
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.

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.

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.

American Flags - Sunday Afternoon Lecture
Scott Koebel of Woodmen of the World will present the program “American Flags” as July’s Sunday Afternoon Lecture, 3 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at the MHC Heritage Museum in the courtroom.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(At BHC in Bassett:) "A Few Lines to Margaret: A Personal Account of the First World War"
Hunter Haskins, Assistant Director of the Salem Museum in Salem and a member of the MHCHS Board of Directors, will bring to life the story of a young couple’s World War I experiences through their 45 letters. This program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Bassett Historical Center.

Annual Meeting & Distinguished Lecture
The topic of the 2025 Annual Meeting & Distinguished Lecture will be “Baseball Cards at the Edge of War 1941: The Games, The Gum and The Glory", presented by Todd Marcum.

Martinsville Middle School Mock Trial
Beverly Woody’s social studies students will conduct a mock trial in the Historic Henry County Courthouse’s restored courtroom.

Exhibit-Opening Reception for "Pan-tastic Journey: Cookware through time"
The MHC Historical Society will host a reception to celebrate the opening of the “Pan-tastic Journey: Cookware through time” exhibit on Friday, April 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

"Living with Black Bears"
Regina Flora, Assistant Educator of the Dan River Basin Association and a Virginia Master Naturalist, will present “Living with Black Bears.”

“Readjusting the Old Dominion: The Forgotten Rise and Fall of Virginia’s Readjuster Movement”
Discover a secret chapter in Virginia’s Reconstruction era history with “Readjusting the Old Dominion: The Forgotten Rise and Fall of Virginia’s Readjuster Movement” with Hunter Haskins.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Sounds on the Square: Andy Burnette Trio
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.

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.

Sounds on the Square: Line-Dancing on the Square with Sue Ann Ehmann
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: Ghosts of Liberty
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.

The Other Side of Gen. William Jackson Palmer
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: Fescue
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.

"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.

Sounds on the Square: The League of Ordinary Gentlemen
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.

History of Rock Castle Creek
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: Barefoot Modern
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.

Annual Meeting & Distinguished Lecture: "Campus to Counter: Civil Rights Activism"
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 Opening Night: Andy Burnette Trio
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.

Woodland Plants of the Area: History, Ecology and Uses, with Neal Bowman
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 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.

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.