Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Abingdon

By Amy Wilson, September 18, 2005

1. Abingdon Marker

Inscription. First known as Wolf Hills, land was patented here by Dr. Thomas Walker in 1750. Black's Fort was built, 1776. The town of Abingdon was established in 1778 as the county seat of Washington County. A courthouse, built about 1800, was replaced in 1850. In 1862 the church bells were melted for cannon. In Stoneman's raid, December, 1864, the town was partly burned. A new courthouse was built, 1869.

Erected 1941 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number K-49.)

Location. 36° 42.598′ N, 81° 58.587′ W. Marker is in Abingdon, Virginia, in Washington County. Marker is on West Main Street (U.S. 11) near Cummings Street (U.S. 58). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 West Main Street, Abingdon VA 24210, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Abingdon in the Civil War (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Martha Washington College (about 400 feet away); Boyhood Home of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston (about 500 feet away); Barter Theatre (about 600 feet away); Stonewall Jackson Female Institute (about 600 feet away);

By J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

2. Abingdon Marker

Governor John B. Floyd (about 700 feet away); John Campbell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Governor David Campbell (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abingdon.

Also see . . . Abingdon History. “The Depression, while causing the downfall of lumbering and the Martha Washington College, brought to Abingdon one of its greatest treasures: the Barter Theatre. In 1933, Robert Porterfield gathered 22 fellow actors and headed to Abingdon, a town located near his hometown of Glade Spring, Virginia. Here, he established the idea of ‘ham for Hamlet,’ bartering foodstuffs in exchange for a ticket to the theatre. Playwrights, including Noel Coward, Tennessee Williams, and Thornton Wilder, agreed to accept ham as royalties. One exception was George Bernard Shaw, a vegetarian, who bartered the rights to his plays for spinach. Barter Theatre became the State Theatre of Virginia in 1946, with help from Eleanor Roosevelt; and in 1965 Lady Bird Johnson bartered a potted plant for a ticket. Barter’s heritage is rich and colorful and includes many famous thespians: Ernest Borgnine, Hume Cronyn, Gregory Peck, and Ned Beatty, just to name a few!”

Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum image. Click for full size.

By J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

3. Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum

On Main Street half a block from the marker.

(Submitted on August 20, 2011.)

Categories. • Colonial Era • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil •

Fantasy on Parade image. Click for full size.

By J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

4. Fantasy on Parade

2005 Bronze by David Spence. In Main Street Park, at the entrance to Barter II theatre. Plaque reads “Given in loving memory and celebration of the life of Genevieve Elizabeth Ferreira by family and friends.”

Midsummer Play Fountain image. Click for full size.

By J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

5. Midsummer Play Fountain

2009 bronzes by Charles Vess and David Spense “inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is at the entrance to Main Street Park at West Main Street and Partington Place. “Titania, queen of the fairies, is surrounded by Puck, fairies and her woodland friends.”

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on May 19, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 962 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 19, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 20, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Virginia.

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