Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society
HRHS Home

The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society at Dayton, Rockingham County, Virginia is home to:

A fee of $5.00 for nonmembers buys one-day admission to all exhibits on display, the electric map and the library. All facilities are free to members.

NEW - Take a Virtual Tour of HRHS

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Highly recommended - Harrisonburg Downtown Walking Tours 

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Rotating Exhibit

"The Country Store" Feb. 2 - Aug 31

Country Store Exhibit
An exhibit about the country stores that used to be in every small town throughout the Valley. They were the center of the community, supplying wares and information to the local folks.

Please visit our Sponsor's page and help support those businesses that support HRHS.
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Calendar of Events
Current Exhibits

What was sold in a real country store 200 years ago?

Find out in

Michael Baker’s Store Journal, 1804-1825.

Well-to-do Captain Michael Baker lived in Brocks Gap, Rockingham County, where he operated a store with a surprisingly wide range of merchandise, from whiskey to door locks to silks & velvets for the ladies.

Some customers came from 20 miles away on horseback to trade and buy goods.  Many had charge accounts at the store and paid with bacon, fur skins, or their labor on Baker’s farm.

This store journal was passed down through the Baker / Harnsberger family who donated it to the Historical Society.  Dr. Ellsworth Kyger transcribed it, and Pat Turner Ritchie, a Baker descendant, typed it.  She included information on the Baker family and some Brocks Gap customers.

The book is an excellent addition to the history of Rockingham County.

$14

New Fall 2009 Stricler Lectures:


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Rotating Exhibits:

The Country Store: Feb 2 - Aug 31

Permanent Exhibits:
Invincible Spirit: History in the Heart of the Shenandoah more
The Art of Tradition more

 

Articles of Interest

Wayland's 1953 Rockingham County Post Offices
Also available via PDF (165 kb)

More Articles


Electric Map Genealogy Museum Gift and Bookstore Membership Information Links Home

For more information, contact heritage@heritagecenter.com.
Web site design by Kelli Hertzler.

Last updated 11/24/2008