The Shenandoah County Library's Truban Archives is a unique collection of historic primary resources related to the history of Shenandoah County and the various people who have called this area home. Founded in 2001, and named for the Truban Family who helped fund its creation, the Archives contains tens of thousands of documents, photographs, pamphlets, books, and other materials dating from the 17th century through today.
Zach Hottel, Shenandoah County Archivist, shared information about the Truban Archives focusing on the work of the archives in preserving the community's story. and our County's historic resources.
We thank Zach for his helpful presentation.

Court Manor is located on route 11 4 miles south of New Market at 13788 N. Valley Pike. The owner, Dave Yazzy, gave us a tour detailing the history of Court Manor.
We thank Dave for his generosity in sharing his beautiful property.

At this year's picnic, Allen Johnson, a 97-year-old World War II merchant mariner and member of the New Market Rotary Club, was honored for being a Member of Rotary International for seventy years. The New Market Club was founded in 1927 and as a member Allen was instrumental in the economic development of Shenandoah County and providing for those less fortunate during his many years of altruistic public service.
We thank the Poplars for allowing us to picnic in their back yard.

NMHS members and guests are shown above listening to their tour guide at the Luray Caverns Car and Carriage Museum. The collection features over 140 items related to transportation and includes 50 motorized vehicles beginning with simple wagons and coaches to the elaborate and luxurious automobiles of the 1940s. Meticulously restored to their original splendor, these “antiques on wheels” are all in running condition and beautifully displayed among period artifacts and costumes.
The attendees received free admission.

Quicksburg resident Philip Bigler will present a program based the history of one of the most unique monuments in the United States - the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. His book, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: A Century of Honor, 1921-2021 tells the story of the shrine that was put up to honor the country’s fallen soldiers. Bigler, who worked as a historian at Arlington National Cemetery in the 1980s, said he spent two years doing research on the monument.
This is our annual dinner meeting.

There are records of 78 mines listed by the United States Geological Survey that are located in Shenandoah County. Some mines supplied materials used to create weapons during the revolutionary and civil wars. Dave Cress, a mining engineer, detailed the history of mining in our valley with emphasis on “furnaces” and the making of iron locally from iron ore. Dave is the owner of Quarry Permitting, Environmental, and Training Services LLC in Winchester.

Dale MacAllister, resident historian of the Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society shared information from his research for the book: Lucy Frances Simms; From Slavery to Revered Public Service. She was the most famous African American teacher in the Shenandoah Valley spending almost six decades teaching African American children in Harrisonburg.

Warren County's Retired Rev. Larry Johnson is the Great(x4) Grandson of a Revolutionary War Soldier and family who goes back to the Revolutionary War.
Portraying Abel Johnston, Rev. Johnson presented history about that War in our Shenandoah County when the United States independence was declared in 1776.

The evening started with about 30 attendees enjoying an indoor "potluck" picnic. This was even more enjoyable considering the high 90 degree temperatures outside. After eating, the group received a presentation by Rev,. Buz Menhardt who detailed the history of the school. The Academy was started by the gift of 42+ acres in 1905 from Charles Zirkle to the Virginia Conference of Seventh Day Adventists. He wanted to have a school built for Adventist youth education. Two years later construction began on the school which so far has had approximately 5,500 graduates. The presentation was followed by a tour of some of the buildings.
A very enjoyable, and cool, evening was had by all.

Members and guests learned about the Shenandoah County court system and the over 30-year service of Retired Judge, Dennis L Hupp. Judge Hupp began his law practice in the Shenandoah County courts before becoming a judge and will continue to his service through 2024, to complete the four-year term vacated by Judge Thomas Mann, who has been appointed to the Supreme Court of Virginia. The Shenandoah County Courthouse in Woodstock has been in use from the 1790s and has undergone several renovations over the years as shown in the slideshow Judge Hupp used as part of the presentation.

Light refreshments were served after the presentation.

Nicholas Picerno, Chairman of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, spoke on tracing Civil War ancestors. He demonstrated the on-line resources available for conducting Civil War genealogies as well as explain how archives and historical societies can assist with ancestor research.
Nick is shown in the photo at left conducted on-line research for some of the 25 attendees. Extremely interesting what information is available out there on the internet if you just know where to look. Nick certainly helped us in this area.

Light refreshments were served after the presentation.

It was our first meeting in the New Market Town Council Chamber since the November 21, 2019 presentation on Civil War Medicine presented by Jake Wynn.
NMHS member Jerry Biller presented the history of John Rodgers Meigs, the son of Brigadier General Montgomery (Monty) C. Meigs who served as Quartermaster General of the U. S. Army during and after the Civil War. On Oct. 3, 1864, Meigs was shot and killed while returning from a surveying assignment with 2 enlisted men as he overtook 3 Confederate cavalrymen on the Swift Run Gap. Believing that Meigs had been murdered by Confederate partisans, Sheridan ordered the town of Dayton burned to the ground.
Light refreshments were served after the presentation.

The rain finally quiit, a Fall coolness filled the air and 18 NMHS members and guests accepted the kind invitation from Ros and Joanne Polar to picnic on their lawn. This was the first NMHS event since our January Dinner Meeting on January 23, 2020 due to recommended COVID protocols. After a potluck picnic dinner the visitors were treated to a tour iof the Poplar's late 1700's home on the original Jacob Holeman 1749 land grant.
We thank the Polar's for their hospitality and hope this meeting is a sign that NMHS events have returned.

After enjoying a delicious buffet catered by the Southern Kitchen, the 62 guests moved the short distance from Farrow Hall to the sanctuary where they were thoroughly entertained by Davis Tierney and Zac Bell of the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. Davis and Zac presented through lecture and live performances the cultural influences from the early valley immigrants that blended together to form the music we hear today.

A very informative and enlightening evening.

Pictured left is Jake Wynn, Director of Interpretation for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick Maryland, addressing the attendees at our November 21 meeting.
Jake presented a thoroughly informative presentation with numerous surprise tidbits of information beyond what was expected. Medicine at the time of the Civil War was not prepared for demands thrust upon it by the war. Jake stated that it is estimated that 90% of the surgeons had never seen a gunshot wound but yet 94% of the injuries incurred by the soldiers were gunshot wounds. Also, modern day triage techniques are based on the evolution of those procedures developed by the ambulance corps during the civil war.
Another interesting evening.

Pictured at left is Terry Heder, Director of Interpretation, Education and History for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation at our September 26 meeting.
The topic, "The Burning of the Shenandoah Valley", refers to the military action that General Philip Sheridan launched, a 12-day period when Union forces brought war to the residents of the valley. Mills, barns, homes, crops, supplies and anything considered a possible aid to the Confederate effort was systematically torched by Union cavalry. During his presentation, Terry described a number of the activities in the surrounding area during this extremely destructive war tactic.

A Union soldier wrote in his diary, "The whole country around is wrapped in flames, the heavens are aglow with the light thereof."
This was an extremely informative program.

Following a "potluck" picnic in the outdoor seating area of the Heartpine Cafe the NMHS group spread out to visit the various buildings featured in the Luray Valley Museum. We started in the Stonyman building which houses historic items from pre-contact native peoples to life in the bustling 1920s. We then moved on to the 7 acre recreation of a small 19th century farming community including the Hamburg Regular School, the Elk Run Dunkard Church, and much more. We thank Rod Graves for his kind invitation to visit this unique museum and each vowed to return on their own to continue exploring this extremely interesting collection.

This program was scheduled to be presented on May 24 but due to an unfortunate family emergency Shannon was unable to attend. She did prepare a video so that the presentation could proceed but technical difficulties resulted in a less than satisfactory showing. So, with Shannon's permission, we are offering the video presentation, the Powerpoint slideshow and the handout for you to view online.

Eric Buckland seen pictured above addressing the NMHS March program audience. Eric has written several books on some of the men who rode with the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry - better known as "Mosby's Rangers". This presentation focused on the many similarities that existed between the tactics, techniques and procedures used by the famed Rangers during the Civil War and today's United States Special Operations Forces, especially the Army's Special Forces ("Green Berets"). After a 22-year career, Eric retired as a Lieutenant Colonel with a majority of his military career spent in Special Forces.

Another enjoyable evening at a NMHS event.

A good crowd braved the dropping temperatures to begin the evening with a delicious buffer prepared and presented by Rutz's BBQ and Catering. The New Market Community Center's Gym was divided into a "cafe" on the right and a "movie theater" on the left.
After a brief business meeting the group moved fom their dinner seats to their movie seats to watch the 1965 Civil War era movie SHENANDOAH starring James Stewart.
Pictured above shows the group finding their "movie" seats in the theater side of the gym.

Another enjoyable evening at a NMHS event.

About 30 people braved the constant rain to attend the September NMHS meeting to hear about Virginia Rockart sites from Virginia's rockart expert Jack Hranisky. Jack spent most of the evening discussing local rockart sites Paintlick Mountain in Tazewell County, Spout Run in Clarke County, and Short Mountain located near Mt. Jackson. The Short Mountain site is estimated to date around 1400AD. Jack also passed around a rock tool estimated to be about 20,000 years old.
Jack's informative and entertaining presentation was thoroughly enjoyed by his audience.

The picture at left shows some of the group attending our annual picnic - waiting for the dinner bell. This year's event was held at the Crim/Clinedist home in New Market which is owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation(SVBF). Its CEO, Keven Walker, hosted the event and presented talks about the history of the home, then led a tour of several of the rooms featuring the authentic period furnishings. The current and future plans of SVBF for the home and the New Market area were also presented.
The large 50+ group enjoyed a great meal and informative entertaining talks and tour.

Rod Graves, curator of the Luray Museum, talks about the importance and workings of forges and furnaces in the early settling of the Page and Shenandoah Valleys. His extensive knowledge of iron making was demonstrated by a slideshow and examples of iron works from both valleys which he brought from the Museum for our program.

On Thursday evening, March 22, a little bit of history was made at our March meeting when 49 attendees viewed probably the largest collection of Spitzer long rifles ever assembled at one time. Through the efforts of John Adamson, Joe Minnick, Bert Sours, and Sam Koontz 14 rifles were on display.
After a brief introduction to the rifle making history of the Henry Spitzer family by John Adamson, the group was invited to view this exhibit of 200 year-old long rifles made right here in New Market and to ask questions of these 4 generous men who graciously shared their collection and time with us.
This was an extremely informative evening.

To view a slideshow displaying larger pictures click HERE.

About 75 people attended our annual dinner meeting at the New Market Community Center on January 25, 2018. After a delicious buffet served by Rutz's BBQ and Catering we were treated to an excellent program by musicians Arden Clark and Kevin Smith. Concentrating on the music of Stephen Foster, Daniel Emmett, A.P. Carter and even Johnny Horton just to name a few, the songs were introduced by sharing a story or anecdote prior to its performance. Many songs were presented as a singalong with the audience joining in.
This was an extremely enjoyable evening.

Camp Sherando Lake was occupied during the depression by the Civilian Conservations Corps who helped build the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway. Abandoned in 1942 with the call-up of men for the armed services, the camp was reopened in August 1944 as Camp Lyndhurst and became a compound for the prisoners of war.
This documentary was introduced by Greg Owen with a questions and answers session after viewing the film.
An extremely informative and enjoyable evening was had by all.

Pictured left is Dr. Carole Nash addressing the 40+ guests attending our September 28 meeting. Dr. Nash thoroughly entertained the group with a presentation detailing the Indian presence in the Shenandoah Valley into the 18th century. She also spent time describing the local Quicksburg Archaeological site and the characteristics of the "Indian Mounds" unique to the Valley.

An extremely informative and enjoyable evening was had by all.

Lt. Col. Troy Marshall (center in front of mural) is seen addressing the NMHS members at our annual picnic meeting. Held indoors this year because of questionable weather, Troy entertained the group with as much informaion as they could hold relative to the Battle of New Market and its place in the New Market community. After a "potluck" picnic dinner the guests were free to roam the museum. An extremely informative, enjoyable (and dry) evening was had by all.

Click HERE to see a related story about NMHS President Danny Rice meeting an ancestors artificial limb

Pictured left is Dr. John Butler, a leading expert on forensic DNA profiling, helping the 40+ attendees to understand the question - What Can DNA Testing Tell Me About My Ancestry?
After a brief introduction to the science of DNA and DNA testing, Dr. Butler explained the different tests available by genealogy services companies.
The most important point learned was to detertmine the question you want answered first, then find the DNA test that will assist in answering that question.

We certainly appreciate Dr. Butler visiting us from his home in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The Blue Ridge Heritage Project is a grassroots effort to create monuments and related displays that will tell the story of the people of the Blue Ridge Mountains and to honor the sacrifices they made so that the Shenandoah National Park could be established. Project founder Bill Henry, pictured left addressing the NMHS audience, described how his experiences in the park led to the discovery of its relatively unknown remarkable history.

Visit the Blue Ridge Heritage Project's web site at

Great food, great music, great dancing, great friendship, a overall great night. With food by Rutz's BBQ & Catering, music by the Mutton Busters, dancing led by the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Era Dancers and the friendship of our members and guests the night could not have been a more enjoyable event. Tom Mack with the help of his wife Lesley began with a history or 1800's dancing. He explained the dance steps used in a specific dance then invited the attendees to join in - and that they did. The dance floor was kept full the whole evening.

I repeat - what a great event!

Nancy Sorrells, pictured above, was the presenter at our November 17 meeting. The evening started with a brief business meeting conducted by President Dean Clatterbuck, featuring the election of officers for 2017. Program Director Jim Douglas then introduced Nancy who co-authored a book entitled Virginia's Cattle Story: The First Four Centuries. Nancy began with the arrival of cattle from the British Isles landing in Jamestown in 1620, the cows then adapting to feeding off of the grasses available in Virginia, and ending with their current day source of dairy and meat products. Nancy knowledge and enthusiasm made for a very interesting evening.

President Dean Clatterbuck welcomes the audience of about 50 people who attended our annual "New Market Remembers" meeting. This year's topic, "growing up in the sixties", was presented via a slide show showing the town of New Market as it existed in the 60's featuring the hangouts and haunts of the teenagers of that time. Danny Rice led the panel of Lynda Estep and Jeryl Sellers who acted as the tour guides through the slideshow with frequent help from audience members.
I am sure all who attended had a very enjoyable reminiscent evening.

Chris Anderson, Director of the White House Farm Fundation, addresses a group of NMHS members and guests at the NMHS 2016 picnic meeting. The group, braving extremely threatening skies, is pictured behind the White House, built as a residence & Mennonite meeting house in 1760 by Martin Kauffman II.

After an extremely informative presentation on the history of the White House and a brief tour of the lower floor of the house the group moved to the barn where they enjoyed a "potluck picnic".

Well, you picked the wrong night to miss a NMHS meeting. The Shenandoah Valley Minstrels put on quite a show. The 7 member group, formed in 2009, entertained our 35 guests with songs from the civil war/Victorian era. Each song, introduced by a different group member, provided details as to the author, popularity, and any background information as to its purpose or influence. The hour and a half show was extremely well received and I guarantee that we will ask the Shenandoah Valley Minstrels for a return visit.

In the Shenandoah Valley, many settlers in the 18th and early 19th centuries were German-speaking immigrants from various political entities of the Rhineland, especially Alsace, the Palatinate, and several Swiss cantons. They brought with them a unique culture that left a permanent imprint on the Shenandoah and made major contributions to the development of a new "American" culture. Dr. Daniel Bly helped us explore several basic questions about these people: who were they, and why did they leave their European homelands? Why did they choose to settle in the Shenandoah Valley? What is the legacy of these early German pioneers?

It was an extremely interesting and enjoyable evening.