Martinsville Henry County Historical Society

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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Welcome to the Martinsville – Henry County Historical Society Web Site!

Your connection to the past and the building blocks of our community’s future…

You’re invited…

To share the fascinating story of Martinsville and Henry County’s past; to help preserve our rich historical resources and become a part of a community of history lovers that is the Martinsville – Henry County Historical Society.

The Martinsville – Henry County Historical Society is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that was formed in 1996 for the primary purpose of preserving and protecting the rich heritage and history of Martinsville and Henry County, Virginia.

The society is the common thread that binds Martinsville and Henry County’s past, present, and future. Now in its 14th year, the Society has more than 140 members.

President's Corner

The Torch is Passed

We had a great annual meeting on May 22. This time our annual meeting was held in our wonderfully restored courtroom. The audience enjoyed an entertaining and informative program given by Terry Mitchell on being a teenager in Martinsville in the ‘50s. It brought back memories to some of the audience.

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Video of presentation

	"Travel Back in Time: A CIvil War Weekend"

	Virginia CW 150 HistoryMobile Comes to Martinsville and Henry County History is on the move in Virginia as the Civil War 150 HistoryMobile rolls into Martinsville and Henry County for a 3-day visit Friday, March 22, Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24. The exhibit, an initiative of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, will be located at The Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Center & Museum, 1 East Main Street, Martinsville and will be open daily from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the HistoryMobile is free. The expandable 53-foot tractor-trailer uses immersive spaces and interactive exhibits to draw together stories of the Civil War and Emancipation from the viewpoints of those who experienced it across Virginia—young and old, enslaved and free, soldiers and civilians. Visitors will encounter history in ways they may have never experienced before. The HistoryMobile exhibit is divided into four sections: Battlefront, Homefront, Journey to Freedom, and Loss-Gain-Legacy. From the bewildering sense of chaos experienced by soldiers, to the last letter written by a dying son to his father after sustaining a mortal wound, to a hushed conversation between a husband and wife considering the great risks and rewards of fleeing to freedom, the HistoryMobile presents the stories of real people in Virginia whose lives were shaped by the historic events of the 1860s, and invites visitors to imagine, “What Would You Do?”

	"Travel Back in Time: A Civil War Weekend"

	Civil War Symposium Discover what life was like 150 years ago as the American Civil War visits Martinsville and Henry County Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24. A Civil War Symposium will be held on Saturday, March 23 at the Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Center & Museum, 1 East Main Street, Martinsville with various speakers talking about all aspects of life during those turbulent times. Admission to the Symposium is free. The schedule for the Symposium on March 23 is as follows: 10:00 a.m. “Slavery and the Civil War at Hale’s Ford,” by Timothy Simmons and John Whitfield from Booker T. Washington National Monument. Simmons and Whitfield will speak about slavery, memories and the changes the War brought to the local community; 11:00 a.m. “Surrender at Appomattox,” by Ernie Price from Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Price will discuss how Lee came to be at Appomattox Court House and why he chose to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia there; 2:00 p.m. “Lee, Jackson and Stuart: The Virginia Triumvirate,” by historian and author Thomas D. Perry. Perry will examine the military careers and the relationship between the three men known as the “Virginia Triumvirate”; and 3:00 p.m. “Danville and the Civil War,” by Tom Fowler. Fowler will discuss the role of Danville in the Civil War and how it left a lasting impact on the city. All Symposium programs will be held in the second floor courtroom which is accessible only by stairs. A Civil War Tea will be held on Sunday, March 24, at 2:00 p.m. Come for afternoon tea and learn about tea customs while enjoying scones, cookies, tea bread, and, of course, tea. The cost for the tea is $15 per person and is limited to 30 participants. The Tea will be held on the first floor of the Heritage Center & Museum. Call 276-403-5361 to register.

	Hours of Operation

	Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Center and Museum 1 East Main Street Martinsville, VA Hours of Operation Tuesday - Friday 10 am to 5 pm Saturday 10 am to 3 pm Closed on Mondays. In the event of inclement weather, the Heritage Center & Museum may be closed. Please call before visiting. Admission is free. For more information, please call 276-403-5361.

Upcoming Events

We Need Your Help

Now more than ever the Martinsville - Henry County Historical Society needs your help in raising critical operating funds needed to support the vision our community leaders are developing to merge our area traditions with new and exciting economic and tourism opportunities. Join us in being the common thread that binds Martinsville and Henry County's past, present, and future by providing financial support today. Your donation will enable good work to continue while also allowing the Society to prepare for future needs in a time of uncertainty.