Fishburne Military School Photo courtesy of Major Thomas W. Reynolds, FMS Director of Publications & Bandmaster

Fishburne Military School was founded in 1879 by James A. Fishburne, a student and protege of
Robert E. Lee. It was while attending Washington College that Fishburne was inspired by Lee to become an educator. The school flourished and, in 1916, Staunton architect T. J. Collins was commissioned to design a new barracks. Following the precedent of A. J. Davis's Virginia Military Institute, the barracks employed a castellated Gothic Revival style. The composition has since become downtown Waynesboro's chief architectural landmark. Collins's sons, Samuel and William, continued the tradition with their designs for the administration/gymnasium building and barracks additions. Fishburne has developed into one of the State's most distinguished military academies, continuously rated an honor military school under the U. S. Junior Army Reserve Officers Training Corps since 1924. It is one of the few military schools in Virginia to continue in operation.

Fishburne Military School overlooks the city of Waynesboro. The main entrance to the school is via Church St., near the intersection of Main St. Visitor parking is provided in front of the Administration Building. For further information, visit the school's website or call 540-946-7706.

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