"Moving into the future with an appreciation of the past"
| Volume 7, Number 4 |  (Previous Newsletters) |
Summer 2003 |
|
We are always pleased and fortunate to have volunteers who were born and reared in our wonderful county. They can sometimes be one of our best sources of information about our proud heritage. Some of our visitors to the museum who may have once lived in the county appreciate the opportunity to reminisce with these volunteers about "the good 'ole days." 
Since her birth, Dorothy Dance has always lived in Halifax County. She is a graduate of Halifax County High School (today Halifax Middle School). Her husband Frank and many of her other family members are also Halifax County natives. Dorothy was an employee of Daystrom Furniture in South Boston until its closing in 1996.
Shortly after her job with Daystrom ended, she began volunteering. Her involvement with the museum resulted from a telephone conversation with another museum volunteer at the time. The purpose of the telephone call was to inquire about Daystrom Furniture. To our delight Dorothy made time in her busy schedule for the museum. She is always ready to answer phones, work in the gift shop or greet people with a smile. Besides volunteering, Dorothy also enjoys working in her yard and spending time with her daughter, two stepdaughters, and three grandchildren. She is a member of Beth Car Baptist Church in Halifax. When asked what she enjoys most about volunteering, she responds, "It is always interesting and you meet so many different people from outside the local area." 
Another museum volunteer, Irma Hudson, has also lived in Halifax County for most of her life. She did live in Blacksburg, Virginia for three years during WWII. After her her graduation from Halifax High School (today Halifax Elementary), she attended Longwood College for two years. She was married to James H. Hudson, Jr., who passed away in 1993. She has one son and two grandchildren.
Irma's previous employment included working for 41 years as bookkeeper of the South Boston Tobacco Market. She was also secretary for Mr. William Slate, Office Manager of Pacific Mills in Halifax (which later became Burlington Industries). Irma had to work in a small wooden structure while Pacific Mills was being built. Irma has been a volunteer at the museum for about four years. She explains, "After visiting the museum, I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. As a museum volunteer, I thoroughly enjoy the exhibits and people who visit". Irma also does volunteer work at Twin Oakes Nursing Home and Hospice. In addition, she is an active member of Crystal Hill Baptist Church. What extra time she has left is spent doing chair exercises at the YMCA, reading, and yard work. Irma proudly states, "I enjoy keeping busy". by Martha Coates As part of its expansion and renovation, our museum has dedicated an area to the establishment of a Genealogy/Local History Room. The items we already possess have been inventoried and catalogued and a current card catalog has been organized. Among these are publications with details about wills, deeds, and marriages from county court records going back to 1752, microfilm of some Civil War service records, books on Halifax County history, church histories, family histories, and some high school yearbooks dating back to the 1920s. Enlarged maps from 1899 and 1932 have been mounted and hung. A microfilm reader given to us some years ago has been disinterred and is in working order. We have received a memorial gift of two books on Civil War units from Halifax County. We are in the process of acquiring the microfilm of the county personal property taxes from 1782 to 1850 and the early records of Lunenburg County before Halifax was split off. We will also be acquiring census records, information on Revolutionary and Civil War military service, and publications on early colonial settlers. As our holdings increase, the number of visitors using our facility for research also increases, some of whom come from quite a distance. To more completely assist them, we seek and welcome donations of family histories, church histories, group photographs from grade school and family reunions, and family Bibles. We would also like to acquire the early records of civic organizations and businesses. We will carefully copy your records and return them to you with our sincere appreciation. Martha Coates attended a Virginia Association of Museum's workshop on Friday, April 11, in Waynesboro, Virginia. The museum appreciates her gained knowledge on how to bring people through the door, increase our visibility and make contact with the public. Animal skins Native Animals (free standing) - Taxidermy Portable Stereo Wheelchair 1 Who created and patented the Raggedy Ann doll in 1915 and published "Raggedy Ann Stories" in 1918 then "Raggedy Andy Stories" in 1920? 2 What toy company released the instant best seller, the Shirley Temple doll, in 1934? 3 When did dolthouses first become popular? 4 What was the most popular black rubber doll after WWI? Answers on page 4 The Complete Illustrated Carl P. Stirn Calatog from 1893 In conjunction with the museum's exhibit of Dolls and Dollhouses and Tools and Toys, we would like to tell you a little about this insightful catalog we have available in our gift shop. 
By the 1890s, Carl P. Stirn's Manhattan based company was a leading importer and distributor of a spectacular line of toys ranging from dolls, stuffed animals and musical instruments to tea sets, magic lanterns and steamboats. His illustrated wholesale catalog of 1893, reproduced here from a rare original in the collection of Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, offers fascinating glimpses of the many objects of delight created in America and abroad to entertain and instruct children at the turn of the century. Antique toy enthusiasts and dealers will find the catalog invaluable for identifying and authenticating scores of articles that were commonplace in the late 19th century. Social historians and lovers of Americana will find it a fascinating glimpse not only into commercial practices nearly a century ago, but also into everyday American life, culture and recreation. 
Bisque babies, washable dolls with moving eyes, tin trumpets, Noah's ark, dollhouses, toy theaters, surprise boxes, fancy rolling hoops and Japanese bird kites are just a few of the many toys pictured (over 1000 illustrations) and described. The iron toys typical of the period are also represented. Complete original description copy, specifications and prices are included for each item.
Aunt Jemima Ragdoll c. 1930 on loan by Mike Geisinger.  The South Boston-Halifax County Museum serves the community in so many capacities. Citizens, both local and distant, view this museum as a resource for local history. People discover Halifax County related items such as a document, bottle, or post card etc. all the time. In their quest to. find more information about their discovery, they think of the local museum. Requests come to us on a regular basis by fax, e-mail, letter, and phone. We make an effort to find the answer or locate someone who knows. The new Genealogy/Local History room will expand our ability to serve researchers working on family history. The collection will eventually include as many published editions as we can find. We plan to make available microfilmed raw records from the Library of Congress (US Census returns) and the Library of Virginia (Halifax tax records). This museum project is in the process of ordering microfilm and books now. To former residents returning for a visit, the museum has become a stopping point. They come by to view the exhibits and to ask about old friends and neighbors. The museum staff have become surrogate family members to those who have no family left in the community. They enjoy sharing their recollections of growing up in Halifax County and the people they knew in years gone by. To the museum staff and volunteers, each day spent at your museum is an opportunity to learn more about our community. Halifax and South Boston possess a wealth of individual stories which, not necessarily important enough to shape national history, illustrate the character of this great nation and its people. Come by your museum with your eyes open to see and your ears open to listen. What you see and hear will be a pleasant learning experience. Many former residents of the South Boston-Halifax County area like to stay in touch with happenings in their former home county area through the museum. Scores of former residents have stopped by the museum while visiting here and shared with us how much they look forward to every issue of the museum newsletter. They are the ones that have visited with us and given us their names and addresses. There are many more that would be thrilled to receive the newsletter but we don't have their names and addresses. You can help a friend keep in touch by giving us the name and address of family members, former neighbors, friends or colleagues that now live outside the county within the state or in some other state, we will send them the next issue of the newsletter. You would be surprised how many former residents from all over the country are maintaining regular contact with the museum. We are all very proud of our museum and it is something special that we can share with others. Gerald T. Gilliam, President Leslie Powell, Vice President Myrtle Cassada, Secretary Bob McCullough, Treasurer Marjorie Holtman, Director Andrea Smith, Assist. to Director Louise Slayton, Receptionist The museum has received the following queries from across the nation on local history and genealogy. If you can provide any answers, please let us know. • I am searching for the cemetery records or any surviving church records of the High View Baptist Church that was on Mountain Road in Vernon Hill. Records possibly transferred to Mount Vernon Baptist Church in the 1930s-1950s. Tammy Hallstein • I found an old bottle that has Keystone Drug Company, South Boston, VA written on it. Can anyone provide any information? • My mother-in-law, Minnie Florence Brown, was raised in an orphanage in South Boston around 1905. Do you have any information about it? Peggy • I am looking for information on an old private club in Cluster Springs, VA. It had a dance area, roller skate rink, picnic area and go-kart race track. My father, Clyde R. Garrett, who has passed away, won a go-kart trophy that has the inscription, "Paradise Club" 1960 on it. Any information on the club would be helpful. Dennis Garrett 1. Newspaper cartoonist, John Barton Gruelle. 2. Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. 3. Three hundred years ago fine dollhouses were the fashion in Europe. Fancy Dutch houses were made in the form of cupboards. When the doors were open, one could peep into every room in the house, from basement to attic. The houses were sometimes six, seven, or eight feet high, and were made for grownups. 4. The 1949 doll "Amosandra" was produced by CBS Broadcasting Radio Company. Amosandra was the daughter of Amos from the Amos and Andy Show. 
Victorian Dollhouse built for Barbara Rowland by her son Ward.From September through October our exhibit, the Great Depression, will include room scenes from the era. If you have any items to include in the kitchen, living room or bedroom, please let us know. Please call the museum at April, May, and June 2003 Following are museum supporters who made financial gifts as memorials or honorary tributes. We have sent an acknowledgement card to the supporter and other appropriate persons. Mr. Tom Owen John & Beth Farley Claude Rice Janet Stinson Nelson Burruss Ying Deborah King Whitesell John W. "Buddy" Thaxton Charles & Mavis Phillips Barbara T. Yeamen Lloyd Franklin Charles & Mavis Phillips Mary Newton Charles & Mavis Phillips Louise G. Anderson Betty Anderson & Ed Delaney Louise Slayton Alice & George Tunstall Louise Slayton Lillian R. Ridgeway Dot Meeler Mary Frances Hunt Avery & Dick Smith Representatives from Halifax Education Association at Project IDEA, Carolyn Krempl, Karen Smith, and Dianne Holmes presented Director Marge Holtman with a Whole Village Award certificate. The award was an appreciative recognition of the museum's commitment to students for demonstrating a caring attitude while assisting students to achieve their educational goals and for inspiring Project IDEA students to appreciate and value history.  Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others... Booker T. Washington. This is so true of our loyal volunteers. We cannot thank them enough for bringing sunshine into our lives and those who visit the museum. An appreciation luncheon was enjoyed by all who attended July 22. Davis Realty so kindly sponsored the catered luncheon. Gary Crutchfield has agreed to be our volunteer chairperson and coordinate the needs and responsibilities of such a valuable group of people. When. called to help, please say YES! We are beginning to evaluate the surveys that we sent out to you in the last newsletter. If you have not filled one out and would like to, please send it now. If you have misplaced it, stop by our front desk and fill one out. We appreciate your input! Many People have found deep satisfaction in making memorial contributions to our museum as thoughtful tributes to the memories of the deceased. Others find that special occasions are most appropriately commemorated through honorary gifts that provide support to the museum. When you make a tribute, we will send an acknowledgement to the appropriate person with your name and the purpose of the gift indicated. The amount of the gift will not be disclosed. You, as a donor, will be sent an official receipt for your tax-exempt contribution. "Partner" Support Program Aids the Museum 
Supporters have an opportunity to become "PARTNERS" in the day-to-day operation of the museum by becoming an "Inner Circle Partner" with a contribution of $500.00 or more or a "Roundtable Partner" with a contribution of $250.00 to $499.00. A reason to become a partner - the museum supports cultural enrichment in the county and is a facility open free to the public. Partners have a one-year membership, special recognition displayed in the museum, and special activities. "Partners" will be featured in the newsletter each quarter. For more information call 572-9200. Personal presentations are available.
The museum has established an agency account with Edward Jones Investments of South Boston for the convenience of contributors who wish to donate securities to the museum. There is an incentive to donate appreciated securities because the donor avoids the capital gains tax on the amount that the security has appreciated. Example: A security that cost only $100 but is now worth $1000 can be donated and the donor can show it as a $1000 donation. (Consult your tax advisor for individual applications.) For more information call 572-9200. |
|
• About • Calendar • Exhibits • Newsletter • History |
|
1540 Wilborn Avenue South Boston, Virginia 434.572.9200 sbhcm@halifax.com |
|
• Archives • Gift Shop • Historical Society • Historic Sites |