Woodstock in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mabel Lee Walton and Sigma Sigma Sigma

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2015

1. Mabel Lee Walton and Sigma Sigma Sigma Marker

Marker faces Main Street. Locust Street is visible on the left. The Walton House is one block behind the marker.

Inscription. The Mabel Lee Walton House at 225 N. Muhlenberg Street is the national headquarters of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, founded in 1898 at the State Female Normal School at Farmville (now Longwood University). The Walton family built the house in 1914, the year after Mabel Lee Walton became Tri Sigma’s third and ultimately longest-serving national president. During her 34 years as leader and almost 70 years of membership, she promoted ideals of integrity and service. Tri Sigma’s philanthropic efforts, including a campaign to eradicate polio in the 1950s, have aided hospitalized children throughout the country.

Erected 2014 by Department of Historic Resources. Sponsored by Marcia Cutter, Executive Director, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Inc. (Marker Number A-85.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 38° 53.011′ N, 78° 30.252′ W. Marker is in Woodstock, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street (U.S. 11) and Locust Street, on the right when traveling

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south on North Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodstock VA 22664, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1LT Charles Bare Gatewood (a few steps from this marker); The oldest business in Woodstock (within shouting distance of this marker); Fanny Stone (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shenandoah County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); Edinburg (about 500 feet away); Town of Strasburg (about 600 feet away); Shenandoah County Jail (about 600 feet away); New Market (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodstock.

More about this marker. The marker is on Main street, for maximum visibility. Tri Sigma headquarters is a block away on Muhlenberg Street. From the marker proceed west on Locust and turn right on Muhlenberg. The Walton House is on the left.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry for Sigma Sigma Sigma. “In the 1890s, the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia (now known as Longwood University) was the state’s first institution to open its doors to teacher education, at a time when higher education for women was a highly debated topic. Eight students (Margaret Batten, Louise Davis, Martha Trent Featherston, Isabella Merrick, Sallie

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2015

2. Mabel Lee Walton and Sigma Sigma Sigma Marker

Michie, Lelia Scott, Elizabeth Watkins, and Lucy Wright) formed a special bond while studying for their future teaching careers. Lelia Scott and Lucy Wright led the first meetings of their secret society, the S.S.S. Club, in 1897. On April 20, 1898, these women officially announced the founding of the Greek letter society known as Sigma Sigma Sigma.” (Submitted on October 3, 2015.)

The Mabel Lee Walton House, Headquarters of Sigma Sigma Sigma image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2015

3. The Mabel Lee Walton House, Headquarters of Sigma Sigma Sigma

View of the Walton House from the Sidewalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2015

4. View of the Walton House from the Sidewalk

Photographed By Forest McDermott, May 15, 2022

5. Mabel Lee Walton and Sigma Sigma Sigma Marker

Photographed By Forest McDermott, May 15, 2022

6. Mabel Lee Walton and Sigma Sigma Sigma Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,020 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on May 22, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 3, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on May 16, 2022, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania.