied by his older brother Peter, who

also was married and had offspring. After traveling down the

Rhine to the port of Rotterdam, they engaged passage to Phila-

delphia on the ship Samuel.

Upon arrival on 30 Aug. 1737, Simon and Peter and other

adult males took oaths of allegiance to King George II of Great

Britain. Within the next several months, the two brothers moved

their families about 60 miles northwest to Tulpehocken, a large

and important German community in Pennsylvania.

Both men bought large tracts of land and seemed to have pros-

pered. Simon died in 1781, fifteen years after Peter had passed

away. Simon’s home tract was patented to his son, Johann

George Michael. In 1793, this son and his wife of 33 years

(Magdalena Wagner) sold their farm and moved west to the vi-

cinity of Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Some of

their twelve children accompanied them, but others remained in

Berks County or moved to scattered other places.

Mathias, one of the sons, apparently moved to and was mar-

ried in Cumberland County. In 1801, he and his wife, Catharine

Fertig, moved to Rockingham County, Virginia. About the same

time, several of Mathias’s siblings, including John, Anna Maria

and Catharine, also moved to this county in the Shenandoah Val-

ley. Most of this book is devoted to Mathias, his two wives, their

21 children, and many of the individuals in later generations.

The volume contains six chapters and three appendices includ-

ing 34 maps, 40 pictures, an extensive “notes and references”

section documenting all major findings, a bibliography, and an

all-name index. Only 100 copies will be available for sale.

Cost is $25 per book, plus $4 postage and handling for the

first book and $2 for each additional book. Send check or money

order to 10450 Lottsford Road, #5017, Mitchellville, MD 20721.

For more information, email [email protected].

Member publishes book: Munch/Minnick (1776-1860)

Doctor Phillip Baker, of Topeka, Kansas, announces the

publication of a new volume of research on the Yankey/Yankie/

Yankee family: “Movers and Settlers: The Yankey Family.”

The book is 470 pages, including photographs, maps and

copied documents, and adds new information on the origin

of the family according to Baker’s research. “This book began

as a history of my family and expanded into a family history

of families all over the United States,” he writes in a press re-

lease.

For orders or questions, email [email protected] or

write to Phillip Baker, 3133 SW 15 St., Topeka,

KS 66604. The books cost $50.00 dollars including mailing

for the soft, spiral bound copy, and $75.00 for the hard bound

copy including mailing. Canada will cost more.

Yankey/Yankie/Yankee book available Whether you are just getting started

or a seasoned searcher . . .

Visit our extensive Genealogy Library

Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm

Seasonal Sundays 1 pm - 5 pm

and by appointment on

Mondays 10 am - 5 pm

We have one of the largest collections of

Rockingham County records.

Can’t come in? Hire our Researcher!

Genealogy Tips:

The 8870 Formula

“Using the 8870 formula to ascertain a birthdate can be a

tremendous help to the genealogist. If a tombstone or

death record shows that a person died at the age of 71

year, 7 months, 9 days and also shows the death date,

May 6, 1889, but no date of birth is listed, in order to ob-

tain the birth date one has only to use the 8870 formula.”

18890506 Died 1889, May 6

Subtract 710709 71 years, 7 months, 9 days

18179797

Subtract 8870 CONSTANT: 8870

18170927 Born 1817, Sept. 27

Compendium for Historical Resources by Robert A. Brenner as print-

ed in the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library Newsletter, Win-

ter 2010, Issue 2.

mailto:[email protected]



Robert & Linda Appel, Madison, VA Diane Clark, Kansas City, MO Edward Cunningham, Rockford, IL Lynn Cvechko, Charleston, WV Dennis Dutterer, Keswick, VA Diane Earman, Harrisonburg, VA Stewart Fox, Ithaca, NY David & Monica Frackelton, Harrisonburg, VA Karmen Harvill, Harrisonburg, VA Vern Herr, Norcross, GA Diane Holsinger, Timberville, VA David Charles Huffman, Harrisonburg, VA Kevin Lofftus, Fairport, NY John & Betsy Mauzy, Harrisonburg, VA Elaine McDorman, Dayton, VA

Sam Metz, Sparks, NV Virginia Minnich, Harrisonburg, VA Robert Rader Family, Mint Spring, VA Barbara Scott, Sunnyvale, CA Howard Spitzer, Scott City, KS George & Anastasia Swope, New Milford, NJ June Marie Toth, Garwood, NJ Ron Trissel, Lakeland, FL Lonnie M. Van Trump, Crossville, TN Frank & Tara Vetting, Bridgewater, VA Teresa Whitesell, Staunton, VA Leslie Wiemerslage, Fairview Heights, IL Maureen M. Wilburn, Dacula, GA We hope to see you soon in the galleries and library!

A Warm Welcome To Our New Members

It’s Membership Renewal Time! Why renew?

If you have already renewed, you know the answer to

that question! We thank you most sincerely and ask

that you drop us a line to let us know why you contin-

ue your support. We value your input into our ser-

vices and wish to use your member dollars wisely. In

addition, we are interested in your story and may find

it useful as we reach out to new members.

If you have yet to renew, please remember your mem-

bership benefits not only you, but the Harrisonburg-

Rockingham community. Your membership dollars

provide essential funding to continue our mission to

collect, preserve, and share the stories of the Central

Shenandoah Valley heritage.

Renewing now is important as we establish the 2012

Budget allowing us to provide our full program sched-

ule, to reach out to our community, to update and ex-

pand our exhibits and so much more!

If you like what you see and enjoy what you hear as a

member, please consider sharing your experience with

others through a gift membership. Our visitors are

consistently impressed with the quality of our facili-

ties, exhibits, and library and growing our membership

base will create a firmer foundation for the hopes and

dreams we have for the future, which is a goal we can

all be proud to support.

With much appreciation! Linda Bowers, Membership Chair

Lost your Membership form? Find another on our

website or renew over the phone at 540 879 2616

Jim Britt, Frank Wilt, and Amy Kiracofe on air during WSVA remote broadcast from the

HRHS Bookstore to promote membership drive and upcoming events on Sept. 20, 2011.


Thanks To Our Business Sponsors For Their Proud Support Of HRHS

LDA Creations

2328 Silver Lake Road, Dayton, VA 22821

540-879-2800

If your business would like to become

a supporter of THE HERITAGE MUSEUM,

contact Penny at 540-879-2616.

Our Wish List

Task light for Genealogy Data Entry

Small Radio Metal Bookkends

Acrylic Display Stands for Brochures

Large Magnifier Desk Lamp for Archives


BONNIE L. PAUL, P.C.

Attorney at Law

4159 QUARLES COURT TELEPHONE: 540.433.0990

HARRISONBURG, VA 22801 FACSIMILE: 540.433.2691

EMAIL: [email protected]

Lynnwood Plantation

From page 7

bloody and tattered to save

were torn from the injured and

thrown in piles outside. Nu-

merous Mini balls and more

than 60 Confederate uniform

buttons have since been re-

moved from the estate, and

damage from a cannon ball

that crashed through an upper

bedroom window and other

hits from the raging battle

have been repaired over time.

One button found on the prop-

erty in recent years bore the

inscription of a VMI officer.

The stately Federal

“Lynwood” was built south of

Port Republic in 1813 by

Charles Lewis. Lewis inherit-

ed the property from his fa-

ther, Thomas, a Rockingham

County surveyor and ac-

quaintance of George Wash-

ington, who visited several

times at Lynnwood.

Thomas Lewis surveyed

the Fairfax line with Joshua

Fry and Thomas Jefferson’s

father, Peter Jefferson. John

Francis Lewis, a son of

Charles Lewis was the only

member of the Virginia House

of Delegates to vote against

secession. He reported being

shunned on the streets of

Richmond before the war. He

served two terms as lieutenant

governor of the state of Vir-

ginia.

Source: “Buttons, Bullets Left

from War,” Betty Skeens, Daily

New-Record, March 21, 1992.

Harrisonburg - Rockingham Historical Society

P.O. Box 716

Dayton, Virginia 22821

Non-Profit

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 19

Harrisonburg/Rockingham

OR CURRENT ADDRESS

Fall 2011 From the desk of the Interim Director: Once again we find ourselves in a season of change. As one may expect on an October Valley day the fall colors are floating on a chilly breeze outside the office window. Inside, we, too, are adjusting after the unexpected resignation of our Executive Director, Ann-marie Alford Latchum, in August. After a year spent laying a new foun-dation for growth and renewal at HRHS, Ann-marie accepted a position she couldn’t refuse at James Madison University. For those of you who met and worked with Ann-marie you know we miss her warm and welcoming smile and gener-ous spirit. In the past month we have raised community awareness through an early morning radio broadcast, hosted two programs and one group tour dinner, participated in Dayton Days, cele-brated at the HRHS Annual Banquet & Silent

Auction, kicked off the 2012 Membership Drive, greeted new visitors and volunteers, and extermi-nated a large community of yellow jackets. A lively discussion about tracing Revolutionary War ancestors in the Genealogy Library has re-searchers sharing tips and a dozen visitors are watching our renowned Electric Map as I finalize this note and begin preparing for upcoming events and outreach opportunities. I am happy to confirm “There is Always Some-thing Happening at The Heritage Museum!” With much appreciation to all of our members, volunteers, and donors who help to make The Heritage Museum a vibrant place to visit and work,


Documents

THE HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER · Volume 33, No. 3 Fall 2011 THE HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER Home of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society Published Quarterly by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham