Fort Egypt

Fort Egypt is a log house built with a central stone chimney and timber walls featuring substantial logs for its frame. The structure includes a reinforced cellar fitted with defensive openings designed for colonial-era protection.

Jacob Strickler, a Mennonite Church leader, built this house around 1758 on land originally granted to Abraham Strickler in 1735. The construction marks the early settlement phase of German-speaking colonists in the Shenandoah Valley.

The large rooms inside served as gathering places for Mennonite Church members before dedicated worship buildings existed in the area. These spaces show how a household accommodated community needs during the early settlement period.

The house is located in a rural area and may not always be easily accessible, so check ahead before planning a visit. Visitors should be aware that the structure is historic and handling of the old building should be done carefully.

The house incorporates a traditional German cooling cellar called a Gewölbekeller, reflecting Pennsylvania German building practices brought to the region. This architectural feature demonstrates how Germanic craftspeople adapted their methods in colonial America.