The valley is of great historical importance.  It was the center of some of the most important battles during the civil war and experienced what is called the "great burning".  The valley was the bread basket for Southern forces and in the summer of 1863 the Northern forces burned many barns and fields to deprive the Southern army of food.  After the war, farm owners that could prove they were loyal to the north received compensation for their lost property.  These personal stories have only recently been discovered in our Library of Congress in Washington and are being retold in 7 new books by two local authors.  They also tell the story of how this area was a part of the Underground Railroad to help slaves from the south make their way to Canada.  A Shirk family member played an interesting part in this story.  It will be told at the reunion. 

        The Valley also has many museums within an hour's drive of Harrisonburg.  In addition to several Civil War museums others include:  the outdoor Museum of Frontier Culture that recreates farming practices of the different ethnic groups that settled the valley; Museum of the Shenandoah; the Black Friars Theater in Staunton (a recreation of the Globe Theater in England); P. Buckley Moss Museum; Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library in Staunton and an antique quilting museum in Harrisonburg.  For younger people there is a water park within 30 minutes of Harrisonburg and a safari park with more than a 100 wild animals that roam free.  You can feed the animals from your car window.

         We hope to expand the list of family members who attend our reunion.  Special time and effort will be given to making new family connections and giving time to share stories with new and older members.  If you have thoughts or ideas that you would like to see incorporated into the next reunion please let us know.  You can send your ideas or comments to Verne Schirch at vrnschurch856@gmail.com.   More information will be forthcoming in the months ahead, including a registration form and costs. We expect to have a program by Feb. 2010.  

        For more information about area attractions and motel accommodations see the EMU web site at: http://www.emu.edu/     On the home page click on "visit" and you will get a menu that lists area accommodations and click on "area attractions" to get a fuller list of what is available in the area close to Harrisonburg.  A dorm will be open to our reunion so that families or groups can come early and use the dorm as a home base to explore the area.  The dorm has airconditioning and is arranged as two or three bedroom suites with a common living space and a common bathroom.  The rates are less expensive than area motels but are clean and pleasant.  The dorm will be available only the week during the reunion as after the reunion the rooms will be made ready for incoming students.  If you have questions about motels, dorms or camping please contact me at vrnschurch856@gmail.com.

Verne Schirch