Near Syria in Madison County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Mess Hall

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011

1. The Mess Hall Marker

Inscription. The photograph below shows one of several tables in the Mess Hall. Almost everyone ate their meals at the central dining room. This allowed more time for fishing and other outdoor recreation. The rug is of straw matting, in contrast to the Navajo rugs in the President’s Cabin.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.

Location. 38° 29.456′ N, 78° 25.2′ W. Marker is near Syria, Virginia, in Madison County. It can be reached from Rapidan Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at Rapidan Camp in Shenandoah National Park, at the end the Rapidan Fire Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Syria VA 22743, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia

and in the Piedmont.

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: The Creel (a few steps from this marker); Outdoor Fireplace (a few steps from this marker); Famous Town Hall Visitors (within shouting distance of this marker); Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Town Hall on Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Recreational Pursuits (within shouting distance

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of this marker); The President’s Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Hoover (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Syria.

More about this marker. Photos of the exterior and interior of the Mess Hall appear on the marker.

Also see . . . President Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover's Rapidan Camp. National Park Service website. (Submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker in Rapidan Camp image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011

2. Marker in Rapidan Camp

President and Mrs. Hoover and their guests would take their meals in a structure that was located at this site.

Site of the Mess Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2011

3. Site of the Mess Hall

The Mess Hall was located at this site, near the center of the Rapidan Camp.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 560 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.