Tears and Ashes 2008

Bus Tour Revisits Civil War History

Forty six persons joined the June 28 bus tour of historical sites in Elkton and other communities of northeastern Rockingham County, Va. Tour highlights included these: When the government carved out the Shenandoah National Park, it actually removed people who lived there from their homes. Lunch was served at Beldor Mennonite Church up Beldor Hollow Road, near the park. At a one-room school preserved by Delbert Wood, he noted that some of the early settlers were against the war, because they didn’t care about the North-South conflict. The tour visited the Miller-Kite House in Elkton and Zenda, a community founded by newly freed slaves after the Civil War. Here the group sang, “Bless be the tie that binds,” which “was very meaningful to tour participants,” says Steve Shenk, CrossRoads director. Al Jenkins, who is leading an effort to preserve Long’s Chapel and create a Zenda Heritage Center, was pleased to interact with Brethren and Mennonites whose ancestors opposed slavery, secession and war. Photos by Steve Shenk.

Dave Rodes tells of first settler in Elkton area, Adam Miller.	Casey Billhimere explains Miller Kite House
Dave Rodes, a tour leader, talks with Linda Bomberger and Debbie Bergey at Beldor MC.	Al Jenkins explains Long's Chapel at Zenda.