Visitor Center

In January 2001, this historic doctor's office building was donated to Historic Port Royal, Inc. by Mrs. Ned Stehl.  The Caroline County Board of Supervisors, at their January 9, 2001 meeting approved the request from Historic Port Royal for funding in the amount of $20,000 to help with the cost of restoration.  The restoration will result in a Visitor Center/Museum to greet visitors into the Town as well as Caroline County along the U.S. Route 301 corridor.  The Visitor Center will also have a medical museum with historic implements, many donated that were used during the timeframe the doctors were in practice.  The Center will be located on the Town Green of Port Royal. 

History of the Doctor's Office

Dr. John James Garvatt (1817-1886) erected the structure on Lot 17 as his medical office in the late 1840s, (Ralph Fall's Hidden Village says "erected about 1850").

Dr. Charels Urquhart Gravatt (1848-1922), son of Fr. John James Gravatt continued to use this structure for his office in 1909 and after.

Dr. Robert Green Holloway (1835-1919) and his son, Dr. Joseph Minor Holloway (1889-1975) practiced medicine in the Port Royal area for 50 years.  It is thought that they practiced in the Dally House on King St.  "Dr. Joe" encouraged Dr. Harris to come to Port Royal when he moved to Fredericksburg in 1924.

Dr. Rogers Harris rented the office building in 1934.  He continued to rent it until he purchased it at public auction in 1977.  He retired in 1980 and the building was unoccupied until it was dismantled and moved piece by piece to the Town Green in the Spring of 2001.  (Mrs. Ned Stehl donated the building to Historic Port Royal, Inc.)

Update February 2006
        The stop work order has been lifted and work will resume in Spring 2006.

Update April 2004

The relocated Doctor's Office is now about 80% complete and is awaiting approval from the current town administration for the final phase of construction.  The HVAC system, flooring and some detail work are all that are necessary for completion.  HPR hopes to have the building completely finished and operating by the fall of 2004.