Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitor Services 212 S. Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Media Contact: Brenda Black, Director of Tourism and Visitor Services [email protected] | cell: 540-820-5326 Jessica Williams, Harrisonburg Tourism Public Relations and Marketing Specialist [email protected] | office: 540-432-8937 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Harrisonburg, VA – Join us at the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 15th to celebrate 10 years of hospitality and tourism and the dedication of the Wilderness Road interpretive panel. Harrisonburg, with its wealth of natural springs and genuine hospitality, was a popular stopping point on the Wilderness Road. Many travelers along Virginia's Heritage Migration Route became permanent residents of our area, and that heritage is evident when you experience Harrisonburg! Travel and Tourism “The travel and tourism industry is a vital part of Harrisonburg’s local economy,” said Harrisonburg Mayor Christopher Jones. “It is through historic and innovative programs such as this that we attract visitors and new residents to our community, which in turn keeps Harrisonburg a lively and vibrant place to live, learn and visit.” “Hub and Spoke programs similar to the Wilderness road, Fields of Gold, and Civil War trails are key programs that increase visibility for our region and create a positive economic impact to our local businesses, said Director of Tourism, Brenda Black The Wilderness Road The Wilderness Road program grew over 10 years to improve the scope and accuracy of site development and interpretation along the historic US Route 11 known as the Wilderness Road - Virginia’s Heritage Migration Route. Funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, Virginia Tourism Corporation, and the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification Commission; hired Petersburg, Virginia firm, Studio Ammons to research and record a comprehensive inventory of significant historic resources from Winchester to southwestern Virginia and the Cumberland Gap. The period of significance for properties identified ranged from 1700 to 1850. There were 250 properties initially selected; prepared by the twenty-five participating communities along the Road. These sites were expanded to cover the entire region including 27 counties and 10 cities. Harrisonburg and the surrounding region are located on the Great Road that include five sites: • Mauzy Stagecoach Inn/Shops at Mauzy Intersection of Rt 11 & I81, north of Harrisonburg, Virginia • Hardesty-Higgins House/Valley Turnpike Museum 212 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia • Crossroads-Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center 1921 Heritage Center Way, Harrisonburg, Virginia • Heritage Museum/Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society 382 High Street, Dayton, Virginia • Daniel Harrison House 335 Main Street, Dayton, Virginia This early road system in Western Virginia is key to understanding the development and history of early America. The roads began as Native American pathways and 17th century trading routes, including the Warrior Path corresponding to the Great Wagon Road and the Carolina Road. These paths were supplemented by roads ordered as part of Indian treaties, such as the “Indian Road” cleared at the order of the Orange County Court from Fincastle to the New River negotiated as part of the treaty of Lancaster in 1745. Today, settlements along the routes contain many historic buildings and museums such as the Hardesty-Higgins House and Valley Turnpike museum that aid in the understanding of the westward movement through Virginia and the frontier in American history. “This road system in Western Virginia is key to understanding the development and history of early America,” says Virginia Tourism president and CEO Rita McClenny. “Today, settlements along the routes contain many historic buildings and museums that create a visitor experience for the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Schedule of Events 10:00am Welcome Brenda Black Mayor Christopher Jones – Hospitality & Tourism Unveiling of the Wilderness Road interpretive panel 10:30am-11:00am Light reception Heritage Bakery and Café 9:00am - 5:00pm House, Valley Turnpike Museum and Civil War Orientation Tours Kids Scavenger Hunt and Museum Detective games Rocktown Gift Shoppe 10th anniversary sale This event is free and open to the public For more information VisitHarrisonburgVA.com www.Wildernessroad-virginia.com ### .