Shenandoah County Historical Society

09/01/2026

Shenandoah Valley Radio Program Episode 11 has been released!

Johnathan A. Noyalas’ new book, Wi******er and the Civil War: A Walk through History is a guide for exploring a city where Civil War history still reverberates throughout its historic streets, buildings and landscapes. Five tours and 80 stops help untangle the complex history of a city that changed hands over 70 times.

The invention of the phonograph ushered in recorded music to American living rooms in the early 1900s. Radio followed a decade later and in the earliest days, Valley radio stations were on the air. What followed was a new form of entertainment and a new breed of entertainers and musicians who rode the airwaves to achieve fame and stardom.

https://shenandoahvalleyradioprogram.com/ -11

07/31/2026

Just released! - Episode 10 of the Shenandoah Valley Radio Program podcasts -

Description: Brocks Gap is tucked away in the mountains of northwest Rockingham County. It had been a “Gateway to the West” and has been the home of families living there for generations. Also: From Native American trails to today’s interstate highways: Valley transportation history.

The Interview: Rockingham County historian Pat Turner Ritchie’s Brocks Gap family roots go back several generations. She’s spent a lifetime researching and archiving local history and is the driving force behind the annual Brocks Gap Heritage Day, an event that regularly draws visitors from over a dozen U.S. states.

The Narrative: The Shenandoah Valley has always been a major transportation route, running along Native American paths that early immigrant settlers, American pioneers and 19th century commerce would later follow. Travelers still use it today. The story of Valley Transportation history.

The History Moment: A raging 1924 fire in the town of Boyce, Virginia, had taken out local businesses and was threatening several other buildings. Then the wind suddenly changed direction and gave firefighters the break they desperately needed.

Check out, and enjoy, all the episodes.

Listen to The Shenandoah Valley Radio Program on RedCircle

07/29/2026

Ashley Miller's fine NVD article about this weekend's events at the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum

For nearly three centuries, one farm in Shenandoah County has remained connected to the same family story.

07/29/2026

Big event for one of our local historical organizations - is holding another of Shenandoah County's America 250th celebrations.

Open House at Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum on July 31st and Aug. 1st in Toms, Va.

The Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum will be open to the public for an America 250 Anniversary celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Daily hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026 and from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1.

Members of the Sons of the American Revolution will be joining the celebration. 18th century crafts and artisans, demonstrations and displays will also be featured. The bake oven will be in operation on Friday morning. The museum is located on 11523 Back Road near Toms Brook , Va.

Here's their FB page --

https://www.facebook.com/p/Shenandoah-Germanic-Heritage-Museum-100063536922540/

SGHM is dedicated to public understanding of Germanic Heritage of the Shenandoah Valley. We• exhib

07/10/2026

America 250th - Nationwide commemorative public reading of the Declaration of Independence, July 8th.

Although the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4th, the first public reading wasn't until the 8th.

Seven Shenandoah County local officials each read a portion of the Declaration from the steps of the Historic Courthouse, in Woodstock.

Here, l-r, Zach Hottle, Chair, County 250th Committee as MC; Tim Taylor, Chair, Board of Supervisors; mayors: Donnie Pifer, Mt. Jackson; Lisa Currie, Toms Brook; Dan Harshman, Edinburg; Brandy Boies, Strasburg; Peter Hughes, New Market; and Mike Funkhouser - Vice Mayor,
Woodstock.

Many citizen attendees rang the courthouse bell afterwards.

(photo courtesy Karen Whetzel)

07/01/2026

Ashley Miller interviewed archaeologist, historian, and President of the Strasburg Museum, Mike Kehoe for this NVD article about the oldest known human artifacts in Shenandoah County.

See link in comments to our Shenandoah Valley Radio Program Episode 5 podcast, which includes Valley archaeology, also with Mike Kehoe.

Our just-released Episode 9 (see separate post) includes early German immigrants in the Valley, and the French & Indian War.

Long before Shenandoah County had roads, farms or boundary lines, people were already living along its rivers and mountain ranges.

06/30/2026

Just released! Episode 9 podcast of the Shenandoah Valley Radio Program

Listen to hear:

-- How the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia portrays frontier life of the 1760s in western Virginia.

-- What were George Washington's military duties and actions in 1755, at age 23?

-- How was King George III's Proclamation of 1763 enforced?

-- How was the American Centennial of 1876 celebrated in Harrisonburg?

Also, enjoy previous episodes.

Listen to The Shenandoah Valley Radio Program on RedCircle

06/18/2026

Final preparations for Shenandoah County Celebrates 1776 - the Historic Courthouse Museum and Visitors Center (event HQ) decked out in event finest; the field at Court & Water Streets ready for the 1st Light Dragoons, 5th troop encampment. Opening Ceremony - 10:00 AM, June 20th.

06/18/2026

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈! 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈!
***IN 3 DAYS***

Shenandoah County Celebrates 1776, June 20th, Woodstock, 10am-5pm.

Experience the sights, sounds, and spirit of the American Revolution.

All events are free thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and grant-givers.

Today's featured participants are:

-- Impersonator - Ralph Reiher will portray Dr. William Rickman, Director and Surgeon of the Continental Hospital of the Continental Army in Virginia, 11 AM–5 PM, Presbyterian Lawn.

-- Artisans - Collaborative Arts Council will present a mosaic event piece inviting public participation, 11 AM–5 PM, Episcopal Lawn.

-- Artisan - Waltraud Hornick will demonstrate 18th-century fiber arts, creating yarn from fleece by preparing washed fibers for spinning on a drop spindle or spinning wheel, 11 AM–5 PM, Circuit Court Lawn

See previous posts on this topic, elsewhere on this page,

The weather forecast for event day is: "Celebritory," high 83, relative humidity 42%, partly cloudy,

For the complete lineup of participants, plus a map and schedule, see link in comment.

06/15/2026

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈! 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈!
***IN 6 DAYS***

Shenandoah County Celebrates 1776, June 20th, Woodstock, 10am-5pm.

Experience the sights, sounds, and spirit of the American Revolution.

All events are free thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and grant-givers.

Today's featured participants are:

- Lecture - Lisa Minardi, Executive Director of Historic Trappe in Trappe, Pennsylvania, homestead of the Muhlenberg family, will give a virtual tour of Historic Trappe and discuss her book "Pastors and Patriots." 1:30 PM (30 minutes), Lutheran Sanctuary.

- Artisan - Kent Harper, silversmith, will demonstrate period silversmithing techniques, 11 AM–5 PM, Lutheran Social Hall.

- Children - Diane Cooley Lutz will present a genealogy program for children, 11 AM–5 PM, Court Court Lawn.

(see complete list of participants and a map, at website link in comment)