Special Collection/Archives/Museum:
The Germanna Foundation
Posted by: Charlene S. Nibblins on July 22, 2022
Pictures taken by: Charlene S. Nibblins 7/22/2022
The Germanna Foundation which is now known as The Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies in Virginia, Inc was organized in 1956. The Brewdus Martin Fort Germanna Visitor Center, Museum and Genealogy Library is the home of this Germanna Foundation. This building was built in the year 2000 by a Germanna descendant Douglas Harnsberger. The mission of the visitor center is to continue efforts to learn and share the history of this frontier landscape serving the public.
The Germanna Foundation focuses on genealogy, history, and family of Fort Germanna. The Visitor Center, Library, Museum is in Locust Grove Virginia right off the campus of the original Germanna Community College Campus. There is adequate signage which can be seen from Route 3 on the drive onto campus. The drive is just a short distance from the college entrance and is well within walking distance from the college. It includes separate parking and there is no entrance fee, but all donations are welcome, either in the form of cash or online at the website of Germanna Foundation.org. It houses walking trails, a memorial garden, and timeline markers with local history throughout the grounds.
Pictures taken by: Charlene S. Nibblins 7/22/2022
The physical space is easy to access and handicap accessible with designated parking and a ramp leading into double doors with a hand press outside the main entrance. The inside is not big, but it is laid out in such a way that it is welcoming for all. There were two older Caucasian ladies on staff who were most pleasant and offered a short tour. You are allowed to browse on your own, but I recommend the tour. This tour took about 45 minutes. It was impressive. There were only five visitors inside including myself. The other visitors were walking the nature trails or sitting in the memorial garden out back beside the Hitt Archaeology Center also located on the property. By the number of vehicles in the parking lot, there were quite a few.
Pictures taken by: Charlene S. Nibblins 7/22/2022
The numbered plaques tell the history of Fort Germanna and its descendants. This history represents the German colonists who immigrated to America and started a new life at Fort Germanna. The seals above the plaques represent the house from which those descendants came as well. The beautiful chairs around the walls where crafted and sold during those times also. For more information, please visit the website www.germanna.org.
Kelly says:
This looks like a great space and use of outdoor/indoor spaces to tell a historical story. I didn’t know it existed but would be interested in taking that tour, myself! I’m especially curious about that archaeology center and whether they have any relationships with surrounding museums that are a little bigger, with a wider audience.
Casey Browning says:
This is a very charming library. I love all the unique details, especially the walking trails. It seems like a great place to conduct research. I loved all the pictures you took.
mhibb004 says:
The Germanna Foundation Museum Library sounds really interesting. Is their collection open to the public? I could see it being of particular interest to family members, researchers, staff of the museum, and even authors. Thanks for sharing!
sbeve001 says:
Looks like a pretty interesting Museum library. The pictures you took are beautiful. By it being German descendants not a lot of diversity in patrons or staff? Thanks for sharing about this library.
Jennifer Mays says:
I like the pictures of the Germana Foundation Museum Library! It looks like an interesting library to visit. I haven’t heard of Fort Germana. I may look into it, as some of my ancestors are German. I like how there is an inside and outside area of the library. There must be a lot to see and learn there!