Join the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society as we celebrate our film heritage during “Founders Day: Film” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at the Historic Henry County Courthouse.

Distinguished Speakers will be representatives of Eastman Performance Films – Ricky Nelson, Operations Manager, and Kristoff Lievens, Site Manager. Former employees of Martin Processing, Courtaulds, and CP Films and current and former employees of Eastman Performance Films are especially invited to attend to be recognized. Attendees are encouraged to wear or bring company products and other mementos.

Julius Hermes came to Martinsville from Patterson, New Jersey, in 1935, and managed Fontaine Converting Works for many years. He disassociated himself from the firm and started Martin Processing in Collinsville in 1956. Once a major player in the textile and carpet yarn-dying business, the company was hard hit during the late 1970s. Hermes, a chemist, engineer, and entrepreneur, redirected the company's energies into plastic film products. Four generations of the Hermes family plan to attend Founders Day.

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