The Northern Shenandoah Valley Branch of Preservation Virginia covers the counties of Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah and Page Counties and the City of Winchester. The Branch hold quarterly public meetings at historic sites that are not typically open to the general public, in order to educate the public about the wide variety of historic resources located within the Branch's territory. Historic properties that the Branch has opened to the public in the past two years include the Historic Zirkle Mill in Shenandoah County, the Thomas Marquis Springhouse/Dwelling in Frederick County, Springsbury Farm in Clarke County and Mountain Home in Warren County.

In 2008, the Branch adopted the restoration of Greenway Court in Clarke County as the Branch’s first project. Greenway Court was the colonial estate of Thomas, Lord Fairfax. From 1747 until his death 1781, Lord Fairfax administered his 5-million acre land holdings in Virginia from his Greenway Court home. The privately-owned property is now a National Historic Landmark and is held in conservation easement by Clarke County. In 2009, the Branch launched a successful campaign to raise matching funds to secure a state grant for emergency stabilization work. That work is now underway and expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

Since its founding in 2008, the Branch has played an active role in advocating for the preservation of important historic resources in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Through the Branch’s efforts, Georgetown University has agreed to incorporate Hohenheim, a Gothic Revival farmhouse, into its plans for a new retreat center in Clarke County, rather than demolish the house. The Branch was also instrumental in the proposed transfer of the Millbank House, which was used as a field hospital during the Third Battle of Winchester, from the Frederick County-Winchester Service Authority to the Fort Collier Civil War Center. That property transfer is expected to be finalized in November 2011.

For information about upcoming Branch activities, or to receive the Branch’s occasional newsletter, please contact Branch Director Bob Stieg.