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    • Beginnings, 1732-1783
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    • Two Peoples, One Community: The African American Experience in Newtown (Stephens City), Virginia, 1850-1870
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    • Early Days and Methodism in Stephens City, Virginia
    • Life of a Potter, Andrew Pitman
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      • The Worst First: Novel Plagues Hit America (1492-1758)
      • Running to the Hill: Smallpox and Sanitation in Colonial Times (1758-1760)
      • Another Scourge Among Many: Epidemics in the Civil War (1861-1865)
      • The Spanish Flu: The Story of Gervis Lemley (1918-1919)
      • It Didn’t Fade: Mildred Lee Grove and Tuberculosis (1930s-Late Twentieth Century)
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Newtown History Center

Explore the 2nd Oldest Town in the Shenandoah Valley

Archeology

The archeological investigations at the Stone House began by late 2001 and were conducted by Thunderbird Archeological Associates, Inc. This initial phase of excavations was characterized by the digging of test pits at intervals on the lot around the structure. In large measure this investigation confirmed what we already suspected: that there was a significant amount of dirt infill from the twentieth century all around the rear of the structure. But, as the official report from June of 2004 stated, these test pits “showed evidence of the presence of an undisturbed historic ground surface” in those areas. In other words, future excavations that remove the twentieth century infill layers down to that undisturbed historic ground surface will most likely yield significant information about the material lives of the inhabitants of the Stone House.

The scope of those early investigations conducted by Thunderbird Archeological Associates did not go so far as to answer the questions we are now facing about the historical appearance of the rear of the Stone House. The excavations conducted by James Madison University students under the direction of Dr. Dennis Blanton in the winter of 2015, and the investigations performed by Rivanna Archaeological Services in the summer of 2016 have helped us get a glimpse into the historical appearance of the rear yard behind the Stone House. Future excavations will yield more information and we hope that someday we will have a complete picture of how the back yard of the Stone House looked in 1830.

Stone House Restoration Project Progress Updates

  • The Preservation Trades Challenge
  • The Last of the Shingles Have Arrived!
  • The People in Mr. Gainer’s Painting
  • Stone House Restoration Project
  • History of Ownership
  • Hybrid Drawings
  • Dendrochronology Study of the Log Addition
  • Behind the Plaster
  • Archeology

Upcoming Events

What We Do

With the town of Stephens City as its focus, the Foundation seeks to interest and engage residents, visitors, scholars and students in the events, lifeways and material culture of the region. We also strive to promote the preservation of the buildings, artifacts and landscapes that are associated with the history of the town of Stephens City.

Current Hours of Operation

For current hours of operation please click here.

History Center Location

PO Box 143 (USPS Mail)
5408 Main Street (FedEx/UPS Deliveries)
Stephens City, VA 22655-0143

Phone: (540) 869-1700
E-mail: info@newtownhistorycenter.org

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