The Stonewall Brigade Band

The Stonewall Brigade Band

The Stonewall Brigade Band was created prior to the Civil War, over a hundred and fifty years ago.  It is now a community band that calls Staunton, Virginia home and is the oldest continuous community band in the nation. In 1854, David W. Drake organized a musical...
The German School

The German School

Ruth Swortzel Porter shares with us the history of the German School just outside of Waynesboro in Augusta County.  She is a descendant of the Hildebrands and her article is wonderfully researched. On July 25th 1823, seven leaders of the Mennonite community around...

Let’s Hear It For The Mule

Have you ever wondered while driving by or down Mule Academy Road in Fishersville how it got its name? Many years ago, a man living down the then dirt road in the hollow did indeed train mules to do many chores. They were an economic necessity and he had a thriving...
High Society in Waynesboro

High Society in Waynesboro

At the time that it was built, 1890, the Brandon Hotel was in Basic City, not yet a part of Waynesboro.  It opened on Thanksgiving Day to a grand feast and a brass band from Charlottesville.  Two hundred people were invited and four hundred showed up.  It was the...