Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

Our History

Rose Hill

 

Located on a walking trail just under one mile in length, seven interpretive signs tell the story of the First Battle of Kernstown. (Upper Picture)

The 1950s view of Rose Hill shows the Federal-style addition that adjoins the original log structure. The oldest portion of the Rose Hill house dates back to 1790. (Lower Picture)

 

Pictured in text

General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson commanded the southern troops in the First Battle of Kernstown.

 

Note

The Rose Hill grounds and walking trail are available for group tours by advance appointment. For reservation and fee information, email the MSV Tour Coordinator.

 

Quickfact

General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson commanded the Southern troops at the First Battle of Kernstown. His absence from the battle's front lines was a crucial error. He also failed to understand the extent of his opposing forces, and he did not communicate his battle plans to subordinates. The general never repeated his mistakes; this battle was his only tactical defeat of the war.

Jackson Portrait

Just as the Glen Burnie Historic House is the ancestral home of the Wood family, historic Rose Hill is the ancestral home of the Glass family. The two families became linked in 1832 with the marriage of Catherine Wood and Thomas S. Glass.

Located several miles from the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley's main Winchester campus, Rose Hill is an excellent example of a vernacular Federal-style house built by Irish immigrants. It also derives historic significance as the site of the Civil War's March 23, 1862 First Battle of Kernstown.

The site is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is an official project of Save America's Treasures, a private partnership between the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In addition to a Virginia Civil War Trails marker that offers interpretation on the perimeter of the property, the Rose Hill grounds include a walking trail with seven interpretative markers.

The Civil War Trails marker is accessible at any time, the walking trail is open for self-guided tours on the third Saturday of each month April through October from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.   Admission fees are: $6 adults, $5 seniors and youth (7-18).  Children under age 6 and MSV Members are admitted free of charge.  The walking trail is just under one mile in length.

The Rose Hill house is not open for tours.

To arrange a group tour at Rose Hill , email the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley at tours@shenandoahmuseum.org. Information about Shenandoah Valley Civil War battlefields is available from the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.