Heatwole, John L., 1948-2006

Born in Washington D.C., John L. Heatwole (1948-2006) was an artist, woodcarver, tour guide, local historian and folklorist. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and working at the Library of Congress, Heatwole moved to Dayton in 1974 with his wife, Miriam. Throughout his lifetime he sat on various committees and boards related to both art and history, and received several awards for his work. He chaired the Rockingham County Bicentennial Committee and in 1991 he was the first Virginian to display art in the National Capital Rotunda. Heatwole also authored several books relating to superstitions, folkways, and the Civil War. Heatwole was dedicated to preserving Shenandoah Valley history and folklore as is reflected in this collection of materials.

Born in Washington D.C., John L. Heatwole (1948-2006) was an artist, woodcarver, tour guide, local historian and folklorist. A long-time Dayton resident, Heatwole authored several books relating to superstitions, folkways, and the Civil War. Heatwole was dedicated to preserving Shenandoah Valley history, historic sites and battlefields, and folklore as is reflected in this collection of materials.

John L. Heatwole was born in 1948 in Washington, D.C. In 1974 he moved to the Shenandoah Valley, where his family had ties, to take a job as woodcarver at the Virginia Craftsmen Furniture Company in Harrisonburg, Va. Three years later he opened his own shop in Bridgewater, Va. and began working for himself. Drawing on folklore and family stories, and using only hand tools and a secret color staining process, Heatwole has become widely recognized as a woodcarver, sculptor, and folk artist of note.