~ PVN staff report
SHENANDOAH — The Town of Shenandoah invites the community to come and celebrate the first anniversary of its Museum and Welcome Center during an Open House from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21.
Hundreds of visitors over the past 12 months have explored the unique artifacts and displays that can be found at the museum, such as a seating chart of the U.S.Congress featuring John F. Kennedy and a 1936 German-published biography of Adolph Hitler. The museum is the apex of memorabilia from the U.S.S. Shenandoah and has drawn visits from past crew members and officers. Military displays include uniforms and medals from both World Wars and the years following.
In March, the museum announced the installation of a high-definition camera on the exterior of the building to offer online views of the trains that pass by every day. As the only working railroad yard between Hagerstown, Md. and Roanoke, Va., the museum’s wide windows facing the tracks also offers visitors a close-up view.
The camera offers rail fans 24/7 live-streaming of trains. The livestream can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeobM0g9mH4
and the Town’s website at www.townofshenandoah.com (select “visitors” from the primary navigation and then “live railyard camera” from the dropdown menu).
The facility being celebrated during the June 21 Open House served several purposes when it opened a year ago. Funded in part by CARES Act funds, the facility serves as the Town of Shenandoah’s COVID-19 Information Center, as well as a Visitors Center to direct tourist to local attractions. However, the biggest draw for the former office and retail space is the museum aspect and the artifacts’ interesting ties to local, national and world history.
Years earlier, Town Hall had begun to compile and display historical items donated to the Town. However, the generosity and interest of the community grew to a point where it became difficult to display everything that had been given. So, new space was needed and the Town of Shenandoah now enjoys a beautiful space to display pieces of its history and heritage, deeply rooted in the railroad.
From sports memorabilia from the Comer brothers (who played professional baseball), to a portrait of the Town’s first doctor and its first police officer, the museum holds a lot of local history. Hundreds of articles, clippings, photographs and other resources can be researched.
The Open House next Wednesday will also showcase the new Children’s Room, where visitors can register to win Lego sets for children 2-5 years of age and for those 6 years-plus.
Light refreshments will be served.
The Town of Shenandoah Museum and Visitors Center is located at 507 First Street near Town Hall and across from The Boxcar Cafe.
Learn more about the Town of Shenandoah Museum and Welcome Center at www.townofshenandoah.com/community/page/town-museumwelcome-center .
For questions, call Museum Curator, Lora Jenkins, at (540) 652-8773.
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