Sprucing up an old country store: Warren Heritage Society opens reimagined general store exhibit

FRONT ROYAL — Something old is new again. After a summer of revitalization, the general store exhibit at the Warren Heritage Society is open to visitors.

Located on the grounds at 101 Chester St., the replica of the late 1800-early 1900 country store was inspired by the James William Stokes General Store once located in the Sentinel area of Warren County.

Stokes’ grandson, Edward Stokes, collected many items for the store, creating a replica of his grandfather’s store in the 1950s.

“Edward collected general store goods throughout his life. He wanted to reflect the time and history of the Civil War era when his grandfather owned that general store. So he reconstructed a general store — we have a photo of it in our current exhibit — meant to mimic the store and post office operated by his