Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center
Welcome to the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center
"Where History & Hospitality Meet" SM
The Hardesty-Higgins House was home to Harrisonburg's first mayor, Isaac Hardesty. He became the Mayor by charter March 16, 1849, incorporating the town of Harrisonburg.
Today, the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center is a multi-use facility operated by Harrisonburg Tourism. Inside you will find Visitor Services, Rocktown Gift Shoppe, The Valley Turnpike Museum and the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Civil War Orientation Center. Executive offices for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and Harrisonburg Tourism are located upstairs. We opened in July of 2005 to serve the community and visitors to the region.
The Hardesty-Higgins House has become the place where history and hospitality meet.
On premises Visitor Services 540.432.8935
- Rocktown Gift Shoppe open Mon-Sun 9:30am-4:30pm 540.432.8943
- The Valley Turnpike Museum open Mon-Sun 9am-5pm 540.432.8935
- The Civil War Orientation Center open Mon-Sun 9am-5pm 540.432.8935
Hours of Operation
- Mon-Sun 9am-5pm
- Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day
- Call for hours - Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day
Additional Information
- The Center is a Virginia State Certified Regional Visitor Center
- Computer on site- Free online access for travel information
- Lodging & Dining Reservations
e-mail Tourism.info@harrisonburgva.gov for a free visitor guide
Tourism staff:
Brenda Black
Tourism and Visitor Services Manager
brenda.black@harrisonburgva.gov
Emily DeBenedetto
Tourism Marketing Specialist
emily.debenedetto@harrisonburgva.gov
Travel Specialists
- Shirley Bosley
- Carole Downey
- Carole Hoover
- Jane Hoover
- Rebecca Knotts
- Elizabeth Kyger
- Ann Marie Leonard
- Rosemarie Palmer
- Nancy Stratford