Help Raise $20,000 for the Kemper House

The Battlefields Foundation is committed not only to acquiring and preserving historic places, but also to ensuring they are properly maintained and accessible for future generations. One of our current priorities is a major exterior maintenance project at the Kemper House, home of the Port Republic Museum. Planned work includes cleaning and repainting the exterior, repairing deteriorated woodwork, and restoring a damaged window—essential improvements that will help protect this important historic structure for years to come. Following consultation with our contractors, we have set a goal of $20,000 to complete this project.

Built in the 1830s, the house was home to Benjamin Franklin Kemper and his wife, Eliza Holbrook Kemper. From this site, Kemper maintained the account books for the mill across the street and operated an inn and tavern that served travelers and boatmen along the South River.

The Kemper House also holds a significant place in Civil War history. On June 6, 1862, Confederate Gen. Turner Ashby was killed in a skirmish on the outskirts of Harrisonburg. His grieving comrades carried his body to the Kemper House, where local women prepared it for burial. Soldiers and townspeople passed by the residence to pay their respects, viewing Ashby through a window. Among those who came to honor the famed cavalry commander—known as the “Knight of the Confederacy”—was Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, whose headquarters were located nearby in Port Republic.

In 1993, the Society of Port Republic Preservationists acquired the house and transformed it into the museum visitors experience today. Ownership of the property was transferred to the Battlefields Foundation in 2022, ensuring the continued preservation and interpretation of this remarkable landmark and the stories it preserves. With your support, we can raise the $20,000 needed to complete this project and ensure the Kemper House continues to welcome visitors for decades to come.