Preserving Highland County's past for the enrichment of present and future generations
Some pages still under construction
Current Exhibits
In this exhibit we see where technology has come in the last 20 years. From 1890 – 1990 there were advancements; but since the creation of the cell phone, we carry our lives in our pockets. Music, pictures, correspondence, media - we are never out of touch.
Phone Dr. Billingsley brought with him from Kansas.
New For 2025
Quilts of Highland
A Patchwork of History
This year featuring pieced quilts
​​Opening March 7
The 2024 exhibit featured "Crazy" quilts.
Crazy quilts became popular in America in the late 1800’s and is thought to have been inspired by English embroidery and Japanese art.
Instead of using careful geometric shapes, crazy quilting uses irregular shaped and sized pieces of fabric.
Learn how a Civil War Battle fought in Highland County impacted Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign in 1862. A twenty-minute documentary film describes the actions of both armies.
See how disease affected the people of Highland during this period.
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Explore the stories of African-Americans during the Civil War.
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Orientation Center
Permanent Exhibits
Uniquely Highland
Illustrates the history of Highland County, which was formed in 1847 by combining land from the neighboring counties of Bath and Pendleton, and was named for it lofty elevation.
Previous Exhibits
2012
People & Perspectives
Highland In the Civil War
2015
Images of Highland's Past
Doug Puffenbarger's Photos
2016
Here Comes The Bride
2016
Highlanders in War
2019-2021
Early Handmade Furniture In Highland County
Click on picture to view exhibit
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2018
Artists and Artisans of Highland County's Past
2019
First Families 1785-1795
Preview of the Jones/McCoy Collection
part II
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2019
Preview of the Jones/McCoy
Collection
part I
![0[1] (2).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6f8730_01e5bca2cae247e6a150bfa6d7772f13~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_680,y_0,w_317,h_342/fill/w_171,h_184,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_avif,quality_auto/0%5B1%5D%20(2).jpg)
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2020-2021
Preview of the Jones/McCoy Collection
part II
The Sarah Samples Collection
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Sarah was a valued and active member of the Highland County community.
Serving as:
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Charter member, board member and past President of the Highland Historical Society.
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Docent of the Highland County Museum from its opening in 2005 until 2020.
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Charter member and board member of The Highland Center.
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Past President of the Highland Medical Center
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Board member of the Highland County Public Library, Highland Extension Homemakers, and the Monterey Garden Club
2022-2023
The history of Highland County through items from our collections and those on loan from old Highland families.
Dorcas Homan Sampler
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