The Tabernacle-Fireman's Field
Also known as: Bush Meeting Tabernacle; VDHR File No. 286-5007; 286-5001-0234
Why it's listed
Set in a wooded park in Purcellville, the Bush Meeting Tabernacle is a one-story, eight-sided timber-frame hall measuring roughly 80 by 160 feet. Builder Arch Simpson completed it in 1903 for the Prohibition and Evangelical Association of Loudoun County, which had held outdoor summer gatherings on the site since 1878. The building was said to hold 3,000 people and originally had sliding wooden doors on most sides and a dirt floor. Over the years it hosted religious revivals, temperance and political speeches, fairs and community events, with speakers including William Jennings Bryan and Billy Sunday. In 1939 it became a roller skating rink, a use that continued until 2009. The surrounding Fireman's Field, acquired by the local fire company in the 1940s, has picnic pavilions, barbecue pits and baseball fields. The property was recognized for its role in religion, recreation and social history, and for its distinctive architecture, between 1903 and 1960.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the Tabernacle is a rare survivor of social history, built for summer religious and temperance revivals and later used for political speeches, fairs, recreation and roller skating. It is described as one of only three such revival structures surveyed in Virginia and the only one not tied to a single denomination. Its scale and form support significance for architecture as well as religion, recreation and social history.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 10000308, listed May 28, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 250 S Nursery Ave, Purcellville |
|---|---|
| County | Loudoun County |
| Listed | May 28, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000308 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1903-1960 |
| Architect / builder | Arch Simpson (builder) |
| Architectural style | Other: Vernacular |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History, Entertainment/Recreation, Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The roller rink closed in 2009 and the building is vacant, awaiting rehabilitation. The grounds remain in use for outdoor recreation and as a sports facility. |
| Acreage | 16 |
| Within district | Purcellville Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.13447, -77.71484 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 10000308.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5001416
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.