Virginia 250 Symposium
Aug
3

Virginia 250 Symposium

The Virginia 250 Symposium will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Virginia with three speakers: VA250 Executive Director Cheryl Wilson, Jeff Briggs, and Hunter Haskins. It will be held at the MHC Heritage Museum, 1 E. Main St., Martinsville.

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Sunday Afternoon Lecture: Distilling
Sep
21

Sunday Afternoon Lecture: Distilling

Graves Anthony and Hunter Haskins will present a program on distilling, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, as part of the MHC Historical Society’s Sunday Afternoon Lecture Series. The program will be held at the MHC Heritage Museum.

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Sunday Afternoon Lecture: Cider
Nov
16

Sunday Afternoon Lecture: Cider

Jake Abell, of Scuffle Hill Brewing, will present a program on cider, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, as part of the MHC Historical Society’s Sunday Afternoon Lecture series at the MHC Heritage Museum, 1 E. Main St., Martinsville.

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Patriots on the Square
Jul
4

Patriots on the Square

The Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society will host "Patriots on the Square" to celebrate Independence Day, from 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 4. It will feature historical reenactments, free music, and the sale of food and drink. It will be held at the MHC Heritage Museum, 1 E. Main St., Martinsville.

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Antique Talk with Virginia and Mervyn King
Jun
24

Antique Talk with Virginia and Mervyn King

Virginia and Mervyn King, benefactors of the MHC Heritage Museum annex, will present a program on antiques, including how to identify quality antiques and furniture. The program will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, at the Martinsville Branch Library. The program is free to attend.

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Sunday Afternoon Lecture: "The History of Martinsville's Hydroelectric Dam and Powerhouse at the Smith River"
Jun
15

Sunday Afternoon Lecture: "The History of Martinsville's Hydroelectric Dam and Powerhouse at the Smith River"

Thomas M. Slaydon and Jake A. Keller will present a program on the history of Martinsville's Hydroelectric Dam and Powerhouse at the Smith River, at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 15, at the MHC Heritage Museum, 1 E. Main St., Martinsville. His lecture is part of the MHC Historical Society's Sunday Afternoon Lecture Series.

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Flag Day Ceremony
Jun
14

Flag Day Ceremony

The Patrick Henry and General Joseph Martin Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution will present a Flag Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, at the MHC Heritage Museum.

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Founders Day: Martinsville-Henry County Civic Groups
Jan
19

Founders Day: Martinsville-Henry County Civic Groups

The Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society celebrates annually those who helped to create and sustain our community on Founders Day. Join us for “Founders Day: Martinsville-Henry County Civic Groups” as we pay tribute to organizations on Sunday, January 19, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., at the Historic Henry County Courthouse.

The Keynote Speaker will be Joyce Staples.

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Christmas Music Program
Jan
12

Christmas Music Program

UPDATE - made at 2 p.m. the day of the show - the show is postponed to Jan. 12, at 3 p.m., due to snow on its original date of Jan. 3.

Say farewell to the 2024-25 holiday season with flair and fun, with the MHC Historical Society’s Christmas Music Program at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, the day before Epiphany. Admission is free.

Performers will be":

Briana Tatum, accompanied by Baxter Jennings, with “Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel”

Amy Stuart, accompanied by John Fulcher, with “In the Bleak Midwinter”

The For Heaven’s Sake Trio (Linda Via, JoAnn Byrd and Virginia Young) with “Rejoice,” “With Exceeding Great Joy” and “Call Him Lord”

Gale Buck with “Christmas Medley”

Dylan Chappell with “Silent Night” and, accompanied by Lynn Pritchett, “Go Tell It On The Mountain”

Valeria Edwards

John Fulcher and Baxter Jennings with “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”

Jo Ann Linscott with “Winter Wonderland” and “A Time For Love”

Lynn Pritchett and Virginia King, accompanied by Ann Martin, with “We Three Kings.” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

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Sunday Afternoon Lecture: "If The Courthouse Could Talk"
Oct
20

Sunday Afternoon Lecture: "If The Courthouse Could Talk"

In celebration of the 200th birthday of the Historic Henry County Courthouse and October as Local History Month in Virginia, the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society will sponsor “If the Courthouse Could Talk” on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., at the Historic Henry Courthouse as part of its Sunday Afternoon Lecture Series.

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Ghost Walk
Oct
19

Ghost Walk

Step back in time and uncover the hidden tales of our most notable residents with the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society's Ghost Walk! This free, family-friendly, and informative (but not scary) stroll is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 6:00 P. M. – 8:00 P.M., with tours conducted every thirty minutes.

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Sunday Afternoon Lecture: Patrick Pioneers
Sep
15

Sunday Afternoon Lecture: Patrick Pioneers

Join the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society for our monthly Sunday Afternoon Lecture, “Patrick Pioneers Part One” with Beverly Belcher Woody, on Sunday, September 15, 2024, 3:00 P.M., at the Historic Henry County Courthouse.

Woody’s book is the culmination of a three-year effort to research and record the lives and stories of the people of Patrick County. This first volume contains 100 stories across over 400 pages. She stated in a recent interview, “I have always had a passion for local history. I loved listening to the older folks in my family tell stories about how things were when they grew up. I often wished that my grandparents had written their stories and memories down for future generations.” She writes a weekly local history column called Patrick Pioneers for Patrick County’s oldest newspaper, The Enterprise.

Woody serves as regent of the Patrick Henry Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and on the Board of Directors of both the Patrick County Historical Society & Museum and the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society. She was named “Teacher of the Year 2023” by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). She earned a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree from Regent University. She teaches at Martinsville Middle School. Beverly and her husband, Mark, live in Snow Creek with their assortment of animals.

Admission to the lecture is free, made possible by corporate sponsors, Carter Bank & Trust and The Lester Group. The Historic Henry County Courthouse is fully handicapped accessible. The Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Center & Museum will be open following the presentation.

 

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"History of Community Police Departments"
Jul
21

"History of Community Police Departments"

Decades ago, local industries co-funded police departments for Bassett, Fieldale and Stanleytown. Ron Stowe, the son of one of the police chiefs, will talk about this unique arrangement and have copies of his book on the topic for sale and autographs.

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The Blue Ridge Regional Library: Enriching Our Communities for 110 Years
Mar
17

The Blue Ridge Regional Library: Enriching Our Communities for 110 Years

The local libraries we use and enjoy today got their start in 1913, when the Martinsville Woman’s Club bought books to share for a year, then donated them to form a library. Margaret Caldwell, chair of the Blue Ridge Regional Library’s Board of Trustees, will trace the history that led to libraries in Martinsville, Patrick County and Collinsville in 1974, then Ridgeway and Bassett in the 1990s.

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Beers of Ireland
Mar
16

Beers of Ireland

During the first hour, participants will learn the history, ingredients, and production of beer as well as different beer styles, hops, yeast, and beer presentation. During the second hour, attendees will taste Irish Reds and Irish Stouts, totaling approximately two pints. Irish snacks will be served. Wear your most green – prizes will be awarded.

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