Harrisonburg’s first courthouse was built in 1780-81. Many renovations were made to building, for many justices were displeased with its simplistic construction. The courthouse was declared “unfit for business” and removed ten years later. The second courthouse was not much larger than the first, and not much better constructed.  This building was declared unsafe and ...

Opened in 1939, Cleveland Hall was originally a  dormitory for junior students, called Junior Hall. It was built in response to crowded living arrangements on campus. Located in JMU’s Bluestone area surrounding the quad, Cleveland Hall was designed as a  scaled-down replica of the building’s sister  “senior” dormitory now called Converse Hall. Cleveland Hall’s three stories served as comfortable living ...

http://sites.jmu.edu/walkingtours/files/2014/10/New-Recording-5.mp3 The Village Inn is situated along Route 11 in Harrisonburg and has been a place for travelers and people looking to escape the city life to come and relax. Family owned and operated by O.K. Early and his son, The Village Inn has been in business since 1936 and has progressed from a modest ...

Harrison Hall is located in the Bluestone area of the James Madison University campus. It is considered the most diversely used campus building since its opening in 1915. From its time as the Student Building when JMU was The Normal School, to housing The College of Arts and Letters today, Harrison Hall has a rich ...

Location: 301 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 The Virginia Quilt Museum is located in downtown Harrisonburg and is dedicated to honoring Virginia’s quilting heritage. It features a variety of quilts from all over the state, dating from 1806 to the present. The building is also known as the Warren-Sipe House and was built in ...

Location: 345 South Main Street, Harrisonburg VA 22801 In the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the Harrisonburg Female Academy was converted into the Confederate General Hospital.  The hospital was fully operated in 1862 with Dr. W.W.S Butler as surgeon in charge.  The hospital was demolished in 1879 and later became the City Municipal Building of Harrisonburg ...

On 271 South Liberty Street, near historic downtown Harrisonburg is a little-known historically significant piece of architecture: an octagon house. This particular home was constructed in 1885. By contrast the historic Joshua Wilton House was constructed in 1888. Octagon houses were a briefly popular trend between the 1850s up to 1900 in the United States ...

JMU’s Wilson Hall is the centerpiece of the campus’ quad, indicated by the grand size of the building facing downtown Harrisonburg’s South Main Street, as well as the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. Along with its large auditorium for guest lecturers and performances, it currently serves as JMU’s center for career planning and academic ...

Photo circa 1935 The Wetsel Seed building at 128 West Market Street is now an historical landmark in Harrisonburg, with its name proudly shown on three sides of the building.  This facility was erected in 1935 and helped the Wetsel Seed Company become a key part of the Rockingham County economy.  At one point in ...

Walking Tour Audio 22 South Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Harrisonburg Virginia has been in existence since the late 1770’s when the Court Square was built by Thomas Harrison. During the 20’s, times were good and people enjoyed the quick service and inexpensive prices at Jess’. Today, Jess’ enjoys its status as the oldest currently operating ...