MEMORIAL TRIBUTES

We are saddened to announce the deaths of two dedicated Historical Society officers:
Margaret Ann Smith, parliamentarian and
John Graham, second Vice President

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES

Nominate New Board Members at
September Business Meeting

We proudly welcome Jim Slusher to fill out John Graham’s 2nd Vice President vacancy and Gino Williams to serve as parliamentarian in Margaret Smith’s place. There will be an election at the November business meeting to elect a new Board of Directors to govern the Society according to the Articles of Corporation. After the Board of Directors are elected, leadership responsibilities will be assigned.

Rebecca Weeks, current President, will be resigning her excellent leadership in November, due to ongoing health concerns. She will serve as Past President on the Board of Directors. All persons interested in being nominated to serve on the FCHS Board of Directors will acknowledge their intentions at the September business meeting, to be voted on in November.

HUMIDIFICATION PROJECT TEST RUN

The tested documents, from the 1870s, were hand-written, each using one to three sheets of paper. They have been packed tightly and tied together with string. The length of time to satisfactorily humidify a document varied with the number of pages folded together. Sometimes the multiple pages had been sewn together, rather than stapled or paper-clipped. These samples seemed to need some humidification before the thread could be withdrawn easily from the paper. The samples tested needed from 4 – 12 hours before they could easily be partially unfolded. An additional time, sometimes overnight, was needed to open the individual pages flat enough to be laid between sheets of absorbent blotting paper to dry and be pressed completely flat under a weight.

What was learned from this test run?
     • The museum space is not large enough to keep the needed supplies close by.
     • The counter is too high. It necessitated the use of a step stool to place the documents into and out of the humidity chambers.

The Historical Society Board will be searching for a climate-controlled space large enough to hold several 6 to 8-foot long tables. If you have any suggestions, please contact a Board member.

A CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS OF “VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS”

Saturday, September 14th, 10:30am
Floyd Center for the Arts
Presentation from Bert Hatcher and others

Life magazine called the 1960’s “the decade when everything changed.” Indeed, there were many sweeping changes in the space program, economics, politics, war, sports, and music. This was the decade when the USA reached the moon; prices for gasoline, homes, and food were at very low levels; the decade when the awful war in Vietnam raged on; the Green Bay Packers, Boston Celtics, and New York Yankees dominated in pro sports; and the music world was introduced to the Beatles and Elvis Presley continued his success! John Kennedy became the youngest president ever to be elected—-only to be killed three years after being elected! This was also a period of unrest, with many riots in most of America’s large cities. It was also the decade when Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth’s record of 60 home runs. In 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a pro basketball game. Also, “The pill” was introduced.

The year 1969:
1. Neil Armstrong & two other astronauts land on the moon.
2. The famous Charles Manson murders occur, leaving five people dead.
3. Bethel, New York welcomes 400,000 to the Woodstock music concert.
4. Gil Hodges leads the New York Mets to their first world series win.
5. The Beatles perform for the final time on the roof of Apple Records.
6. The Concorde plane has its first flight.
7. The Boeing 747 jet is introduced.
8. The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am hits the market.
9. Hurricane Camille takes over 100 lives in central Virginia.
10. Everyone who lived through this year has a tale to tell!

Join us for a presentation and celebration of the year of 1969, the year that Virginia established the slogan “Virginia is for Lovers.”

How Can I Help?

     We always need additional help assisting with research, finding and writing grants, helping with displaying exhibits, museum housekeeping, yard beautification, preparing newsletters, assisting with correspondence, and serving as docents. Please help us continue our momentum to share and celebrate our history.
For more details, please call
Becky Weeks at 745-4256 or
Connie Mitchell at 745-2316
 

2018 Officers

Becky Weeks – President
Gerald Via – 1^st Vice President
Jim Slusher – 2^nd Vice President
Connie Mitchell – Secretary
Fran Helms – Treasurer
Ann Shank – Archivist
Gino Williams – Parliamentarian

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 14
Celebrating 50 years of “Virginia is for Lovers” with Bert Hatcher
Floyd Center for the Arts Business Meeting Including Board Nominations @ 10am
Presentation from 10:30am-12:00pm

November 9
Shaped Note Singing
Floyd Center for the Arts
Business Meeting Including Board Elections @ 10am
Presentation from 10:30am-12:00pm

December 7
Last opportunity to visit for 2019 — Museum closes for winter

BECOME A MEMBER, RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
OR MAKE A DONATION TO THE MUSEUM FUND

You can help preserve the history of Floyd County. Our programs include lectures, publications, community outreach and exhibits. The Society maintains an archive of historic artifacts, documents and photographs.
 
Annual dues are $20.00 single or $30.00 family. Become a member or renew your membership online (here) or via snail mail. Please send checks, along with your current full name, address, phone number and email address to Floyd County Historical Society, P.O. Box 292, Floyd, VA 24091-0292. Don’t forget to indicate if this is a New Membership, Renewal, or donation for our Museum Fund.

This is a 501(c)3 organization and your donation may be tax deductible.

Thank you to everyone who has already renewed their membership!