The Rockbridge Historical Society
is a repository for much of the history
of Rockbridge County and Lexington.
Historical resources, artifacts, and
many publications and papers are
available for use by historians or
anyone who is researching the
history or people of this area.
The Society owns and maintains three historic properties in downtown Lexington: The Castle, Sloan House, and Campbell House (the Society’s headquarters). All are located on Society proptery between Randolph and Washington Streets across from the Visitor Center in Lexington. These properties serve as headquarters and rental properties. The rental income helps make it possible for the Society to continue an active program schedule while maintaining a modest membership fee.
The Society continues cataloging the Society's collection of historic artifacts and documents. Data on each item in the Society's collection is being assembled, reviewed, and prepared for entry into PastPerfect, our state-of-the-art museum software. Would you like to "adopt" an item in our collection? Volunteers are still needed to collect, review, and organize the data for one or more objects. Give her a call at 463-5767.
When the Rockbridge Historical Society was founded on August 9, 1939, its purpose was “collecting, preserving and disseminating all things relating to the history of the County of Rockbridge and the City of Lexington, Virginia.”
That is exactly what the Society has done for over five decades. The Society works to preserve area landmarks, place historical markers, collect objects and documents, and publish historical studies.
Rockbridge County is named for Natural Bridge, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. As a young man, George Washington surveyed the arch, and you may still see his initials carved in the rock. In 1774 Thomas Jefferson bought Natural Bridge from King George III. A few years later, in 1778, Rockbridge County was created from parts of neighboring Augusta and Botetourt Counties. The county seat, Lexington, was named for the town in Massachusetts where one of the first battles of the American Revolution took place.