Page County Heritage Association

~ Preserving our Past to Enrich our Future ~
 
 

The Page County Heritage Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rich historical Page Valley of Virginia. Organized in 1969, this all volunteer organization is funded by membership dues, the Heritage Festival held each October, the sale of books of local interest and historical significance, and numerous fund raisers including chicken BBQs & Mayfest activities.

 

Heritage Festival PCHA Books CSA Ancestors Board Members Membership

 

Calendine (Hamburg Road; Luray, VA) 

Built in 1840 for Townsend Young who ran a general store and stagecoach stop in the adjacent building. Calendine is best known as the residence of the renowned Barbee family. William Randolph Barbee (1818-1868) was famed as a classic sculptor whose life-sized statues were highly praised by the critics. He was commissioned to complete the frieze on the west wing of the U.S. Capitol, but, the outbreak of the Civil War interrupted his work which he was never able to resume.

William Randolph's son, Herbert Barbee, (1848-1936) was born in Page County. Like his father, he studied art in Italy, producing various bas-reliefs, statues, and busts. After his return to America he had studios in  New York, Baltimore, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Washington City, and Luray where he used the  adjacent store at Calendine. His legacy to Page County is the Confederate Monument on Luray's East Main Street. It was unveiled with great celebration on July 21, 1898.

   
   

Hamburg Country Store (Hamburg Road; Luray, VA)

Step back in time by visiting this refurbished country store.  Experience "going to the store" of the 1940's rural Page County.  The original store was established in the early 1900's and as the population of the community grew, so did the store.

   
   

The Mauck Meeting House (Hamburg Road; Luray, VA)

 Built for religious purposes by the "Neighbors," mainly Mennonites from Switzerland and southern Germany. The outside of the pine log walls were covered in 1851 with white weatherboards and the structure was roofed with chestnut shingles. A central heating chimney and tin roof were installed later. Heat was provided by a large six-plate stove made at the local iron furnace and inscribed "D. Pennebacker - 1799." Early Mennonite ministers were John Roads; Martin, David and Michael Kauffman; Jacob Strickler and Abraham Heiston. Early Baptist ministers were James Ireland and John Koontz. Mauck Meeting House was used by the Baptists from 1790 until 1899.
   
   

Massanutten School (Opposite Inn Lawn Park; Luray, VA)

 
This school was in use from 1875-1937. The restored one-room school was moved from its original site in 1972, restored and furnished through citizens donations.  Inside are sixteen original double desks; a one hundred year old cast iron stove; a handmade teacher's desk and chair; a flag pole used during the Civil War, an 1880 school house bell; and numerous photos and displays. Open by appointment only. (540-743-4218). The School was a donation from Page County residents, Tommy and Barbara Jennings.

   

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Directions to Calendine

 Travelling west on Rt-211 from Luray: Turn right onto Hamburg Road, which is just past Airport Road, about 1 mile past Walmart.
Travelling east on Rt-211 from New Market: Cross the Shenandoah River at White House Bridge, go up a long hill and turn left onto Hamburg Road, just before the White House Gift shop on your left.

2010 Schedule of Events

 
April 11th Quarterly meeting; Luray Caverns Restaurant; 5:00pm
Meeting to be followed by a tour of the new Luray Valley Museum
Light refreshments will be served
May 8th Festival of Spring; Downtown Luray
June 26th Chicken BBQ (Details)
August 1st Harmonia Sacra Sing; Mauck Meeting House
October 9th-10th Page County Heritage Festival; Page County Fairgrounds
December 5th Christmas at Calendine; Calendine Museum


This year, Calendine, The Hamburg Grocery Store, and the Mauck Meeting House will officially open June 12th.  The museums will be open the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 to 4:00 through October.  The museums can also be toured by appointment. 

There is no admission charge to any of the museum properties. Donations are accepted and appreciated.

 

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The new book, A Pictorial Heritage of Page County, is available. We received many excellent pictures, more than will fit the present book. It is likely that a second book will be produced sometime in the future. It was also decided to produce a book on the schools and educators of the county, which we had to limit in the first book since we have so many. This book and many others are available at Bren's and Bank Street Books on Main Street in Luray, or by mail order by following the link to our book page.
 
 

 

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