An opening reception for the new exhibit “Pan-tastic Journey: Cookware Through Time” will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, at the MCH Heritage Museum.

The exhibit features kitchen tools from days gone by, such as wooden molds and service dishes, cast iron supplies, Depression glass and cookbooks. It also includes the earliest version of the Cuisinart, a food processor that made a splash in Martinsville when it was introduced.

The reception features complimentary cuisine from the olden days such as cheese straws, tea sandwiches and syllabub, plus, tea, beer, and wine.

The exhibit was curated by Raylee Wilson, a Ferrum College intern for the museum. It features artifacts loaned by Kerry Tillery, Katie Connelly, Jack Stewart, Johnny Nolen, Margaret McGlothlin, Holly Kozelsky and Dr. Mervyn King. 

Admission to the reception is free for members and at regular admission fees for non-members; RSVP attendance to kozelsky.mhchs@gmail.com or call 276-403-5361. The regular admission is $10, with $5 for 65+ and ages 2-17, and free for infants. Memberships will be available at the reception, for year-long free admission.

The former Henry County courthouse, built in 1824, houses displays of local history and three temporary exhibits, “Connected Community,” “Sew Special” and now “Pan-tastic Journey: Cookware Through Time.”

The main level of the museum’s new 13,000-square-foot annex is now open, and attendees of the reception will be able to tour that section which features antique firearms, canes, toys, Native American artifacts, baskets, pottery, Remington statues, George Catlin art, horse tack and a gambling parlor. The lower level of the annex will open around summer, with antique model trains, toys, a Junior Gilley miniature plantation house, tools and more.