DAR to hold June 14 wreath-laying as part of VA250 activities in 2026
~ Press release provided by Shenandoah River Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
SHENANDOAH, Dec. 11 — The Shenandoah River Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) held its monthly meeting on Dec. 11, at the Town of Shenandoah Museum. Guest speaker was Rod Graves, Vice President of Luray Caverns Corporation and Chairman of the Page County VA250 Committee. Nancy Beatty, Regent of Shenandoah River Chapter DAR, is a member of the local committee.
In 2022, the Page County Board of Supervisors approved plans for Page County’s VA250 Committee to promote the history, stories, and culture of the county during the 2026 celebration of the semiquincentennial anniversary of the United States of America.
Graves spoke of the events planned in 2026 for Luray, Stanley, and Shenandoah. Specific efforts to educate and enrich the community feature an essay contest, a stopover by the Virginia Mobile History Museum (first stop in Page Valley on statewide tour), and a living history reenactment during Memorial Day weekend. Four bronze plaques — placed in each of the three towns and the county courthouse — will include a short story unique to their particular location and highlight religion, agriculture, industry, and the people of Page County.
Looking back at some particularly interesting county history, Graves noted facts concerning Page County natives of the 1700s: Isaac Strickler, who was present at the Boston Tea Party; Andrew Keyser, who was shot at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and participated in the Battle of Yorktown; and Marcus Grove, who built Graves’ home in 1760 or earlier. Another notable achievement was the production of the long rifle by the ironworks industry of the county.
The Shenandoah River Chapter DAR looks forward to participating with the Fort Harrison Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), in a June 14 wreath-laying ceremony at the Elk Run Cemetery in Elkton. Wreaths will be placed on the gravesites of Henry Miller and Henry Hammer to honor the service of these two soldiers in the American Revolution. Both men served in the Virginia Militia at Yorktown.
The Shenandoah River Chapter is proud to partner with VA250 to honor Page County during the 250th year of our country’s founding. The Page County Committee and the DAR are celebrating the county’s Revolutionary War heritage in Shenandoah during the 2026 Memorial Day weekend.
A memorial to 24 patriots will be dedicated on May 24 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Shenandoah by the Shenandoah River Chapter DAR and the Fort Harrison Chapter SAR.
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