Harrisonburg, Virginia · Published by Emberlight Studios
Updated October 2026 · 8 places · Harrisonburg
Quick answer
Our top picks are Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center, Explore More Discovery Museum and Larry W. Shifflett Fire Museum.
These eight museums, historic sites, and galleries are physically located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Addresses and descriptions are confirmed on Harrisonburg tourism or city pages; where no separate site was confirmed, the website field is left empty.
1921 Heritage Center Way, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center interprets the religious and cultural heritage of the Brethren and Mennonite communities. Visitors can tour its interpretive center, an 1800s homestead, and a schoolhouse.
Best for: local religious and cultural history
150 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Explore More is a children’s discovery museum with interactive, multisensory learning experiences. Its exhibits cover topics including medicine, farming, and theatre.
Best for: children and families
Free · 3rd Floor, Public Safety Building, 101 N. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The Larry W. Shifflett Fire Museum presents the history of the Harrisonburg Fire Department. Its collection includes uniforms, medals, a fire alarm, photographs, and equipment.
Best for: firefighting history
1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
The JMU Mineral Museum displays minerals from 39 countries and 24 U.S. states. The Harrisonburg tourism page lists regular visiting hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and the second Saturday of each month.
Best for: minerals and geology
212 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The Valley Turnpike Museum is inside the Hardesty-Higgins House, a building dating to circa 1848. Its exhibits trace the road’s history from its origins as a buffalo path through the toll-road era and the development of the interstate highway system.
Best for: local transportation history
620 Simms Ave., Harrisonburg, VA
The Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center includes a permanent exhibition about educator Lucy F. Simms and the school named in her honor. The school served African American students from Rockingham County and beyond from 1938 to 1965.
Best for: African American and education history
Free · 1164 Turner Ashby Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The Turner Ashby Monument stands at the site where Confederate General Turner Ashby was mortally wounded in 1862. The site has a monument, a small park, and Civil War interpretive signs; the tourism page says visitors and group tours are welcome.
Best for: Civil War history
150 Franklin St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The 150 Franklin Street Gallery is a multicultural fine arts gallery featuring original works by local and national artists in a variety of media. It also hosts community activities such as readings, meetings, and lectures.
Best for: local and multicultural art