Civil War Trails: Refreshing Rockingham’s Civil War Amenities

Two of Rockingham County’s Civil War amenities received a needed refresh last month. This will better position Rockingham as a destination for travelers. The project was the result of a unique partnership between Rockingham County’s Economic Development and Tourism department, Civil War Trails, Inc., the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, Town of Bridgewater, and Cross Keys Ruritan Club.

The Civil War Trails sites in Bridgewater and Cross Keys not only received new content but were slightly shifted to improve accessibility for visitors. The new content helps answer questions visitors have asked after previous visits, reflects a new scholarship about the historic events, and offers improved way finding to assist guests in finding other nearby amenities. The news comes on the heels of Melrose Caverns having joined the multi-state Civil War Trails program too.

These improvements are aimed at inspiring return trips for travelers who have visited previously and to help extend the stay of visitors who are just now exploring the region’s amenities. “This further enhances the variety of opportunities that visitors to the Shenandoah Valley appreciate,” said Josh Gooden, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Tourism for Rockingham County. Heightening the participation of Rockingham County and the Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Tourism Corporation continues to print the popular state-wide Civil War Trails brochure which helps promote these destinations to travelers from around the world.

Neil Sacra, President of the Cross Keys Ruritan Club and Gwen Gottfied from the Town of Bridgewater were pleased to see the signs improved for the benefit of travelers and regional residents. “The Town of Bridgewater appreciates CWT for their work to provide markers for these historical sites in our area,” said Gwen. Whereas the Ruritans saw this project as an extension of their mission to help instill a sense of history and patriotism. Although the product is educational Civil War Trails program is part of the local economy.

Last year, the Civil War Trails organization, its partners, and sites distributed nearly 200,000 map-guides to visitors – almost 60,000 more than the year prior. The map-guides are stocked in visitor and welcome centers in all six states of the program and alongside the digital marketing efforts resulted in visitors who tend to spend 3-4 nights during their trips, spending around $1,300 per trip. These dollars go right back into the hands of employees who work in the service industry and help add to the County’s tax base.

The new signs are located at 7 Bridges Park along S. Main Street., in Bridgewater, at 5094 Battlefield Rd., Harrisonburg and at Melrose Cavern, 6639 N. Valley Pike, Harrisonburg. Be sure to snap a #signselfie and post it with #civilwartrails when you visit. For more information call Civil War Trails at 757-378-5462 or navigate to www.visitrockingham.com.