Dayton, VA, is a modern town listed on the National Historic Register, where Mennonite residents go about their days’ work utilizing horse drawn buggies while the 21st century residents race to meet their daily schedules in gas powered machines. Dayton boasts a renovated water driven mill located on Silver Lake housing the production location for fine glass and china including White House and Williamsburg pieces, the home of Rockingham Historical Society features history lectures and exhibits of earlier days, a Farmers Market with local meat products, and bakery offering Mennonite breads, sweets and treats. Small interior shops in the market are sources of antiques, toys, collectables and utilitarian home necessities. The local main street eatery, Thomas House, serves home cooked meals in one of the oldest structures and provides a stopping point for locals. Renovated Fort Harrison built in 1749 by the Valley’s first settler Daniel Harrison gives a hint of early Dayton life with opportunities for 21st century residents to learn of hearth cooking, baking, spinning and other necessary crafts of the time.

Early structures may be appreciated in the carefully renovated stone, early brick and Victorian dwellings, currently used for shops and cozy historic homes. Some still with existing former summer kitchens and ice storage units. Manicured Mennonite farms surround the area with perfect vegetable and flower gardens, crop fields and Monday’s hung wash centered by the pristinely kept farmhouse, barn and fences.

Streets explode in October when an estimated 10,000 visitors attend Dayton Days. Small booth locations are permanently marked on the streets for craftspeople bringing their wares. Herbs, orchids, birdhouses, lead glass, clothing, homemade soups and food products from local churches and venders offer an array of choices for visitors to view and purchase.