Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia’s working farms and forests, battlefields and other historic sites, natural areas, parks and rivers are critical to its economy, culture and quality of life. In 1999, the assembly and governor established the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) to fund protection of these resources. The interactive map below depicts VLCF-grant projects funded since 2000.
| Name: | Woodworth Cottage |
|---|---|
| Category: | Historic Area Preservation |
| Grant Round: | FY23 |
| Acres: | 0.26 |
| Locality: | Shenandoah County |
| Management Agency: | Virginia Board of Historic Resources |
| Owner: | Private |
| ConserveVirginia: | Cultural & Historic Preservation |
| Amount Awarded: | $135,000.00 |
| Applicant: | Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation |
| Latitude: | 38.647507 |
| Longitude: | -78.672538 |
| Description: | The Woodworth Cottage is located in the Town of New Market in Shenandoah County and is a contributing resource to the New Market Historic District. The property is a 0.26 acre lot with a 3,468 square foot building constructed between 1865 and 1867. The property was owned by Jessie Hainning Rupert, a teacher, who taught white children in the building during the day in what was called the “Cottage Institute,” and African American students at night in what was called the “Woodworth Cottage.” A Union sympathizer and abolitionist during the war, Jessie was not well liked in New Market and few in town would associate with her. There was very little support for her school and the opposition of the school from the whites in town caused attendance to decrease. Eventually, due to the lack of funding and the establishment of Virginia’s free school system, Jessie closed the school in 1870. Today, the property is vacant and will soon be listed for sale. The Foundation is requesting VLCF funds to acquire the property, and will convey a historic preservation and open-space easement to the Va. Board of Historic Resources. The Foundation plans to use the first floor as a museum and exhibit on the role of women and African American’s during the Civil War and Reconstruction. |
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