Whether your interest is in the region's rich Civil War history, the history of its pottery industry or some of its unique characters, a museum in the Northern Shenandoah Valley is sure to suit your taste.

Clarke County:

• The Burwell-Morgan Mill is off U.S. 50 in Millwood, on Va. 255. The Clarke County Historical Association, founded in 1939, operates and owns the 18th century mill, which was established in 1785 and is the oldest operable merchant mill in the Shenandoah Valley. In the mid-19th century, the mill operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, processing more than 60,000 bushels of wheat per year. The community of Millwood grew around the commercial center as related businesses were established and mill products were shipped abroad.
  The now-renovated mill is also a museum. The Mill is open April through October, Friday and Sunday noon-5 p.m. and Saturday, grinding day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There is an admission fee. 837-1799. www.clarkehistory.org


• The Josephine School Community Museum is housed in a restored black public school built circa 1870. The museum includes a classroom setup as it would have looked around 1900, as well as photos, artifacts and other exhibits. Considered the only black history museum in the area, it is at 303 Josephine St. in Berryville and open 1- 3 p.m. Sunday, or by appointment. 955-5512. www.jschoolmuseum.org

Frederick County/Winchester:

• The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, which opened in April 1996, features interactive, hands-on exhibits and programs that focus on the sciences, mathematics, humanities and the arts. Exhibits include an in-house paleontologist, a hospital emergency room and ambulance, an apple-packing shed and more. The museum, at 54 S. Loudoun St. in Winchester, is open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. 722-2020. www.discoverymuseum.net


• George Washington's Office Museum served as Washington's military office from September 1755 until December 1756, when he served as a commissioned officer in the Virginia militia. While there he supervised the construction of Fort Loudoun, built to protect the Virginia frontier from Native Americans and the French. The museum, at the corner of Braddock and Cork streets in Winchester, is open from April through October, Monday to Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m. There is an admission fee. 662-4412. www.winchesterhistory.org


• The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley and the Glen Burnie Historic House and Gardens comprise the region's newest history complex. The 50,000-square-foot Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, which opened in April 2005, was designed by renowned architect Michael Graves. The museum features four permanent galleries that tell the history of the region as well as one rotating gallery.
  The complex is at 901 Amherst St. in Winchester. The museum is open year-round, and the house and gardens are open March through November. The complex is open Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There is an admission fee. For more information about the Glen Burnie Historic House and Gardens, see "Visit an old home" and "Visit a garden." (888) 556-5799, ext. 235. www.shenandoahmuseum.org.


• The Old Court House Civil War Museum at 20 N. Loudoun St. occupies the former Frederick County Courthouse on the Loudoun Street Mall in Winchester. The courthouse was built from 1834 to 1840 on the site of the original courthouse built from 1745 through 1751 by Col. James Wood. George Washington was sworn into the House of Burgesses on the original courthouse steps. During the Civil War, it was used as a prison and a hospital. Visitors can still see the signatures of soldiers etched into the walls. The museum is open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 -17. Children 4 and younger are free. 542-1145. www.civilwarmuseum.org


• The Newtown History Center, at 5408 Main St., Stephens City, is operated by the Stone House Foundation and offers exhibits and tours of the town's rich history. The museum is open June through August, Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.; September through the third Sunday in November, Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; December through May, open by appointment. The center is free to the public the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and during the Newtown Heritage Festival. 869-1700. www.newtownhistorycenter.org

Shenandoah:

• The Museum of American Presidents, at 130 N. Massanutten St., at the corner of U.S. 11 and Va. 55 in Strasburg, features memorabilia of all U.S. presidents. It includes a children's hands-on room and James Madison's desk. The museum is open weekends from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day, or by appointment year round. 465-5884


• The Strasburg Museum, at 440 E. King St., is a former steam pottery plant built in 1891. The building, which later became a train depot, contains a collection of Strasburg antique pottery made from 1830 to 1910 as well as relics from the town and railroad. The museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, May through October. 465-3175


• The hands-on Stonewall Jackson Museum includes exhibits on nine battles from the 1862 and 1864 Valley Campaigns of the Civil War. There is a children's room, interpretive walking trail and book store. There is an admission fee. Discounts and group rates are available. The museum, at 33229 Old Valley Pike, Strasburg, is open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., but closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day. 465-5884. www.stonewalljacksonmuseum.org


• The Woodstock Museum, also known as the Marshall House, at 104 S. Muhlenberg St., is one of the oldest homes in Woodstock, reportedly built before 1772. It is home to an array of antiques and memorabilia from the town, including a wrought-iron gate that was part of the original county jail. It is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, May through October. 459-5518

Warren:

• The Warren Rifles Confederate Museum, at 95 Chester St., is owned and operated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and houses a collection of memorabilia from the Civil War. The museum is open April 15 through Nov. 1, Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m. 636-6982 or 635-2219