Born in England and raised in Canada. Joshua Wilton came to the Valley not long after the Civil War and settled in Harrisonburg. After purchasing large amounts of land and becoming the President of the First Virginia Bank, he established a foundry and hardware store. As a result, he became quite a wealthy man and a pillar of the community. Among other things, Joshua Wilton was instrumental in bringing electricity to this part of the Valley. In 1888, construction was completed on this house as a home for his family. The walls, interior and exterior, are all three-bricks thick (16 inches). He brought in craftsmen from all over the country to complete the hand carved mantels and faux-marble slate fireplaces. Today, his portrait hangs over the fireplace in the lounge.

The Wilton family occupied the home for about 40 years, until it was sold to the Shank family, who also lived here for 40 years. After the Shank children left home and Mr. Shank died, Mrs. Shank briefly took in boarders. In the 1970’s, the house served as the TKE fraternity house (remember the movie, “Animal House”) until it was sold to the Macher family who converted in into apartments. The Moore family purchased the home in 1986 and took two years to lovingly restore the home to its original grandeur. They added a restaurant kitchen, sunroom and brick patio. The Joshua Wilton House Inn and Restaurant opened in May of 1988 on the one-hundredth anniversary of the house. Since then, it has served as a fine dining restaurant and bed and breakfast; the first of its kind in Harrisonburg.

In 2004, Joshua Wilton House changed hands again. Ann Marie Coe, Mark Newsome and Sean Pugh, the three all close friends, JMU alumni and former employees, made the next natural step of ownership when they purchased the business and building from the Moores. Since then they have continued the tradition of fine food and hospitality that has always been the Joshua Wilton House trademark.

Many things survived the transitions, including the Parquet floors, the fireplaces and mantles, the stairway and newel post, and the leaded glass surrounding the original front door. For the eighteen years of its operation, the Joshua Wilton House Inn and Restaurant has served as an oasis for weary travelers and hungry epicureans in search of quiet solitude, excellent cuisine and impeccable service. Executive Chef Mark Newsome creates his dishes using the freshest seafood, local produce and free-range meats available. It is our hope that you enjoy dining here as much as we enjoy serving you.