New Market, Virginia - Established 1796

9401 Congress Street

Settlers first discovered the New Market area's fertile lands, wild game, and minerals in 1727, nearly 300 years ago, with many of the first settlers being Germans of the Mennonite and Lutheran faiths, later joined by many Scots and Irish. The Town was founded by General John Sevier, a noted Indian fighter and revolutionary patriot, but the Town's effective history began in 1796 when it was established by a charter of the Virginia General Assembly. In 1806, German settlers established a printing and publishing business that was a foundation of New Market industry into the mid 19th century and by 1835, the Town had become a commercial and industrial center boasting a population of 700.

During the Civil War, situated on the main thoroughfare of the strategically important Shenandoah Valley, New Market played an active role, and Stonewall Jackson's troops marched through the Town on four occasions.

On May 15, 1864, the historically significant Battle of New Market took place in which teenage cadets of Virginia Military Institute (VMI) were pressed into service by Confederate General John Breckinridge in a successful effort to delay the North's march on Richmond, Virginia. That battle is reenacted each year in mid-May, on the grounds of the Hall of Valor Civil War Museum in New Market.

Congress Street in early 1900's

In 1972, the Town of New Market was designated a Historic District by the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission and registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark, and the Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which is maintained by the National Park Service.