Press Release – 23rd Annual Heritage Day

Museum equipment such as the saw mill, grist mill and printing presses will run intermittently during the day. Crafts people from Virginia and North Carolina, many in period costumes, will demonstrate old crafts, with craft items for sale. Lunch will be for sale on the grounds – BBQ, Brunswick stew, hot dogs, snacks, apple and sweet potato jacks, water, and soft drinks.

The Museum of Southampton History, adjacent at 22541 Linden Street, will feature several special exhibits, including six amazing to-scale models of local homes and historic buildings built by E. B. Gayle and photographs of many more of our old homes. Our towns and cities grew up around trains—the Trains of Southampton features a working train representing downtown Courtland in the 1950’s and includes photos of depots, trains, and more. The Prehistory Exhibit displays prehistoric shells, sharks’ teeth, and whale vertebrae from when Southampton County was part of the ocean floor. The very popular Military Room highlights the service of our local soldiers in all wars through uniforms, photos, memorabilia, and weaponry. Entry here is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Jeff Hines will sell and autograph his three books. He will have a short presentation at noon outside the museum on the movie "Walk with You", based on his book about Dred Scott.

Dr. Will Dunstan and Rick Francis will be at the Rebecca Vaughan House, on site, from 10 til 2 to answer questions about Nat Turner and the 1831 Southampton Slave Insurrection.

Always a popular attraction, the museum’s grist mill will be grinding fine cornmeal which will be available for a donation. Samples of hot corn bread, made from that meal will be given away throughout the day. Volunteers will demonstrate the old technique of type setting on the museum’s two old printing presses, an 1885 Chandler & Price and a Columbian #2, treadle operated, hand fed. Visitors can print a free bookmark bearing the museum’s logo.

Antique cars and tractors will be on display. Small gasoline engines will be "put-putting" throughout the day. In addition, the 1920’s ground sawmill and planer mill will be in operation several times during the day. The blacksmith shop too will be open, with blacksmiths at work.

Among the crafts being demonstrated and for sale visitors will find painted gourds, baskets, handmade jewelry , sewing, quilting, candles, floral arrangements, wreaths, paintings, yard art, as well as various types of needlework and wood work. Artisans from the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia will blend contemporary and traditional art through beadwork, flute making, wood carving, quilting and pottery making. Other special demonstrations include wood carving, spinning, crocheting and knitting. Some of the old crafts to see are lye soap making, butter churning, hominy making, cracklings and lard rendering.

A state certified local trapper will demonstrate how to handle and tan fur. String music by Potecasi Creek String Band from Murfreesboro can be heard resonating around the grounds. See a bee keeper with a live hive. Gourds, pumpkins, produce, pickles, jams, jellies, and baked goods will be for sale.

"Shiloh Grass," a local blue grass band and crowd favorite, will entertain during the day. The little country church is always an attraction, and this year will feature old-fashioned hymn sings. Don Spence, Hillbilly Poet, will recite poems about local history. Come see special exhibits of old Blacksmithing Tools, an assortment of Old Washing Machines, as well as corn-cob pipe making, washboard washing of clothes and story- telling in the one room school.

Children of all ages will have a ball in a Petting Zoo featuring healthy, gentle pet farm animals. Have you ever seen baby chicks pip their way out of eggs? They will be hatching on Sept. 10^th! Smokey the Bear will visit, and there will be hay rides, face painting, wheel barrow rides, and a hen house of chickens. Also, young folks can learn the art of milking a cow by practicing on "Mattie," our replica "cow."

In addition to all the special activities, visitors are welcome to tour the Agriculture & Forestry Museum and all of its outbuildings and Heritage Village, which includes a country store, one room school, country dwelling, doctor’s office, smoke house, old post office, and two outhouses, among other buildings. A newly restored barber shop will be open with family members telling stories about its history.

This 23^rd Heritage Day event promises to provide a wholesome and fun outing for the whole family. Visitors will see how the older generations lived, how hard they worked to make a living. For the older generation, it’s a stroll down memory lane. Come and learn how they made the items in their homes and on the farm. Farming activities, by the way, included the whole family. We offer something for all ages to enjoy.

Photo #1: Potecasi Creek String Band

Photo #2: Civil War Reenactors 41^st Va. Co. F

NOTE: All photos by Anne W. Bryant