Board of Directors
Hallie Groves
President
Hallie's sixth great-grandfather was Peter LeHew, one of the founders of Front Royal. She was born and raised in Front Royal, graduated from Warren County High School in 1990 and from Radford University in 1995 with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Colonial History and in early English Literature. A middle-school teacher at Warren County Middle School, Hallie's hobbies include colonial re-enacting and baking. She's a volunteer docent at the Heritage Society as well.
Lorraine Dovell
Director
Lorraine is a lifetime resident of Front Royal and Warren County. She met her future husband, Richard E. Dovell, better known as Dick in 1960. They married and had one daughter, Diane Lorraine.
Lorraine attended grades one through twelve in the Warren County Public School System. She attended Lord Fairfax Community College, Madison College for her undergraduate studies and received a master’s degree from James Madison University. She continued her education at Virginia Polytechnical Institute and received a Certificate of Advance Graduate Studies in secondary administration. The CAGS is for 30 hours of graduate work beyond a master’s degree leading to a doctor’s degree.
Lorraine worked three years as a teacher’s aide at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School. This experience led to her decide to go to college. Her undergraduate and graduate majors were in library science. She worked as a librarian in an elementary school for two years and twelve years as the Warren County High School librarian. She became an assistant principal at Warren County High School in 1988. She held this position until her retirement in 2001.
Suzanne Silek
Vice President
Suzanne is a Front Royal native, a descendant of Peter LeHew through his son Spencer, and avid local historian. She also is a Director of the Warren Rifles Museum next door to the Warren Heritage Society.
Frances Woodward
Director
Frances was born in Front Royal. She is a direct descendant of the McKays, Comptons and Maddox. Frances attended John S Mosby Academy and raised her three children in Warren County. Frances retired from Retail Merchandising where she was Employee of the Year. Frances also served on the Board at FR Brethren Church for many years.
Frances is a member of the UDC. She currently serves as a deacon at her church and works at The Warren Rifles Confederate Museum. In her spare time, she loves to do yoga, volunteer and spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Gary Duane Vaughn
Director
Gary Duane Vaughn was born and raised in Front Royal, VA. Dewey graduated from Warren County High School and has served as a docent for the Warren Riffle Museum since he was 14-years-old. He plays in the local band, After Shock. Dewey loves local history and American history.
Thomas Lockhart
Secretary / Treasurer
Thomas J. Lockhart is a native of Warren County, Virginia. He graduated from Randolph Macon Academy, Bridgewater College, and the University of Baltimore law school in 1983. He resides in Bentonville where his ancestors came to the area in the mid-1700s. Along with other family members, he owns and operates family farms in Warren County. One of the farms was placed under conservation easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation in 2007. Thomas has also served on the Board of Scenic 340 Project, Inc. and the Valley Conservation Council, Inc.
Lorraine Hultquist
Director
An original member of the Warren Heritage Society, Lorraine is proud to help protect the heritage of Front Royal and Warren County.
Laura Santmyers McPeak
Director
Laura Santmyers McPeak was born and raised in Front Royal, Virginia. She has a BA in history from JMU and is currently completing her MA in history through Liberty University. In addition to these degrees, Laura holds a Virginia teaching license and taught for Warren County for 9 years. Laura is married with three children and is currently a stay-at-home mom. She loves local history and historic preservation.
Staff Members
Melanie Gregory
Office Manager
Melanie's roots are in Cross Keys, VA. She is proud to be a direct descendant of soldiers from the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War, the US War of 1812, and the American Civil War.
Zachary Gregory
Museum Assistant
Zachary graduated from Padre Pio Academy, Class of 2020. He is a Civil War enthusiast and loves to study the history of that era. Zachary is also a proud descendant of Confederate Brigadier General James A Walker. He is studying the Korean martial art of Taekwondo and currently holds a red belt.
Jan Long
Archivist
Born: Portland, Oregon
Graduated: David Douglas High School, 1966
Biography: Lived in Salzburg, Austria and attended school June through September of 1966. Attended Mt. Hood Community College and Portland State. Married to Eddie Long in June 1969. Lived at Ft. Lewis, Washington, from 1969 to December 1972. Moved to Front Royal, Christmas 1972, after Eddie’s discharge from the Army. Raised a family in Front Royal. Met Tom Blummer at the Archives who encouraged me to draw and research buildings in Front Royal. Patrick Farris asked me to be on board about 2004 and volunteer as docent. Hired as an Archivist the last week of December 2021.
Vernee Peterson
Archivist
Vernee is a resident of Front Royal, Virginia. She is currently employed with the Warren Heritage Society. She received her undergraduate degrees from Pennsylvania State University and The New School University in New York City. She continued her education at The New School and received her Master's degree in media studies, and a graduate certificate in Media Management.
She is currently working as a content creator on our Instagram pages. Her hobbies include historical re-enacting, volunteering, visiting historical sites and traveling.
Eddie Long
Museum Assistant
Bio coming soon
Join Our Team!
The Warren Heritage Society thrives because of our amazing Staff and Volunteers. Please contact us if you are interested in joining us!
Volunteers
Lilian Sager
Volunteer
Lilian was born and raised in Front Royal. Her interests include local history and genealogy. Her knowledge of the people and places in Warren County is helpful in so many ways! She is currently organizing the Turner/Robertshaw funeral records we recently received. Lillian received the Rebecca Poe Historical Preservation Award in 2018 for her generous volunteer service.
Jim Heflin
Volunteer
Jim was born and raised in Warren County. He graduated from John S Mosby Academy in 1960 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961-1967. He later worked for the Town of Front Royal Electric Department, working for the telephone company in various capacities for 15 years.
During that time, Jim was also involved with the Front Royal Volunteer Fire Department.
In 1983, Jim left the telephone company to work for the Federal Government in Fire and EMS. Jim retired in 2002 and joined Warren Heritage Society in 2004 as a volunteer archivist, later to be hired in 2007.
Jim is a member of the VFW, American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Confederacy, the NRA, and is a life member of Front Royal Fire and Rescue. His hobbies include genealogy and photography.