Museums, Heritage Centers & Monuments
Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg Children's Museum
150 S. Main St. ~ Harrisonburg, VA 22801 | 540-442-8900
Open Tuesdays - Saturdays from 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
First Friday FREE Open with free admission on the first Friday of the month from 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Experience the Explore More Discovery Museum and the new exhibits of Harrisonburg's community-inspired museum designed to engage young minds through interactive, multi-sensory learning experiences that promote greater understanding of themselves and their world. Exhibits include the Discovery Tree, Art Smart, Construction Zone, Friendly City Medical Center , TV Studio and the Science Lab. Learn about the world around us through exploration and the many workshops throughout the year.
Harrisonburg Fire Department Museum
101 N. Main St. ~ Harrisonburg, VA 22802 | 540-432-7703
The Harrisonburg Fire Department Museum is where you can find old fire memorabilia such as uniforms, medals, equipment, old fire alarms, and photographs.
Harrisonburg Rockingham Civil War Orientation Center
Located in the Hardesty-Higgins House
212 S. Main Street ~ Harrisonburg, VA 22801 | 540-432-8935
Open daily 9 am- 5 pm
The Orientation Center offers the stories of individuals, battles, and campaigns through film and interpretation. The center has available the Shenandoah At War Guide and other resources for visitors to explore our region. More than history lesson, share the experiences of the Shenandoah Valley at war.
Heritage Museum: Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
382 High St. ~ Dayton, VA 22821 | 540-879-2616 (Volunteer Desk)
Open Monday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm
One of the finest regional historical societies and museums in Virginia, the Heritage Museum features "Invincible Spirit", a 5,000 square-foot exhibit portraying the unique history in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. There is also a Folk Art collection, featuring the traditional arts of the Shenandoah region; Stonewall Jackson's famous Valley Campaign presented in a unique audiovisual setting; an extensive genealogy research library; and Civil War artifacts. Enjoy special exhibits and lecture series; and the facility offers an extensive genealogy library.
The historic Cromer-Trumbo House on the Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society grounds will be open for tours on the 4th Saturday of the month from March through August 2010 at 11 am to 3 pm.
John C. Wells Planetarium at James Madison University
Miller Hall, across from East Grace Street ~ 91 E. Grace St. Harrisonburg, VA 22801 | 540-568-2312 Visitors may park in the M-lot next to Miller Hall
The Wells Planetarium will offer free shows for the public on Saturdays through the fall and spring semester, not available in the summer. The shows will be held at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Shows are free. The planetarium door 10 minutes before show time. Each show is followed by a 25-minute "star talk" that provides visitors with updates about the night sky, including constellations, planets and any comets that might be visible.
Also on site The James Madison University Meteorite Collection. Featuring fragments of meteoroids that survived passage through the atmosphere to fall to the earth's surface as masses of metal or stone; includes specimens from Diablo Canyon, Ariz., the Sahara Desert, and the Central European Strewn Field. Free admission.
New Market Battlefield State Historical Park
8895 George R Collins Parkway ~ New Market, VA 22844 | 540-740-3101
Spend the day at the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park. Learn the story of VMI Cadets and the Battle of New Market through film and interpretation. Enjoy the museum, explore the historic farm, scenic Shenandoah River overlooks, picnic spots and walking trails.
Reuel B. Pritchett Museum at Bridgewater College
Cole Hall (lower level), Bridgewater College ~ 402 E College St., Bridgewater, VA 22812 | 540-828-5462
Open Monday-Friday 1-4:30 pm
The Museum contains artifacts from the American Civil War, Native Americans and pioneer life. Highlights of the collection include coinage, currency, weaponry, more than 175 rare books and Bibles, more than 1,000 bottles and glassware, a saber-toothed tiger skull and mastodon teeth, a cuneiform brick from the time of King Nebuchadnezzar (600 B.C.) and a land deed signed by Thomas Jefferson. Free Admission
The Frontier Culture Museum
1290 Richmond Road ~ Staunton, VA 24401 | 540-332-7850
Europe and America's past at four different historic farms moved from their country of origin and reconstructed at the museum. See the rare breed animals, walk through gardens, harvest period crops, watch a blacksmith at work, and visit with the farm interpreters to share a lesson of courage and heritage.
Turner Ashby Monument
1164 Turner Ashby Lane ~ Harrisonburg, VA 22801
One mile southeast of the I-81exit 245 intersection, take a left off Port Republic Road at Neff Road. From Neff Road take the next left onto Turner Ashby Lane. Gen. Turner Ashby, in command of Jackson's cavalry, was mortally wounded at this site now marked with a monument and a small park. His death, June 6, 1862, immediately preceded the battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic. Walk to two Civil War interpretive signs about the engagement at "Chestnut Ridge" in 1862 where T.A. was killed, and another one depicting "The Battle of Harrisonburg in 1862" on the same day. The Turner Ashby Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy No. 162 holds annual memorial observance of the death of Confederate Gen. Turner Ashby in June each year. Visitors and Group Tours are welcome. Free Admission
Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center (Crossroads)
1921 Heritage Center Way ~ Harrisonburg, VA 22801 | 540-438-1275
Open Wednesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Closed Sunday-Tuesday
Experience the Valley's unique religious and cultural heritage at Crossroads, where Brethren and Mennonite religion and culture meet. The Center interprets these values as expressions of faith and historic importance in the community. Tour the interpretive center as well as the 1800s homestead and a schoolhouse, and attend events celebrating the history and heritage of the Brethren and Mennonite way of life.
Valley Turnpike Museum
Located in the Hardesty-Higgins House
212 S. Main St. ~ Harrisonburg, VA 22801 | 540-432-8935
Open daily 9 am-5 pm
The museum is located inside the historic Hardesty-Higgins House (circa 1848), home of Harrisonburg's first mayor, Isaac Hardesty. The Valley Turnpike Museum is located on the famous road from which it was names, now known as U.S. Route 11. The museum explores the history of the road, from its beginning as a buffalo path to Stonewall Jackson's famous Valley Campaign, to the toll road era and the development of the interstate highway system. Free Admission
Virginia Quilt Museum
301 S. Main St. ~ Harrisonburg, VA 22801 | 540-433-3818
Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-4 pm
Closed all major holidays, 4 days between exhibits
The Virginia Quilt Museum is a resource center for the study of the role of quilts and quilting in the cultural life of society. The museum offers opportunities to view significant work by both early and contemporary quilt artisans. Located in the historic Warren-Sipe House, the Museum offers historic elements of quilting as well as a Civil War history room, special events and changing exhibits.
