Only 15 minutes from the historic Manassas Battlefields, Fauquier County is rich in Civil War history.
Check out these museums and historic sites for yourself, take a guided tour, or research your own
history - Fauquier has three facilities which specialize in collecting local history including family records.

phone (540) 423-1700
e-mail: foundation@germanna.org
website: www.germanna.org

Germantown was Fauquier County’s first permanent settlement. It was founded by
German miners brought to the Rappahannock River valley by Alexander Spotswood, then
lieutenant governor of Virginia, in the early 1700’s to excavate iron ore found on his
property. As the name suggests, it was home to a large group of German immigrants
whose names survive in the County today. Common Fauquier names such as Fishback,
Rector, Kemper, and Hitt all date back to this early settlement.
The modern-day boundaries of this settlement are Meetze Road along the northeast and
Germantown Road along the southwest. The population of Germantown shifted around
during the 1800s, following the popularity of the new Warrenton Road.

e-mail: SFHSINC@GMAIL.COM
website: www.fauquierhistorylive.org

Southern Fauquier Historical Society, Inc. is a group of everyday people joined together for
the purpose of documentation, preservation, and education of future generations on the
history, culture and growth of Fauquier County and the surrounding areas.  Our interests
are not limited to one period time, culture or interest.  Our purpose is to promote the belief
that a community’s history is an integrated fabric of both physical and social elements
embracing all social, cultural and ethnic groups woven together through a series of
events.  The factual presentation of these events without censorship or revisionism is
critical to preserving our heritage.
To this purpose we strive to preserve history by on going educational programs related
to the history of Fauquier County; and provide a venue for researchers and genealogist
to both research and share their findings with other lay and professional historians.
Our membership meetings are the third Tuesday of the month.  We hope you will join us.