Orkney Springs, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Orkney Springs is an unincorporated community in western Shenandoah County
, Virginia
. The use of the name 'Orkney' is unknown, but believed to be tied to either the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland or the Earl of Orkney. The 'Springs' comes from the numerous underground mineral springs in the area. The first public hotel was built in the early 19th century, and eventually evolved into what became known as The Orkney Springs Hotel. Most of the original buildings are still standing, have been restored, and are in use today. The Virginia House is believed to be the largest wooden structure in Virginia. It dates to the 1870s and is on the National Historical Register. The Maryland House dates to the mid-1850s. The Orkney Springs Hotel was owned privately until 1979 when it was purchased by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
and became part of their retreat center Shrine Mont. It is home to conferences and retreats from March–November, many family reunions, summer camps for children and teenagers, and is also the location of the annual Shenandoah Valley Music Festival
. The Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is also located at Shrine Mont. This outdoor worship space, built of native stone, was built in the 1920s and consecrated in 1925.
Shenandoah County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,075 people, 14,296 households, and 10,064 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 16,709 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The use of the name 'Orkney' is unknown, but believed to be tied to either the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland or the Earl of Orkney. The 'Springs' comes from the numerous underground mineral springs in the area. The first public hotel was built in the early 19th century, and eventually evolved into what became known as The Orkney Springs Hotel. Most of the original buildings are still standing, have been restored, and are in use today. The Virginia House is believed to be the largest wooden structure in Virginia. It dates to the 1870s and is on the National Historical Register. The Maryland House dates to the mid-1850s. The Orkney Springs Hotel was owned privately until 1979 when it was purchased by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
The Diocese of Virginia is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America encompassing 38 counties in the northern and central parts of the state of Virginia. The diocese was organized in 1785 and is one of the Episcopal Church's nine original dioceses. However, the diocese has...
and became part of their retreat center Shrine Mont. It is home to conferences and retreats from March–November, many family reunions, summer camps for children and teenagers, and is also the location of the annual Shenandoah Valley Music Festival
Shenandoah Valley Music Festival
Shenandoah Valley Music Festival is a series of live-concert performances that take place over July, August and September in Orkney Springs, Virginia. Dating back to 1963, the Festival has a long history of bringing quality music to the Shenandoah Valley...
. The Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is also located at Shrine Mont. This outdoor worship space, built of native stone, was built in the 1920s and consecrated in 1925.