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.

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.

Sounds on the Square on Friday, Oct. 4, will feature the music of the Andy Burnette Trio on the Plaza of the Historic Henry County Courthouse, 7-10 p.m.

Sounds on the Square on Friday, June 7, will feature the music of Barefoot Modern on the Plaza of the Historic Henry County Courthouse, 7-10 p.m.

Sounds on the Square on Friday, Sept. 6, will feature the music of The Ghosts of Liberty on the Plaza of the Historic Henry County Courthouse, 7-10 p.m.

William Jackson Palmer (1836-1909) was a military general, railroad tycoon, and founder of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Though a Quaker from Delaware, he fought for the Union Army during the Civil War.

Sounds on the Square on Friday, Aug. 2, will feature the music of Fescue on the Plaza of the Historic Henry County Courthouse, 7-10 p.m.

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.

Sounds on the Square on Friday, July 5, will feature the music of The League of Ordinary Gentlemen, on the Plaza of the Historic Henry County Courthouse, 7-10 p.m.

Beverly Woody will talk about the families of Rock Castle Gorge, which was displaced when the Blue Ridge Parkway was built.

Sounds on the Square on Friday, June 7, will feature the music of Barefoot Modern on the Plaza of the Historic Henry County Courthouse, 7-10 p.m.

Learn about what’s coming with the Historical Society as well as hear from an expert on the role students played during the Civil Rights movement.

Sounds on the Square will kick off the 2024 season with the Andy Burnette Trio on Friday, May 3, 2024, on the Plaza of the Historic Henry County Courthouse, 7-10 p.m.

Bowman will discuss plants from the region that were or still are used by humans and their role in the ecology. Some plants covered may not have had a significant use but may be ones that draw attention on the local hiking trails.

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.

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.

Gail Vogler will share her collection of reproductions of toys of the Colonial period which is the time from European settlers came to North America, at the start of the 17th century, until the colonies became incorporated into the United States almost 200 years later.

Taking over where tobacco, textiles and the furniture industry left off, film is now MHC’s leading industry — and our area is at the top of the world as far as window film is concerned. Join the Historical Society as we honor the present and future with a Founders Day program on the window film industry.

This presentation will delve into Thomas Jefferson’s interest in geography and maps and highlight a notable map created by his father, Peter Jefferson, in 1751, which played a crucial role in shaping early American history and served as a source for one of the most important maps in U. S. history.

The Historical Society and community partners such as TheatreWorks Community Players will be giving out candy on Courthouse Square for Halloween.

Joshua Duncan, Historical Society Board Member and local history teacher, will serve as host and emcee. The winning team will receive cool prizes – but most importantly, bragging rights!

Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: Accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U. S. needs blood. Each year 4.5 million lives are saved by blood transfusions.

In 1927, a Jewish congregation named Ohev Zion was established in Martinsville. Forty-six Jews in five families lived in the area, and with the help of non-Jews in the community, $15,000 was raised to build a synagogue, Ohev Zion Synagogue, at 21 Moss Street. The founders of the congregation included the Fusfeld, Heiner, Berlin, Kolodny, and Globman families.

Attendees will trade plants, seeds, cuttings, divisions, tools, pots, fun, and conversation with other interested gardeners. However, folks do NOT have to bring items to trade to participate as gardeners love nothing better than to share plants and advice.

Wear your most comfortable blue jeans and your most shiny bling while:
• Eating delicious dinner prepared by Hugo's Restaurant & Sports Bar;
• Listening to music by Will Zimmer; and
• Bidding on fabulous items donated by local businesses and individuals at our silent auction.

Working in teams, the students researched different historical figures and presented arguments to support their choices. The debates were spirited as teams defended their selected individuals against opposing teams.

Do you prefer that your boogie is electric or boot scootin’? Has your cupid ever shuffled? Join us for an evening of line dancing at "Sounds on the Square: Courthouse Crawling" on Friday, September 1, 2023, on the beautiful brick Plaza of the Historic Henry County Courthouse.

The Patrick County Historical Society was formed on December 16, 1971, with Nannie Ruth Terry as its first president. After a generous response to a fund-raising drive, a building in Stuart was purchased and renovated for a museum, and an open house was held on March 25, 1973.