Because History Matters
What’s Waiting For You At Rocktown History?
Buy a book, or make a day of it!
Whether you’re just passing through or you’re a regular visitor to our museum and library, a fascinating experience always awaits at Rocktown History. Take some time to enjoy a self-guided tour of the many exhibits, and you will encounter precious objects of days gone by and discover stories of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County that can’t be found elsewhere.
You’ll also want to join us for special events and educational programming like Third Thursday Talks, exhibit openings, and workshops. You’ll learn from insightful and engaging experts on topics related to our rich local history and their relevance to life today.
If your own roots are what you seek, Rocktown History is your research headquarters. We’re home to an extensive genealogy library with access to national ancestry databases. Our knowledgeable staff and volunteers are ready to help you, no matter where your roots were planted.
Plus, you won’t want to pass up the opportunity to dive deeper into the topics that interest you. The bookstore offers unique history titles and research resources to take home.
The treasures of the past are waiting for you at Rocktown History.
Plan your visit today.
Upcoming Events
Treasures in Stone
Ask an Author, with Rick Lambert Friday, September 5, 10:30 am Known as the Cyclopean Towers in the 1800s, the Natural Chimneys, near Mount Solon, Virginia, have been a tourist attraction for almost 200 years. In 1845, they were included as “among the greatest…
Naomi “Omie” Wise
Her Life, Death, and Legend Thursday, September 18, 2025, 7 pm Naomi Wise was drowned by her lover in the waters of North Carolina’s Deep River in 1807. Her murder has been remembered in dozens of ballad versions throughout the last two centuries. Mistakes,…
Fourth Friday Open House
Family-friendly discovery and connection! Fourth Fridays (Jun 27, Jul 25, Aug 22, Sep 26), 5-7 pm August 22: Inspired by Diners and Sock Hops Put on your bobby socks and poodle skirts as we look back to the 1950s. We’ll be welcoming back Trio…
History Book Club
Let’s gather to explore America’s history together. In 2024, Rocktown History and the Massanutton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution invited the community to join a new history book club. Early attendees adopted the general rule to read titles related to American…
Rocktown History Coffee Mill
The Rocktown History Coffee Mills are brewing up stories from the past! This series of informal gatherings offers you a unique museum experience with Rocktown History’s own curator, researcher, historians, and other local history and genealogy friends. Come get a peek at a featured…
Featured Exhibit
Resilience Amid Resistance
History Made by Students—History Told by Students May 17, 2025 – September 20, 2025 Now in its tenth year, the Farmville Tour Guides Project, a student-led independent study in Rockingham County high schools, has long served as a powerful platform for students to explore…
The Natural Chimneys have been a tourist attraction for almost 200 years.
Author Rick Lambert will speak at Rocktown History on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 10:30a.
Genealogy
Family and Local History Research
Whether or not you are Harrisonburg-Rockingham rooted, experienced staff and volunteers are waiting to help you with your family tree or your topic of historical interest.
ORDER RESEARCH
Collection Highlights
The collection of objects and ephemera are the primary source for connecting to the stories of the past.
Klingstein Collection
During WWI, a French family nursed soldier Emmanuel Klingstein (1894-1971) during the 1918 influenza outbreak. The family donated letters and photos in 2020.
Fraktur Document
Pennsylvania Germans brought the tradition of recording significant life events on decorated documents to Rockingham Co. Fraktur are valued for artistic and genealogical details.
Toy Automobile
During the Great Depression, the Sharon Corporation produced toy cars at Eastern Mennonite University as a work study program to help students stay enrolled.
“What A Gem!”
Would never have known about this place! What a gem. And the lady that volunteers was incredibly informative and nice! Worth the time!
Out of the way
“Many Informative Displays”
They also offer lots of brochures about activities in the area. I ended up doing a walking tour of Dayton based on a brochure I found and really enjoyed it. Plan on 45 minutes.
