Staunton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Tobacco Barn
New Market for Tobacco
The completion of the James River and Kanawha Canal in Botetourt County in 1851 gave farmers like the Barger family access to tobacco markets in Richmond and Lynchburg. Increased tobacco production required a structure to cure tobacco before selling. This barn was built during the 1850s.
Curing the Plant
Tobacco barns are used to hang and cure tobacco leaves for sale and consumption. Flue holes in this barn suggest a flue-curing method in which heat from a chimney is used to dry the tobacco. However, there is no evidence of a fireplace, so it is more likely that the traditional air-drying method was used.
[Captions:]
Tobacco barn at its original site. It is being taken apart to move to the museum.
Tobacco grown at the museum drying in the barn.
Erected by Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia; Americana Corner; American Frontier Culture Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 38° 7.594′ N, 79° 2.642′ W. Marker is in Staunton, Virginia. It can be reached
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Main House (within shouting distance of this marker); Root Cellar (within shouting distance of this marker); Meat House (within shouting distance of this marker); Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Springhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Valley of Virginia, 1850s (within shouting distance of this marker); Appalachian Virginia, 1850s (within shouting distance of this marker); Valley of Virginia, 1820s (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staunton.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
