History of Fireman’s Field

In 1764, James Dillon, a Quaker from Bucks County, Pennsylvania became the first known settler of the Purcellville area and the remnants of his farm are the old trees known as Dillon’s Woods which are contained on the property known today as Fireman’s Field. The property is the site of many of the most historic events to occur in Purcellville’s development. 

By 1878, Dillon’s Woods became the site of an annual week long temperance demonstration.  At first the meeting was held under “bushes” placed across wooden crosspieces to shade the attendees, hence the name, The Bush Meeting Grounds. Later the bushes were replaced by tents.  Each August, the Town’s population swelled by the thousands as revelers arrived on special excursion trains from Washington, DC to listen to impassioned evangelists and rousing orators such as Williams Jennings Bryan and to partake in picnics and concerts by local bands and gospel singers. 

By 1904, the tent was replaced by the Tabernacle, an octagonal, German-sided building that could hold 3000 people.  It was built by local master builder, Arch Simpson and until Dulles Airport was built in 1962, it remained the largest structure in Loudoun County. 

On August 14, 1931, the final sermon to be given at a Bush Meeting was delivered by influential evangelist, Billy Sunday.  In his speech, he castigated the “Crooks, Corkscrews, Bootleggers and Whiskey Politicians” that had corrupted the society.  But local interests had become more secular and popularity of the event waned. 

Over the next few decades, the Bush Meeting Grounds became the locale for 4-H Fairs, wrestling matches, country singers (most notably Patsy Cline of nearby Winchester) and the Tabernacle became a skating rink where local teens still congregate on weekends.   The Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company purchased the grounds in 1947 and built the first lighted baseball field in Loudoun County.  In the past decade, Purcellville has played host to the Babe Ruth World Series.  At the 2007 games, Babe Ruth’s own daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

In March, 2008, in order to prevent by-right residential development on this property, the Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company entered into a Conservation Easement and Restrictive Covenant with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources with the intention of passing ownership to the Town of Purcellville.  In April 29, 2008, the Town purchased the Bush Meeting Grounds from the Fire Company in order to become a steward of this precious resource.  The Town intends to restore the Tabernacle and its original condition and make the Meeting Grounds once again the hub of cultural education and entertainment in the Town and an attraction to visitors throughout the region.

Historical Characters in the Tabernacle’s History

Billy Sunday

Patsy Cline