It’s cold and flu season, which means people turn to their preferred doctor to alleviate coughing, sore throats, runny noses, and worse. In late 1800s and early 1900s Winchester, one of the men who filled that role was Dr. William Joseph Whitlock (1849-1921). An herbal physician and his own best salesman, Whitlock left behind several small medicine cabinets that advertised his “Whitlocks’ Renowned Remedies,” including one in the MSV Collection.

Carvings by folk artist John L. Heatwole (1948-2006).

For the past three years, the MSV has participated in the Virginia Association of Museums’ Top 10 Endangered Artifacts program. This year, the MSV is nominating a copper still pot, cap, and coils used in the late 1800s by the James C. Foltz Distillery in Edinburg, Virginia until state officials enacted Prohibition in 1916.

People in the Shenandoah Valley celebrated the holidays in ways that have long since disappeared. Discover a once popular Valley holiday tradition that involved mystery, surprise, and a whole lot of fun: “Belsnickeling.”

By Curator of Collections Nick Powers

In Part 2 of The Legacy of Storer College (1867–1955), MSV Curator of Collections Nick Powers continues to explore the 150-year-old history and rise to national status of Storer College through several objects gifted to the MSV by descendants of the College’s founders: Nathan Cook Brackett (1836-1910) and his wife Louise Wood Brackett (1842–1936).

Discover a ghostly guest in the Miniatures Gallery!

MSV Curator of Collections Nick Powers looks at Storer College's 150-year-old history through several objects gifted to the MSV by descendants of the College’s founders: Nathan Cook Brackett (1836-1910) and his wife Louise Wood Brackett (1842-1936).

Curator of Collections Nick Powers discusses how the provenance—or history—behind the MSV's John Shearer desk lead to unlocking the objects secrets.

The MSV retains examples by many of the Valley’s great basketmaking dynasties—the Nicholsons, Prices, and Cooks, among others—but the Museum’s strongest holdings are made up of baskets and other objects from the Day family of Shenandoah County.

Get a close look at metals made and used in the Shenandoah Valley with a preview of some new discoveries related to silver pieces from the Julian Wood Glass Jr. Collection.