Rocktown History, named for Harrisonburg’s early nickname, “Rocktown,” serves as the regional history center for Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. It stewards historical collections, develops exhibits, hosts lectures, and supports research into the area’s past. Its work encompasses not only the Valley’s Anabaptist communities, but also the broad mosaic of Native, African American, German American, English American, immigrant, and other stories that have shaped the region.
Rocktown History’s particular strength is its research collection. Its Genealogy & Research Library and archives contain books, photographs, original documents, family histories, unique genealogical materials, and other records relating to local people and communities. Visitors have access to the collections and a number of genealogical databases and, with advance planning, can work with staff or volunteers on specific research questions. Paid research services are also available for those who cannot visit in person.
The museum exhibits add another dimension to the research experience, telling the stories of Shenandoah Valley residents who opposed war, especially in the context of the Civil War.
Visitors interested in deepening their experience of the Anabaptist History Trail can use Rocktown History as a starting point for understanding the broader Valley context: how Anabaptist communities related to their German Lutheran and Reformed neighbors and their Presbyterian neighbors, how the Civil War landscape affected all communities, how the modern Valley developed economically and socially, and how the layered heritage continues to shape Harrisonburg and Rockingham County today.