Welcome to Ashby's Fort Museum.
Join our exploration of the first fort George Washington ordered to be built on the Virginia frontier during the French and Indian War.
The Friends of Ashby's Fort exists to support the Ashby's Fort Museum and historical site, to educate the public about our predecessors who were pioneers in this land, to honor the struggle of settlers and Native Americans on the frontier, and to preserve, interpret, and bring to life the cultural heritage of the site as a legacy for future generations.
Hours:
Closed for the winter season,
we will reopen March 13, 2026.
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Thursday 10-4
Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-4
Sunday 12-4
Monday 10-4
Admission:
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Adults - $5.00
Families - $10.00
Groups of 2 or more - $10.00
Kids under 16 - Free
Members - Free
We have added an easy way to become a member of Ashby's Fort! Check out our Memberships page and find out how to get involved and support the Fort.
A lot is planned for 2025 - the 270th anniversary of Ashby's Fort. First, take advantage of our extended hours - we are now open 5 days a week, March through October, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Be sure to visit during Fort Ashby Days, our biggest event of the year. We will also be spotlighting book authors, historians, and reenactors who will portray people, events, and everyday life at the fort. Check this space soon for complete details.
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If you plan on visiting the museum more than once this season, why not get a membership and save money? With an annual membership, museum admission is free, and you will save 50% on all events, presentations, and concerts. You will also enjoy 10% off everything in our gift shop. Individual memberships are just $30.00 and family memberships are just $50.00. Lifetime memberships are also available.
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We have added fun activities for kids at the museum, including a scavenger hunt they can complete while you learn about Ashby and his Rangers. In addition, ask to see the market wallets and shooting pouches that kids can explore to see what rangers carried with them to serve at the fort.
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Check out the new touchscreen which brings six of our characters to life! The touchscreen is in the log building, along with our new George Washington display, where you can find out what George was doing as a young man in this part of the country. Hope to see you soon!
Fort Reconstruction
We have exciting news! Ashby's Fort Museum plans to rebuild part of Ashby's fort to the exact specifications found during our archaeological digs. This reconstruction will include the southwest bastion and the south wall including the front gate. This should help visitors visualize what the fort looked like and show the unique open bastion concept Colonel Washington asked his other Captains to come to see before they built their own forts.
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This structure will be the centerpiece of our museum, and will be dedicated to the vision and leadership of Tom Pyles, our former chairman. Tom spent more time than anyone, developing an idea into a true museum. This will be a truly significant way to honor his legacy.​​​
This will be an expensive but vital project to complete, so how will it be paid for? A very generous matching gift has been made by Marty C. Pickett and Edgell Franklin Pyles Jr. to get us started. They will match every donation, dollar for dollar up to $30,000. If you would like to see this project completed, you can also help with your own donation by clicking the link below. All donations of $1000 or more will receive special recognition on a donors plaque displayed on the bastion wall. Donors contributing $5000 or more will also receive a tin lantern made by the tinsmith in Colonial Williamsburg. Donors contributing $10,000 or more will receive a framed print of Ashby's Fort by renowned artist Pamela Patrick White. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support and we can't wait for you to see the finished project! If everything goes as planned, we will begin construction in the fall of 2026.
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Check out the West Virginia Talk Podcast, where James and Jerry interview Randy Crane of Ashby's Fort Museum.
2023 Archaeology Results Video
Let Your Name Go Down
in
History
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The brick walkway leading from the new Edgell and Irma Pyles Visitor Center to the Old Museum building and the Fort site offers us all a unique opportunity to be remembered for generations to come.
The Friends of Ashby’s Fort invites you to sponsor a brick engraved with your own name or that of a loved one or of your organization.
Your brick will be placed in the walkway for visitors to see. It is a wonderful way to honor individuals and families, service organizations, fallen heroes, churches, clubs, businesses and associations for a century or more. One brick already ordered honors a local police department. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
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Each brick costs only a modest $50. You may order multiple bricks with the same inscription or with each brick different. The cost is the same. For more information, call 301-697-9292.
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I would like to support Ashby's Fort by ordering a brick!
