Edinburg Heritage Foundation, Inc.
The Foundation was established as a non-profit organization in 1991.
The Foundation brings together citizens of the Town of Edinburg and the surrounding area to document and preserve their heritage. Specifically, the Foundation attempts to:
Promote and encourage preservation of the history and cultural heritage of Edinburg, and promote public interest in the appreciation for the historic preservation of Edinburg.
Some of the most notable projects the Foundation has undertaken since its was established are:
- Sponsoring of the printing of the book "The History of Edinburg" written by local residents, Jean Allen Davis and Mary Ann Williamson
- Worked with the Town in establishing the Edinburg Historic District
- Joined with other organizations to sponsor training of volunteers in the county library specifically in the area of genealogy research
- Sponsored the making of bronze plaques to be placed on the Town's historic buildings
- Sponsored repair, maintenance and landscaping work at the town cemeteries
- Publication of a monthly newsletter which is sent to Foundation members
- Provided the funding for the Town to purchase a Gazebo to be placed on the Town's Christmas Tree lot
The Foundation has joined in a partnership with the Town of Edinburg to purchase, renovate, operate, and maintain the Historic Edinburg Mill. The Mill, along with the 4 ½ acre property, was purchased in February 2000 using a Transportation Equity Act for the twenty-first Century (TEA-21) Grant administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Since that time, the Town and the Foundation have been working with VDOT and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources on the initial planning for the Mill Project. During the spring of 2000 the Mill Project received a Grant from the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Commission in an amount sufficient to paint the exterior of the building. In the fall of 2000 we were informed by VDOT that the Mill Project was awarded a second TEA-21 Grant. In 2001, an additional Grant has been received from the newly formed Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation.
The Town/Foundation partnership is actively engaged in the planning for the Project and in the design of flood protection concepts for the Mill. Until the products of these two activities are reviewed, modified and approved, precise planning for the uses of the Mill can not be finalized. Until then, the generic plans for the Mill are to contract with someone to establish and operate a scaled down restaurant; employ a curator to design, create, and operate a transportation related museum; establish and operate a visitor center and gift shop; construct and lease spaces for offices and/or small retail shops; and to design, construct and operate an automated diorama or large screen display as a major attraction for visitors to the Mill. This display will provide viewers with the story of road, rail, and water transportation in the central area of the Shenandoah Valley during the earlier days of Edinburg, and the impacts which the Civil War had on local residents. A major feature of these impacts would be illustrated by the story of 'The Burning' conducted through this part of the Valley in 1864. It is expected that this implementation will be staged over the next few years dependent on the modifications required to the Mill and the resources available. The Project needs continuing financial support and would appreciate donations sent to the Foundation at PO Box 336, Edinburg, VA 22824.
Anyone interested in joining the Foundation and receive the monthly newsletter can do so by sending $15 for an individual membership and $25 for a family membership to the address below.
Foundation officers are as follows:
President: Clyde Beachy
Vice President: William Wetzel
Secretary: Janet Wagniere
Treasurer: Dan Harshman
Other members of the Foundation's Board of Directors:
Sandra Armentrout
Nancye Bowman
Jean Allen Davis
Stanley Getz
Kathy Gwyn
Janet Craig Haythorn
Shelby Hollar
James Morris
Bill Roller
Elizabeth Strippy
Lorraine Zirkle
Newsletter:
Mary Ann Williamson
For more information, please contact:
Edinburg Heritage Foundation
PO Box 336
Edinburg, VA 22824
or telephone Clyde Beachy at 540-984-9492
Edinburg Masonic Lodge
Hunter Lodge No. 135 A. F. & A. M.
The first meeting was held September 24, 1855 on a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Virginia to meet and form a lodge. Hunter Lodge No. 135 A. F. & A. M. (Ancient Free and Accepted Masons) was chartered on December 12, 1855. The present lodge hall was purchased on March 20, 1869. It is located at the corner of Main and Center Streets. Meetings are held the first Thursday in each month at 7:30 P. M.
The Masonic Temple is also the home for the Royal Arch Chapter No. 17 which was chartered December 15, 1868. The first High Priest was H. H. Riddleberger, who later served in the U. S. Senate from 1883 to 1889. The Chapter supports the Alzheimer's program. Meetings are held the third Tuesday in each month at 7:30 P. M.
A few general comments about the organization of Masonry follows.
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in existence. Written records date back to 1390. The Grand Lodge of Virginia is the oldest independent body in the United States.
The mission of Freemasonry is to build a better world through the process of building better men to live in it. It teaches the equality of man and the value of brotherly love, relief, and truth. It also teaches and practices charity toward all who are less fortunate. The various bodies of Masonry maintain hospitals for crippled children and burned children, contribute to blood banks, fund medical research, provide college scholarships, contribute to the eye foundation for the blind, and provide homes for the elderly and for orphans.
All Master Masons in good standing are most welcome to share in the fellowship of Hunter Lodge No. 135 and Royal Arch Chapter No. 17.
The contact for Hunter lodge is Joseph A. Williams, secretary, Telephone 540-477-2347.
The contact for Royal Arch Chapter is A. Marvin Wilkin, Secretary, Telephone 540-459-3474.
USDA Forest Service
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
Lee Ranger District
"Caring for the land and serving people." For over 50 years the George Washington National Forest has remained dedicated to managing resources, protecting the quality of the environment, and ensuring the productivity of the land.
Come experience this beautiful and historic land originally surveyed by George Washington, the site of the first CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) Camp in the United States, the lookout point used during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, several furnaces from the pig iron industry era, and more. Come spend time with us and discover all that awaits you in the Lee Ranger District.
We are the national forest closest to Washington, D. C. We are located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, between Front Royal and Harrisonburg, with acres that extend into West Virginia. Access to the forest is easy from I-81, I-66, SR 55, Rt. 211, Rt. 11, and Rt. 340.
The Lee Ranger District Office is located at 109 Mulineu Road, Edinburg, Virginia, 22824. Telephone number 540-984-4101. Fax number - 540-984-8989. Office hours are Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
Web-site link: www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/gwj/lee
Edinburg Heritage Foundation - Edinburg Masonic Lodge
USDA Forest Service - Camp Roosevelt CCC Legacy Foundation
Camp Roosevelt CCC Legacy Foundation
As the Great Depression swept across America, citizens and natural resources both suffered. Through the New Deal programs organized by President Roosevelt, the Civilian Conservation Corps program was born.
Camp Roosevelt, the first Civilian Conservation Camp in America, was established in the George Washington National Forest on the Massanutten Mountain in Fort Valley, Virginia on April 17, 1933. Edinburg, served as the primary operational supply center during the nine-years of CCC program existence and CCC history and heritage are deeply embedded in the overall region.
The Camp Roosevelt CCC Legacy Foundation was formed to create awareness for the vast legacy of projects and the contribution of enrollees who labored to renew our national resources and support their families. The Foundation's mission is to promote the heritage and legacy of Camp Roosevelt and the CCC. The goals of the Foundation are:
- Honor those who became stewards of the land
- Preserve the stories of the people and projects of the CCC
- Support the heritage and preservation of Camp Roosevelt
- Build community support for a CCC Interpretive Center
- Strengthen the CCC legacy.
The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit membership organization whose purpose is to: Remember the heritage of Camp Roosevelt and pass the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps to future generations.
The mailing address for the Foundation is:
Camp Roosevelt CCC Legacy Foundation
P. O. Box 341
Edinburg, VA 22824
For more information please visit our web site or email.
Email: ccc@ccclegacy.org
Web site: www.ccclegacy.org