09/12/2026
Town of Shenandoah Museum to Host Three Special Events in September and October
SHENANDOAH, Va. — The Town of Shenandoah Museum will host three special events on September 25, September 26, and October 3, offering residents and visitors opportunities to remember local and military history, explore the heritage of the Shenandoah Valley, and meet a local author.
USS Shenandoah AD-44 Reunion — September 25
At 12:30 p.m. on September 25, USS Shenandoah AD-44 shipmates will gather at the Town of Shenandoah Museum, 507 First Street, Shenandoah, Virginia, for a reunion and remembrance program.
The gathering will include speakers and a special time to honor and remember shipmates who have passed away. Following the program, attendees will proceed to Big Gem Park for an early dinner.
The USS Shenandoah AD-44 was a destroyer tender designed and equipped to repair destroyer-type ships without requiring them to dock. The ship carried 87 officers and 1,413 enlisted crew members.
The Town of Shenandoah Museum is home to a large collection of USS Shenandoah memorabilia donated by former shipmates. The collection helps preserve the history and legacy of the ship and those who served aboard her.
For more information about the USS Shenandoah AD-44, visit www.thetoughtender.com.
Guest Speaker Robert Moore II — September 26
On September 26 at 2:00 p.m., the Town of Shenandoah Museum will welcome Robert Moore II as a guest speaker. The program will be held at the museum, located at 507 First Street, Shenandoah, Virginia.
A native of Page County, Moore is perhaps best known locally for his long-running Heritage & Heraldry column, which appeared in the Page News & Courier from 1997 through 2010. He is also the author of published works about Page County, including Tragedy in the Shenandoah Valley.
Since 2019, Moore has devoted considerable time to studying ancestry as interpreted through DNA, with a particular focus on Y-DNA. He currently serves as administrator or co-administrator of several online Y-DNA projects and travels annually to locations in Europe to investigate the historical background of discoveries involving ancient DNA.
Moore’s presentation will focus on Southern Unionists in the Shenandoah Valley, offering attendees an opportunity to learn more about a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of the region’s history.
Meet the Author Katie Barlow — October 3
On October 3 at 2:00 p.m., the Town of Shenandoah Museum will host Katie Barlow, a native of Stanley, Virginia, for a special Meet the Author program.
Barlow will discuss her first book, The Boy with Red Hair. The program will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet the local author, hear about her book, and learn more about her journey as a writer.
The event will also include a special activity for children. Museum Curator Lora Turner will lead a craft for children, making the program a fun experience for young readers and families.
For more information about Katie Barlow, visit www.katiebarlowauthor.com.
The Town of Shenandoah Museum invites residents, families, visitors, history enthusiasts, and members of the surrounding communities to attend these special programs and discover the stories, people, and heritage that help make the Shenandoah Valley unique.
Town of Shenandoah Museum
507 First Street
Shenandoah, VA 22849
