Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 03/18/2010
NRHP Listing Date 05/28/2010
DHR's Virginia Board of Historic Resources easement
NRHP Reference Number 10000308
The Purcellville Tabernacle/Fireman’s Field, built in 1903, traces it history back to 1878 with the formation of the Prohibition and Evangelical Association of Loudoun County. At the time of its listing, The Tabernacle, a one-story, eight-sided, 3,000-seat auditorium, was one of the few remaining historic structures in Virginia built to accommodate summertime religious and reform revivals. Surrounded by a large park-like area in the Purcellville Historic District that offered the perfect venue for religious festivals, as well as gatherings for speeches, fairs, and sporting events, The Tabernacle is located in a town that thrived after the arrival of the railroad in the 1870s. Purportedly the largest single building to accommodate the public in Loudoun County prior to construction of Dulles Airport, The Tabernacle has hosted such famous speakers as William Jennings Bryan and evangelist “Billy” Sunday.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: April 19, 2021
