The Daniel Harrison House

The Daniel Harrison House, also known as Fort Harrison, is the oldest house in Dayton, Virginia and one of the oldest in Rockingham County. The two-story stone house was built about 1749 by Daniel Harrison, first settler of Dayton.

A brick wing was added sometime between the 1830s and the 1850s by owners John and Sarah Allebaugh, who raised 10 daughters here. The original house was remodeled during the 1850s to make it more modern and stylish, with details like enlarged windows and a new staircase.

The house was last occupied in the 1960s. It was bought in 1977 by Fort Harrison, Incorporated, a non-profit organization formed to restore and maintain it. Restoration work began in 1978. The restored house was opened to the public in 1982.

The nineteenth-century summer kitchen has been reconstructed and is open for viewing.

The Daniel Harrison House is open to visitors every weekend from May through October, and for groups by appointment.

For information about the Daniel Harrison House or membership in Fort Harrison, Incorporated, contact:

The Daniel Harrison House is a Virginia and National Registered Historic Landmark.

Fort Harrison, Incorporated is a private, non-profit organization.

This page is maintained by the Harrrisonburg - Rockingham Historical Society.

Background from The Absolute Background Texture Archive
Graphics from J.O.D's Old Fashioned Black and White Clip Art Collection

Page last updated: 02/17/2007