The June 1949 cloudburst over the Reddish Knob area was a significant event in the history of Shenandoah Mountain.  The little town of Stokesville was wiped out, and Bridgewater experienced a historic flood, as did farms and homes along the North River.  The mountainsides slid away under the weight of 15 inches of rain in one day. The families who were affected have stories that they have passed down to their children and grandchildren.  

​Come and hear more about the Flood of 1949 from a panel of speakers:

• Nancy Sorrells, Augusta County historian
• Aubrey Urbanowicz, WHSV Chief Meteoroligist
• Linda Michael Kelley, Stokesville flood survivor
• Leslie Jopson Bulken, Bridgewater flood survivor
• Lynn Cameron, Friends of Shenandoah Mountain

When:  Monday, Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Where:  Augusta County Government Building, 
              18 Gov Center Ln, Verona, VA 24482

Free and open to the public.

Read about the flood and see historic photos at Flood of 1949 on our web site.

Explore the rich variety of butterflies on Shenandoah Mountain with Master Naturalist John Holden and photographer Jeannie Holden. We will begin at Briery Branch Lake and drive to several flower-filled clearings along the road to Reddish Knob.

This will be a patient , slow paced “ walk “ and a group effort to find species in mixed habitats.

This is a great opportunity to learn and have fun at the same time.
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Registration required.  Children are welcome.

 Learn more and sign up.​​​
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Lynn Cameron, Co-Chair of Friends of Shenandoah Mountain, and Caroline Whitlow, a JMU Social Work major, teamed up to research the flood and interview survivors.  The result is a series of stories about what happened on Shenandoah Mountain and in the Stokesville area.

• Cloudburst on Shenandoah Mountain
• Stokesville is Gone!
• The Cramer Family
• The Michael and Emmett Families
• The 4-H Campers and Girl Scouts
• Harry (Doc) Jopson's Story
• After the Flood:  Flood Prevention​​

We are grateful to Bridgewater College Special Collection, James Madison University Libraries, the Augusta County Historical Society, the Bridgewater Historical Society, and the George Washington National Forest North River Ranger District for their assistance and use of their photographs and other resources.  We are especially grateful to all the flood survivors and their decendents who shared their stories and their photographs:  Alan Cramer, Gay Michael Emmett, and Dorwon Emmett, Lee Beam, Mike and Bootsie Twitchell, Leslie Bulken, and the late Harry (Doc) Jopson.

Dr. Clarence Geier, Professor Emeritus of James Madison University, gave an engaging presentation on the early history of Stokesville on May 23, 2018, in Bridgewater.  Dr. Geier has given Friends of Shenandoah Mountain permission to share his presentation with those who were unable to attend.

Many thanks to Dr. Geier for presenting research that he, Dr. Carole Nash, and Dr. Skip Hyser did this boom town at the base of Shenandoah Mountain.  It's a fascinating story!

Dr. Geier and Dr. Nash are writing a book on Stokesville that will be published by the Archaeological Society of  Virginia with the permission of the U.S. Forest Service.  

Almost 70 participants and guides gathered at the base of Shenandoah Mountain on Saturday, April 28, to go on our annual wildflower hikes.  Participants had a choice of three hikes:

• Hone Quarry
• North River Gorge
• Todd Lake area

The wildflowers were a little late to bloom this year, but we were able to find some real beauties and the scenery was stunning.  Enjoy this gallery of photos, all from the 2018 Shenandoah Mountain Wildflower Walks. 

Headwaters Master Naturalists and Friends of Shenandoah Mountain cosponsored this event.  Stay tuned.  We plan to offer wildflower hikes again next April.

Have you been wanting to explore the proposed Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area, but aren't sure where to start?  Friends of Shenandoah Mountain has developed a web page with several recommended short hikes on Shenandoah Mountain.   For each hike you will find a hike description, directions to the trail head, photos, and a map.  

Go to:  Short Hikes on Shenandoah Mountain 

We have also developed a "Short Hikes on Shenandoah Mountain" brochure (shown below), which is available at local outdoor stores and at White's Wayside on Rt. 250.  

Our annual spring wildflower walks will be held o Saturday, April 28 this year.  These walks are a great opportunity to explore the beauty of Shenandoah Mountain and find a variety of wildflowers.  Each hike will have a wildflower expert to help identify flowers.

Choose from three walks:

• Hone Quarry​​ - 4 miles. Hike to a waterfall and see wildflowers along the way.
• Todd Lake area - 1 mile.
• North River Gorge - 2 miles

Register to attend at headwatersmn.org/2018-wildflower-walks-on-shenandoah-mountain/

Cosponsored by Friends of Shenandoah Mountain and Headwaters Master Naturalists

Dr. Carole Nash, Associate Professor, Department of Integrated Science and Technology, James Madison University, will give a presentation on "Native Americans at the Western Edge of the Shenandoah Valley." 

The high mountains that border the western Shenandoah Valley drain to three watersheds that were occupied by Native peoples for thousands of years.  Join us as we explore how the Shenandoah Mountain system was first settled by the First Americans.

When:  Saturday, March 31, 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Where:  Bridgewater Municipal Building, Arey Assembly Hall, 201 Green St., Bridgewater, VA 22812

This program is free and open to the public.

Come and learn more about Shenandoah Mountain!
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Sponsored by Friends of Shenandoah Mountain