Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Catherine B. Conrad

1836–1902

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 26, 2007

1. Catherine B. Conrad - 1836-1902 Marker

Inscription. This house was built for Kate Conrad in 1889. Member of a prominent Winchester family, she devoted her life to educational and religious activities. She was an administrator for the Slater Trust of Boston, which sought to educate former slaves during the reconstruction. She established the “Training School for Colored Cooks,” a free Winchester Institution. She was a founding member of the Confederate Memorial Association. Kate never married. According to one obituary, she was engaged to Richard Ashby, 7th Virginia Cavalry, who was killed in 1861. Other family lore says she was engaged to General Turner Ashby, Richard’s brother, who died in battle in 1862. The three are buried in Mt. Hebron.

“A Well Spent Life”
Winchester Star 11/25/02

Erected by City of Winchester, Virginia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 39° 11.163′ N, 78° 10.157′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. It is on Amherst Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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

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are within walking distance of this marker: Daniel Morgan House (a few steps from this marker); A "Malicious Design" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas, Sixth Lord Fairfax of Cameron (about 600 feet away); Little-Holiday House (about 600 feet away); Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sheridan’s Headquarters (approx. 0.2 miles away); Handley Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert Orrick (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Also see . . . Biography of Turner Ashby. (Submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. Date
Is the 11/25/02 a 21st Century date or was it from the paper printed in 1902 when she died? Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted March 3, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas.

The Conrad House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 26, 2007

2. The Conrad House

The Ashby Brothers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 15, 2007

3. The Ashby Brothers

Both Ashby brothers are buried in a shared grave in Mt. Hebron Cemetery, in the Confederate section.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,120 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on February 22, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.