Used by the community for any local religious or civic meeting, the building was used for Salem Lodge No. 81, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, whose first Master was Dr. Isaac Henry, organized in 1807. Dr. Henry's widow, Judith (Carter) Henry, was the first female casualty in the Civil War when she was killed in her home on the battlefield of First Manassas. At the time of the organization of the Masonic lodge in 1807, the Henrys lived between Upperville and Delaplane, near the home of another member of the lodge, Dr. Charles Landon Carter, brother of Mrs. Henry.

In the oak grove in front of the Old Stone Academy, Col. John S. Mosby and Gen. Eppa Hunton had a famous political debate in 1872 that "was regarded as the opening of the presidential campaign in Virginia" for Gen. U.S. Grant.

After the advent of free, public education in Virginia, in 1871, the building was turned over to the county by the trustees of the Salem Academy. As the school increased in numbers, an additional room of frame, with German siding, was added in 1888, by the same local builders who had built 

Fauquier Heritage & Preservation Foundation

"No. 18" school the year before. At this time a bell cupola was added - when the new school was built in Marshall in 1909, the old bell was transferred to the new building. The bell still exists today.

In late 1881, at a town meeting held in the Old Stone Academy, the citizens of Salem chose the name "Marshall" for their town when the Post Office Department decreed that a change had to be made.

To support the meetinghouse restoration project, please call (540) 364-3440.