Old Harrisonburg Guards photograph, 1877/1951

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Old Harrisonburg Guards photograph, late 19th - mid-20th century, SC 0429, James Madison University Special Collections, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.08 cubic feet 1 folder
Creator:
Green Valley Auctions, Inc.
Language:
English
Abstract:
A twentieth century facsimile photograph of the Old Harrisonburg Guards, a Shenandoah Valley militia, and handwritten annotations related to membership and history.
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Old Harrisonburg Guards photograph, late 19th - mid-20th century, SC 0429, James Madison University Special Collections, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

A twentieth century facsimile photograph of members of the Old Harrisonburg Guards, a Shenandoah Valley militia, standing in front of an unidentified building. Handwritten annotations relate to the company's membership and history.

The exact date of the photograph and accompanying notes is unknown. The mention of only two living members as of 1951 suggests that the notes at least partially date to circa 1951. Two dates - 1874 and 1888 - are present on the photograph.

Biographical / historical:

The Old Harrisonburg Guards, a local militia, was established in 1877 under the leadership of Captain O. B. Roller. Per a note on the back of the photograph, on May 10, 1892, the Harrisonburg Guards were called out by Governor Philip W. Mckenny to Winchester to guard the jail. On May 12, 1898, the Harrisonburg Guards, with E. W. Sullivan as captain, was mustered into service of the United States toward war efforts in Cuba as part of the Spanish-American War. The company, which became Company C of the 2nd Virginia Regiment, spent the bulk of their time during the summer of 1898 in Jacksonville, Florida. They returned to Harrisonburg on September 23, 1898 and were mustered out of service in December 1898.

Acquisition information:
Purchased at Green Valley Auctions, August 20, 2026.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Photographs
Names:
Green Valley Auctions, Inc.