New Market, Virginia

New Market is the southern-most town of Shenandoah County, located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. The town is cradled by the Massanutten and Blue Ridge Mountains to the East and on the West by the Alleghany Mountains. There is just something magical here, how could it not be with a river that flows north and majestic underground rooms?

Road Trip to History

"The Great Valley Road"

New Market, VA

By: Oak Tree Productions

This wonderful DVD is now available for purchase through the New Market Area Chamber of Commerce. This is a fabulous outline of the rich history of the New Market Area. Cost of the DVD is $19.50. Call 540-740-3212 to reserve your copy today!

New Market Walking Tours

Tours are offered focusing on different aspects of the historic town of New Market.

New Market: An All-American Town Through this tour you will stroll along the timeworn streets of New Market's Historic Dirstrict. Guides will highlight the most colorful stories of the citizens of New Market from colonial times to the present. Tour runs March - November on Monday and Saturdays 10:30 am.

Boys, Bugles and Skirts: The Civil War in a Small Town Walk the streets where Stonewall Jackson's troops marched and hear the different perspectives of the Civil War through the stories of New Market's citizens. Tour runs May - October on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:30 am and Sundays at 5:30 pm

Allow 90 minutes for each tour, reserve tickets by calling 540-325-9529 between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm or visit www.new-market-virginia-walking-tours.com


	The Shenvalee The name, chosen by the owner and New Market newspaper publisher, John G. Miller, comes from a combination of three words: Shenandoah - Virginia - Lee, hence Shen-Va-Lee or "Shenvalee" The Shenvalee is located on historic ground owned by Valentine Sevier as part of his 378 acre plantation granted him by Lord Fairfax on July 21, 1749, which he deeded to his son John, who became Gen. Sevier and the first Governor of Tennessee. The Shenvalee is located on the central part of the plantation. The Shenvalee is popular among locals and tourists alike. There is a now a 27-hole golf course, lounge, fine dinning and accomodations offered on this majestic setting.

Why New Market is so named?:

The land was granted by King Charles II to Lord Culpepper and eventually passed to Lord Fairfax. The town was first known as Cross Roads due to the fact it was the intersection of two principal Indian Trails. Gen. John Sevier, noted Indian fighter, revolutionary patriot, and founder & Governor of Tennessee, is generally credited with being the founder of the town. New Market derives its name from New Market, England, the site of the famous racetrack. In the early days, there was a racetrack in New Market, Virginia, just about a mile long to the west of the town. The name was officially recorded on December 14, 1796.

Claim to Fame:

color guard 06 reenact

New Market's place in history became secure on May 15, 1864 when a force of Federal troops under Gen. Franz Sigel was routed by Confederates under the command of Gen. John C. Breckenridge, following a fierce battle in mud and rain west and north of the town. The tide of the battle was turned by the historic charge of the Virginia Military Institute Cadets from Lexington, Virginia, who were moved into a breach on the Confederate line at the Bushong House, a mile north of town! There are still many buildings standing within the town (and several still owned by the same families) that served the troops during "The War". (Be certain to visit New Market Battlefield State Historical Park)