HRHS Newsletter Spring 2015

THE HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER
Home of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
Published Quarterly by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
Volume 37, No. 2
Spring 2015
Three Men Who Voted Against Secession
By Cara Rodes, Redeemer Classical School, 6th grade
History Essay Contest First Place
In our country we think voting is a safe activity.
However, for my great, great, great, great grandfather
Joseph Beery, and for my great, great, great grandfather Jacob Wenger, voting against popular opinion
brought trouble. These men, and others, did not support war in any form, and were opposed to secession
in the 1860s.
In the years leading up to the American Civil War,
our country was divided over slavery and states’
rights. In Virginia, the popular opinion was that our
state should withdraw from the Union. However, there
was a minority who disagreed. Here in the Shenandoah Valley, voting against secession was dangerous.
Men were required to vote, but their votes were apparently not private. Some were given the “opportunity”
to change their vote, under threat of harm.
Voting against secession in Virginia, or not supporting the Confederate movement was dangerous because you could be threatened, put into jail, or killed.
John Kline was a traveling evangelist, a doctor in
herbal medicine, and a Brethren preacher. He was often warned about the dangers of speaking out on his
opinions against secession and slavery, but refused to
heed the warnings. In 1864, Kline was shot by Confederates.
Joseph Beery, my great, great, great, great paternal
grandfather was threatened by Confederate soldiers
for voting against secession, openly supporting the
Union, and helping his likeminded neighbors escape
to the North. Beery told a story of a neighbor boy
coming through the fields to warn him that “the rebels” were coming to shoot him. He went into hiding.
When the rebels could not find Beery, they shot his
hogs and chickens instead.
Joseph Beery was also arrested several times. He
had furnished a substitute so that his oldest son would
not have to fight, but the substitute would not desert to
the Union army as Beery had requested. Instead, the
substitute reported Beery to the Confederate authorities, who then arrested him. He was put into prison
with John Kline and several other refugees. Beery was
arrested multiple other times as well for attempting to
help other men escape serving the Confederacy. On
Trustee Chairman L.J. Purcell presents Cara Rodes
with her First Place Certificate and Award.
July 2, 1874, Joseph Beery was found hanging by his
neck in his own barn. News reports claimed his death
was an act of “self-destruction,” though some think
otherwise because of the treatment he had been receiving from the Confederate authorities as well as neighbors.
My maternal great, great, great grandfather, Jacob
Wenger also voted against secession. He was one of
11 Mennonite men who had voted against secession in
the face of threatened violence.
Even though it was dangerous to vote against secession in Virginia during the Civil War, a few men
had the courage to stand firm in their beliefs.
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Trustees
L. J. Purcell, Chairman
Irvin Hess, Vice-Chairman
George Homan, Treasurer
Dana Fenner, Secretary
Charlie Collette
Wes Graves
Nathan Miller
Mike Way
David Ehrenpreis
Lisa Hawkins
Lew Taylor
David Wood
Resident Historian
Dale MacAllister
HRHS Staff
Executive Director: Penny Imeson
Administrator: Margaret Hotchner
Staff: Amy Kiracofe, Juanita Wysong
Museum Assistant: Tom Knight
The Heritage Museum Hours
Monday—Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Seasonal Sundays through November, 1-5 pm
Office closed on Saturday and Sunday
Telephone: (540) 879-2616
Email: [email protected]
ValleyHeritageMuseum.org
HeritageMuseumStore.com
Calendar of Events
Saturdays, May 2nd and 16th, 10:30a - 12:30p Shenandoah
Valley Railroad Club members in the gallery to operate the
model locomotive and talk trains!
Thursday, May 21st, 7 pm: Weaving the Fabric of a New
Nation with Nancy Sorrells, Author, Historian, and Past President of the Augusta County Historical Society. In the 18th
century, the Ulster Scots Presbyterians from the northern areas
of Ireland settled in large numbers creating “The Irish Tract”
in Augusta and Rockbridge. The talk will explore the connections and look at how those Presbyterians helped fuel the settlement and revolutionary thinking of America’s backcountry.
Thursday, June 18th, 7 pm: Stained Glass Windows in the
Churches of Harrisonburg with Seymour Paul. A Visual
tour of Harrisonburg’s stained glass windows with descriptions of their history and iconography.
Thursday, July 16th, 7 pm: Chamber Business After
Hours Open House—an outreach opportunity to showcase the
extraordinary programming at The Heritage Museum! Bring a
friend and help encourage membership and volunteer support
for your favorite Historical Society.
Friday, July 24-25: Civil War Quilts: What Women Left
Behind, a Study Seminar of Virginia Quilts from the Shenandoah Valley featuring Lynne Z. Bassett, “Herstory in Civil
War Quilts,” offered by the Virginia Quilt Museum. Seminar
schedule includes presentation by Dale MacAllister and Quilt
Turning at The Heritage Museum. Schedules, fees, and more
info: www.vaquiltmuseum.org
Thursday, August 20th, 7 pm: Railroad History with Bob
Cohen. Further details to follow.
Monday, September 14th, 7 pm, Documentary Film: In
This Land: The Camp Lyndhurst Saga. German Prisoners of
War in The Old Dominion featuring Q&A with historian and
author Gregory L. Owen, Waynesboro Heritage Foundation
President Shirley Bridgeforth, and Producer/Director James
Overton.
Annual Banquet Save the Date: Thursday, October 15th.
Donations are encouraged to help keep events free.
Do you have a program suggestion? Please let us know!
Newsletter Submission Deadlines
Summer
Fall
Winter
July 24
October 23
January 28
Our Wish List
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 queries welcome.
Submissions may be emailed to
[email protected]
or mailed to HRHS, P.O. Box 716, Dayton VA 22821
Page 2
Volume 37, No. 2
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
New activities located throughout the galleries
keep little hands busy—and big hands too!
Students of all ages!
I visited this museum today with two of my grandchildren.
We enjoyed it very much! Tripadvisor Review, 4.8.2015
Notes from the
Executive Director
DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING
What a busy month! And so many opportunities
to share history stories with visitors ranging from 4
to 94—well, that’s an estimate, but we did host a
homeschooling group of 30+ students, and most
were very young! We offered our first Lifelong
Learning Institute course for students in retirement
years. At the Redbud Festival, families enjoyed kids
activities, Civil War Era dancing, mustering with the
10th VA Living Historians, viewing antique cars,
and celebrating young historians. Plus, we provided
not one, but two Thursday Talks giving the audience
insight into Philip Baker the Cabinet Maker of
Brocks Gap and the little-known history of the R. R.
Moton High School Student Walkout in Farmville,
Virginia, which became part of the Brown v. Board
of Education decision.
If education is essential to our mission, then I’d
say we had a successful month! Whew!
The mission of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and share for future
generations the rich history and heritage of our community. Please consider a financial gift to support the activities and programming at The Heritage Museum. The second quarter of the year is usually a cash flow challenge. Your mid-year donation will make a difference! Challenged by cash flow yourself? A planned gift may
be the best way for you to support HRHS. Thank you!
Do you belong to a local club or organization? Executive Director Penny gave eight presentations in 2014
and she will be delighted to speak to your group too! Your program coordinator will appreciate the suggestion and The Heritage Museum will benefit from this important outreach program. Call the office to
request more information or to schedule a date. Thank you for your help!
Volume 37, No. 2
Page 3
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Safes of the Valley
The Roots of Education Equality
By Renée Flory, Eastern Mennonite Middle School 8th grade,
History Essay Contest Second Place Award.
When looking back at the history of our community, it’s always an honor to remember our finest moments. One of the most important to me is the foundation of the State Normal and Industrial School for
Women – a school we now know as James Madison
University. Education for women in the United States
during the early twentieth century was hard to come
by – it was considered unusual for a woman to better
herself through college. The founding of this school,
which allowed women to broaden their education and
earn a degree, made a huge impact in the slow process
of educational equality for women and men.
The State Normal and Industrial School was founded in 1908. The first president of the school was Julian
Ashby Burruss, and on September 27, 1909, Nannie
Sword became the first girl to arrive as a student.
Originally, the school offered what would now be
known as technical training, or junior college courses.
This changed in 1916, when a bachelor’s degree became a possibility for the attending students. Masters
degrees would not be authorized until 1954.
In 1924, the school was accurately renamed the
State Teachers College at Harrisonburg. Despite the
great strides being made towards equal education, the
profession a woman would most likely enter once receiving a degree from this school was a teaching one.
Tremendous changes were occurring – in the year
1900, 5,237 women in the United States earned their
bachelor’s degree after attending college. By 1940,
there were around 600,000 women attending colleges,
with 77,000 of them earning a bachelor’s degree.
There were still many people who thought a woman’s
position was to marry, keep house, and produce children – but this thinking wouldn’t last forever.
In 1938, the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg was renamed Madison College in honor of President James Madison. Enrollment that year passed
1,000. Just eight years later, in 1946, men enrolled as
day students for the first time. As the desire for equal
education was becoming a reality, a new struggle was
surfacing – in 1966, Sheary Darcus became the first
African American to attend Madison College. Later, in
1977, the school would become James Madison UniPage 4
Above, Renee Flory accepts her certificate and award
from Chairman L.J. Purcell. Below, Normal School
students c. 1910-11, courtesy James Madison University.
versity, the school we know today.
Women struggled for the right to vote, educate
themselves, and have an occupation for many years.
Today, it’s hard to imagine a United States where only
men are encouraged to go to college and get a job. We
see the injustice existing in other countries through the
news, like Malala Yousafzai and her work towards the
education of women in Pakistan. When looking at
what she went through for the ability to go to school,
it makes us realize how lucky we are for the education
we receive. The State Normal and Industrial School
for Women is where further education for girls started
in our community, and therefore is a place that should
be greatly admired.
Volume 37, No. 2
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The One and Only: Lucy F. Simms
By Emily Villacrusis, Wilbur S. Pence Middle School 8th
grade, History Essay Contest Third Place Award.
just be shared with her 1,800 pupils, but with the
world. In 1938, Harrisonburg named their newly built
school after her. The Lucy F. Simms school was listed
on the National Register of Historic Places on February 11, 2004. With her 56 years of teaching, she only
missed one half-day due to illness! According to almost everyone who knew Lucy, teaching was her life.
She was living and loving her dream.
In addition to a school name in her honor, Lucy
Simms has an award, the Educator of the Year Award,
named after her! This award was named in memory of
her courage and devotion. Her goal was to “sow a seed
in that mountain soil that it should yield, in time,
Lucy Simms was a beautiful woman inside and out.
She experienced many challenges being an African
American in the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Her
knowledge and methods are still influential to us. Not
only did Ms. Simms teach many primary students, but
she has taught our whole community what strong really means.
Lucy Frances Simms was born a slave on “Hilltop,”
the Gray family’s estate, in 1855. Even though she
was a young slave who labored hard, Lucy was naturally bright and caught on quickly. Unlike many former slaves, she got a good education, and she also admired the concept of applying knowledge. At the
young age of 17, she began teaching and attended
Hampton Institute. At Hampton, Lucy studied from
1874-1877. She also attended summer teacher-training
schools,
sometimes as
an instructor.
Miss Lucy Simms
After Lucy
with three
graduated,
generations of her
she taught at
pupils.
Zenda for a
year. Zenda
abundant crops,” wrote Lucy in a letter. She
was an Afridid just that! Every time the Superintendent
can-American
gives out the Educator of the Year Award, we
community
are recognizing just how amazing of a teacher
near HarriLucy Simms was. Her work was astonishing
sonburg.
and still remains ongoing today.
Then, she
One writer described her as, “a person of
went to Har- Trustee Chairman L.J. Purcell congratulates award
strong moral convictions. She could not abide
risonburg
dishonesty. Although loving and kind to her
winner Emily Villacrusis.
city schools,
children, she also administered punishment
first teaching in a church room and, at the time, the
when she deemed it necessary.” It is obvious to see
new Effinger School. At Effinger, she served as the
Lucy Simms is a great role model for all people. Not
acting principal from 1883-1884. Lucy taught at Eff- only did she prove hard work pays off, she proved reinger until she died on July 10, 1934. Little did she
gardless of your race, gender, or where you started,
know her talent and passion for teaching would not
you can achieve your goals.
A Note of Thanks: The Heritage Museum expresses deep appreciation to members of the Communications Committee
for creating and implementing the History Essay Contest, to The Darren McHone Foundation for sponsoring the Award
stipends, to the Essay Judges for sharing time and expertise, and, most especially, to the many numerous local teachers
for encouraging students to explore local history.
Volume 37, No. 2
Page 5
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
More about the Refugee Wagon Train
By Dale MacAllister
In the last issue I wrote about the refugee wagon train that left from Harrisonburg with Sheridan’s forces as
they moved back down the Valley in early October 1864. By the time they reached Winchester there were
about 600 wagons carrying families escaping the devastation caused by “total war” in Augusta, Rockingham,
Page, and Shenandoah counties. Names of the families known to have been on the wagon train were not included in the article. Since then I have confirmed many as having made the trip north. Some families returned
following the War, most during the summer of 1865, while some went west and found new, permanent homes
there. Most were Mennonite or Dunkard families. Others held Union sympathies and felt it was unwise to remain here after the Valley had been devastated and anger toward them increased.
Jacob & Catherine Baugh, and children Josephine, Jacob, and William Baugh
Isaac & Barbara Bowman, and children Samuel D., Sarah R., and Mary Catherine Bowman
John & Rebecca Wine Bowman
John W. & Rebecca Petry Bowman, and children Henry P., Jacob W., Rebecca E., and Isaac D. Bowman
Joseph & Sarah Flory Bowman, and sons John and Solomon Bowman
Christian & Magdalene Brunk family, and children Michael, Ann, Susan, Joseph, Noah, Frances, John,
and Charles Brunk
Jesse & Leanah Carrier, and daughter Amanda Carrier
John S. Coffman
Henry Crawford
Lawrence Crawford
John & Frances Garber Flory, and children Joel S. and Samuel Flory
Algernon S. Gray, daughter Orra, brothers Robert Gray and Douglas Gray
Peter S. Hartman
Albert Jenkins
David H. & Mary Landis, and children Elisabeth and Sarah Landis
Samuel H. Lewis family, William Lewis, Lunsford L. Lewis, Sheffey Lewis, and Charles H. Lewis
George & Rebecca K. Whitesel Lutz
Frederick S. & Elizabeth Whitmer Rhodes, and children John S., Lucy Ellen, Turner Ashby, and Mary
Ida Rhodes
John & Fannie Bowman Rhodes
Esther Roof and children Elizabeth, Caroline, Susan, and Mary Ann Roof.
Michael & Lydia Shank family, and children Frances, Hettie, John, Kate, and Charles Shank
Christian & Sarah Bowman Showalter, and children David B., Samuel F., Jonathan B., Catherine Ann,
Lewis A., and Joseph R., and Sarah E. Showalter.
Samuel Showalter
Christian Suter
Emanuel Suter family, wife Elizabeth, and children Reuben, Daniel, Susan Virginia, John Robert Suter,
sister Margaret Suter, and father Daniel Suter
William & Susan Tankersley, and children John, Nancy, Estaline, Elizabeth, Margaret, George, Anna
Frances, and Richard
Benjamin & Barbara Wenger, and children Abraham and Magdalene Wenger
Noah C. & Sarah Basinger Wenger, and child Peter B. Wenger
The following families lost their homes or barns in the Dayton area and may have been on the wagon train,
but I have not found proof: Abraham Blosser, Jonas Blosser, Rev. John Flory, Hinegardners, Ralls, and
Thomases.
See Refugee Wagon Train, continued on page 10
Page 6
Volume 37, No. 2
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Redbud Spring Arts & Crafts Festival
Kids learned about the life of the Civil War soldier with the
10th Virginia Infantry Living Historians.
Creating clothespin dolls and learning to weave kept young
visitors busy while others toured the Cromer-Trumbo house.
A Warm Welcome To Our
New Members
David Bailey, Colorado Springs, CO
A. Christine Bailor, Richmond, VA
Dwight S. Beery, Dayton, VA
Kevin & Jere Borg, Bridgewater, VA
Greg Bott, Winchester, VA
William Braden, Sandston, VA
Patricia Brown, McGaheysville, VA
Meegan Carr, Harrisonburg, VA
David Curtis, Silver Spring, MD
Fred Frazier, McGaheysville, VA
Robert & Nancy Hodges, Harrisonburg, VA
Howard & Lucinda Holsinger, Browns Mill, NJ
Charles McCartney, Shelby, NC
Robert Moore, Palm Bay, FL
Gail M. Murphy, Dubuque, IA
Barbara Paulson, Port Republic, VA
MaryAnn Rexrode, Roanoke, VA
William G. Ritchie, Broadway, VA
Sara Robinson, Charlottesville, VA
Martha Ross, Harrisonburg, VA
Patricia Santiago, Harrisonburg, VA
Judy Schwarz, Derby, CT
James B. Stephens, Cape Coral, FL
Jeff & Laurie Weatherholt, Fisher, WV
Linda G. Wise, Uniontown, OH
Many visitors enjoyed learning new dances on the lawn called
by the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Era Dancers.
It was a beautiful day in Dayton for the activities all over town, including the Car Cruise-In
on The Heritage Museum lot and grounds.
Volume 37, No. 2
Page 7
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Dr. C. E. Hammen House
career during the war. His brother, William, served in
the 5th Battalion of the Valley Reserves. Another
McGaheysville native, John L. Hopkins, III, disbrother, Samuel, served in the 7th Virginia Calvary in
covered a “diamond in the rough” at 185 Conn Road Ashby's Co. C. After the war Charles became a dentist
in the form of a two-story log house. When he purand proprietor of a store.
chased the house in the spring of 2014, it was not a
William died in 1867, and 1870 census records list
gem. It was in such need of restoration, the former
the head of household as Charles, living in the house
owner found it overwhelming. Before any work bewith his mother, brother Samuel, and a house servant.
gan, most people would have only noticed the peeling His mother Prudence died in 1877. Charles E. Hamblue and white paint, but J. L. saw logs beneath the
men married Mary Catherine Hopkins on February 8,
curled up siding. That gave him a vision of what
1877. She was the daughter of G. T. and Frances Hopwould become a reality six months later. At 86 years kins.
old, he had faced many challenges, this was just the
It was about 1880 that the Hammens began a major
next one.
remodel of the house. The two houses were joined as
Every old house has a history of its own which
one and the dog-trot area became a grand entrance
must include the story of its inhabitants. The Harmon with the stairway which today graces the old home.
family (likely descendants of Jacob Hermann) were
Windows were moved into locations more pleasing to
the first recorded owners of the property. It is likely
the eye. When doing this, carpenters had to cut away
that this family built the first two rooms about 1812,
log sections and used conventional framing to fill in
one room over the other over a limestone foundation. the gaps. A large L addition was added to rear of the
About 1850 another similar struc1812 section
ture was built about 8 feet away
of the house.
and, according to Hopkins, a dogAn alcove
trot was built between. Dog-trot
was added to
houses were common in the 19th
the downcentury. The open space between
stairs facing
was generally covered with a roof
south where
and served as a breezeway and
the dentist
summer dining area, while prelocated his
venting the heat from the kitchen
examination
from entering the other structure.
chair. The
The family dog would use the area
bay window
as a place to lay in the shade, thus
gave him the
the name 'dog-trot.' Another adadvantage of
vantage was that the two smaller C.E. Hammen House, Conn Rd., McGaheysville, Virginia, restored by maximum
houses would be taxed at a lower owner John L. Hopkins, III, 2014.
natural light
rate than a one larger home.
and remains
In the mid 1850s a tailor named William Hammen an outstanding feature of the home. Yellow pine sidand his wife Prudence moved with their family to
ing was added to the outside hiding the logs and creatMcGaheysville. They bought the property from the
ing a more uniform appearance. A front porch and
Harmons. Hammen set up shop and also ran a store
widows walk were added, as well as a slate roof. Unnearby.
fortunately, Mary died of a kidney disorder in 1881
Three of the Hammen sons served in the Confeder- before the work was done. Charles died in 1901. After
ate cause. The eldest, Charles E., enlisted on April 18, their deaths the house had numerous owners and
1861, as a private in the 10th Virginia Infantry. He
renters.
later became a First Sergeant and had an interesting
Continued on the next page
Submitted by Anthony D. Lawson
Page 8
Volume 37, No. 2
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Continued from previous page
To begin the restoration, Hopkins had to locate
logs from the period to fill in gaps and replace deteriorated sections. In a desire to return the house its original size, about 20 feet of the framed portion was torn
off. A 9- foot section was retained to add a modern
kitchen and a full bathroom upstairs. A half-bath was
added below the stairway. Notably, the recent renovation marks the first time the house ever had plumbing.
Hopkins also upgraded the electrical system and added a 2-zone heat pump system.
At the end of the 19th century remodel, the house
was covered with weatherboarding and a slate roof.
Today the house appears as an impressive two-story
log house much like those that stood throughout the
Valley and mountains during the 1800s. As curious
local people ride by they give a thumbs up to what
J. L. Hopkins has accomplished with this old house.
Hopkins gives the credit for the finished results to
the many individuals and contractors who did the
work. At age 87 now, he looks forward to the next
challenges.
Old Peaked Mountain
Meetinghouse with the C. E.
Hamman house in the
background, c 1900. Note
the proximity of the two
buildings considering there
is a road in between.
Confederate Naval Flag Update
On Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015, fourteen Historical Society members and volunteers traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, to participate in the unveiling of the conserved CSS Hampton flag which was donated to the
Hampton Roads Naval Museum (HRNM) in 2013. Everyone was amazed
by the results of the conservation—the fragile and tattered flag now looks
resplendent in a shiny new case. The conservator spent many months of
painstaking work to mend frayed ends, mount the flag on archival batting, and fill in the missing sections of the blue cross.
HRNM Director Becky Poulliot praised The Heritage Museum for the
unselfish and generous decision to return the CSS Hampton ensign to the
home of its gunboat. Appropriately displayed in the HRNM, the flag will
bear witness to history for many, many years to come. It was a proud moment for the Historical Society.
Volume 37, No. 2
Page 9
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Acquisitions
Archives
 Louise Grady donated two World War II ration books.
 Sara Robinson donated a 1937 advertisement calendar for the Robinson Store in Elkton, Virginia, plus a
large collection of photographs by her father, Hobby Robinson.
Artifacts
 Conrad and Dot Deeds provided various World War II items including clothing, medals and ribbons, an
army sewing kit, Camp Hood post card, and two pillow covers from where Mr. Deeds was stationed.
 Diane Lyke donated the Rockingham Memorial Hospital nurse cape, some Army Nurses Corp medals, and
a picture for a military id which belonged to her mother, Lois Mae Kiser Rusnak.
Technology and Digital Collection
 Conrad and Dot Deeds provided a World War II era photo of themselves – with Mr. Deeds in his uniform.
 Ramona Evans donated photos from the estate of Cora Shickel Harpine.
 Neil Mowbray of Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital provided dvds of the RMH Centennial Celebration 2012 and the RMH Move Day 2010.
 Phyllis Secrist donated two computers with accessories.
Library
 Daniel Burkholder, Jr. provided a 2015 reprint of The Confession of Faith of the Christians known by the
Name of Mennonites, translated by Joseph Funk.
 Wayne Hannah donated his book, The Light Still Shines, Celebrating 70 Years as Shenandoah Valley
Electric Cooperative.
 Raymond C. Rhodes donated the book, Harry G. and Susie B. Horning Ancestors and Descendants 19772009, compiled by Grace A. (Horning) Zimmerman.
 Sara Robinson provided her memoir regarding her parents entitled Love Always, Hobby and Jessie and
eight books by Hobby Robinson containing pictures of several generations of the Elkton community.
 Phyllis Secrist provided some Secrist family genealogy.
 John H. Sipe donated a copy of Civil War Recollections written by George Edgar Sipe.
 Phillip and Christina Updike donated the book, The Virginia Updikes-Updykes, by Robert S. Craig.
 Ramona Evans provided various news clippings from the estate of Cora Shickel Harpine.
Compiled by Margaret Hotchner
Spring cleaning? If you discover artifacts and papers unique to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, please consider
donating them to the Museum. Items must be reviewed before being accepted into the permanent collection. We request
that you make an appointment with the Collections Committee. Questions? Call (540) 879-2616.
Refugee Wagon Train
Continued from page 6
Little has been written about the scorn these families endured when they returned to the Valley and their
homes. In her book Mountain Valley People, Marie Arrington gave some indication of those hard feelings.
She wrote: Those who fought or lost loved ones in the war had a bitter pill to swallow when those who ‘went
over to the North’ or went west to work . . . returned with Yankee dollars to rebuild their farms and homes. . .
The war created mistrust and ill will within families and between neighbors that traces of can still be found
today (1982).
I want to encourage our readers to add to our list if you know of some family that was on the wagon train
but was not included above.
Page 10
Volume 37, No. 2
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bookstore & Gift Shop
The latest in the series:
1865: Life in the Shenandoah Valley edited by Elsie
Renalds Newcomer and Janet
Renalds Ramsey. Softcover,
$20.00.
The journal, letters, and news
articles lead the reader
through the trying last days
of the War Between the
States and the beginning of
Reconstruction in the Valley
of Virginia for the Henkel,
Coiner, and Miller families.
Harrisonburg author!
The Way it Was - Not the Way it Is
by Doris Harper Allen. Softcover, $17.00.
This is a story beginning more than eighty
years ago. The author has a story to tell as she
was not born in slavery but felt enslaved during her childhood. "The Way it Was (not the
way it is)," meaning you lived in poverty, you
were poor and did not know it. You lived in
the northeast section known as "Newtown" [in
Harrisonburg, Virginia] with stores, restaurants, churches, dance hall, and a school. You
stayed there with gardens and livestock to take
care of and children to raise in a peaceful,
Christian neighborhood where everybody
knew everybody.
A personal journey into the park’s past
Shenandoah: A Story of Conservation and
Betrayal by Sue Eisenfeld. Softcover, $19.95.
For fifteen years Sue Eisenfeld hiked in Shenandoah National Park in the Virginia Blue
Ridge Mountains, unaware of the tragic history
behind the creation of the park. In this travel
narrative, she tells the story of her on-theground discovery of the relics and memories a
few thousand mountain residents left behind
when the government used eminent domain to
kick the people off their land to create the park.
Lifelong Learning Institute
Students give the Behind the
Scenes at the Museum inaugural
course 4.9 stars!!
Volume 37, No. 2
Page 11
Spring 2015, Vol. 37, No. 2
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Harrisonburg - Rockingham Historical Society
P.O. Box 716
Dayton, Virginia 22821
Permit No. 19
Harrisonburg/
Rockingham
Check your mailing label. If it’s blue, it’s time to renew!
OR CURRENT ADDRESS
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Photography Contest 2015
 A SNAPSHOT OF HISTORY 
Be inspired by the history and
heritage of Harrisonburg &
Rockingham!
The subjects for this contest
are local architecture, landscape, still life, and period appropriate people.
Open to area non-professional
photographers of all ages.
Deadline: 5p, Tues, July 7, 2015
Rules & Forms found at
ValleyHeritageMuseum.org
Get out your camera and have
some history fun!